The Bulletin Board:(Please SCROLL DOWN this page to find the article titled on this post in LARGE CAPITAL LETTERS. Thank you.)
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
Please pray for Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol from Samaritan’s Purse:
Two Americans working for Samaritan’s Purse to battle the deadly Ebola virus plaguing Liberia, unfortunately have both tested positive for the this terrible virus and are fighting for their lives.
Dr. Kent Brantly, medical director for the Samaritan’s Purse care center serving the Liberian capital of Monrovia, and Nancy Writebol, part of the joint Serving In Mission/ Samaritan’s Purse team, are currently undergoing intensive treatment at an isolation center in ELWA Hospital.
Please join us by praying for both of these heroic individuals and their families at this time. For more information please visit their website at www.samaritanspurse.org. [from Crosswalk.com]
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "President Barack Obama's decision to nominate Rabbi David Saperstein to the post of Ambassador for International Religious Freedom is drawing mixed reactions. Saperstein has spent his career in Washington focusing on social justice and religious freedom issues as an activist in the liberal reform branch of Judaism .... An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
7/18 - PRAY FOR THE PRESENT CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS TO END SOON BEFORE MORE INNOCENT LIVES ARE LOST ON BOTH SIDES.
6/13 - PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907)
LATEST SAHEED NEWS! May 22 - "Pastor Saeed Forcibly Returned to Prison after Beating" - By Caitlin Burke,CBN News, May 22, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/May/Pastor-Saeed-Beaten-Sent-Back-to-Iran-Prison/ "Saeed Abedini, a U.S. pastor imprisoned for his faith, was severely beaten at an Iranian hospital before being returned to the brutal Rajai Shahr prison. His Iranian family claims the transfer was unexpected and the reason is unclear. But one of the guards involved in the transfer suggested recent Iranian nuclear talks could be a motive, the family said...""
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. We also remain hopeful that in addition to getting the medical care he so desperately needs, that Iranian officials display the kind of humanitarian treatment that often accompanies the start of the Iranian New Year which began on March 21st. This is the time of year when the Iranian government frequently offers clemency to prisoners of conscience. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
/PRAYER ALERT- UKRAINE: As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
PRAYER ALERT!"Kim Jong-un Calls for Execution of 33 Christians" - 3/7/2014; http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=3651 "North Korea tyrant Kim Jong-un has reportedly ordered that 33 Christians believed to be working alongside South Korean Baptist missionary Kim Jung-wook be put to death. The South Korean missionary - who was arrested last year - and his accomplices have reportedly started 500 or so underground churches..."[PRAY that the plans for execution would be rescinded, and these believers released.] [Che\ck out: They'll Be Dead By Morning (What Difference Will It Make) http://loristanleyroeleveld.blogspot.com/2014/03/theyll-be-dead-by-morning-what.html
NEWS ALERT/PRAISE! "Iran Allows Surgery on Ailing, Imprisoned Pastor" - CBNNews.com,March 07, 2014;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/March/Iran-Allows-Dire-Surgery-on-Ailing-Imprisoned-Pastor-/ The Iranian government has finally allowed doctors to perform surgery on imprisoned Pastor Benham Irani.Irani suffered from a herniated disc and bleeding intestines and urgently needed medical care. PRAY for the final release of Pastor Irani and others imprisoned for their faith.
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"America's DNA: 'The Federalist Papers' "- Cal Thomas | Jul 03, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/calthomas/2014/07/03/americas-dna-the-federalist-papers-n1858315/page/full [AS I SEE IT: Impeach the President? Many have been talking about it for awhile and now event he mainstream press is forced to pay attention to the conversation. (The subject was covered as a major story in one of last night's NETWORK evening news reports.) The following article explains why many believe there is a basis for such action. Then again, the excerpt from the article noted afterwards (below) points out why it probably won't and shouldn't happen - at least not before the Nov. election. - Stan]
There are many ways to lose freedom -- conquering armies, surrendering without a fight. Unfortunately, we are currently surrendering our freedom, not to a foreign power, but to our own government. The growth, reach, and cost of big government is happening before our eyes and eroding our liberty, largely because too many Americans are not familiar with the brilliant system of government our Founders established. Progressives prefer a "living Constitution," which is constantly changing to conform to their ideology. What it is not is the Constitution established by the Founders.
