#676 (10/20) SUNDAY SPECIAL - "Generation Y, Entitlement, and Grace - Calling Over Passion"

SPECIAL NOTE #1 : I came across this performance last night on television. It's from the Bill Gaither Homecoming video "Women of Homecoming #2"  Check it out. Wow!  "Hurt By Hurt" – By Sonya IssacsYeary, http://www.artistdirect.com/video/sonya-isaacs-yeary-hurt-by-hurt-live/164834
SPECIAL NOTE #2: In case you missed it, this past week, #670 listed some national and international stories for prayer; #672 talked about growing hostilities to Christians in AMERICA!, and #673 about how Christians can deal with public school hostility. Just scroll down this page!

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

"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..."

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.]  

Oct. 14 -"Kenneth Bae, Mom Meet; Release Not Guaranteed" - CBNNews.com, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/October/Mother-Visits-Missionary-Jailed-in-North-Korea/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.] 

Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world

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.

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"Generation Y, Entitlement, and Grace - Calling Over Passion," - By: John Stonestreet|Breakpoint.org; October 11, 2013; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-archive/entry/13/23555?spMailingID=7147089&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=92587731&spReportId=OTI1ODc3MzES1

Some of the most thought-provoking people in recent times weren’t real. Remember  the Obama campaign’s “Julia”? Now there’s Lucy, a creation of the Huffington Post’s “Wait But Why” blog. Lucy is today’s emerging adult, an encapsulation of what the article calls Generation Y Protagonists and Special Yuppies, or GYPSYs for short.

From their earliest years, GYPSYs like Lucy, born between the late 70s and the mid-90s, have been told that they’re special, they can be whatever they want to be, and they should just “follow their passions” when choosing a career. Well, not surprisingly, some have noted that many GYPSYs struggle with a sense of entitlement. According to the article, “The GYPSY needs a lot more from a career than… prosperity and security . . . Where the Baby Boomers wanted to live The American Dream, GYPSYs want to live Their Own Personal Dream.”

This, as the HuffPo’s blogger points out, is a recipe for unhappiness for Lucy—or anyone else. When reality exceeds our expectations, we’re happy. But when reality falls short, we’re unhappy, even depressed. And reality just can’t match the dreams GYPSYs have learned to expect.

And there’s a lesson in here for the Church, too. We often tell young Christians that God wants them to “follow their passions”—a phrase that’s only been around for a couple of generations—so that we can all discover our special “calling.” In fact, I used to tell people that the key to discovering God’s will is just discovering your passions.

Now, there’s certainly truth to the idea that the Lord has gifted us in unique ways to serve Him, and we can discover these gifts through our passions and use them for His glory. Remember how Olympian Eric Liddell “felt God’s pleasure” when he ran? But there’s more to the biblical picture of calling and vocation than just this.Jesus also said we must pick up our cross and follow Him. Paul said that anyone who wishes to follow Christ will be persecuted. Remember, Eric Liddell died in a Japanese prison camp.

It’s really only Christians in the West, especially America, who have the luxury of dwelling on the question, “What has God made me to be and what is my calling?” Unfortunately, in the process of this dwelling, we may miss other lessons about calling that our brothers and sisters around the world are forced to learn.

The Protestant Reformers understood calling to be not primarily about passion, but as a commitment to glorify God in whatever station we find ourselves. It may be your calling right now to be a student, or a mom or a dad, or a minimum wage employee simply just having to make a living. Whether directly connected with our passions or not, God calls us first and foremost to do the next thing well, to His glory, with all of our might.

So instead of asking, “What does God want me to do one day,” we should be asking “What does God want me to do next?”

It’s possible that we’ve “Christianized” a sense of entitlement, and therefore a misunderstanding of calling. In Acts 17, the Apostle Paul says that God determines the exact times that people live and the boundaries of their dwelling place.Thus, whether we inherit a culture of economic downturn in which many people can’t find a job, or if jobs are plentiful and we can really “follow our passions,” we accept either as from God’s hand. Our calling—whatever culture we find ourselves in—is to live fully engaged in this world, regardless of the particular circumstances.

As Bonhoeffer wrote, “Bravely take hold of the real, not dallying now with what might be. Not in the flight of ideas but only in action is freedom. Make up your mind and come out into the tempest of the living.” These are good words for every generation.

