URGENT PRAYERS/PETITIONS: From the Florida Family Policy Council( May 21) :Boy Scout Vote On Thurs. : "Homosexual activists, having convinced BSA leadership to spearhead the proposed change in policy (which would force every Scouting unit to allow open homosexuality among its boys), know that losing this issue would be the biggest set-back for the homosexual agenda in America yet, also affecting literally millions of young Boy Scouts.They also know if they can win this BSA battle on THURS. May 23rd , this will likely to be taken into consideration by some U.S. Supreme Court Justices as they deliberate and announce their decision on whether to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in June, which currently defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Also, if gay activists win, you can bet they will be celebrating their victories in all the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) parades in a few weeks – June is Gay Pride month. And trust me, they are pulling out all the stops to win!" May 24 - In lieu of the majority of the leadership voting to admit homosexual Scouts yesterday, PRAY 1) that somehow the Scouts will somehow maintain their long history of developing true character in boys and young men and not furthering sexual and political agendas, 2) for the millions of Scouts and their parents who must now decide whether to stay in the program, and 3) that a safe alternative may somehow be created for those boys who do leave the program.
Same -Sex "Marriage"- PLEASE PRAY WITH ME (every day untill the decision is revealed around mid-June) THAT THE SUPREME COURT WILL VOTE TO UPHOLD THE 2 LAWS REVIEWED SUPPORTING A TRADITIONAL DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE.. PRAY that the Court will resist any pressure to MAKE new law based on "cultural trends." PRAY as though the very future of the institution of the family is at stake because it is. PRAY! - for the sake of possibly millions of children, and for our country if it is to continue to be shown any more favor by our Heavenly Father, who I promise you will be very displeased if homosexual marriage is legalized; "GOD IS NOT [TO BE] MOCKED..." - (Gal. 6:7) - Stan [Be sure to check out my brief essay at post #478.] SPECIAL NOTE: This week's message of "Truth That Transforms" - to be found at (www.truthinaction.org) speaks of the Biblical basis for marriage and the threat posed to the oldest of institutions in society by the so-called same-sex "marraige" effort. It also includes a feature that looks at the problem of fatherless homes in America. Don’t miss another great broadcast!
PASTOR SAEED (Iranian-born AMERICAN pastor) who months ago started an 8 year sentence for helping the underground churches in Iran)// LATEST Update: 'Pastor Saeed Abedini ’Glowing With Joy,’ Prayers Making a Difference, Says Report ," May 15, 2013) http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=1434 \ [NOTE: I find it interesting that just recently in my prayers, I felt led by God to pray that Pastor Saeed would experience JOY during his incarceration. It felt like a stretch but I obeyed. Is it a coincidence that I read Psalm 16 yesterday that says in v.11 which says "...you will fill me with JOY (my emphasis) in your presence,.."? No, it would to have been a God-thing. - Stan]
"More good news concerning U.S. Pastor Saeed Abedini has followed his release from solitary confinement last week, as reports have suggested the global support he has been receiving while in prison in Tehran, Iran, are helping him find joy and peace. Despite his suffering, Pastor Saeed’s faith continues to keep him alive.Other prisoners reportedly told Saeed’s family that when Pastor Saeed was released from solitary confinement, ’he was glowing,’ and that miraculously he ’was filled with more joy and peace after solitary’ than he was before solitary," the American Center for Law and Justice said in a statement."His release from solitary is a direct result of the multitudes praying," said the pastor’s wife, Naghmeh Abedini. "I am relieved my husband is out of solitary, but still am deeply concerned about Saeed’s health. While this is a small victory, I am still demanding justice be done and that Saeed be released." She added in the latest update that her husband’s improved spirits are due to the thousands of people around the world who continue to pray for him." (Sources: Christian Post, Global Dispatch)
PRAY that Pastor Saeed might finally receive the medical treatment he needs. PRAY that God would reveal himself to the pastor's tormenters and turn them to Christ. PRAY that his family, esp. his children, will experience His strength and special presence during this time. And finally, PRAY that , when God has accomplished His will in Pastor Abedini's suffering, he will finally be released 2) More than 550,000 people from 180 countries have signed the petition to Save Saeed. Your voice has moved the U.S., the European Union, and many others to call for his release. If you have not already, please join over 500,000! who have signed the petition for Pastor Saeed's release and tell your friends about it. http://aclj.org/iran/save-american-pastor-from-iranian-prison-sentence ALSO, go to Save Saeed.org and add your name to those sending letters to him.
