We Deserve The Truth!

     I think we would all agree that it's getting harder to find let alone know the truth.  As I write this post, Congress is preparing the first hearings on the Benghazi, Libya attack.  The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will examine possible intelligence failures, security lapses, and the failure of our Leaders to accurately assess the threat level of Al Queda in Libya and North Africa.  The contradictory statements coming from the Administration and State Department only serve to erode the peace of mind and trust of all Americans.
     Combine this uncertainty with official statements that Al Queda and the Taliban have been "set on their heels", and you wonder if our government is living in an alternative reality.  I am just an ordinary citizen who has an opposing opinion, formed by carefully researched sources.  But there are others who  have lived "the truth", and they are speaking out.

     For those of you who are not familiar with Lara Logan, let me give you a little bit of her story.  She is a CBS journalist; a foreign correspondent, who covered the Arab Spring in Egypt.  The Administration and the Mainstream Media told us the crowds that embraced Mubarek's overthrow were celebrating newfound freedom.  They were benevolent and intoxicated with the idea of democracy.   Ms. Logan will tell you that there were others who had something more sinister in mind. While reporting from the midst of the "celebration", she found herself surrounded by an angry mob of Egyptian men who beat and sexually assaulted her, calling her a Jew (which she is not).
     Ms. Logan now feels it is important for her to step outside her unbiased journalistic role, and give her personal opinion; formed through months of extensive research and interviews with our top commander in Afghanistan, as well as Afghan President Karzai.  She has impressive credentials, having covered U.S. military involvement in the Middle East for years, and feels it is time to tell the truth to the American people.  According to Logan, "the U.S. government is downplaying the strength of our enemies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as a rationale of getting us out of the longest war....  "they" still hate us, now more than ever. The Taliban and al-Qaida have not been vanquished - and they're coming back."
     If you need proof other than this fearless reporter's personal opinion, then I offer you the story of Malala Yousufzai, a 14-year-old Pakistani girl, who worked tirelessly to promote the schooling of girls; something that the Taliban strongly opposes.  Malala lives in the beautiful Swat Valley of Northern Pakistan, which has been compared to the majestic grandeur of Switzerland.  Her home was a popular tourist attraction until the Taliban and Al Queda swept across the border from their safe havens in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan in 2008.
     At the even younger age of 11, Malala wrote a blog under a pseudonym, educating the world about what it was like to live under Taliban rule.   Pakistan's military succeeded in routing the Taliban in 2009, but the leaders escaped, leaving the citizens in a state of constant fear and volatility.  According to a report in The Express Tribune, an internationally affiliated newspaper in Pakistan, "militants forced men to grow beards, restricted women from going to the bazaar, whipped women they considered immoral and beheaded opponents."

     But Malala only became bolder in her writings, especially after the Taliban destroyed over 200 schools (mostly girls' schools) during their short and violent reign.  She showed that Pakistani girls and women had the courage to fight for their rights.  She was very outspoken, vocally supporting Western culture, which only served to anger the Taliban.  And that's when the Taliban struck back.  They stopped the school bus that Malala was riding on, and demanded to know which girl was her.  Another girl identified her, but when Malala denied who she was, they shot both girls.  As I write this post, the bullet has been removed from her neck and she is improving, although still unconscious.
     To add to the absolute horror of this murderous act, the Taliban is openly taking credit for the attack, calling Malala’s writings “a new chapter of obscenity” that must be “finished.”
     A senior official of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, praised Malala for her bravery and said this was an effort "to silence courage through a bullet .... These are the forces who want to take us [back] to the dark ages.”
     So I ask you, does this sound like the militant and radicalized Taliban and Al Queda are "set back on their heels?"  Do you really think that their hatred has been tempered by the Arab Spring, or any of our lame concessions?  I submit to you that these two events, along with the recent murders of American citizens in Libya, and prayer rugs and Korans in the deserts of our Southwest, prove that we are not being told the truth.  There is Evil in the world and denying that it exists doesn't make it go away.  Be honest with us!  Anything less is unethical and immoral.

 Deuteronomy 31:6        "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
   

World Headlines Increasingly Ominous

     It seems that world events are hitting on all cylinders.  The economic woes of Spain are resulting in violence in the streets.  Hardline radicals on both the far-right and the far-left are clashing with authoritarian police during riots and protests, leaving many innocent victims caught in the middle.  A global economic slowdown is affecting the financial systems of both Japan and China, while the value of the Euro is still falling, and the U.S. dollar index fell by 4.3%; the most since the first quarter of 2011 (Bloomberg).  I saw a headline in BusinessWeek that read, U.S. Fiscal Cliff Endangers World Economy.  The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that U.S. tax increases and spending cuts, set to take effect next year, pose one of the biggest risks to the world economy.

     The Middle East is poised for imminent warfare.  The situation in Syria threatens to pull the U.S, and its European and Arab allies into a conflict with Russia, China, Iran and Hezbollah.  In the midst of all this wrangling, Al-Queda is "bleeding through the cracks", and making its presence known in this civil war-torn country, as well as in Libya and other countries in North and East Africa.  The growing number of battle ships in the Strait of Hormuz and near the Persian Gulf is not a good sign for world peace.  A headline in The Jerusalem Post reads "Russia Warns NATO to stay away from Syria".  Another of their headlines quotes Iranian government officials as saying "To Annihilate Israel, We Just Need 24 Hours and an Excuse."
     But the Middle East is not the only hotbed of war rumors.  Reuters reported that Korean Peninsula Could Face 'Thermonuclear War'.  The hostility between North Korea and the U.S. continues to threaten the stability of the world.  Although North Korea is under UN Security Council sanctions for its nuclear tests, it has not backed away from using the threat of nuclear war to bolster the country's leverage among world powers.

     War and the Economy are not the only headlines that occupy news outlets.  Earlier this summer, the Washington Post quoted the U.N. in their headline, Famine In Somalia Is Killing Tens of Thousands.  Increases in food prices, drought and civil war have all contributed to the climbing numbers; mostly among children.  Disease usually accompanies famine, but you don't have to be a Third World country to become victim to viruses and illness.  CNN reported West Nile Virus Outbreak Largest Ever in U.S.  And The International Business Times ran the following story:  Vomiting Virus Outbreak: 8400 German Children Affected; Exact Cause of Outbreak Still Unknown.  Combine these headlines with those that proclaim outbreaks of Ebola and the SARS virus, and it's enough to make you want to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head.

     And lest we forget Mother Nature, earthquakes and volcanoes are grabbing headlines, too.  JapanToday, an online news outlet, reported just two days ago, Two Strong Quakes Jolt Northern Japan.  Both a 6.2 and a 5.1 magnitude quake shook the already-devastated nation, and set the world's teeth on edge as everyone keeps their focus on Fukushima.  Volcanoes are erupting in Central Indonesia; and all eyes are on the Canary Islands, just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, as seismic and volcanic activity remains elevated.
     Maybe my pre-occupation with all these news headlines is just part of what some would call my "evangelical paranoia", but it just seems as if all these events are happening at a greater and faster pace, and are converging to send the world into a downward spiral.  I know that news of wars, and economic crises, and famine and disease, and geophysical events is not new.  But there are those of us who feel all these occurrences are happening on a supernatural level.  I know that sounds crazy and preposterous; and Lord knows I can't substantiate it.  But suffice it to say, that I have an awareness I have never felt before; a "sight picture", if you will, that is connecting the dots among all these events.
     Do I know where all these leads, or what will happen next?  Don't have a clue.  I just pray everyday that God will give us one more day to alter our course, and go down a different road.  I don't like to think about where we might be headed, and what we might be facing.  But everything in my heart, my mind and my soul tells me to "GET READY!"  So I keep one eye on what the world is telling me, and the other, focused like a laser, for signs of my Redeemer.  And I continue to listen to that still, small voice that tells me what to say to you.  I hope you're listening.

