#2766 (8/17) PRO-LIFE SAT: "Pregnant Women Aren’t Foolish. So Why Do Pro-Choicers Treat Them Like They Are?"

ATTENTION:  SCROLL DOWN  to get TODAY'S article entitled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. PLEASE be sure to note the various PRAYER REQUESTS listed BEFORE and AFTER the posted article. (NOTE the list of DAILY prayer requests for the persecuted church.)  They ALL deserve  your intercession.

A SPECIAL POST: Jeffrey Epstein and 2 Peter 2:9 - Last Sunday (8/11), when word of the "suicide" of the disgraced billionaire was revealed, I had an unepected prompting from God's Spirit in which I sensed Him saying, "Did you take time to PRAY for the man beore he died?" When I shared that with a Christian at my workplace, I received a surprised look that seemed to say, "Why would you want to have prayed for that horrible man?" While the temptation is to think that, the question is what does Scripture - and thus God - say. I was led in my reflection to 2 Peter 2:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting ANYONE to perish [ie, be destined for Hell], but EVERYONE to come to repentance." In other words, just because OUR sins are not as bad as THAT GUY or any other person doesn't mean we deserve Heaven and not Hell ourselves. Is ANYONE not redeemable, ANYONE not loved by God and for whom He does NOT want to "perish?" I've continued for a long time to pray regularly for the abortioinists (who are our country's greatest mass murderers as many have killed not just hundreds but tens of thousands of pre-born children!) I know of. I also pray daily for some of the worst world dictators and leaders. And so praying for ANY "horrible person" we hear about should not be so strange for any believer.WE deserve Hell for our sins just as he/she does but praise God for His salvation in Christ we are saved from such a fate. NO ONE is loved any less by God because of their sinsw; 

EVERYONE deserves our prayers! - Stan

PRAYER ALERT:

URGENT: 

* 8/15 - Pray for those suffering as a result of the shootings of police officers recently in Philadelphia.

*Pray for the easing of tensions with  Iran, that further escalation is prevented.

*Pray for the easing of tensions and a return to civility in Congress.

1) Pray for the continued violent crisis taking place in Venezuela and for America’s and other Latin American countries to respond appropriately;

2  PRAY also that our leaders will finally implement an effective border policy that will prevent these incidents in the future.

3)  Pray for U.S. Pastor David Lin in China (see "Something Serious Is Happening In That Dark Place" -  Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, April 09, 2019; https://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20190409/something-serious)

4) Leah Sharibu is a courageous Nigerian Christian teen girl held captive by Boko Haram. The Islamic militia is threatening to kill or enslave her because she won't renounce Jesus Christ. Pray that the UN will intervene in her release. [2/13 – This day marked ONE YEAR since her kidnapping.]

ATTENTION!

DECLARATION FOR LIFE: Please be sure to sign this at:  https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life

PERSONAL UPDATE: 8/10 Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page.

“AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” – This is absolutely my favorite show of the summer, of the year. Thus far, the following are my favorite acts. Please check them out and be moved, laugh hysterically, and simply be amazed. [NBC, Tuesdays, 8-10 pm EST]

 Emanne Beasha - 10-Year-Old Singer Emanne Beasha STUNS With "Nessun Dorma"- America's Got Talent 2019 [ 8/6 – Praise God Emanne received the Golden Buzzer as the best act of the night and will be going on to the live round!]
Ryan Niemiller - Ryan Niemiller: AGT Season 14 Auditi 7/24 – Praise God Ryan made the Judge’s Cut last night and will be in the live show in several weeks!]

Kodi Lee  -   https://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/video/kodi-lee-singer-americas-got-talent-season-14-auditions/3962796; 8/13 - Kodi Lee Got Us Crying With a Performance of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' on 'AGT': Watch
8/14/2019; https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8527359/kodi-lee-simon-garfunkel-agt

8/17 -  PRAY for the President and others in leadership
 (1 Tim. 2:1-3)

Heavenly Father,

 I pray that you will guide President Trump to seek YOU with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength in the New Year. May he act with wisdom and strength against those whose actions would bring harm to this nation and the world now and for generations to come. I pray that you would strengthen his marriage and deepen the love he and his wife Melania share. Pray that you give them wisdom to speak into the life of their son Barron. Please protect him and his family and others in our leadership from physical harm that any might seek to do against them. May all that our President does bring honor and glory to YOU and cause him to draw in closer relationship with you. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen. P.S. - I highly recommend your reading "The Faith of Donald J. Trump." The copy I read is in my public library. It really helps us understand our 45th President better.

