NOTE: My GEN-DAY is this Thurs., Sept. 19th. Do you know when is YOUR GEN-DAY ?
REMINDER: Check out this week's broadcast of ''Truth That Transofrms” (http://www.truthinaction.org/index.php/tr/uth-that-transforms
REMINDER: Check out this week's broadcast of ''Truth That Transofrms” (http://www.truthinaction.org/index.php/tr/uth-that-transforms
NEWS FLASH: "Syrian Rebels Execute Christian Villagers," - CBNNews.com, September 12, 2013; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/September/Syrian-Rebels-Execute-Christian-Villagers/ - Syrian rebel fighters apparently executed three Christians fleeing the fighting in Maaloula this week, Britain's Sky News reported.
Hundreds of Christians held a funeral in Damascus for the men, who were cousins. Sky News reports the men were trying to escape the Christian town of Maaloula, which has been under attack by rebel troops. The men reportedly were killed by forces with the al Qaeda linked Jabha al-Nour. Mourners say two of the victims had their throats cut and another was shot. Most of the mourners are also refugees from Maaloula, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. [PRAY for the Christians throughout Syria who face greater persecution should rebels, particularly Islamists along the line of the Muslim Brotherhood, end up in charge of the country.]
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: "Syrian Christians Brace for Strike, Ask for Prayer," - by Gary Lane, August 31, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/Syrian-Christians-Brace-for-Strike-Ask-for-Prayer/"As Syrians brace themselves for a possible U.S. military attack, many of the county's Christians are praying for divine intervention. They say military action against the Assad regime will only bring them greater hardship and suffering and they're asking Christians worldwide to pray that God intervenes to bring peace to their nation. They believe the collective prayers of Christians around the world could reverse an escalating conflict..."
[EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST- Update on Kenneth Bae: "US Ready to Bargain with N. Korea for Bae's Release,"- CBNNews.com, Aug 14, 2013 http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/S-Ready-to-Bargain-with-N-Korea-for-Baes-Release/ - The United States is willing to engage North Korea to secure the release of imprisoned American Christian Kenneth Bae. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States is "willing to consider a number of different options" to bring him home.In a video recently released by a North Korean newspaper, Bae requested the United States send a high-ranking official to North Korea to seek his pardon. It is unclear if he spoke of his own volition in the video. Bae, 45, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for sharing his faith. He suffers health problems such as diabetes and is currently hospitalized.[PRAY for 1) God's healing of and presence with Pastor Bae, 2) His earliest release by the North Korean government, and 3) God's comfort for his family and friends.]
UPDATE: Iran Rejects Saeed's Appeal, Family 'Devastated' , CBNNews.com, August 27, 2013 http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/Iran-Rejects-Saeeds-Appeal-Family-Devastated/ "By keeping the 8-year prison sentence in place, Pastor Saeed, now potentially faces additional beatings and abuse inside Evin Prison -- treatment that has significantly weakened him during his first year in prison,"....{
“Abandoned” For Christ" - Graham Calls On White House To Support Abedini - By Dr. Tom Askew, Aug.8, http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/opinion
Franklin Graham is the latest to join the chorus of voices calling for U.S. State Department and White House officials to take a more vocal role in protesting the Iranian imprisonment of American pastor Saeed Abedini. September 26 will mark the one year anniversary of Abedini’s imprisonment for allegedly “endangering the national security” of Iran.
Graham pointed out that, in contrast to Iranian accusations, “Pastor Saeed was in Iran trying to help children. With the permission of Iran’s government, he was working to build an orphanage. But his humanitarian mission led to an arrest on bogus charges and nearly a year of inhumane treatment, simply because he loves Jesus Christ.”...
Behind the scenes, more than 600,000 people around the world have signed a petition sponsored by ACLJ in support of pastor Abedini. A concerted movement this past May brought together Christians from many nations to set aside Pentecost to pray for Abedini. On June 13, demonstrations were held at Iranian embassies in at least six countries to protest Abedini’s treatment. And, on July 29, Arizona Republican Representative Trent Franks spoke on the floor of the House to urge other Congressmen to join him in “adopting” Pastor Abedini through the bipartisan Defending Freedoms Project.