Isaiah 32:3-4       "Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear. "
     
     

UN General Assembly In Review

     This past week, the major players involved in the world unrest were in New York to speak before the U.N. General Assembly.  They made both "official" speeches and gave formal interviews throughout the week.  We should not turn a deaf ear to their communications.  Words have meaning and significance.  Even this brief glance at some of their remarks should give us a clue towards their intentions.  Carefully consider what these leaders had to say:

 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:  
He called for a "new world order", free of the domination of the ruling big powers.  “Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus” and other religions and cultures could live in harmony and peace if it weren’t for the “arrogance and hegemony of the ruling minority [and its] oppressive international order.”

Meeting with reporters before his U.N. speech, the Iranian President said Iran has been in existence for a thousand years, while the nation of Israel has only existed for 60 or 70 years.  "They (Israel) have no roots there in history."  Could he be any more wrong?  He further intimated they have no place in the Middle East and "must be eliminated."

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi: 
He called upon the U.N. to once again grant a Palestinian state and condemn Israel.  He also asked the General Assembly to consider international action to limit speech that defames religions.  In this sentiment, he was joined by the President of Yemen, who said, "There should be limits for freedom of expression, especially if such freedoms blaspheme the beliefs of nations and defame their figures."

All this "freedom of speech" rhetoric comes on the heels of the cheesy film that has been used as the scapegoat for inciting the recent violence against our Ambassador and three others in Libya.  There are starting to be rumors around the net, that this film was a set-up; the low quality suggesting that a terrorist affiliate made it for the express purpose of sparking outrage.  It will be interesting to see if this story grows legs.  If true, it provided a convenient excuse to blame the West for pre-planned protests, violence, and terrorist attacks.

President Barack Obama:
In keeping with the "freedom of speech" theme, our President made the statement, "The laws governing the flow of information on the internet are obsolete."  What concerns me about this approach is the fact that he missed an opportunity to denounce radical Islamic terrorism in the killings of our Ambassador and security personnel; instead choosing to use this cheap film as a justification to crack down on internet speech.


The President also proclaimed, "The war in Iraq is over, and our troops have come home.  We have begun a transition in Afghanistan, and America and our allies will end our war on schedule in 2014. Al-Qaida has been weakened, and Osama bin Laden is no more. Nations have come together to lock down nuclear materials, and America and Russia are reducing our arsenals."

     I am afraid I don't find great comfort in these words.  Our transition in Afghanistan finds more of our troops dying from Al-Qaida "insiders" within the ranks of the Afghan Security Forces.  In light of these events and the possibility that Al-Qaida was involved in provoking the death of Ambassador Stevens, I respectfully disagree that they are "weakened."  General John Allen (who succeeded David Petraeus as Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan) is publicly stating that Al-Qaida is resurging.  It's not only too early, but disingenuous, to proclaim that this terrorist organization is dwindling.
     Also, the fact that Iran is continuing with their nuclear program contradicts the statement that "nations are locking down nuclear materials".  And I find no peace of mind in the thought that we would willingly reduce our number of nuclear warheads; that we would trust the Russians or anyone else to not take advantage of our vulnerability.
   

     Finally, I cannot conclude this post without considering the words of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
For those at the U.N. who refute the claim that Israel has no biblical or historical roots in the region, he said, "Three thousand years ago, King David reigned over the Jewish state in our eternal capital, Jerusalem. I say that to all those who proclaim that the Jewish state has no roots in our region and that it will soon disappear... The Jewish people have come home. We will not be uprooted again. "

He also had a message for those members of Islamic terrorism organizations:  "Forces of radical Islam...are bent on world conquest. They want to destroy Israel, Europe, America. They want to end the modern world...Their intolerance is directed first at their fellow Muslims, and then to Christians, Jews, and anyone who doesn’t submit to their unforgiving creed. It’s not whether this fanaticism will be defeated. It’s how many lives will be lost before it’s defeated." 

He then confronted his nation's standoff with Iran:  "For the Ayatollahs of Iran, mutually assured destruction is not a deterrent, it’s an inducement... Ayatollah Rafsanjani said, "The use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy everything there, however it would only do partial harm to the Islamic world."  The religious leaders of Iran are willing to sacrifice their own people to destroy Israel.

Netanyahu ended his speech with an appeal to biblical values:  "We heed the words of the Jewish prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Jeremiah to treat all with dignity and compassion, to pursue justice and cherish life and to pray and strive for peace. These are the timeless values of my people and these are the Jewish people’s greatest gift to mankind."

The people of the world need to carefully scrutinize the words of these world leaders.  They currently hold the peace and the future of the planet in their hands.  Which of these men do you trust?  Whose remarks sound like they truly want world peace?  Do their words give you confidence; provide you with assurance that they will take the world in the right direction?  There is only one word of all these remarks that resonates with me ..... and that word is "pray".   Pray for hearts to be changed; pray for evil to be defeated; pray for a desire for peace to invade the land.  That single word has so much power, and it may be the only message of hope we have.

Jeremiah 42:2-3       "Jeremiah the prophet said to him, “Please hear our petition and pray to the Lord your God for this entire remnant. For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few are left.  Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do."

The News You Won't Find In The U.S. Media

     I don't think I am stretching the truth too far when I say that we aren't getting the whole picture of the challenges our country is facing.   We, here in America, are focused on an upcoming election that will undeniably affect whether our nation prevails as a republic.  Our attention is centered on national/personal debt, our fragile healthcare system, our liberties and freedoms, and a high unemployment rate; essentially our concentration is directed inward.  While these problems are paramount to American households and our focus on them is perfectly understandable, there are outside forces that we should be paying attention to.  And you won't hear about them in the Mainstream Media.
     I make it a practice to check many different news sources to determine how the news of the world might influence my life.  I compare "legitimate" news outlets such as Fox and CNN; I read blogs that I feel are interested in helping people become educated and prepared; I check news sources like World Net Daily and Worthy News; and I also like to see what sources around the world have to say.  It's sometimes an eye-opener to see the take Israeli websites have on world affairs.

     For instance, our U.S. Media has given us a very veiled picture of the ramifications of Muslim Brotherhood influence in the Middle East.  We've been told that the "Arab Spring" and the rise of the Brotherhood was an expression of democracy and free elections; something that we should be applauding.  But Debka File, an Israeli news site that covers events in Israel and offers political analysis for international readers, gives us a different side to this story.  As with all sources, I'm sure they have a bias towards their own interests, but at least we have the opportunity to compare both perspectives and make up our own minds, instead of being fed an "official" line.
     On Wednesday of this week, Debka File reported that Jordan is under serious pressure from the Muslim Brotherhood.  King Abdullah II has been given until October to bow to the MB's demand to abdicate his throne in favor of a constitutional monarchy, or he will face demonstrations and riots like those we've seen in Egypt, Libya and Syria.