(from Intercessors For America) As *the Lord Leads, please pray ...

*That President Trump and the first lady would be able to rest well while continuing to vacation in NJ this week.
*For wisdom for the president and administration officials as they continue to work withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.
*For wisdom for trade negotiators as they continue to work on a deal to balance trade between the U.S. and China, with deadline now not till December.
*For Congressional members to be productive and that they will honor God through how they spend their August recess.
*For wisdom for President Trump and his advisers as they examine the issue of gun violence in the U.S.; that God would guide the president's decisions as he tackles many difficult issues and surround the president with wise council to make decisions that honor Him.
*For wisdom for the president and secretary of state as they work on the next steps in negotiations with North Korea.
*For guidance on the best way to respond to the recent actions from Iran.
*For guidance for the president as he continues to tackle complex issues such as border security and immigration.
*For unity for Congressional leaders as they work to resolve the current issues with immigration law.
*For wisdom for President Trump, Cabinet members and advisers determining the best course of action for the United States in Venezuela.

*For safe travel for members of the administration who are making trips abroad.

*For the military leaders of the U.S. and Turkey to come to a working arrangement over America’s departure from Syria and the protection of the Kurds.

*For unity in Congress as they work to solve the many pressing issues that face the nation.
*For guidance for President Trump  as he works on a variety of issues, that God’s will would be accomplished through him.

     BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION 

(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/  

Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" - 

http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983

"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017; http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/

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

"PREGNANT WOMEN AREN'T FOOLISH. SO WHY DO PRO-CHOICERS TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE?" - Bailey Zimmitti, Aug. 12, 2019; https://www.frcblog.com/2019/08/pregnant-women-arent-foolish/

    Those dedicated to the pro-life movement understand that there are two people in need of defense in an unplanned pregnancy—the woman and her unborn child. The child’s undeniable right to life is an obvious subject of focus among pro-lifers, but the women carrying these children need attention too.

   No sensible person would think that poverty and other adverse life circumstances render a person foolish or less dignified. So why does our society often treat women with unplanned pregnancies like they’re ignorant? Why do we treat these women like they need a savior to rescue them instead of like the dignified grown women that they are?

   In 2017, while volunteering for a pregnancy resource center (PRC) called ABC Women’s Center in Middletown, Connecticut, I witnessed for myself the abhorrent savior complex of pro-abortion advocates. On an early Wednesday morning, our staff got word of a protest that was co-organized by NARAL Pro-Choice CT and Lady Parts Justice League as a part of the “#exposefakeclinics” campaign. What NARAL did not consider was that since we served many single mothers, and that since it was the summer when kids are not in school, the mothers always took their kids with them to come for parenting classes and other services at ABC. We didn’t want them or their children to be forcefully exposed to that kind of hurtful rhetoric. But when the mothers asked why we were asking them to reschedule, we told them the truth—and they were angry. Very angry.
   And then something amazing happened: our clients asked to come and peacefully counter-protest the anti-pregnancy center protest. And we listened. We bought signs, markers, and water bottles, and our coalition of mothers and ministers were ready when NARAL arrived.
   Oftentimes in the abortion debate, we talk about giving women with unplanned pregnancies a voice where they previously did not have one. That’s exactly what happened at the ABC Women’s Center in Middletown—these women spoke for themselves. But instead of listening, Connecticut’s pro-abortion activists are covering their ears. They targeted pregnancy centers again this past month with a dangerous piece of legislation aimed at undermining PRCs.