In a comprehensive publication, "The Roots of Liberty: Unlocking the Federalist Papers," edited by Scott D. Cosenza and Claire M. Griffin, it attempts to remind us of the Founders' intent and why their vision, if not renewed by each generation, will quickly fade, America along with it.Tim Donner, president of "One Generation Away," which, according to its website, is "committed to restoring, strengthening and preserving the vision of a free America by applying our founding principles to the issues of today," (and on whose board I serve as an unpaid member), published the book through its Cornerstone Project, says "Roots" has "so far been welcomed by public and private schools in six states."
For those of a certain age, "The Roots of Liberty" will remind us of our high school civics classes, but as government continues to expand and President Obama increasingly ignores the boundaries placed on the Executive Branch, it will serve as a needed reminder of what makes America unique in the world and how it can be quickly destroyed if sufficient attention is not paid to our founding principles.
What should attract young people to "The Roots of Liberty" is that the editors have updated the 18th-century language, using instead paraphrases and modern words that will resonate in contemporary ears, without harming its original meaning. Here's one example: "(James) Madison supported dividing the national government in a way such that each branch in and of itself would be a type of safeguard against tyranny. Because each branch of government was simultaneously separate and interdependent, it had to work together with the other branches in order to achieve the goals of the national government." And Madison's words: "To what expedient then shall we finally resort for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government, as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places." The book then succinctly lists the powers each branch of government is given in order that each branch might be a check on the other. The Founders understood that human nature had to be controlled, lest the temptations of power destroy both leader and country.
Ruling by fiat, as President Obama seems to be doing, like vowing to accomplish immigration reform on his own, even in the face of multiple setbacks by the "checking" Supreme Court, is in violation of the Constitution, as one can read in this analysis of "The Federalist Papers," the philosophical foundation of our constitutional government. Call it America's DNA.
In the chapter "The Powers Delegated to the Federal Government Are Few and Defined," discussing "the doctrine of enumerated powers," the writers say: "By virtue of the doctrine, the Constitution of the United States establishes a government of delegated, enumerated and thus limited powers."
Does this resemble our present government?
In the foreword, the authors write: "The ultimate goal of our project is to strengthen America's civil society by helping our future leaders understand that the principles embedded in the U.S. Constitution are as relevant today as they were when the Constitution was ratified in 1789." "The Roots of Liberty" will remind Americans of where our country came from and where it is headed if we don't embrace the brilliance of those who bequeathed it to us.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Cal Thomas is co-author (with Bob Beckel) of the book, "Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America".
"If Conservatives Try to Impeach Obama, He’ll Have the Last Laugh" - Genevieve Wood / @genevievewood / July 29, 2014; http://dailysignal.com/2014/07/29/conservatives-try-impeach-obama-hell-last-laugh/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuaXLZKXonjHpfsX56eguXa%2B3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4ASMNlI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D "...Republicans, who may very well be on their way to controlling both the House and Senate following the November election, should not take the bait. Why blow a likely good hand for a very uncertain one? Polls show the public has no appetite for impeachment—and that the GOP is inching closer to getting the six seats it needs to win control of the Senate. As House Speaker John Boehner said Tuesday, “We have no plans to impeach the president. We have no future plans. Listen, it’s all a scam started by Democrats at the White House.” I don’t think there is any doubt Obama has ignored the restraints put on the executive office by the Constitution. He’s unilaterally made changes to Obamacare without congressional approval, made recess appointments when the Senate was not in recess, and refused to enforce our immigration and drug laws, and on it goes. But whether Obama’s tendency to “go it alone” when he can’t get what he wants via Congress rises to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors is questionable, certainly in the eyes of the American public. The most effective way to rein in Obama’s imperial presidency isn’t impeachment hearings. It is for voters to have their say on November 4. [bold and italics emphasis mine]
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
Please pray for Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol from Samaritan’s Purse:
Two Americans working for Samaritan’s Purse to battle the deadly Ebola virus plaguing Liberia, unfortunately have both tested positive for the this terrible virus and are fighting for their lives.