     As if that is not enough, the royal kingdom in Saudi Arabia is reportedly panicked that they would be next on the list, should Jordan acquiesce to the Brotherhood's intimidation.  In short, the MB is on a clear path to take command of the Middle East.   It appears as if King Abdullah has three choices:  give up his throne and give in to the demands for a democratic election (in which the MB hopes to gain two-thirds majority),  2) plunge his nation into civil war if he decides to fight the coercion, or  3)  try to compromise in the hopes that the radical elements of the Brotherhood can be kept at bay.
     Sources at Debka File report that the MB already has 50,000 demonstrators waiting in the wings should the King hesitate to make a decision or try to buy more time.  After what we've seen in Syria and Libya the last few weeks and months, that doesn't bode well for his Royal Highness.
     Yet James Clapper, our National Intelligence Director, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, that "The term 'Muslim Brotherhood'...is an umbrella term for a variety of movements.... there is no overarching agenda, particularly in pursuit of violence, at least internationally."  And then Representative Michele Bachmann's suspicions that the MB has infiltrated our own government is dismissed as "specious and degrading."  Tell me, in light of the news from Israel, do you have much confidence in the portrait of Middle East democracy that's been painted by our Administration?  Who sounds more credible --- Clapper or Bachmann?
     It is quite apparent that the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood no longer wishes to use the tools of propaganda or political debate; they have moved into organized protest.  The Middle East is watching to see how the White House will respond.  From the President's appearance before the U.N. General Assembly this week, I think we know the answer.   But it is apparent to me that we are way beyond pacification and fence-mending.  Jordan, another democratic ally, is on the brink of overthrow.  And Israel finds itself increasingly surrounded by hostile neighbors.  As a nation, America needs to decide whether we stand behind our allies in the Middle East or continue to offer the olive branch to a movement that is determined to establish its own form of autocratic rule in the region.
     I suppose there is a reason that the MSM doesn't report this news.  After all it doesn't suit their purposes, does it?  So it is incumbent upon each and every one of us to be responsible for educating ourselves and researching world events.  Because we can no longer focus on just our own problems here at home.  There is a Force coming against the world and we will not be immune to its agenda.   The world's crises are our crises.  We are up to the task, but time is running out.

Psalm 55:21     "His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords."
       
   

Are We Doomed To Repeat History?

     We are all familiar with the sayings History repeats itself because the world doesn't learn, and Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.  I'm afraid that we are about to prove that these clichés are more truth than fabrication.  I have long been fascinated with the circumstances that led to the outbreak of WWII, and stumbled upon a very informative two-part article on a German website, (Spiegel Online International) titled The Road To WWII; Why Wasn't Hitler Stopped.  After reading it, I couldn't help but notice an alarming number of similarities with what is taking place today.

     The article is an extensive look at what it was like in the days before WWII.   It explored a lot of questions that I have often wondered about.  Since Hitler was the embodiment of Evil, what were the signs that war was inevitable?  What was he saying, and what were the world's leaders doing or saying in response?  What were the efforts to appease him, and were his threats taken seriously?  It has only been 73 years since Hitler invaded Poland, resulting in a six-year war that claimed 60 million lives.  Could he have been stopped before Poland fell, and what can history teach us about what the world faces today?
     Let me expound on my trail of thoughts.  Europe in the summer of 1939 resembles the Middle East in 2012.  From the ashes of defeat in WWI, Hitler and his Foreign Ministry wanted to take advantage of the postwar instability and called for a fast and comprehensive military buildup.  They wanted to dominate Europe, and Hitler set his sites on the invasion of Poland as his means of demonstrating Germany's emerging strength and dominance.  Naturally, the swift rise of the German dictator's powerful military caused unease and tension in neighboring countries and the world.
     It does not take a mental giant to see the similarities with what we are facing in the Middle East. The nation of Iran is pursuing a nuclear program at breakneck speed, and it is putting the nations of the world on edge.  No one believes that it is for peaceful means alone.  Furthermore, the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has openly threatened the nation of Israel.
    It was well known in the German Foreign Ministry that Hitler was "not a man of logic or reason."  The same could be said of Ahmadinejad.  Although, technically, Germany found itself isolated internationally, it had no problems finding willing partners to help establish a new order over Europe.  Italy's fascist dictator Mussolini, wanted a share of the pie for himself, and unholy alliances were made. Today we see the same scenario in the Middle East.  Countries are aligning themselves in shaky alliances, all with one goal in mind:  to wipe Israel off the map.
     As the Western European countries tip-toed around Hitler and his growing bravado, he continued with his massive military buildup and increased his words and rate of aggression.  He greedily eyed the raw materials, mineral resources and gold and foreign currency reserves in neighboring Czechoslovakia, and proclaimed that there was a "Czechoslovakia problem that had to be rectified." Hitler loved to bluff, but there soon came a day that he removed all restraint.  He openly declared that it was his "staunch desire to wipe Czechoslovakia off the map."  Sound familiar?
    Europe feared that an impending war was eminent, yet no one would stand up to Hitler.  Worse yet, no nation came to the aid of Czechoslovakia, who like Israel, was the only true democracy in the region.  While other nations in Europe hemmed and hawed and deferred to England, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (according to the article) sought to appease Germany by fulfilling its wishes, provided they appeared legitimate and were not enforced with violence.  This sounds eerily like the U.N. continuing to give Iran the benefit of the doubt, letting them continue with their threats toward Israel, as long as it's not enforced with violence....YET!  

     Historians have long debated the reasons why European powers looked the other way; why they continued to appease Hitler when he so demonstrably announced his goals.  And by the way, Hitler found their conciliatory tones contemptible, just as Ahmadinejad views the West as weak.  In WWII, Czechoslovakia was virtually sacrificed for the hopes of a few more months of peace.  But in today's world, and to the consternation of both East and West, Israel will not be the sacrificial lamb.  Therefore, I fear that we are headed down the same road that led us to a World War in the last century.  Our willingness to accept false promises of compromise, our refusal to realize that the Eastern mindset is different than the West's, and our denial (whether intentionally, or not) to acknowledge the extreme hatred for Israel by the powers in the Middle East; all are leading us towards a conflagration beyond our control.
     And to continue the comparison, we have Russia, who lurked in the background the last World War, ready to take advantage of the situation.  Both sides courted Russia who, make no mistake, was always looking out for their own interests.  Nothing has changed.  Poland and Czechoslovakia were partitioned and surrendered, just as Western powers ask Israel to hand over portions of their sovereign land today.  What is it going to take for the leaders of the West to wake up and see that we are careening towards a repeat of history?  Why can't they see that concessions and policies of pacification never work when an evil dictator has set his sights on annihilation?
     My post may be an oversimplification of the facts at play, but above all else, I want the leaders of the world, both East and West, to realize what is at stake if we continue down this road.  If strict and swift measures are not taken, AND SOON, then the consequences will be beyond anyone's prognostication.  There will be no winners in this War; it will have eternal significance.  World leaders need to heed the lessons of history and not repeat the horrific miscalculations that resulted in WWII.  Is anyone paying attention?

Ezekiel 33:7       "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me."


   

Oh, the Hypocrisy!

     As the United Nations General Assembly meets this week, I thought you would find this little tidbit interesting.  Only in this crazy, upside-down world of the Twenty-first Century, could a man accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC) be awarded a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council.  That's right, this self-proclaimed and exalted inter-governmental body, which is "responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe", has just agreed to let the President of Sudan, Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir, have a say in addressing situations of human rights violations and to make recommendations on them.