   On June 6, HB7070, “An Act Concerning Deceptive Advertising Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers” thankfully failed in the Connecticut State Senate after it was not called on for a vote by midnight. One of the most frustrating aspects of this debate was that the proponents of the bill could not cite a single complaint filed against any pregnancy center in the state. This clearly shows that these kinds of actions from the Left do not concern the safety and flourishing of women; they are instead focused on advancing their own agendas at any cost, even if it means stifling the voices of real women with real unplanned pregnancies.
   The Left’s narrative is that “deceptive advertising” is used by pregnancy resource centers and that low-income women of color must be protected from the wicked snares of white conservative Christians. This narrative is a lie. Women with unplanned pregnancies already have individual, dignified, worthy voices—and trust me, they have plenty to say. The problem is that we are not listening.

   The mothers from ABC came on that scorching day in 2017 so that the liberal elitist voices wouldn’t drown out theirs. One pro-abortion woman dressed in a superhero outfit spoke into a microphone about giving voice to the voiceless—while the very women she claimed to defend stood in front of her expressing exactly what they need and want. 

   Women who are facing unplanned pregnancies are not stupid, so let’s not speak for them. Let’s listen to them and to the men and women who work with and for them.

   Pro-choicers have created a narrative that says that a pregnant mother’s choice to accept help to carry her unplanned baby to term isn’t a worthy choice. This is not “pro-choice”—it’s pro-abortion. Pro-choice activists cannot continue to berate pro-lifers for “not doing anything” when the work that pro-lifers are doing to help mothers to make an informed choice is being jeopardized by legislation and activism from the same group who claims that “choice” is everything.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]

Bailey Zimmitti was an intern at Family Research Council.

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

PRAYER MATTERS:

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world. -  Karl Barth

"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is  one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan

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

“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America, I soon realized it was not just a word for me, but for all who have been praying for our nation, wondering if their prayers are truly making any difference. Bill told me, “I kept seeing you as a small rudder on a huge ship. Hidden, but giving guidance. Although it seemed slow it was turning the whole ship. Patience was needed to see the impact of your…ministry. I sense the Lord saying, ‘Don’t jump ship! I’ve made you the rudder!’ ” I was immediately touched in my spirit by this encouragement, knowing that our seemingly small place in prayer was having a great impact.

James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”

This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:

Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV). 

Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” 

Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent

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) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"

PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS:  1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will  only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.

SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.

World-Wide Prayer Requests:

 PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against ISIS! Pray that coalition forces will be able to  fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.

*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and His Spirit's strength.

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

Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/

Monthly Focus | INDIA - For the first time, India entered the top 10 on the 2019 World Watch List. Research indicateds that in 2018, more than 12,000 attacks on Christians were reported (many go unreported). This month, we invite you to pray with us for our Indian brothers and sisters.

August 17 | COLOMBIA - Pray with the widow of Pastor Estrada. When Luisa learned of his death, she suffered a nervous breakdown. Pray for strength for the now-single parent and her two children.
*Names changed to protect identities

STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org

 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.- 2 Tim. 4:16                                               

SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER

The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”

He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:

I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.

I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.

I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.

I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.

I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.

I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.

Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.

And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.

But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.

RESPONSE

How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention?

#2765 (8/16) "Parental Nightmares in Public Schools"

"PARENTAL NIGHTMARES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS"   Brent Bozell and Tim Graham : Aug 16, 2019; https://townhall.com/columnists/brentbozellandtimgraham/2019/08/16/parental-nightmares-in-public-schools-n2551791 [AS I SEE IT: Don't be so quick to say, " Well, that's in California. That could never happen where I live. Ah ... I would pay close attention to what's happening in YOUR public schools. The crazy ideas of one state have a way of spreading ... and especially from the LEFT coast. And yes, it can start as early as in kindergarten! - Stan]

Source: Pixabay

    Public schools are reopening for business across America, meaning it's time to get back to reading, writing, arithmetic ... and revolution.

   As usual in matters such as these, California is leading the way. On the first day of classes at Denair Middle School near Modesto, science teacher Luis Davila Alvarado handed out a worksheet from a transgender advocacy group titled "The Gender Unicorn" asking students about their "gender identity," "gender expression" and their sexual and emotional attractions.