[bold and italics emphasis mine]
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FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION - Generation Y, Entitlement, and Grace: Calling over Passion - Next Steps

Christians should be the first to rethink our notion of calling. As John pointed out, our primary calling is to live for Christ, wherever we are. A great way to combat the modern problem of ennui, depression, and narcissism is to be utterly grateful to God in every job we do and in every life situation. After all, God calls us to be faithful, not successful. To better help you understand this subject, check out Os Guinness’s book The Call.  We have a copy for your at the Colson Center Store. [NOTE: If you are not familiar with Mr. Guinness's style of writing, it is a rather unique style that I found a great challenge to follow. It IS great stuff, but it is definitely reading you will not be able to rush. - Stan]

RESOURCES:
"Why Generation Y Yuppies Are Unhappy" - Huffington Post | waitbutwhy.com | September 15, 2013; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wait-but-why/generation-y-unhappy_b_3930620.html

"I'm Not as Special as I Used to Think" - Stan Guthrie | Crosswalk.com | November 12, 2012; http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/i-m-not-as-special-as-i-used-to-think.html

"The Tempest of the Living" - John Stonestreet | Re Series, ColsonCenter.org | May 30, 2013; http://www.colsoncenter.org/issues/themeoftheweek/entry/42/22383?spMailingID=7147089&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=92587731&spReportId=OTI1ODc3MzES1

" ... what matters most when Christians confront a culture or government hostile to our worldview and values is not how confident we feel, how much is at stake, whether we stand alone or even whether we have a chance of success. All that matters is obedience, and the willingness to set aside conjecture when the time comes, thrust ourselves into the storm of reality and take the action God has called us to take. In the words of Chuck Colson, we must do the right thing, no matter what it costs us.

"Who stands fast?" asked Bonhoeffer shortly before the end of his life. "Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedience and responsible action in faith and an exclusive allegiance to God. Who tries to make his whole life an answer to the question and call of God. Where are these responsible people?"

That's a question which for Christians in the West, is becoming increasingly urgent."

The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life - Os Guinness | W Publishing Group | October 2003

#675 (10/19) "Girls Gone Bad: The Girl Scouts’ Link to Planned Parenthood"

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

 "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..."

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.]  

- 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.] 

Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world

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.

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"Girls Gone Bad: The Girl Scouts’ Link to Planned Parenthood,"
by Jenifer Bowen | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 10/16/13 http://www.lifenews.com/2013/10/16/girls-gone-bad-the-girl-scouts-link-to-planned-parenthood/

Say it ain’t so!  We have heard about this for years, read some articles written a long time ago.  We have clutched our Thin Mints™ and our Peanut Butter Patties™ and closed our eyes and said, “We won’t believe it until we have more proof.”

Now a little soccer mom from St. Louis has done the work for us.  She has proof.  The Girl Scouts are linked to Planned Parenthood, the United Nations’ abortion agenda and a lot of other really bad stuff. Ann Saladin’s three daughters first received an invitation to join the Girl Scouts from a parish school. One daughter was in Girl Scouts for three years, “It was a great experience,” said Saladin. But Saladin pulled her daughters out of Girl Scouts, after discovering both financial and curriculum ties to organizations that promote abortion.

Here is how it works. Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA) is a member of WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts).  There are 145 WAGGGS organizations around the world and Girl Scouts is the largest member organization. GSUSA has a fiduciary relationship with WAGGGS. GSUSA pays money into WAGGGS. In 2007, for instance, the Girl Scouts USA made a $1.8 million payment to WAGGGS.

Never heard of WAGGGS?  You should get to know them.  Their website is. www.WAGGGS.org
WAGGGS invites Girl Scout councils and girls to be delegates to lobby for “sexual and reproductive rights” at United Nations events such as:

The Commission on the Status of Women

UN Climate Change Conference (the message here is sexual and reproductive rights play an important part in climate change.)

UN Global Youth Forum - Global Youth Forum sounds harmless enough…but this is no World Youth Day. The Outcome Document from the 2013 Global Youth Forum, held in Bali, calls for:

Abortion on demand
Contraception
Sexual rights for all young people  regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
Elimination of parental consent laws (where a minor girl notifies a parent before an abortion)
Sexuality education that is “free of religious intolerance.”
Decriminalization of prostitution (which they call “sex work”)
(Read it for yourself: search “Bali Global Youth Forum Declaration 1”.)

These are all positions WAGGGS advocates.  It should be no surprise that WAGGGS is a close partner of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Planned Parenthood sometimes appears as a resource at the end of WAGGGS handbooks, like the “Voices Against Violence” handbook.  In fact, IPPF boasts about its close ties to WAGGGS.

WAGGGS is controversial enough that Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa has a “Frequently Asked Questions” section on its website that says, “Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa does not have a local relationship or partnership with Planned Parenthood.” And “Every Girl Scout organization is a member of WAGGGS…” but “troops and individual girls are not members of WAGGGS.”  (How is that possible?)