Saeed’s response…and yours - Through his family living in Iran, Pastor Abedini has been made aware of these efforts on his behalf, and is grateful. “I heard that the persecution, my arrest and imprisonment has united churches from different denominations, from different cities and countries. That the churches have united together in prayer to put one request (my freedom) on one day (Pentecost) before God,” he wrote in a letter.
The story of Saeed Abedini, the jihad against Syrian Christians, the attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and the ongoing desecration of churches in Nigeria and India should cause every American to reflect on the blessings of freedom still enjoyed in this nation.
PRAY: - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.
- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- BOLDly (Beside Our Leaders Daily) for leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
Go to SaveSaeed.org to sign a petition over 600,000 others asking for his immediate release.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Hundreds of Christians held a funeral in Damascus for the men, who were cousins. Sky News reports the men were trying to escape the Christian town of Maaloula, which has been under attack by rebel troops. The men reportedly were killed by forces with the al Qaeda linked Jabha al-Nour. Mourners say two of the victims had their throats cut and another was shot. Most of the mourners are also refugees from Maaloula, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. [PRAY for the Christians throughout Syria who face greater persecution should rebels, particularly Islamists along the line of the Muslim Brotherhood, end up in charge of the country.]
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: "Syrian Christians Brace for Strike, Ask for Prayer," - by Gary Lane, August 31, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/Syrian-Christians-Brace-for-Strike-Ask-for-Prayer/"As Syrians brace themselves for a possible U.S. military attack, many of the county's Christians are praying for divine intervention. They say military action against the Assad regime will only bring them greater hardship and suffering and they're asking Christians worldwide to pray that God intervenes to bring peace to their nation. They believe the collective prayers of Christians around the world could reverse an escalating conflict..."
Franklin Graham is the latest to join the chorus of voices calling for U.S. State Department and White House officials to take a more vocal role in protesting the Iranian imprisonment of American pastor Saeed Abedini. September 26 will mark the one year anniversary of Abedini’s imprisonment for allegedly “endangering the national security” of Iran.
Graham pointed out that, in contrast to Iranian accusations, “Pastor Saeed was in Iran trying to help children. With the permission of Iran’s government, he was working to build an orphanage. But his humanitarian mission led to an arrest on bogus charges and nearly a year of inhumane treatment, simply because he loves Jesus Christ.”...
Behind the scenes, more than 600,000 people around the world have signed a petition sponsored by ACLJ in support of pastor Abedini. A concerted movement this past May brought together Christians from many nations to set aside Pentecost to pray for Abedini. On June 13, demonstrations were held at Iranian embassies in at least six countries to protest Abedini’s treatment. And, on July 29, Arizona Republican Representative Trent Franks spoke on the floor of the House to urge other Congressmen to join him in “adopting” Pastor Abedini through the bipartisan Defending Freedoms Project.
Saeed’s response…and yours - Through his family living in Iran, Pastor Abedini has been made aware of these efforts on his behalf, and is grateful. “I heard that the persecution, my arrest and imprisonment has united churches from different denominations, from different cities and countries. That the churches have united together in prayer to put one request (my freedom) on one day (Pentecost) before God,” he wrote in a letter.
The story of Saeed Abedini, the jihad against Syrian Christians, the attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and the ongoing desecration of churches in Nigeria and India should cause every American to reflect on the blessings of freedom still enjoyed in this nation.
"Are 14 Percent of Americans Chronically Hungry?," - By Rachel Sheffield, eptember 14, 2013
Earlier this week, a New York Times [1] editorial claimed that 14.5 percent of U.S. households are experiencing “pangs of chronic hunger.” This figure is based on a new report [2] from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It’s misleading, though.
The 14.5 percent figure used by the Times refers to “food insecurity.” But a majority of “food-insecure” individuals report that they were never hungry—for even a day—during 2012. While many food-insecure households may have had to rely “on a few basic foods,” the majority report “few, if any, indicators of reduced food intake.”
In fact, the USDA’s data show that less than 5 percent of adults reported they were hungry for even a single day during 2012 but were unable to eat because they couldn’t afford food. Among children, the number is significantly lower, at 1.5 percent.
Of course, these numbers do not negate the hardship of those Americans that do struggle to put food on the table for themselves and their families. However, all too often in discussions surrounding anti-poverty policy, the facts become distorted. And now the current discussion surrounding “food insecurity” is being exaggerated to make the claim that any attempt to rein in the growth in food stamp spending would be a tragedy.
But food stamp spending [3] has been on a steep ascent over the past decade or so—recession or not. Spending doubled between 2000 and 2007 and then doubled again between 2008 and 2012. Certainly the growth in the program is partially because of the weak economy, but, as economist Casey Mulligan explains [4], food stamp growth is also due to policy changes made in recent years that have made it easier for people to get on the rolls.
The food stamps program is in major need of reform, remaining virtually unchanged since it was institutionalized back in the 1970s. It should be reformed on the principle of self-sufficiency. Even during good economic times, work rates among able-bodied food stamp recipients are low [3].
Society should provide food assistance to those who need it, but this assistance should never simply be a one-way handout. Aid should always be given in a way that encourages beneficiaries to move toward self-sufficiency. To accomplish this, state governments should be required to institute a work requirement for able-bodied food stamp recipients to work, prepare for work, or at least look for work in exchange for receiving assistance.
Sound anti-poverty policy should be based on correct information. And sound anti-poverty policy should promote self-sufficiency for those who are able-bodied. Reforming welfare on the principle of self-reliance respects human dignity and encourages freedom from government dependence.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
The 14.5 percent figure used by the Times refers to “food insecurity.” But a majority of “food-insecure” individuals report that they were never hungry—for even a day—during 2012. While many food-insecure households may have had to rely “on a few basic foods,” the majority report “few, if any, indicators of reduced food intake.”
In fact, the USDA’s data show that less than 5 percent of adults reported they were hungry for even a single day during 2012 but were unable to eat because they couldn’t afford food. Among children, the number is significantly lower, at 1.5 percent.
Of course, these numbers do not negate the hardship of those Americans that do struggle to put food on the table for themselves and their families. However, all too often in discussions surrounding anti-poverty policy, the facts become distorted. And now the current discussion surrounding “food insecurity” is being exaggerated to make the claim that any attempt to rein in the growth in food stamp spending would be a tragedy.
But food stamp spending [3] has been on a steep ascent over the past decade or so—recession or not. Spending doubled between 2000 and 2007 and then doubled again between 2008 and 2012. Certainly the growth in the program is partially because of the weak economy, but, as economist Casey Mulligan explains [4], food stamp growth is also due to policy changes made in recent years that have made it easier for people to get on the rolls.
The food stamps program is in major need of reform, remaining virtually unchanged since it was institutionalized back in the 1970s. It should be reformed on the principle of self-sufficiency. Even during good economic times, work rates among able-bodied food stamp recipients are low [3].
Society should provide food assistance to those who need it, but this assistance should never simply be a one-way handout. Aid should always be given in a way that encourages beneficiaries to move toward self-sufficiency. To accomplish this, state governments should be required to institute a work requirement for able-bodied food stamp recipients to work, prepare for work, or at least look for work in exchange for receiving assistance.
Sound anti-poverty policy should be based on correct information. And sound anti-poverty policy should promote self-sufficiency for those who are able-bodied. Reforming welfare on the principle of self-reliance respects human dignity and encourages freedom from government dependence.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Article printed from The Foundry: Conservative Policy News Blog from The Heritage Foundation: http://blog.heritage.org; URL to article: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/09/14/are-14-percent-of-americans-chronically-hungry/
URLs in this post:
[1] New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/09/opinion/mindlessly-gutting-food-stamps.html?hp&_r=0
[2] new report: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err-economic-research-report/err155.aspx#.UjHJez-mqF8
[3] food stamp spending: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/07/reforming-the-food-stamp-program
[4] Casey Mulligan explains: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/behind-the-big-increase-in-food-stamps/
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