   These are children. And yet the teacher did not ask permission to hand the worksheet out. Most parents were outraged. The school estimated about 50 children received the worksheet. It turns out Alvarado was educating the children about his own life. He declared he rejects the term "Mr." and prefers to be addressed with the newfangled "Mx.," pronounced "Mix." A school official quickly put a stop to it, but the damage was done.

   In California, waiting until middle school for this boatload of propaganda is actually inappropriate! In May, the California State Board of Education established a set of guidelines insisting schools should begin discussing "gender identity" in kindergarten. "While students may not fully understand the concepts of gender expression and identity," the guidelines insist, "some children in kindergarten and even younger have identified as transgender or understand they have a gender identity that is different from their sex assigned at birth." Schools apparently must leap to address the "harm of negative gender stereotypes."

   Public schools aren't just undermining parents with the curriculum. When children "decide" they "might" be transgender, parents better not object, or else they will be treated as a threat to their own children's well-being.
   On Aug. 12, USA Today published a chilling op-ed from Jay Keck, a parent in the Chicago suburbs, about how his autistic teenage daughter -- who showed "no signs" of being unhappy with her gender -- suddenly decided in 2016 that she was male and wanted to be addressed with male pronouns. She first "came out" at school, and Keck says the school immediately addressed her with male pronouns and provided access to a gender-neutral bathroom. When Keck and his wife found out, they insisted the school address their daughter by her legal name -- and were ignored. They met with an assistant superintendent, who asserted the school had to, as USA Today wrote, "follow the law" -- a nonbinding directive from the Obama administration, which was repealed by Team Trump.
   According to Keck, surprise, surprise: The American Civil Liberties Union has sent threatening letters to schools telling them that "students have the constitutional right to share or withhold information about their sexual orientation or gender identity from their parents, teachers, and other parties."
   Then the real nightmare kicked in. Put yourself in the position of the Keck family. "My daughter told me that the school social worker was advising her about halfway houses," he said. "The social worker confirmed this when I scheduled a meeting with him to discuss it. This felt like a horrifying attempt to encourage our daughter to run away from home."
   Keck had his daughter evaluated by a psychologist approved by the school district. He said, "He told us it was very clear that our daughter's sudden transgender identity was driven by her underlying mental health conditions, but would only share his thoughts off the record because he feared the potential backlash." When his daughter graduated high school, parental wishes that her birth name would be announced were again ignored.

   This growing gender-bending orthodoxy is what Pope Benedict called the "dictatorship of relativism," or, if you prefer, "the tyranny of tolerance." Dissent -- even from parents -- is being condemned as bigotry, cruelty and hate speech. This will not stop until the nuclear family is destroyed. Or until parents stand up as one and declare a commitment to destroy this movement.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]

     L. Brent Bozell III is the president of the Media Research Center. Tim Graham is director of media analysis at the Media Research Center and executive editor of the blog NewsBusters.org. To find out more about Brent Bozell III and Tim Graham, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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

PRAYER MATTERS:

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against 

the disorder of the world. -  Karl Barth

"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is  one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan

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

Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
Monthly Focus | INDIA - For the first time, India entered the top 10 on the 2019 World

Watch List. Research indicates that in 2018, more than 12,000 attacks on Christians were reported (many go unreported). This month, we invite you to pray with us for our Indian
brothers and sisters.
August 16 | MOROCCO - The church in Morocco consists mainly of believers from a Muslim background. Pray with two students—Nadeem,* 21, and Fatima,* 20—who live as secret
believers after their families threatened their lives.
*Names changed to protect identities

#2764 (8/15) "What Hong Kong Unrest Tells Us About China’s Plans for the Rest of the World"

"WHAT HONG KONG UNRST TELLS US ABOUT CHINA'S PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD" - James Carafano / @JJCarafano / August 14, 2019 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/08/14/what-hong-kong-unrest-tells-us-about-chinas-plans-for-the-rest-of-the-world

     Protesters hold placards and shout slogans during a rally against the extradition law proposal June 9, 2019, in Hong Kong. (Photo: Anthony Kwan/ Stringer/Getty Images)
   
     The outside world can do little to assure the future of freedom in Hong Kong beyond making the case that preserving the principles of liberty are at stake. Nevertheless, the plight of that territory’s more than 7 million souls can teach us an important lesson about what China has in mind for the rest of the world. It is not good.