Dr. Kent Brantly, medical director for the Samaritan’s Purse care center serving the Liberian capital of Monrovia, and Nancy Writebol, part of the joint Serving In Mission/ Samaritan’s Purse team, are currently undergoing intensive treatment at an isolation center in ELWA Hospital.
Please join us by praying for both of these heroic individuals and their families at this time. For more information please visit their website at www.samaritanspurse.org. [from Crosswalk.com]
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "President Barack Obama's decision to nominate Rabbi David Saperstein to the post of Ambassador for International Religious Freedom is drawing mixed reactions. Saperstein has spent his career in Washington focusing on social justice and religious freedom issues as an activist in the liberal reform branch of Judaism .... An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
7/18 - PRAY FOR THE PRESENT CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS TO END SOON BEFORE MORE INNOCENT LIVES ARE LOST ON BOTH SIDES.
6/13 - PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907)
LATEST SAHEED NEWS! May 22 - "Pastor Saeed Forcibly Returned to Prison after Beating" - By Caitlin Burke,CBN News, May 22, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/May/Pastor-Saeed-Beaten-Sent-Back-to-Iran-Prison/ "Saeed Abedini, a U.S. pastor imprisoned for his faith, was severely beaten at an Iranian hospital before being returned to the brutal Rajai Shahr prison. His Iranian family claims the transfer was unexpected and the reason is unclear. But one of the guards involved in the transfer suggested recent Iranian nuclear talks could be a motive, the family said...""
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. We also remain hopeful that in addition to getting the medical care he so desperately needs, that Iranian officials display the kind of humanitarian treatment that often accompanies the start of the Iranian New Year which began on March 21st. This is the time of year when the Iranian government frequently offers clemency to prisoners of conscience. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
PRAY ALSO : - 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
- 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
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
PRAYER ALERT!"Kim Jong-un Calls for Execution of 33 Christians" - 3/7/2014; http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/Prayerwatch?pw=3651 "North Korea tyrant Kim Jong-un has reportedly ordered that 33 Christians believed to be working alongside South Korean Baptist missionary Kim Jung-wook be put to death. The South Korean missionary - who was arrested last year - and his accomplices have reportedly started 500 or so underground churches..."[PRAY that the plans for execution would be rescinded, and these believers released.] [Che\ck out: They'll Be Dead By Morning (What Difference Will It Make) http://loristanleyroeleveld.blogspot.com/2014/03/theyll-be-dead-by-morning-what.html
NEWS ALERT/PRAISE! "Iran Allows Surgery on Ailing, Imprisoned Pastor" - CBNNews.com,March 07, 2014;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/March/Iran-Allows-Dire-Surgery-on-Ailing-Imprisoned-Pastor-/ The Iranian government has finally allowed doctors to perform surgery on imprisoned Pastor Benham Irani.Irani suffered from a herniated disc and bleeding intestines and urgently needed medical care. PRAY for the final release of Pastor Irani and others imprisoned for their faith.
Continue to Pray for 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.]
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Continue to Pray for 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.]
"America's DNA: 'The Federalist Papers' "- Cal Thomas | Jul 03, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/calthomas/2014/07/03/americas-dna-the-federalist-papers-n1858315/page/full [AS I SEE IT: Impeach the President? Many have been talking about it for awhile and now event he mainstream press is forced to pay attention to the conversation. (The subject was covered as a major story in one of last night's NETWORK evening news reports.) The following article explains why many believe there is a basis for such action. Then again, the excerpt from the article noted afterwards (below) points out why it probably won't and shouldn't happen - at least not before the Nov. election. - Stan]
There are many ways to lose freedom -- conquering armies, surrendering without a fight. Unfortunately, we are currently surrendering our freedom, not to a foreign power, but to our own government. The growth, reach, and cost of big government is happening before our eyes and eroding our liberty, largely because too many Americans are not familiar with the brilliant system of government our Founders established. Progressives prefer a "living Constitution," which is constantly changing to conform to their ideology. What it is not is the Constitution established by the Founders.