This makes you think WAGGGS is some kind of distant cousin.  But when you click on “Who We Are” on the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa website, then “Girl Scout Days,” you see, “World Thinking Day.”  This is WAGGGS main fundraiser, according to Saladin.

Under “Travel” one of the trips is “WAGGGS World Centre” trip to the Swiss Alps in 2015 for grades 8-12.  It looks innocent, but another website on WAGGGS’s Swiss retreats suggests more abortion indoctrination.

All Girl Scouts websites promote numerous activities, awards and links to WAGGGS. The WAGGGS “Global Action Theme (GAT) Badge Curriculum, is based on the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MGDs), which sound harmless: “Improve Maternal Health.”  Who wouldn’t be for that? But one of the GAT badge projects says, “Visit a family planning clinic and find out about the ways they try to prevent adolescent pregnancy.”

A GAT Badge project for “Younger Members” suggests: “Talk to your mother or another mother about what it is like to be a mum.  What is good about it?  What is not so great?  Draw a cartoon about it.”
Nothing like starting them off young with negative images of motherhood.

What about those cookies? - “Cookie money stays local” says Saladin, “But millions of dollars in licensing fees go directly to Girl Scouts USA to spend as they choose.”

Girl Scouts does a lot of good—promoting self-esteem, friendships and independence in girls.  There are many good people involved locally as troop leaders and volunteers. But if any part the money goes to an organization that is a training ground to turn girls into abortion activists, it may be time to explore other paths.

Ann Saladin’s website is www.mygirlscoutcouncil.com.

LifeNews Note: Jenifer Bowen is the executive director of Iowa Right to Life.

[bold, italics, and underline emphasis mine]

#674 (10/18) "Senate Deal Fixes Nothing"

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

 "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..."

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.]  

 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.] 

Oct. 14 -"Kenneth Bae, Mom Meet; Release Not Guaranteed, "- CBNNews.com, 
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/October/Mother-Visits-Missionary-Jailed-in-North-Korea

Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world

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.

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"Senate Deal Fixes Nothing,"-by Romina Boccia, October 16, 2013 http://blog.heritage.org/2013/10/16/senate-deal-fixes-nothing/print/

The Senate announced a deal today to protect the status quo in Washington. As pundits debate the political winners or losers of this deal, one thing is awfully clear: The American people are once again on the losing end.

The Wall Street Journal [2] reports: "Senate leaders on Wednesday struck an 11th-hour agreement to avoid a U.S. debt crisis and fully reopen the federal government, putting lawmakers on track toward ending a stalemate that worried investors world-wide and provided striking evidence of congressional dysfunction."

To truly avoid a spending and debt crisis, today and in the future, Congress should cut spending and enact entitlement reforms that put the budget on a path to balance. But, far from avoiding a U.S. debt crisis [3], the deal fails on two main fronts.

First, it locks in Obamacare’s implementation with no relief in sight for those Americans who are seeing their premiums increase [4], their working hours cut, and their job opportunities diminished [5].

Second, the deal does not address the existing massive entitlement programs—Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—which, together with Obamacare, remain on track to consume half of the U.S. budget by the end of the decade.

According to the Congressional Budget Office [6] (CBO), the debt subject to the limit would grow by $7 trillion over the decade on the current trajectory—from nearly $17 trillion today to more than $24 trillion by 2023. During this time period, Obamacare adds $1.8 trillion in spending [7].

Debt Ceiling Suspension. Based on news reports, the deal would raise the debt ceiling without any offsetting spending cuts through a suspension to February 7, 2014. This means that the deal fails to place any fiscal restraint on lawmakers [8], allowing them unrestricted borrowing authority until a set date.

Higher Spending on the Horizon. The deal also leaves the door open for further attempts at undoing the non-defense discretionary spending cuts [9], a priority for President Obama and his allies. The deal would fund federal agencies through a continuing resolution until January 15, setting up another battle on sequestration.

Defense Cuts. Uncertainty also persists for the Pentagon over the continuing application of sequestration. While the deal did not reprogram the sequestration cuts, it is said to provide additional flexibility. What that means for defense is still unknown. If the flexibility extends to permitting the Administration to exchange non-defense reductions for further reductions in defense, the military would be at risk of suffering even greater cuts to the enrichment of domestic programs.

Extraordinary Measures. Also, because the Treasury would be able to access its toolbox of extraordinary measures again to borrow under the debt limit after February 7, the actual borrowing deadline will come even later. Treasury’s toolbox [10] contained $260 billion in additional borrowing authority after Washington hit the debt suspension date of May 19, 2013.