   For starters, the continuing protests speak volumes about China’s commitment to “one country, two systems.” When the British transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997, Beijing agreed to this arrangement. It guaranteed that Hong Kong would be allowed to maintain its own governance and economic system.

   The Hong Kong system—one of great economic freedom—has produced tremendous economic success. But economic freedom is no more popular than political freedom among the Chinese Communist Party. And in recent years, Chinese authorities have been encroaching on the rights supposedly guaranteed to Hong Kongers under the “one country, two systems” agreement.

   Matters came to a head this April, when the Hong Kong government, under heavy pressure from Beijing, introduced legislation that would allow people accused of crimes against mainland China to be extradited. The proposal set off alarms among residents who know well that the mainland’s thoroughly politicized legal system is not to be trusted. Fear that Beijing would quickly weaponize the proposed law to target democracy activists and journalists sparked massive protests. Efforts to suppress the demonstrations have only ignited more public demonstrations.

   The protests also tell us a lot about mainland China. There is one strain of thought that Beijing, while quite happy to bully Hong Kong, would not be so rash as to put down the protests with harsh military action. That kind of response repulsed the world when the Soviets did it, ultimately leading to the break-up of the USSR. Yet many observers fear that Beijing will step in and crack down on the demonstrators. After all, they note, the USSR’s demise didn’t stop the People’s Army from rolling tanks into Tiananmen Square.

   There is no question that Beijing is waging a war on nerves. Last month, it assembled troops and equipment along the border with Hong Kong. It’s also begun airing footage of troops training for suppressing riots in urban settings. This all speaks volumes about the callous cynicism with which the Chinese government treats its own people. The Hong Kong police are already doing Beijing’s dirty work for them (helped, to be fair, by protesters and agitators who have crossed the line and become violent or destructive).

   As long as “pro-democracy” demonstrations don’t spread to the mainland cities, Beijing might not be too concerned to see Hong Kong’s stature as a stable and dependable place to do business diminished. Hong Kong just doesn’t mean near as much to the Chinese economy as it did 20 years ago. Besides, the Chinese would rather see investment flow to mainland cities like Guangzhou and Shanghai that are more firmly under the regime’s control. As for the welfare and future of the people of Hong Kong, that is the last thing Beijing cares about.

   Most mainland Chinese seem indifferent about the protests. Many are jealous of the privileges long enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong. Rather than press for similar freedoms, they are happy to see the islanders brought down a notch. This is yet more evidence that the hope that opening up China to the world would encourage Beijing to integrate smoothly into an equitable and liberal rules-based order is little more than magical thinking.

   Finally, there are lessons for the rest of us. China’s encroachment on Hong Kong represents yet another in a long string of promises broken by the communist regime. It has violated its commitments to U.N. Convention on the Law Seas, violated U.N. sanctions (which it voted for) against North Korea, and delivered debt and corruption (rather than the promised prosperity) through its vaunted Belt and Road economic “initiative.”

   In sum, Beijing has a well-deserved rep for playing fast and loose with the rules as it tries to bully its way to the top—and its actions with Hong Kong only reinforce that reputation. Nothing reflects the contemptuous attitude of the Chinese more than their prosperous propaganda claim that the Hong Kong demonstrations were engineered by the CIA.
They know no right-thinking person in the world would believe this, but they don’t care. They know that the people of China will accept this explanation (after all, they’ll hear no other), and that’s all they want. 

   China is acting like a global bully. Like most bullies, it will continue to do so—until the world stops tolerating Beijing’s intolerable behavior. Hong Kong is a warning to the world. The world ought to take notice.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]

James Jay Carafano, a leading expert in national security and foreign policy challenges, is The Heritage Foundation’s vice president for foreign and defense policy studies, E. W. Richardson fellow, and director of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies. Read his research.