In a comprehensive publication, "The Roots of Liberty: Unlocking the Federalist Papers," edited by Scott D. Cosenza and Claire M. Griffin, it attempts to remind us of the Founders' intent and why their vision, if not renewed by each generation, will quickly fade, America along with it.Tim Donner, president of "One Generation Away," which, according to its website, is "committed to restoring, strengthening and preserving the vision of a free America by applying our founding principles to the issues of today," (and on whose board I serve as an unpaid member), published the book through its Cornerstone Project, says "Roots" has "so far been welcomed by public and private schools in six states."
For those of a certain age, "The Roots of Liberty" will remind us of our high school civics classes, but as government continues to expand and President Obama increasingly ignores the boundaries placed on the Executive Branch, it will serve as a needed reminder of what makes America unique in the world and how it can be quickly destroyed if sufficient attention is not paid to our founding principles.
What should attract young people to "The Roots of Liberty" is that the editors have updated the 18th-century language, using instead paraphrases and modern words that will resonate in contemporary ears, without harming its original meaning. Here's one example: "(James) Madison supported dividing the national government in a way such that each branch in and of itself would be a type of safeguard against tyranny. Because each branch of government was simultaneously separate and interdependent, it had to work together with the other branches in order to achieve the goals of the national government." And Madison's words: "To what expedient then shall we finally resort for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government, as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places." The book then succinctly lists the powers each branch of government is given in order that each branch might be a check on the other. The Founders understood that human nature had to be controlled, lest the temptations of power destroy both leader and country.
Ruling by fiat, as President Obama seems to be doing, like vowing to accomplish immigration reform on his own, even in the face of multiple setbacks by the "checking" Supreme Court, is in violation of the Constitution, as one can read in this analysis of "The Federalist Papers," the philosophical foundation of our constitutional government. Call it America's DNA.
In the chapter "The Powers Delegated to the Federal Government Are Few and Defined," discussing "the doctrine of enumerated powers," the writers say: "By virtue of the doctrine, the Constitution of the United States establishes a government of delegated, enumerated and thus limited powers."
Does this resemble our present government?
In the foreword, the authors write: "The ultimate goal of our project is to strengthen America's civil society by helping our future leaders understand that the principles embedded in the U.S. Constitution are as relevant today as they were when the Constitution was ratified in 1789." "The Roots of Liberty" will remind Americans of where our country came from and where it is headed if we don't embrace the brilliance of those who bequeathed it to us.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Cal Thomas is co-author (with Bob Beckel) of the book, "Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America".
"If Conservatives Try to Impeach Obama, He’ll Have the Last Laugh" - Genevieve Wood / @genevievewood / July 29, 2014; http://dailysignal.com/2014/07/29/conservatives-try-impeach-obama-hell-last-laugh/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuaXLZKXonjHpfsX56eguXa%2B3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4ASMNlI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D "...Republicans, who may very well be on their way to controlling both the House and Senate following the November election, should not take the bait. Why blow a likely good hand for a very uncertain one? Polls show the public has no appetite for impeachment—and that the GOP is inching closer to getting the six seats it needs to win control of the Senate. As House Speaker John Boehner said Tuesday, “We have no plans to impeach the president. We have no future plans. Listen, it’s all a scam started by Democrats at the White House.” I don’t think there is any doubt Obama has ignored the restraints put on the executive office by the Constitution. He’s unilaterally made changes to Obamacare without congressional approval, made recess appointments when the Senate was not in recess, and refused to enforce our immigration and drug laws, and on it goes. But whether Obama’s tendency to “go it alone” when he can’t get what he wants via Congress rises to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors is questionable, certainly in the eyes of the American public. The most effective way to rein in Obama’s imperial presidency isn’t impeachment hearings. It is for voters to have their say on November 4. [bold and italics emphasis mine]