"More good news concerning U.S. Pastor Saeed Abedini has followed his release from solitary confinement last week, as reports have suggested the global support he has been receiving while in prison in Tehran, Iran, are helping him find joy and peace. Despite his suffering, Pastor Saeed’s faith continues to keep him alive.Other prisoners reportedly told Saeed’s family that when Pastor Saeed was released from solitary confinement, ’he was glowing,’ and that miraculously he ’was filled with more joy and peace after solitary’ than he was before solitary," the American Center for Law and Justice said in a statement."His release from solitary is a direct result of the multitudes praying," said the pastor’s wife, Naghmeh Abedini. "I am relieved my husband is out of solitary, but still am deeply concerned about Saeed’s health. While this is a small victory, I am still demanding justice be done and that Saeed be released." She added in the latest update that her husband’s improved spirits are due to the thousands of people around the world who continue to pray for him." (Sources: Christian Post, Global Dispatch)
"Obama Administration Refuses to Label London Attack as Terrorism," Daniel Kochis, May 23, 2013 http://blog.heritage.org/2013/05/23/obama-administration-refuses-to-label-london-attack-as-terrorism/[AS I SEE IT: When I look at the picture below, I think an appropriate caption would be," Are you kidding me, Mr. President?!!" - Stan]
"This country will be absolutely resolute in its stand against violent extremism and terror. We will never give in to terror—or terrorism—in any of its forms. Second, this view is shared by every community in our country. This was not just an attack on Britain—and on our British way of life. It was also a betrayal of Islam—and of the Muslim communities who give so much to our country. There is nothing in Islam that justifies this truly dreadful act. We will defeat violent extremism by standing together."In stark contrast, the Obama Administration’s response has been to avoid calling the attack terrorism, let alone terrorism motivated by a radical Islamic ideology. Instead the Administration, via the State Department, said it stood with the U.K. in the face of “such senseless violence.” Senseless violence? One can hardly term a targeted attack on a U.K. soldier in broad daylight — where the assailants gleefully admit the radical motivation behind their attack — “senseless violence.”
Yet, use of this terminology is nothing new for the Obama Administration. “Senseless violence” is the Administration’s catch-all phrase loyally called upon whenever motivations for a despicable act should not be ascribed, lest someone take offense. Particularly troubling is that “senseless violence” is the same terminology the Administration used when describing the terrorist attack in Benghazi that killed the American Ambassador and three other U.S. citizens.
The terrorist attack in London was indeed a senseless act of violence; however, in refusing to admit the nature and motivations behind the attack, the Obama Administration does disservice to the men and women killed in terrorist attacks. As Heritage’s Nile Gardiner advises in The Telegraph:
"It’s time for President Obama to acknowledge reality. This is a global war between the free world and the forces of Islamist terror. These are not acts of “senseless violence.” They are acts of brutal terrorism aimed against Great Britain, the United States and all who defend the principles of liberty, freedom and Western-style democracy. It is important that political leaders on both sides of the Atlantic identify exactly who the enemy is, what their aims are, and why they must be emphatically defeated.For the Administration to do otherwise would be, well, senseless.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
"London Terror Attack A Reminder Terrorism Is Not Over," Luke Coffey, May 23, 2013 http://blog.heritage.org/2013/05/23/london-terror-attack-a-reminder-terrorism-is-not-over/
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom
"Yesterday’s horrific daylight terror attack in London, which left one British soldier dead, is another reminder that Islamic fundamentalists will stop at nothing to terrorize free societies. The two terrorists, covered in blood and carrying meat cleavers, were filmed after the attack calmly waiting for London police to arrive... Although information about the two terrorists involved in yesterday’s attack has not been forthcoming in great detail, a picture is already developing. It has been reported that both suspects were known by the British security services. At least one has been named as Michael Adebolajo. Reportedly, he is British–Nigerian, born in London, and a Muslim convert who became radicalized at the age of 15. Other U.K. media reports claim the men have ties to al-Shabaab—an al-Qaeda-linked terror group fighting in Somalia. It has been reported that the attackers were previously prevented from travelling to Somalia to join al-Shabaab..."
"As the recent terror attacks in Boston and London demonstrate, the threat from political and religiously motivated terrorism is far from over. The U.S. and the U.K. must stay vigilant and resolute. Intelligence sharing and counterterrorism cooperation should remain the heart of the Anglo–American Special Relationship. After Lady Thatcher survived an IRA assassination attempt in 1984 she proclaimed that “all attempts to destroy democracy by terrorism will fail.”
Once again, the Iron Lady is right."
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