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

PRAYER MATTERS:

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against 

the disorder of the world. -  Karl Barth

"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is  one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan

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

Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/

Monthly Focus | INDIA - For the first time, India entered the top 10 on the 2019 World

Watch List. Research indicates that in 2018, more than 12,000 attacks on Christians were reported (many go unreported). This month, we invite you to pray with us for our Indian
brothers and sisters.
August 15 | MALAYSIA - Susanna Koh continues to ask for prayer for her abducted husband, Pastor Raymond Koh: “Thank you for your prayers. Some of us have been threatened, but
the prayers really make a difference.”
*Names changed to protect identities

#2763 (8/14) "The Problem With “Do Something!”- Where Our Hope Truly Lies"

ATTENTION:  SCROLL DOWN  to get TODAY'S article entitled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. PLEASE be sure to note the various PRAYER REQUESTS listed BEFORE and AFTER the posted article. (NOTE the list of DAILY prayer requests for the persecuted church.)  They ALL deserve  your intercession.

A SPECIAL POST: Jeffrey Epstein and 2 Peter 2:9 - Last Sunday (8/11), when word of the "suicide" of the disgraced billionaire was revealed, I had an unepected prompting from God's Spirit in which I sensed Him saying, "Did you take time to PRAY for the man beore he died?" When I shared that with a Christian at my workplace, I received a surprised look that seemed to say, "Why would you want to have prayed for that horrible man?" While the temptation is to think that, the question is what does Scripture - and thus God - say. I was led in my reflection to 2 Peter 2:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting ANYONE to perish [ie, be destined for Hell], but EVERYONE to come to repentance." In other words, just because OUR sins are not as bad as THAT GUY or any other person doesn't mean we deserve Heaven and not Hell ourselves. Is ANYONE not redeemable, ANYONE not loved by God and for whom He does NOT want to "perish?" I've continued for a long time to pray regularly for the abortioinists (who are our country's greatest mass murderers as many have killed not just hundreds but tens of thousands of pre-born children!) I know of. I also pray daily for some of the worst world dictators and leaders. And so praying for ANY "horrible person" we hear about should not be so strange for any believer.WE deserve Hell for our sins just as he/she does but praise God for His salvation in Christ we are saved from such a fate. NO ONE is loved any less by God because of their sinsw; 

EVERYONE deserves our prayers! - Stan

PRAYER ALERT:

URGENT: 

*Pray for those suffering as a result of the rcent shootings in Texas and Ohio.

*Pray for the easing of tensions with  Iran, that further escalation is prevented.

*Pray for the easing of tensions and a return to civility in Congress.

1) Pray for the continued violent crisis taking place in Venezuela and for America’s and other Latin American countries to respond appropriately;

2  PRAY also that our leaders will finally implement an effective border policy that will prevent these incidents in the future.

3)  Pray for U.S. Pastor David Lin in China (see "Something Serious Is Happening In That Dark Place" -  Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, April 09, 2019; https://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20190409/something-serious)

4) Leah Sharibu is a courageous Nigerian Christian teen girl held captive by Boko Haram. The Islamic militia is threatening to kill or enslave her because she won't renounce Jesus Christ. Pray that the UN will intervene in her release. [2/13 – This day marked ONE YEAR since her kidnapping.]

ATTENTION!

DECLARATION FOR LIFE: Please be sure to sign this at:  https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life

PERSONAL UPDATE: 8/10 Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page.

“AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” – This is absolutely my favorite show of the summer, of the year. Thus far, the following are my favorite acts. Please check them out and be moved, laugh hysterically, and simply be amazed. [NBC, Tuesdays, 8-10 pm EST]

 Emanne Beasha - 10-Year-Old Singer Emanne Beasha STUNS With "Nessun Dorma"- America's Got Talent 2019 [ 8/6 – Praise God Emanne received the Golden Buzzer as the best act of the night and will be going on to the live round!]
Ryan Niemiller - Ryan Niemiller: AGT Season 14 Auditi 7/24 – Praise God Ryan made the Judge’s Cut last night and will be in the live show in several weeks!]