     In case any of you don't recognize his name, Al-Bashir has been brought to the attention of many Americans by the efforts of George Clooney.  The actor has been on the world stage trying to bring attention to the violent conflict in Darfur, which has easily resulted in a death toll in the hundreds of thousands.
     Al-Bashir assumed the Presidency of Sudan after a bloodless coup in 1989, and the ensuing years have seen his country engulfed in a violent and deadly civil war.  The Pro-Arab North has effectively decimated South Sudan and the Western region of Darfur through brutality, disease and starvation.  For his part, Al-Bashir has alternately been called a Dictator, Warlord, and Genocidal Murderer.  Sounds like the perfect person to consider matters of human rights violations, don't you think?  But why should it surprise us?  The leaders of Cuba, Iran and Venezuela also have a seat on the Human Rights Council! What's one more murderous Despot?
     So how can it be that this man, who has been charged by the ICC of "murdering, exterminating, raping, torturing, and forcibly transferring citizens in his own country (through forced removal)", will be expected to uphold the highest standards in the protection of human rights?  How can a man that an independent world organization, such as Human Rights Watch, and Judicial Watch, a watchdog over our own government's judicial system, be allowed to pass judgment on other human rights violators?  And perhaps worst of all, why are Americans continuing to fund the existence of such a corrupt organization as the U.N., to the tune of over $7 Billion per year?

U.N. General Assembly

     The fact that the U.N. is corrupt cannot be disputed.  Remember the Food-For-Oil scandal?  The problem is this:  It is not accountable to anyone.  It makes its own rules and sets its own agenda, which appears to be increasingly "one-world-like".  Tolerance, Sustainability and Equality are all U.N. touchstones.  Just a quick, cursory glance at the U.N. Secretary-General's 5-year Action Plan is enough to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.  Most prominently, you will find Sustainability through Agenda 21, which includes Green Climate Control and securing (by 2015)  "a comprehensive climate change agreement applicable to all parties with legal force under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change!
     Why are we standing for this?  How do we force the U.N. out of our country?  Why are we making it easy for them to institute their brand of hegemony over us?  I feel like we have been invaded by some alien force from another planet!  They do not represent the values of a majority of Americans; yet our national policies are beginning to mirror the objectives of this renegade organization.  Our rights are being suppressed and decimated by an organization that doesn't represent us!
     It seems to me that the U.N. has overstepped its original purpose.  It was founded in 1945 after World War II to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue.  Now it has appointed itself caretaker of international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and the achievement of world peace.  Take a look at the world!  Is it more secure?  Is the world economy stable, let alone growing?  World peace seems further away than it has ever been.  I think it is pretty obvious that the United Nations is a miserable failure.   Yet our elected officials keep signing U.N. treaties we don't want and refusing to stand up for the sovereignty of the United States.
     The appointment of Al-Bashir is just a symptom of the deceit and non-relevancy of what I think is a dishonorable and frankly, evil, organization.  It will be interesting to see what develops this week, and how our country and the world will be affected.  I don't have much hope that it will be constructive or beneficial to either us or the world.

Psalm 36:2-4       "In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.  The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong."
     

Have You Faced The Giant?

     My husband and I had a chance encounter with an old friend the other day; a man who, by all appearances, sees the big picture and is wide awake.  He has firearms training down to a science, and has done reasonably well on storing extra food and life's necessities.  But try talking to him about a global economic collapse and what that could mean or look like for us, and he fixes us with a baffled stare.  I'm afraid that there are millions of Americans that are just like him.
     Maybe it's too complex to understand how the economies of once-sovereign countries are now co-mingled and interconnected.  Let's face it:  terms like "Quantitative Easing" and "Global Currency Exchanges" aren't in the usual lexicon of your average American.  I can understand the desire to turn a deaf ear to all the duplicitous and circuitous ramblings coming from power-hungry politicians and the crooks on Wall Street.

     But I want to scream, "Look around you, man!"  How many empty store fronts do you see?  When was the last time you bought something made in the USA?  Do you see any new developing industries in this country?  How many people do you know who have lost their job or taken a pay cut?
     ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION???
     I fear that we, as a country, are refusing to face reality.  We are caught in a downward spiral of worldwide debt, international political unrest, and a combustible economic situation right here at home.  We don't see that all the maneuvering by the Federal Reserve is just a pretense.  We can't see that the economy is being propped up by printed money and promoted wars.  It's all a ruse to convince us that nothing has changed in America.   We will always rebound and always prosper.  The headlines proclaim The Housing Market is Up and Jobless Claims Go Down.  And we believe it!
     Here's the truth:  IT'S A FAKE ECONOMY!  American households have less money to spend, and what viable US companies that still exist are reporting falling profits.  Our economy was once in a slow decline; now it appears to be gaining speed towards a full-on collapse.  Add to that the fact that our position in the world has taken a drastic nose-dive, and you've got all the ingredients for a dismal US future.  The world has lost its confidence in the US, and the global stage is set for a major economic conflagration.  But have Americans REALLY thought about what that might be like?  Have they considered that we may be too far over the cliff to regain our footing?
     I get it .... We've never been here before and, therefore, it's hard to imagine.  But if you've got your finger on the pulse, you have to feel that the heartbeat is fading.  Our infrastructure is deteriorating; businesses are laying off and cutting back; our education system is failing our kids; doctors are threatening to leave Medicine; our energy needs are held for ransom; and manufacturing has left our shores.
     I'm sure that many people feel they have vaccinated themselves against a recession/depression.  They have plenty of stored food, can adequately defend their households, and propped up their 401Ks with gold and silver.  But they haven't gone far enough in their thinking.
     God forbid, if there is a true global economic collapse, it won't be for a few months while "things get straightened out".  The comfy lifestyles we are used to will be unsustainable.  It will be a long, tortuous slide into societal decay.  The stored food WILL run out; there won't be reliable infrastructure to supply electricity to homes, hospitals or grocery stores; repairs to buildings and roads will be abandoned; systems to deal with sewage and garbage will be lacking.  Just think New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and Haiti after Tropical Storm Isaac.
     I know it must sound like I am a Doomsday Prophet.  Believe me, I'd rather be a Pollyanna.  But there are no indications that we have any intentions of changing our course.  We can't keep pretending that things aren't getting worse, or that world events point to a brighter day.  At some point, we have slipped too great a distance to recover.  At some point, we've gone too far over the cliff and are hanging in mid-air.   My question is this:  are we being sucked into a black hole?  Are our preposterous economic policies combining with our dangerous foreign policies and non-existent energy policies to guarantee that America will be changed forever?  If that is the case, then I suggest that the sooner you face that Giant, the better.  If we lose America, all the gold in China won't bring her back.  And our world will change forever.

Lamentations 5:1-2        "Remember, Lord, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace.  Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners."

Do You Understand The Implications of Unlimited QE3?

     For just a moment, I'm going to take my eyes off the pandemonium that currently defines the Middle East, and take a quick look at the economy.  There's not an American alive that should not be aware that Ben Bernancke and the Federal Reserve just implemented QE3.
     If you are like me, you instinctively know this is not a good thing, but maybe don't quite understand all the implications.  So I've done some cursory research, and I'd like to share with you what I've learned.  My explanation is two-fold --- to clarify the formal definition and actions of Bernanke and the Fed; and to look behind the curtain and see another possible pretext.  

     First of all, I learned that Quantitative Easing is a form of monetary policy that central banks use to stimulate the national economy when conventional monetary policy has become ineffective. I think we can all agree that whatever our policy has been, it has been ineffective.  What constitutes monetary policy?  Definition: that is the process by which the monetary authority of a country controls the supply of money, often setting a low interest rate to promote economic growth and stability. The hoped-for goals of this policy would be relatively stable prices and low unemployment.  (So how's that working for us?)  A central bank is a private institution that manages a state's currency, money supply, and interest rates.  In the case of the United States, our central bank is the Federal Reserve.  So far so good?
     What I also learned was that Quantitative Easing is considered unconventional.  I think traditional economists would interpret that as meaning "a last ditch effort."  Remember that this part of my explanation is taking the viewpoint that QE is meant to stimulate our economy.  With that in mind, what is involved in Quantitative Easing?  A central bank implements QE by buying financial assets from commercial banks and other private institutions (mortgages, for example) with newly created money (read that to mean "printed money"), in order to inject a pre-determined quantity of money into the economy. (That would be $40 Billion per month under QE3!)  Quantitative Easing is designed to control deflation (an unhealthy decrease in the price of goods), but there is a risk that the policy could become more effective than intended in acting against deflation – leading to higher inflation (a destructive rise in the price of goods), or of not being effective enough if banks do not lend out the additional reserves.  In short, QE involves the Federal Reserve artificially controlling the value of the dollar.  I think it's pretty apparent that in spite of all the maneuvering by the Fed, the strength of the dollar has been mortally damaged.  Instead of allowing our economy to self-correct, the Powers That Be have something much more deceptive in mind.  It's the same old "bait and switch".  Let's watch Bernanke continue to promote "stimulus" to prop up the economy.  While he promises that "indefinite Quantitative Easing" is on the table to ease our pain, the other hand is working to destabilize our economy.  That's the second part of my explanation.
     And here's where I proceed to put on my conspiracy hat.  Sorry, folks, but I just don't think we are being told the truth, so my mind always takes me to other motivations.  The most obvious and glaring question to me is this:  if QE1 and QE2 didn't solve our economic woes, the policy isn't working.  So what else could be behind the adoption of QE3?

     Let me refer you to our old friend, George Soros.  Here is what he said in 2009:  "An orderly decline of the dollar is desirable ... in order to compensate for the fact that the U.S. economy will be a drag on the world economy ...  We need a managed decline."  Let me be plain:  THE GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE GLOBAL ECONOMIC EQUALITY; AS LONG AS THE DOLLAR REMAINS STRONG, THIS GOAL CANNOT BE ACHIEVED.
     It all comes back to the One World Order.  In order to level the playing field, there needs to be a global economic collapse, so "They" can manage a reset and redistribute the world's wealth.  The Central Banks of Europe have added $10 Trillion to the balance sheets of their countries.  As I mentioned, the Federal Reserve just added $40 Billion/month to ours with QE3.  It is all unsustainable; that is the plan!  If the dollar can be devalued, America is no longer a great investment for the world.  Until recently, we have been the main obstacle to the idea of a "just order" in the world's economic picture.  We are the fly in the ointment.  And our decline must be "managed".
     No one can deny that our dollars buy less.  Since 2008, health insurance costs have risen 23%.  College tuition has increased 25%.  There has been a 46% increase in food stamp recipients.  The saddest statistic of all:  We have dropped in our Global Competition standing from 1st to 7th .... in just 4 short years.
     Is Quantitative Easing working?  It depends on your reasons for enacting it.  If you ask us freedom-loving, entrepreneurial, unapologetic Capitalists ..... NO!  But if your goal is to destroy the individual and independent economies of sovereign countries in order to establish a "just and equitable" world economic system, then you are probably applauding.  It looks like you're winning.
     But I promise you that I will not go down that road in an accommodating manner.  I will never believe in "the collective".  I embrace a doctrine that those who work hardest, deserve the most reward.  I believe in being a lifeboat to those who are in danger of drowning... until they are able to swim on their own.  God gave each of us the same innate ability to succeed.  It is up to each of us to determine how much we are willing to work to achieve success.   And when you consider that definition of success, you have to ask yourself, what is the Federal Reserve really trying to accomplish?  To me,  it doesn't look as if the Fed is really interested in promoting economic growth.  All their Quantitative Easing policy seems to be accomplishing is the destruction of our currency's purchasing power.  But could it be .... that is their ultimate goal?  Unfortunately, yes!

Psalm 9:15-16        "The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands."
   
   
   

Saturday Morning Commentary: Where Is The Outrage?

     Yesterday, tears streamed down my face as I watched the caskets of our four slain American brothers being carried from the transport plane into the hangar at Andrews Air Force Base.  I mourned not only the loss of precious lives, but the lack of pride I felt in the leaders of our nation as they paid respects to the fallen.
     Their speeches were short, emotionless and uninspiring.  I believe the words "vapid" and "tepid" come to mind and accurately express the substance of their words.  Amid the endless thanks to all the government officials present, this is what I heard:  too many empty examples of a few people in Libya who carried small signs that supported the memory of Ambassador Chris Stevens; too many words like "friends", "diplomacy", and "the interests of all".
     As the representatives of us, the people of the United States, I wanted to hear how the perpetrators of these unjustified, evil acts would be pursued.  I wanted to hear how the acts against the Ambassador were deplorable and despicable.  I wanted to hear how the dignity and the sovereignty of the United States would be defended.  I wanted to hear that this is part of the same hate that struck us eleven years ago.  I didn't hear any of that.

     What I did hear was that America cares about the interests of the people in the Middle East as much as our own.  I heard that every person deserves respect, no matter what their religion.  I heard that we need to seek justice for all.  I would like to remind our Commander-in-Chief that he is President of THE UNITED STATES, not THE WORLD!  Frankly, I'm just not concerned about helping these countries of the "Arab Spring", who have accepted our economic and military aid, and then repaid our assistance with this barbarity!  If we can't even identify Egypt as an ally or a foe, then why in the world are we making excuses for them and giving $1.5 billion of our tax-payer money?  And all supposedly in the name of Freedom?!?!?
     How about helping us to fight for our Freedom?  Because I'm not feeling too secure when all of our embassies in the Middle East are under attack and crowds are chanting "Death to America!" I'm not feeling too confident when I hear U.S. Intelligence personnel report that the conditions on the ground in Libya were considered "hot" and "actionable" days, and even weeks, before the attack in Benghazi, yet our Administration did nothing to upgrade security!  Even I, a simple woman without any degree of State Department experience, can see what the environment is in that part of the world.  And yet you want me to believe that there was insufficient intelligence to effectively assess the situation?  You really want me to believe this is all about some silly movie and "freedom of speech"?  It seems to me that any reasonably intelligent person (let alone POTUS), given the temperature of the region and the chatter by Al Zawahiri, could figure out that it just might be smart to beef up security on the anniversary of 9/11.
     It is certainly plain to me that the hatred and the violence against us is ratcheting up.  I'm tired of apologizing for who we are, and I'm tired of turning a blind eye to the rage and the evil.  As I watched the violence spread to Sudan, Tunisia, and Lebanon, it's clear that North Africa and the Middle East are not interested in conciliatory gestures.  They don't respect us or fear us.  Whether our national leaders want to admit it or not, we are at WAR with a culture that has been co-opted by an ideology of hate and intolerance for anyone who doesn't believe the same as they do.  We can not deal with them as we would our own.  So, please quit with the pacifying and placating.  We saw the results of that in the photos that emerged from the Benghazi attacks and the solemn ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base yesterday.  How many more such scenes will we have to endure before YOU grow a spine?

Nehemiah 4:14      "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
   

Differing World Views Lead To World Chaos

     As it is becoming quite clear, the violence in the Middle East the past few days has been systematically coordinated to incite the flames of anti-Western sentiment.  If you look behind the curtain  you will find that the internet played a huge part in fanning those flames.  Just as we in America are experiencing "flash mobs", social media (via cell phones and email) is being used by radical jihadists to coordinate angry groups into violent protests.  Groups like Al Queda search the internet for any perceived insult they can use to spread their hate and further their cause.  The Youtube video played right into their hands.  A few well-placed tweets and text messages help to manipulate the anger, and the hate goes viral.
     The point of my post today is not to point out the obvious --- that the relations between the West and the Middle East are at an all-time low; but to show the differing world views among all the players and how these dissimilar philosophies and conceptions of the world create such conflict.

      First of all, we must define what a world view is.  The best definition I've seen is by author David Noebel:  "A world view is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. [It's] any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world, and man's relations to God and the world."  OK, so in layman's terms, and for the purpose of my post, we'll agree that world view is a combination of all that we believe is true; and this system of beliefs influences everything you think, feel and do.  It also affects your response to everything around you; from your personal affairs to world events.  So let's take a look at the different world views we can identify.
     Christian World View -  Ideally, this should be synonymous with a Biblical world view.  Unfortunately, the two are often world's apart, but that's another post for another day.  However, for this Christian, they are one and the same, and so I will give you my world view based on the Bible.  This is how I relate to the world.  My faith is at the center of how I live my life and these factors affect all of my decisions and actions.  I believe in the One True God, Jehovah, and the following principles: 1) There are absolute moral truths that exist, i.e. I believe that there is Good and Evil in the world.  2)  I define what is Good and Evil based on what the Bible has revealed to me.  3)  I look to Jesus Christ as my example of the perfect sinless life; I try to live my life by following His principles (failing miserably, but continually making the effort.  4)  I view what happens in my life and the world from the perspective that God is the Creator of the Universe and still in control of it.  5)  I believe there is more to my existence than this earthly life; in accepting Jesus as my personal savior and knowing that he died for my sins, I know that eternal life is possible.  So I do not live my life focused on the ways of this world.  6)  I believe that pure Evil exists in the form of Satan.  No ifs, ands or buts.  He is the Enemy.   7)  I have a responsibility to my fellow man to share the Good News of my faith and to give everyone the opportunity to know the Grace I have received.  7)  I believe in the Truth of all the teachings in the Bible, and it is my guidebook.  My world view gives me the freedom to be all I can be, accomplish anything I desire, and live in harmony with my fellow man.  I want to stress that what I've expressed in this world view is an ideal representation.  It can be distorted, perverted and misused, as can each of them.

     Islamic World View - Like Christianity, the Islamic faith believes in one God, Allah.  The pillars of their faith include:  1) confession of faith,  2) prayer,  3) fasting during their holy days of Ramadan,  4) charity to others,  5) a pilgrimage, at least once in their lifetime, to the holy city of Mecca.  The Islamic worldview, like the Biblical, believes in the absolute moral truths of Good and Evil, that God creates the world, and a form of existence of the "soul" after the death of the body.  Islam believes in the importance of the family and the worship of God.  Some would include a sixth pillar of faith,  jihad, which can mean either  a) the battle against temptation and sin for the sake of self-control, or b) the battle against any and all who oppose Islam.  Those that have the Islamic world view find both of these definitions applicable.  And it is the latter that has become radicalized and dangerous to any other world view.  One aspect of this world view that contributes to the authority of Islam is the lack of separation between the social aspects of the faith and governmental control.  The law of the land is religious law, applied to the public and private lives of Muslims within Islamic states. Shari’ah law governs many aspects of day-to-day life—politics, economics, banking, business, contracts, social issues, etc.  So when you combine radical, hate-filled Islam with Shari'ah law, you get a combination that is lethal to any other faith or philosophy of life.  It's their way, period!
     Humanism World View -  A humanist's world view is difficult to pin down.  It can be as simple as a system of thought in which human values, interests and dignity are considered particularly important.  Heck, who doesn't agree with that viewpoint?  But taken to a more defined position, it follows these principles:  1)  Science and Reason should apply to all areas of life.  No beliefs should be considered off-limits, all should be considered rationally.  2)  Humanists are usually atheist or agnostic.  Their rational scrutiny makes it difficult for them to believe that a god or gods exist; and they are skeptical about angels, demons or spiritual beings.   3)  There is no heaven or hell; this life is it.  Once again, rational scrutiny has found these considerations lacking.  4)  They believe in moral Good, but do not think you have to know God in order to discern what is right and wrong.  Man is capable of defining that just fine on his own.  5)  We are individually responsible for making our own moral judgments.  We don't need an outside authority to guide us or set boundaries.  6)  Our lives have meaning without it being bestowed by a God above.  Your life can be rich and significant without any relationship with God.  7)  While humanists are very careful to make sure governments do not support forms of religion, they are not so concerned about governments who coerce their peoples into atheism (such as Stalin or Mao).  Most importantly, Humanism world view is for freedom of thought and expression and an open society.  This is why Humanists are often accused of being for everything, while not standing for anything.
    So you can see that while these world views have some things in common at their core, they are often at bitter odds with each other.  So is it possible for us to find some level on which to co-exist?  Is it possible for individual men to find common ground and respect the beliefs of each other; at the same time not compromising the tenets of their own ideals?  It is easy to see that religious or ideological fundamentalism can quickly become all about power.  It can be used by fanatics or extremists of any group to gain political and economic control.  Once that happens, it is nearly impossible to put the genie back in the bottle.  And all it takes is one group to tilt the balance of harmony towards hostility and man's true nature takes over.
   And that is what we are seeing across the globe today.  There are those who see the opportunity to establish a united Islamic caliphate across the Middle East; a return to a fundamentalist religious control of society and state.  Any other world view cannot and will not be tolerated.  Is it too late to turn the tide?  Can cooler heads apply the brakes?   Unless the ideas or influence of more moderate leaders prevail, then I fear that we will see more images like those coming out of Cairo and Benghazi.  And I don't see anyone like that on the world stage.  Stay alert and be vigilant!

Romans 3:15-17        "Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. "  

It's Time To Stop Apologizing!

     This morning my emotions are running the full gamut; they range from extreme sadness to righteous anger to mind-blowing frustration.  We all witnessed the defilement of our flag at the embassy in Cairo, Egypt, and the raising of the black banners of jihad.  News sources are beginning to uncover the facts; that this protest was planned in advance to occur on the anniversary of September 11th, a date that is celebrated among radical Islamists.
      Then hours later, in Libya, America was attacked, and Americans murdered, by enemies that hate everything we stand for.  While, the attacks did not happen here in the homeland, they nevertheless happened on what was supposed to be safe and protected ground.  Diplomatic delegations, such as the one in Libya led by slain Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, are guests of the host country and are supposed to receive special protection from that country's security forces.  We are supposed to believe that the attack on his safe house and the deaths of four American diplomats was the result of a protest that got out of hand, rather than a complex, coordinated terror attack.  Whether or not this proves to be true over the coming days, it is hard to believe that this tragedy is solely the result of some third-rate Youtube video that offended the religious sensibilities of faithful Muslims.
     For the time being, this is exactly the approach that the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is taking.  This is the statement they released:  "We strongly condemn the deadly attack on the US Embassy in Benghazi, Libya and the tragic loss of lives. We urge restraint as people peacefully protest and express anger."  In other words, we are sorry people died, but it was simply the result of our justifiable anger.  They are calling for further protests on Friday.  Then, to add further insult to this heinous tragedy, the Deputy Interior Minister of Libya, in his official statement, appeared to be blaming the American consulate for not taking necessary security measures!

     But questions remain.  How did the mob know exactly where Ambassador Stevens was located?  How did they know the exact rooms within the safe house compound he could be found?  And this attack was far more sophisticated than the Cairo embassy protest; since when are RPGs present at citizen protests?  Today we mourn the loss of American citizens; people who served this country and lost their lives for the simple reason that they are Americans.  The hate that led to their deaths is hard for us to understand.  We can't even contemplate the depth of such hostility and hatred.  It is not in our nature. We can't grasp the mindset.  And it makes us vulnerable and susceptible to attacks such as these.  This is what prompts my incredible sorrow.  The world no longer responds to diplomacy, discussion, or  debate.  We are quickly spiraling into a state of chaos and disorder, where it is "kill or be killed."  And still our leaders apologize for who we are!  I'm sure you all are aware of the statement released by our embassy in Cairo, Egypt.
     Whether they released this statement with or without the approval of the White House, this is what leads to my exasperation and anger.  Where is the outrage from our Commander in Chief?  When do we defend the interests of the United States and stop trying to be a champion of global conciliation?  Stop apologizing!  Until we acknowledge that we are hated and are targets of radical fundamentalists ---  and until we start STANDING UP for who we are and the freedom we represent, and quit ignoring that our appeasement is viewed as weakness --- until then, these attacks will increase in number and ferocity.  The fact that we continue to give millions of dollars in foreign aid to Libya (and $1.5 billion to Egypt!) adds to my exasperation.
      But I think it is the treatment of the leader of our strategic ally in the Middle East, Benjamin Netanyahu, that is the most vexing and frustrating.  Can we be any more disrespectful?  Iran is continuing with its deadly threats, and everyone knows the Middle East is a powder keg, with no one in the region on the side of Israel.   Netanyahu asks for a meeting with his most powerful ally in the world, and he is refused!  What message does that send to Israel's enemies?  It's not hard to see that opponents of freedom would declare open season on Israel.  The United States, Israel's strongest and historical ally refuses to support her.   That would seem to give Iran the green light to proceed with their nuclear weapons development, wouldn't it?  And it is irrefutable that we are viewed as weak and spineless in the Arab world.
     I cannot finish this post without pointing out what seems to me to be the fast approaching fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39.  All the players are being put into motion to come against Israel.  Iran, Egypt, Libya, Turkey; they all would like to see Israel's sovereignty eliminated.  The remaining player, Russia, is behind the scenes, manipulating the others and playing both ends against the middle.  We may not see their influence until the flashpoint.
     Finally, I want to point you to my post of July 5th.  Titled America and Israel: Destinies Intertwined, I pointed out the historical natural and political disasters that occurred whenever America took a stand against Israel's national interests.  Within 48-72 hours of these instances, our nation suffered consequences.  Could it have happened again?  Could the attacks on the embassies in Egypt and Libya be the result of turning our back on Israel?
     I know that many will ridicule this opinion, but none can deny the facts.  We insulted Israel and appear to be denying her our support.  Hours later, our embassies are attacked and Americans are dead.  This is all coming together according to Biblical prophecy.  While tremendously disturbing, I know that my God is in control, and that gives me hope.  These things must happen.  I pray for endurance, courage and increased faith.  I invite you to do the same.

Matthew 24:12-13     "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. "    
   

Be Careful How You Treat Israel!

     Amid the ever-present sabre rattling from Iran's President and Ayatollahs, there is reason to be concerned about United States/Israel relations.   I have read opinion pieces from both Time.com, (the U.S. internet arm of Time Magazine) and DEBKAfile, (an independent Israeli website) and both sources offer some interesting insight.  So, here's my assessment, as a Bible-believing woman from middle America, who is by no means a foreign policy expert.
     Both sources agree that America has drastically cut back on a joint military exercise scheduled for this fall.  What they disagree on, is the reason why.  Originally, the goal of Austere Challenge 12, as the exercise is known, was to improve the "inter-operability" between the U.S. and Israeli anti-missile systems.  In other words, these defense systems are mutually beneficial and linked together, and the purpose of the exercise was to strengthen Israel against a possible nuclear attack by Iran.  The joint exercise is important to Israel because, although they have made inroads to their own anti-missile systems, they simply don't have enough to protect their entire country or population.

     That's why it was extremely important to the Israelis that the U.S. followed through on their promised 5,000 troops, Patriot anti-missile systems, and two Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense warships.  Instead, the U.S. has announced that the Pentagon will send only 1,200 to 1,500 members of the military and only one of the Missile Defense warships (and that's a "maybe").  The Patriot systems will arrive, but not the crews to man them.  Also Time reports that "the U.S. maintains an X-band radar installation in Israel’s Negev Desert, pointed toward Iran and linked to Israel’s Arrow anti-missile system".  This radar is so powerful that it can detect a softball thrown in the air from thousands of miles away.
     But here's the kicker ..... only Americans are allowed to see what's on those radar screens, and if there is no U.S. personnel there to assess what's on the radar, then they are virtually useless.  Because the U.S. array can detect an Iranian missile launch six to seven minutes earlier than Israel’s best radar, the lack of evaluation will put Israel at a decided disadvantage.
     It is my feeling that the U.S. is trying to stall any preemptive strike by Israel upon Iran.  I think the Pentagon and top foreign policy officials think if we pull back on our cooperation in building up Israel's defenses, they will put the breaks on and not chance going it alone.  On their part, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have declared their intentions to launch a strike and are urging President Obama to commit to U.S. military action if Iran does not comply and halt their nuclear buildup.  But the statement by the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs, General Martin Dempsey, makes the U.S. position pretty clear: "“I don’t want to be complicit if they choose to do it.”  Sounds like "You're on your own" to me.
     For the other side of the coin, DEBKAfile sees this decision by our administration as a complete abandonment of Israel.  Military sources in Israel say the message is clear:  "the Netanyahu government will bear full and exclusive responsibility for the consequences of attacking Iran."  But Israeli sources report another reason for leaving Israel stranded and rejected.  They seem to think that there was a complicit agreement between the U.S. and Russia to control their "partners" in the region.  During this past month, President Vladimir Putin severed military ties with both Iran and Syria, in a move designed to de-escalate mounting tensions in the Middle East.  For their part, the U.S. administration was to back off military aid to Israel.
     But this shady union between the two Super Powers didn't count on Israel's determination.  Because, you see, they know that none of these diplomatic shenanigans do anything to prevent Iran from going forward with their nuclear program.  Perhaps this is part of the reason behind our President's whispered promise to Russian President Medvedev that he needed more space in regards to missile defense and he "would have more flexibility" after his next election.
     So where does all this maneuvering leave the world?  Basically in a stalemate of heightened tension and alert.  Who is going to blink first?  I don't know enough to make a prediction.  But I can tell you this.  We see in the Bible that God is a God of promises; and His character will not allow Him to abandon those promises.  We must remember that God's purpose is to bless the world through the nation of Israel.  He says in Genesis 12:2-3 .... "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you".
     This does not mean that we owe blind allegiance to Israel and everything she does.  But it does mean that we must recognize that God has a purpose for the current nation of Israel and His chosen people, the Jews, who inhabit the land.  We must be very careful about casting aside this relationship and disowning our shared inheritance in the kingdom of God.  We must do all we can to lend them our support and offer our guidance and counsel in navigating these dangerous waters.  Our mutual existence in this world and the next depends on it.

Deuteronomy 7:6      "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession."

American Christians Suffer Under False Sense of Security

     I am a Bible-believing Christian, which means I accept every word of the Bible as God's revelation to those who trust in Him.  I am not a "feel good" Christian who is inclined to pick and choose among the verses of Scripture, and view the world only through the lens of God's love.  I accept ALL of His Word, which warns us of coming persecution.  In Matthew, Jesus plainly tells us that we "will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me."  For those of you who doubt, whether you are a believer or non-believer, or question the veracity of this Scripture, all you have to do is read the headlines of the day:

                                                                                 Thai Christians Jailed For Bible Study

     A British-based advocacy group, called Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), stated that while there were no official charges brought against four men involved in a Bible study, their six-week arrest and detention appears to be "part of a pattern of religious repression that continues to occur in many parts of the country."

Syrian Christians Targeted By Islamist Rebels Amid Massive Exodus

     Religious minority groups, and particularly Christians, have become the primary target of rebel terror groups that execute in "the name of Allah".  International Christian Concern, a major advocacy group for the persecuted Christians caught in the middle of the Syrian civil war, has expressed grave warnings about the position of Christians in this war-torn country:  "Islamic extremism is on the rise in a civil war that is taking on increasingly stronger sectarian overtones," ICC said.  Thousands of Christians are fleeing the country, seeking safe haven in neighboring Turkey. (Although I question whether Christians will be any more welcome there).

Pakistan Christian Homes Torched, Churches Attacked After Jailing Girl

     From Islamabad, Pakistan, comes this news story:  "Muslims torched Christian homes and "destroyed" a church in a slum area of Islamabad while suspected militants shot at another church outside Pakistan's capital, after the jailing of a mentally handicapped Christian girl for "blasphemy", witnesses said Tuesday, August 21."  The 11-year-old girl, who cannot read, is accused of blasphemy for burning a copy of the Koran.  The girl is now being held in a Pakistani jail, and Muslim clerics are demanding that she face charges under the countries strict blasphemy laws.  Meanwhile, thousands of Christian have fled the area, as the burning of their homes and churches continues.

Muslim Group Demands Country's Christian President Convert, or Resign

     Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the militant Muslim group Boko Haram demanded that Nigeria's Christian president either convert to Islam, or resign.  President Goodluck Jonathan is called upon to "repent and forsake Christianity," otherwise Boko Haram would continue their violent campaign, in which more than 800 people have been killed and dozens of churches were torched.  Boko Haram, whose name translates as "Western education is forbidden," has come under the influence of an inner group that is dangerous and "increasingly sophisticated and increasingly lethal", according to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.  According to the Assistant Secretary, Boko Haram wants to extend Islamic law over all of Nigeria, even though nearly half of the African nation is Christian.  And despite Haram's increasingly bloody campaign, our administration has resisted all efforts by U.S. lawmakers to designate the group as a foreign terrorist organization under American law.

Lawyer Wants Christian Copts Removed from Egyptian Constitutional Committee

     And we must not turn a blind eye to what's happening to Christians in Egypt.  It appears that the Koran has its own definition of what a "true Christian" is (although the word "Christian" never appears in Islam's holy book).  And you guessed it ---- the orthodox Christian Copts don't fit that definition.  Apparently a lawyer from Alexandria submitted a report to the public prosecutor requesting that Egypt's Copts be excluded from the committee forming the nation's new constitution.   Here's his argument:   "The prophets of Allah — Moses,  Jesus, and Muhammad — are all mere humans sent by God to pass his message on to creation.  But should any sect claim that their prophet is the divine "Son of God," its adherents are infidels. Since Christians believe Jesus to be the divine Son of God, they are polytheistic infidels and not the Nasara (so-called "true Christians") of the Koran; therefore, Copts who also profess the divinity of Christ as expressed in the Trinity must be barred from having any say in Egypt's new constitution."  This report follows continued violence against the Egyptian Christians, which has included imams calling for jihad against all Christians; the looting and torching of Christian homes and churches; and decreased rights of Egyptian Christians through "forced reconciliation."

     Have you read enough?  Believe me, there are many more news stories like these; reports that don't make the internet news agencies.  The fact is, those that call Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior are being singled out across the globe.  It isn't just in the Middle East where militant Muslims seek the deaths of their centuries-old enemies.  Persecution can take on far more subtle shapes.  Consider these headlines, right here in the good 'ol USA:

Atheists Attack Church in Georgia for Feeding High School Football Players

     The Freedom From Religion atheist group called for an investigation after reports surfaced that a Georgia high school football coach had several local churches provide pre-game meals for his football team.  Apparently several members of one of the church's youth group are on the football team, and the meals have been a longstanding tradition.  

Christian Photographer Who Refused Same-Sex Wedding Assignment Gets Day in Court

     As of last week, the New Mexico Supreme court agreed to review the case of an Albuquerque photographer forced to pay a $7,000 fine for refusing to use her "artistic expression" to help two women celebrate their commitment ceremony. A N.M. Court of Appeals upheld the decision, claiming the photographer was guilty of "sexual orientation" discrimination under state anti-discrimination laws.  At this time, attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom have appealed to the State Supreme Court, citing that "Americans in the marketplace should not be subjected to legal attacks for simply abiding by their beliefs."  This will be a landmark decision and will affect all Americans in business.

     And just in case you are still not convinced, just read over some of these items from the 140-page report of the Family Research Council and Liberty Institute:

---  A federal judge threatened "incarceration" to a high school valedictorian unless she removed references to Jesus Christ from her graduation speech.

---  City officials restricted senior citizens from praying over their meals, listening to religious messages, or singing gospel songs, at a senior activities center.

---  Following U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs policies, a federal government official sought to sensor a pastor's prayer, eliminating references to Jesus, during a Memorial Day ceremony honoring veterans at a national cemetery.

     Now do you see why I am ringing this warning bell?   Our First Amendment is being turned upside down by aggressive atheist groups, federal bureaucracy, and radicalized minorities that have the ear of our elected officials.  Please don't make the mistake of thinking that Jesus's warning of persecution means only overt violence and hostility.  The Enemy is far smarter than that.  His battle plan is stealthy, cunning and artful.  Political correctness and Tolerance are his by-words; it is only one easy step towards instituting laws that forbid the expression of our faith because someone is "insulted."  The time to take a stand is NOW!  Fight to protect our First Amendment and the very reason the Pilgrims landed on our shores.  And never, ever abandon your faith in our Lord!

2 Corinthians 12:10      "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."