Obamacare Verification. The deal will reportedly include language requiring the Obama Administration to verify the income of subsidy applicants on Obamacare exchanges. This requirement was included in the Obamacare statute. This summer, the Administration announced it would put applicants on the “honor system [11]” for 2014—one of several delays announced [12] for the law. More recently, the Administration announced it would in fact engage in income verification of all applicants next year. Thus the CBO, when scoring similar provisions [13] in September, concluded that enacting a verification regime would not affect direct spending or revenues. A program is currently being put in place to verify income and coverage qualifications for the tax credits and subsidies, and that program appears…to be in accordance with section 1411 [of Obamacare]. Accordingly, we expect that the Secretary would certify before the beginning of 2014, when premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies would first be paid, that the requirements…are satisfied.

While helpful in reaffirming anti-fraud protections and encouraging the Administration to follow the law as originally written, the provision will not rein in the trillions in projected spending [14] on Obamacare’s new entitlements over the next 10 years.

While lawmakers cheer about finding a another 11th-hour deal that continues the damaging status quo in Washington, the U.S. government proceeds steadily on a course [15] of weaker economic growth and fewer opportunities for Americans today and in the future. And the Groundhog Day cycle continues. [16]

The following Heritage experts contributed to this blog: Baker Spring (defense) and Chris Jacobs (Obamacare).

[bold and italics emphasis mine]
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Article printed from The Foundry: Conservative Policy News Blog from The Heritage Foundation: http://blog.heritage.org;;URL to article: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/10/16/senate-deal-fixes-nothing/

URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://blog.heritage.org/wp-content/uploads/3-DEM-012512-25.jpg
[2] Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303680404579139212598765046
[3] far from avoiding a U.S. debt crisis: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/09/debt-limit-options-and-the-way-forward
[4] premiums increase: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/10/enrollment-in-obamacare-exchanges-how-will-your-health-insurance-fare
[5] working hours cut, and their job opportunities diminished: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/03/08/obamacare-continues-to-restrict-hiring/
[6] the Congressional Budget Office: http://www.cbo.gov/publication/44195
[7] $1.8 trillion in spending: http://www.heritage.org/multimedia/infographic/2013/08/federalspendingbynumbers2013/page-8-chart-1
[8] fails to place any fiscal restraint on lawmakers: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/10/suspending-the-debt-a-license-for-more-wasteful-spending-sources
[9] undoing the non-defense discretionary spending cuts: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/08/30/while-debt-crisis-looms-washington-still-focused-on-undoing-sequestration/
[10] Treasury’s toolbox: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/06/06/treasury-employs-extraordinary-measures-to-spend-beyond-debt-limit/
[11] honor system: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/05/us-usa-healthcare-exchanges-idUSBRE96402X20130705
[12] several delays announced: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/07/08/morning-bell-obamacares-dirty-dozen-implementation-failures/
[13] scoring similar provisions: http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/hr2775.pdf
[14] trillions in projected spending: http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/44190_EffectsAffordableCareActHealthInsuranceCoverage_2.pdf
[15] proceeds steadily on a course: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/02/how-the-united-states-high-debt-will-weaken-the-economy-and-hurt-americans
[16] the Groundhog Day cycle continues.: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/25/boccia-breaking-the-groundhog-day-debt-ceiling-cyc/?page=all

Copyright © 2011 The Heritage Foundation. All rights reserved.

#673 (10/17) Are Christians Forced To Be At Odds With Their Public Schools?

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

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..."

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.]  

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.] 

Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Faith-Friendly Public Schools - We Can Make a Difference,"; By: Eric Metaxas|Breakpoint.org: October 16, 2013 http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-archive/entry/13/23597?spMailingID=7178633&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=93370270&spReportId=OTMzNzAyNzAS1  



Public school students still enjoy a wide range of religious freedom -- even in the classroom. We just need to educate the educators about it.

A few weeks ago, an elementary school teacher in Tennessee told her class to write about someone they idolized. Ten-year-old Erin Shead decided to write about God. “I look up to God,” she wrote. “He will always be the #1 person I look up to. I love him and Jesus. Jesus is His earthly son.” But Erin’s teacher told her that she could not write about God—and that her paper could not remain on school property. Erin had to start over. Reluctantly, Erin then wrote about Michael Jackson. Yikes.

After the incident made the news, Shelby County Schools issued a statement saying “no laws or district policies allow teachers to limit students’ expression of religious beliefs in their personal classwork. This was a regrettable misunderstanding, and we as educators must learn from it.” Bravo! I’m glad the school district corrected the misunderstanding. Because too many teachers mistakenly think that their classrooms somehow need to be religion-free zones. That’s simply not true.

Eric Buehrer of Gateways to Better Education—a ministry to Christian parents and educators in public schools—points out that many teachers are not only afraid to talk about religion themselves, but they even stop students, like Erin, from exercising their constitutionally-protected right of free speech. It’s not that teachers are necessarily hostile to Christianity. They are just tremendously misinformed and afraid of getting in trouble.

However, students’ religious liberties are clear. The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidelines for the past 18 years that clearly explain that students in our public schools have the right to express their faith in their assignments. They can witness to their classmates, read their Bibles at school, and yes, they can pray.

The majority of Christian families send their children to public schools. So it’s time we begin helping our schools become more faith-friendly places. And that can begin with Christians already in the system. For example, Emily was a first-grader in Southern California. As Christmas approached, her teacher told the students to bring their favorite holiday books, and she would read them to the class. But when Emily brought her Bible so the teacher could read about the first Christmas, she was told the Bible wasn’t allowed at school. This came to the attention of a district school administrator, who just happened to be a Christian. So he initiated a district-wide retraining of all the elementary teachers regarding students’ religious liberties and how to properly address religious holidays.

Eric Buehrer points out that instead of looking at our schools from an “us versus them” perspective, we should say, “We are them! We’re the teachers, the principals, the school board members, and even the superintendents! The problem is,” says Buehrer, “too many Christians are uninformed about exactly what can be done in schools and how to do it appropriately.”

But here’s the good news: Gateways to Better Education now offers a School Improvement Checklist. It focuses on religious and academic freedom. And it helps schools become places where students feel the freedom to express their faith and learn about the Bible and Christianity. It provides a list of exactly what school policies should be in place and what practices are permissible in the classroom. [check out websites listed below]

[bold and italics emphasis mine]

FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
Takeaction_Faith-Friendly Public Schools: We Can Make a Difference - Next Steps
        Because religious freedom in public schools has been a battleground for years—many war-weary educators, parents, and concerned citizens have become confused over what is legal.   Thankfully, Gateways to Better Education gives clarity to this issue with their School Improvement Checklist. Please pass this commentary on to other parents and teachers through your social network.  Help others learn the truth about religious freedom in the public school system.

The School Improvement Check List - http://www.gtbe.org/news/index.php/5/107.html
Gateways to Better Education website - http://www.gtbe.org/

#672 (10/16) "Anti-Faith Sentiment Growing at Alarming Rate " ...

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

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.] 

Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Anti-Faith Sentiment Growing at Alarming Rate," - By Paul Strand, October 15, 2013;

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/October/Anti-Faith-Sentiment-Growing-at-Alarming-Rate-/

WASHINGTON -- Hostility against Christian Americans is growing at an alarming rate, according to a new survey from the Family Research Council and Liberty Institute. The Liberty Institute's Jeff Mateer noted that while last year's survey was based on 600 cases, "this survey that we're releasing right now is almost 1,200. So we've almost doubled in just one year."

One such case involved college student Audrey Jarvis, who was asked twice to remove her cross, or at least hide it, at a student orientation. "My supervisor came up to me out of nowhere and asked me to remove my cross necklace because he thought it would be offensive to incoming freshmen," she recalled. Jarvis received an apology from her college, but couldn't forget how hurtful the man was who found her cross so objectionable. "I think he was just kind of ignorant to the fact that his words could offend me in attempting to not offend somebody else," she said.

In another case, Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk got in trouble with his lesbian commanding officer when she ordered him to answer how he felt about gay marriage. "This is about religious freedom because I expressly stated that I had a religious conviction that wouldn't allow me to answer the question the way it was posed to me," Monk said.

Former NFL running back Craig James found himself a victim of growing anti-faith sentiment when just one hour into a new job as a FOX Sports analyst, he was booted off the air. James and the Liberty Institute insist it was because a top network manager disapproved of a statement James made about gay marriage 15 months before in a political debate "They knew who I was, what I stood for," James told CBN News. "And I'm being punished -- I was fired -- for my religious beliefs." FOX says James just wasn't a good fit, but Liberty Institute is fighting to get James his job back. "This is not about Craig James," the former NFL running back said. "This is about an American who had a job and someone came back -- a big corporation -- and said, 'Hey, we can't allow you on our network because of your belief and definition of what marriage is.'"

With some 1,200 cases like these documented in the new Religious Hostility Survey, Mateer says he's frightened for his country. "The threats are increasing at a dramatic rate, and this survey demonstrates that," Mateer said.

Mat Staver's Liberty Council also fights for the rights of people of faith. "What we're seeing is instead of religious liberty being protected as it is affirmed by the First Amendment, people of religious faith, particularly Christians, are finding themselves the targets of discrimination," Staver said.

Sgt. Monk says now when Christians facing hostility must hold steady, mostly for other believers. "They need to see us stand firm in our faith," he told CBN News. "And when they see that, I think we'll see a turn of events." Mateer noted that when believers fight back, they almost always win. So only by meekly accepting defeat will they let the enemies of religion triumph. "They've stated their objective is to remove God from our public life. Well, if we remain silent, that's going to happen," Mateer warned.

[bold and italics emphasis mine]

Jesus or Government Cheese? - 

State official forces Christian charity to make a choice - By Bill Noles;  http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/morality-in-america

A Christian ministry in Florida is at odds with the federal government over Jesus and cheese.

The story began when a Florida state agriculture department official told Christian Services Center (CSC) they would not be allowed to receive United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food unless they removed portraits of Christ, the Ten Commandments, a banner that read “Jesus is Lord” and stopped giving out Bibles to those who attended.

The Lake City food pantry has provided meals for poor, low-income and homeless residents of the small northern Florida town for over 31 years. When a state government worker showed up to negotiate a new contract with the Christian charity, the ministry was informed of the violations.

“The (worker) told us there was a slight change in the contract,” said Kay Daly, executive director of the CSC. “They said we could no longer have religious information where the USDA food is being distributed. They told us we had to take that stuff down.” Daly said they were told it was a matter of separation of church and state.

The Florida Department of Agriculture said they were following the guidelines written by the USDA. “This program is a USDA-funded program and the requirements were outlined by the USDA,” spokesperson Amanda Bevis told Fox News. “This agency administers the program on the state level. Our staff did provide a briefing to CSC following turnover in leadership at CSC and did review the USDA requirements.”

A USDA spokesperson explained that “under current law, organizations that receive USDA nutrition assistance can still engage in religious activities so long as the activity is not used to create a barrier to eligible individuals receiving food.”

As part of its food distribution, CSC prays with its clients and asks them if they would like to learn more about Christ. “When we meet with them to get an understanding of the crisis or need, we ask them if they know Jesus Christ and if we may share with them. If they decline, we don’t. If they do want to, we share the Gospel with them,” Daly told The Christian Post. “Sometimes we lead them to the Lord and sometimes we don’t.” Although the CSC doesn’t make acceptance of Christ or Christian material mandatory, the potential discomfort that individuals could feel was seen as a barrier by the state agency.

It is unclear why the CSC was asked in the new contract to take their signs down. An Executive Order allows faith-based organizations the right to provide assistance without “removing or altering religious art, icons, scriptures or other symbols from these facilities.” Daly said it’s no secret that the CSC is faith-based. “We’ve got pictures of Christ on more than one wall,” she said. “It’s very clear we are not social services. We are a Christian ministry.”

The government contract also forbade CSC from providing Bibles and referencing their chapel. CSC was told they could continue distributing USDA food so long as it was somewhere else on the property – away from anything that could be considered religious.

CSC had a choice – choose Jesus or government cheese. They would not compromise. “We decided to eliminate the USDA food and we’re going to trust God to provide,” Daly said. “If God can multiply fish and loaves for 10,000 people, he can certainly bring in food for our food pantry so we can continue to feed the hungry.” “We are a Christian ministry,” she said. “Our purpose is to help people in need and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are going to pray with them. We are going to offer them a Bible. We are going to counsel them in Christian help. We are going to use our chapel.”

Local churches and residents of Lake City are stepping up and filling the void left by the USDA.

“I’m called to do what the Lord tells me to do,” Daly said. “I’m not called to worry about it. I pray about it. The Lord answers our prayers and we move forward one day at a time, one person at a time.”

[Please] pray:

• That organizations like CSC will continue to serve the less fortunate with or without the USDA’s help
• That Christians in America will step in to fill the void
• That the Lord will bless those who serve the poor
• [That people of faith will continue to have the freedom to conduct their businesses without being restricted in exercising their Constitutional religious freedoms.]

Bill Noles Jr. is an entrepreneur, author and writer. Married for over 30 years, he is a father of two sons and grandfather of four children. He and his wife Diann live in Tucson, AZ.

#671 (10/15) TODAY Is Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity; "Thoughts on the Shut Down..."

REMINDER: Check out this week's broadcast of ''Truth That Transofrms” program entitled “The New Tolerance?” http://www.truthinaction.org/index.php/kennedy-classics/?src=tiam_banner 

TODAY IS "Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity."Pro-Life Students Will Take Vow of Silence to Speak Up for the Unborn," - by Lauren Enriquez | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 10/9/13; http://www.lifenews.com/2013/10/09/pro-life-students-will-take-vow-of-silence-to-speak-up-for-the-unborn/

"[Today,] Tuesday, October 15, students across America will participate in a day of solidarity to show their respect for life. The “Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity” is an outlet for students to express their pro-life views without using words or engaging in arguments. Pro-life students who will forego speaking on October 15 will also honor with their silence the members of their generation (including anyone born after the legalization of abortion on-demand in America in 1973 with the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade) who were never allowed to be born...." [italics and underline my emphasis]

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

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.] 

Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world

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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Thoughts on the Shut Down - What Would Chuck Say?," - By: Eric Metaxas|Breakpoint.org: October 14, 2013; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-archive/entry/13/23570?spMailingID=7161182&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=93000767&spReportId=OTMwMDA3NjcS1

Back in 1992, Chuck Colson recorded a BreakPoint commentary about government gridlock. Now, gridlock in general is of course a lot different than a shutdown. But I think a lot of what Chuck had to say still applies today. See if you agree. Here’s Chuck, from way back in 1992.

Now that President Bush has suffered his first veto override, here's betting we will hear even more complaints about government gridlock.President Bush blames it on a Democratic Congress that won't pass his initiatives. Governor Clinton promises he'll solve gridlock if elected. And Ross Perot says when he gets under the hood, the engine of government will hum along without a creak.

Now, it's true that our government is slow and unwieldy at times. But is government gridlock necessarily a bad thing? If you think about it, the only thing that happens when government is gridlocked is that it doesn't pass as many laws. The White House and Congress each set up barriers to keep the other side from getting their legislation through. Well, if you say this is bad, you're really saying we need to unclog government so it can churn out more laws, more quickly.

But does America really need more laws? Every law Congress passes puts one more restriction on what private individuals and groups can do. Every decision Congress makes means one less decision people are free to make on their own. Every bill allocating money to some worthy project means there's less money in your pocket and mine to allot to our own worthy causes.

In short, pretty much every law Congress passes takes power out of private hands and puts it into the government’s hands. The only people who could be in favor of this are those who don't trust private agencies, like families, churches, and businesses--people who think government is the solution to all our problems.

Well, our Founding Fathers didn't think that. They realized that an ever-expanding state could become a threat to liberty. And so they decided to build barriers into the system right from the beginning—to prevent Congress from passing laws in a casual manner. They designed the system so that Congress is held in check by the President, with his veto power. And in turn the President is held in check by Congress. Checks and balances prevent any one person or group from holding absolute power.
You see, the Founders weren't concerned about government gridlock; they were concerned about excessive government growth and power.

The system they set up may be inefficient—bills may be held back while people argue and debate them. Congress and the President may have to work out compromises. But the alternative is to get rid of the checks and balances, and then just let a single group in government make all the decisions.Whenever power is concentrated, it may be more efficient, but it inevitably spells trouble, and even can easily lead to tyranny.

[NOTE: You should recall that this is exactly what happened in 2008 when the people turned not just the Presidency but BOTH Houses of Congress and we ended up having legislation like Obamacare (which the majority of Americans now do NOT want) being rammed through Congress.(" so that we can find out what's in it" - as the Democratic Speaker of the House infamously said at the time). It should be noted that the people had voted for one-party government in '08 but since 2010 have voted every other year to HAVE the divided government we have and thus ensured that we would have a built in system of checks on each branch. Obviously, the hope was that both sides could work through their differences for the best solution but it's not proving as easily done as hoped. - Stan]

So the next time you hear people complaining about government gridlock, don't be taken in. Ask them which they prefer: a system of checks and balances where power is spread out among all the branches of government—or a system that concentrates power in a small group? Do they prefer a system that gives freedom to private agencies, or one where the government makes all the decisions for them? Then you might be able to tell them that the frustration of gridlock is just one of the prices we pay in order to enjoy a free society and limited government.

[bold and italics emphasis mine]

FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
RESOURCES:
"Powers, Separated on Purpose," - Charles C. W. Cooke | Nationalreview.com | October 1, 2013; http://nationalreview.com/article/359992/powers-separated-purpose-charles-c-w-cooke
"Balancing Act," -Chuck Colson | BreakPoint.org; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-search/entry/13/10080
"Balancing Act - When Government Gridlock Is Good" - By: Chuck Colson; Breakpoint.org;
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-search/entry/13/10080?spMailingID=7161182&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=93000767&spReportId=OTMwMDA3NjcS1
"Dangerous Disconnect," - Chuck Colson | BreakPoint.org | May 24, 2010;
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-search/entry/13/14519

#670 (10/14) National and International Prayer Requests

REMINDER: Check out this week's broadcast of ''Truth That Transofrms” program entitled “The New Tolerance?” http://www.truthinaction.org/index.php/kennedy-classics/?src=tiam_banner 


"Pro-Life Students Will Take Vow of Silence to Speak Up for the Unborn," - by Lauren Enriquez | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 10/9/13 http://www.lifenews.com/2013/10/09/pro-life-students-will-take-vow-of-silence-to-speak-up-for-the-unborn/

"Next Tuesday, October 15, students across America will participate in a day of solidarity to show their respect for life. The “Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity” is an outlet for students to express their pro-life views without using words or engaging in arguments. Pro-life students who will forego speaking on October 15 will also honor with their silence the members of their generation (including anyone born after the legalization of abortion on-demand in America in 1973 with the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade) who were never allowed to be born...." [italics and underline my emphasis]

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

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.] 

Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world

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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From The Presidential Prayer Team (not associated with the Administration) "Insight Edition for Prayer" for Oct. 10-26, 2013;  PrayerTeam@Presidential-Prayer-Team.org ;

CONGRESSIONAL PRAYER NEEDS

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (Wisconsin) called for the House to seek a ‘small bargain’ to resolve the fiscal crisis gripping Washington, focusing on ideas both parties have agreed to in the past.

Senator Rob Portman (Ohio) is circulating a plan to cut federal spending and reform the U.S. tax code as part of a broader plan to reopen the shuttered government and provide the Treasury with more borrowing power.

1)  Pray for a negotiated resolution to the budget and debt ceiling issues before the October 17 default date. 2) Pray that Senator Portman's efforts will prove successful in some form.

JUDICIAL PRAYER FOCUS

The Supreme Court’s new term which began Monday (Oct. 7) will consider cases involving abortion rights, affirmative action, public prayer and presidential power, among many others that put important precedents at risk.

Pray for wisdom and discernment for the nine Supreme Court Justices as they hear arguments and make their rulings; that they will be restrained to interpret the Constitution and not make new law by judicial activism.

THE WARS
For the families of four U.S. soldiers killed by insurgents in Afghanistan this week, the partial U.S. government shutdown has not provided the usual travel expenses to Dover to claim their fallen; private funds have met the need.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ruled out signing a security deal with the U.S. until disagreements over sovereignty are resolved. He angrily accused the U.S. and NATO of occupation “using our people and villages.”

Pray 1) that the families of the fallen and all those on active duty and veterans of our military will be properly provided for, and 2) that America will stand by what is best for its national security interests even as it seeks to work with the hostile leaders of Afghanistan and elsewhere.

TERRORISM
U.S. intelligence officials are increasingly concerned that Al Qaeda and other radical Islamist groups could carve out a haven in Syria that will offer the kind of sanctuary they once enjoyed in northwestern Pakistan.

Libyan jihadist groups have called for revenge attacks against the U.S. and Western interests in that North African nation following the elite U.S. counterterrorism unit’s [recent] capture of a high-profile Libyan Al Qaeda leader.

Pray that America's leaders will make wise decisions about the policies of the United States relative to growing Islamism and jihadism in Africa and the Middle East.

ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Iran is preparing to offer to limit its production of nuclear fuel in exchange for an easing of international sanctions at a conference scheduled to take place next week in Geneva. Israel’s Intelligence Minister called the offer ‘a joke.’

"Iran’s Defiant Nuclear Expansion Raises Bar for Geneva Talks"  (10/11/201) 

When the U.N. Security Council first imposed sanctions on Iran in 2006 to try to make it halt its nuclear activity, the Islamic state had a nascent uranium enrichment program with a couple of hundred centrifuges it was testing.

Seven years later - a period which has seen the major oil producer come under increasing international punitive measures - it has installed more than 19,000 such machines for processing uranium, which can have both civilian and military purposes. The figures, from quarterly reports by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, demonstrate Iran’s determination to press ahead with a project it says is peaceful but which the West fears is aimed at developing the capability to assemble atomic bombs. At the same time, it has amassed stocks of low- and medium-enriched uranium gas - 6.8 tons and 186 kg respectively - that experts say would be enough for several bombs if processed further to weapons-grade material.

The sanctions are taking a heavy toll on Iran’s economy - its daily earnings from oil sales have tumbled 60 percent since 2011 to $100 million - but they have not stopped its nuclear push.

World powers hope to persuade Iran at talks in Geneva on October 15-16 to scale back its uranium enrichment. It is no longer considered realistic to expect Tehran to agree to suspend all enrichment, as demanded by the Security Council. Despite a more moderate tone from Iran under new President Hassan Rouhani, Vienna-based diplomats say they see no clear indication so far that Iran is putting the brakes on its nuclear drive.(Sources: Reuters, New York Times) 

Pray about the meeting next week in Geneva [15th-16th] that holds the potential for lifting some sanctions against Iran. ALSO, pray about the capacity of Iran for weapons beyond its capacity for nuclear-powered electricity generation.

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