Kodi Lee  -   https://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/video/kodi-lee-singer-americas-got-talent-season-14-auditions/3962796; 8/13 - Kodi Lee Got Us Crying With a Performance of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' on 'AGT': Watch
8/14/2019; https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8527359/kodi-lee-simon-garfunkel-agt

8/14 -  PRAY for the President and others in leadership
 (1 Tim. 2:1-3)

Heavenly Father,

 I pray that you will guide President Trump to seek YOU with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength in the New Year. May he act with wisdom and strength against those whose actions would bring harm to this nation and the world now and for generations to come. I pray that you would strengthen his marriage and deepen the love he and his wife Melania share. Pray that you give them wisdom to speak into the life of their son Barron. Please protect him and his family and others in our leadership from physical harm that any might seek to do against them. May all that our President does bring honor and glory to YOU and cause him to draw in closer relationship with you. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen. P.S. - I highly recommend your reading "The Faith of Donald J. Trump." The copy I read is in my public library. It really helps us understand our 45th President better.

(from Intercessors For America) As *the Lord Leads, please pray ...

*For rest for President Trump and the first Lady as they continue to spend time at their New Jersey home.
*For wisdom for trade negotiators as they continue to work on a deal to balance trade between the U.S. and China, with deadline now not till December.
*For Congressional members to be productive and that they will honor God through how they spend their August recess.
*For wisdom for President Trump and his advisers as they examine the issue of gun violence in the U.S.; that God would guide the president's decisions as he tackles many difficult issues and surround the president with wise council to make decisions that honor Him.
*For wisdom for the president as the nation looks to him during times of crisis; that God would help our leaders find solutions to the problem of mass shootings in the U.S.
*For wisdom for President Trump and the secretary of state as they meet today to discuss the United States' relationship with North Korea.
*For wisdom for the president and secretary of state as they work on the next steps in negotiations with North Korea.
*For guidance on the best way to respond to the recent actions from Iran.
*For guidance for the president as he continues to tackle complex issues such as border security and immigration.
*For unity for Congressional leaders as they work to resolve the current issues with immigration law.
*For wisdom for Secretary Mnuchin, Trade Representative Lighthizer and others negotiating on behalf of the U.S. as they navigate what seem to be new renegotiating “speedbumps” in the trade talks with China.
*For wisdom for President Trump, Cabinet members and advisers determining the best course of action for the United States in Venezuela.

*For all the negotiations being undertaken on trade with many of America’s trading partners.
*For God to guide the president and make clear the decisions that he should make related to foreign policy.

*For safe travel for members of the administration who are making trips abroad.

*For the military leaders of the U.S. and Turkey to come to a working arrangement over America’s departure from Syria and the protection of the Kurds.

*For unity in Congress as they work to solve the many pressing issues that face the nation.
*For guidance for President Trump  as he works on a variety of issues, that God’s will would be accomplished through him.

     BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION 

(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/  

Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" - 

http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983

"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017; http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/

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

"THE PROBLEM WITH "DO SOMETHING! - WHERE OUR HOPE TRULY LIES" - by John Stonestreet and David Carlson, Breakpoint.org, August 13, 2019; http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/08/breakpoint-the-problem-with-do-something/

      Americans are afraid… perhaps more than at any time since 9/11. It’s understandable. Despite the fact that most of us are safer today than we think, the sheer evil that’s behind a mass shooting or a violent attack is put right in our face by the 24-hour news cycle. And then, of course, there’s the whole uncertainty of it all. Since El Paso and Dayton, there’s been a deadly knife attack in California, a highway shooting in Houston, and an armed guy in fatigues who walked into a Missouri Wal-Mart with 100 rounds of ammo.

   When people are afraid, they either lash out (just watch the news or go on social media), or they look for something, often anything, that can save them from what they fear. The public outcry in the last few weeks was articulated by what protesters demanded of the President during his visit to Dayton last week: “Do something! Do something!”

   As I said to Warren Smith in our discussion this past Friday on “BreakPoint This Week,” I find the command to “do something” troubling on two levels. First, “do something” is a cry for help. It’s not a strategy or tactic. Doing something isn’t helpful if it’s the wrong thing or if it’s an irrelevant thing. Doing “something” might even be the worst thing to do. We have to know what to do, and that requires being clear on what the problem is.The only thing made clear in all the debates since the most recent shootings and violent outbursts is that we’re not clear about what the problem is.

   Second, the demand to “do something” is almost always addressed to the government. The demands are almost always directed to the President, the governor, or Congress. That says something troubling about us as a people: We are looking to government to fix all our problems.

   The problem of alienated, often fatherless young men espousing either hateful extremism or nihilistic meaninglessness who aim their anger and violence at the defenseless? That’s not government caused, and it can’t be government fixed.

   Our tendency to think that all problems are to be politically understood, are politically motivated, and can only be politically fixed is symptomatic of something Chuck Colson talked about frequently, and we still talk about on BreakPoint: The political illusion. But no policy, no political ideology, no bureaucracy can heal wounded psyches, rebuild the mediating institutions of civil society, provide meaning and a sense of belonging, or overcome hatred with love. Those tasks belong to the very institutions that have been dismissed and even dismantled across our society: The family and the Church.

   As Thane Bellomo wrote over at the Federalist, the decline of these institutions is “mirrored” not only in the rise in mass shooters, “but more broadly in a host of statistics that reveal an epidemic of despair.” As Bellomo points out, in the first 17 years of this century, suicide rates have risen 14 percent, and the death rate from drug overdoses increased by a mind-boggling 400 percent.

   In the midst of that level of cultural chaos and in this current climate of fear, our hope is not in government or legislation, as important as those are. I’ll quote Chuck Colson again. “Where is the hope? The hope that each of us have is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things that we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people, and that’s where our hope is in this country; that’s where our hope is in life.”

   As Warren Smith said during our “BreakPoint This Week” conversation, it’s gut-check time for the Church. God has appointed this time and this place for us to live out our faith, to bring the hope and peace of Christ to our friends, our families, our neighbors, our communities—even to the frightened, the hate-filled, and the alienated. That’s the “something” we must do.

 [italics and colored emphasis mine]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We Killed God, Family, And Community — And Now It’s Killing Us" - Thane Bellomo The Federalist August 8, 2019; https://thefederalist.com/2019/08/08/killed-god-family-community-now-killing-us/

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

PRAYER MATTERS:

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against 

the disorder of the world. -  Karl Barth

"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is  one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan

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

“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America, I soon realized it was not just a word for me, but for all who have been praying for our nation, wondering if their prayers are truly making any difference. Bill told me, “I kept seeing you as a small rudder on a huge ship. Hidden, but giving guidance. Although it seemed slow it was turning the whole ship. Patience was needed to see the impact of your…ministry. I sense the Lord saying, ‘Don’t jump ship! I’ve made you the rudder!’ ” I was immediately touched in my spirit by this encouragement, knowing that our seemingly small place in prayer was having a great impact.

James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”

This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:

Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV). 

Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” 

Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent

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) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"

PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS:  1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will  only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.

SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.

World-Wide Prayer Requests:

 PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against ISIS! Pray that coalition forces will be able to  fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.

*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and His Spirit's strength.

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

Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
Monthly Focus | INDIA - For the first time, India entered the top 10 on the 2019 World

Watch List. Research indicates that in 2018, more than 12,000 attacks on Christians were reported (many go unreported). This month, we invite you to pray with us for our Indian
brothers and sisters.
August 14 | NIGERIA - Continue to pray with us for Rebecca Sharibu and her 15-year-old daughter, Leah. Leah remains in Boko Haram captivity. We pray for her release and strength for the Sharibu family.

*Names changed to protect identities

STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org

 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.- 2 Tim. 4:16                                               

SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER

The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”

He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:

I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.

I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.

I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.

I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.

I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.

I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.

Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.

And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.

But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.

RESPONSE

How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention?