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.
PERSONAL UPDATE: 5/30 Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page. Purrty Update: Praise God she is back to being well again!(see 5/21 post)
6/4- PRAY for the President and others in leadership (1 Tim. 2:1-3)
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION
"TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOWS SUPPORT FOR FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL TRACK ATHLETES INVOLVED IN TRNANSGENDER CASE" - Tony Perkins / @tperkins / June 02, 2020 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/06/02/trump-administration-shows-support-for-female-high-school-track-athletes-involved-in-transgender-case
(Photo: Sol de Zuasnabar Brebbia / Getty Images)
Chelsea Mitchell finally beat her foes on the track—but now she’s ready to beat them where it counts: in court. The runner, one of the three Connecticut girls suing to stop biological boys from competing in their races, got some good news on that front last week, when a letter from the Department of Education finally became public. For the first time since their case began, the Department of Education is warning schools: Uphold Title IX or face the consequences.
For Mitchell, it was the best development since she finally defeated a boy in competition this past February. “It feels like we’re finally headed in the right direction, and that we will be able to get justice for the countless girls along with myself that have faced discrimination for years,” she said. “It is liberating to know that my voice, my story, my loss, has been heard—that those championships I lost mean something.”
The Education Department, which is the second agency after the Justice Department to weigh in on the girls’ side, unleashed its Civil Rights Office on the Connecticut athletic conference at the beginning of the year but failed to reach any sort of agreement. Now, months later, the time for negotiating is over. It will “either initiate administrative proceedings to suspend, terminate, or refuse to grant or continue and defer financial assistance” to the conference and those districts, The New York Times explains, or refer the cases to the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Connecticut law is clear,” the Education Department’s attorneys insist, “and students who identify as female are to be recognized as female for all purposes—including high school sports,” the athletic conference said in a statement. “To do otherwise would not only be discriminatory but would deprive high school students of the meaningful opportunity to participate in educational activities, including inter-scholastic sports, based on sex-stereotyping and prejudice sought to be prevented by Title IX and Connecticut state law.”
For Selina Soule and Mitchell and girls across the country, the idea that girls would continue to face this injustice is what’s driven them to stand up in public (sometimes at great personal cost) and fight. The idea, Concerned Women for America’s Doreen Denny says, that biological boys have competed for three seasons as females and won NCAA titles is absolutely astonishing. Imagine it, she told “Washington Watch’s” Sarah Perry:
"On the shelf of a … college is a trophy that was won by a biological male athlete in a female sport … We don’t believe it’s justified. We think that it is a complete [and] clear violation of the purpose of Title IX, which was enacted over 40 years ago now so that women athletes, that females had equal educational opportunities and benefits in athletics and education. And that has always meant binary male and female distinction.
Believe it or not, 18 states and the District of Columbia have now caved to this idea of gender identity, flooding girls sports with boys who are stealing their matches, meets, scholarships, and opportunities. If the Department of Education follows through with this threat and cuts federal funding to these schools, it might finally get these districts’ attention.
“These standards that are set through these governing bodies for sports really do trickle down,” Denny pointed out. “The pressure that you’re seeing now, … even at the school level with these [and] with other … athletics across the board [is intense], and so all of it needs to change.”
Alliance Defending Freedom’s Christiana Holcomb, who’s representing the girls, was thrilled by the development, suggesting that the Trump administration go even farther and issue actual guidance “to school districts and universities across the nation that makes it very clear what they said in this enforcement letter, which is that, look, it violates Title IX to allow males to compete in the girls category.” As for her athletes, she says, they “feel validated now that the U.S. government agency charged with enforcing Title IX agrees with them and has underscored their argument. That’s really very meaningful to them.”
You know, Chelsea, specifically, mentioned that she feels like her losses have meant something. You know, she has lost four state championship titles and countless other New England awards. And just to be able to look back on her athletic career the entire four years, she’s competed against biological male athletes. And to be able to look back at that and say, ‘OK, my losses and the public stand that I have taken actually have meant something.’
For now, the girls will fight on—trying to level the playing field for the generations of athletes who will come after them. But in the here and now, they agree, having the president and government cheering them on certainly gives them the push they need to keep going.
Originally published in Tony Perkins’ Washington Update, which is written with the aid of Family Research Council senior writers. Tony Perkins is president of the Family Research Council.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"These 2 Women Refuse to Be Stripped of Their Right to Fairness in Sports" - Nicole Russell / @russell_nm / June 02, 2020; https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/06/02/these-2-women-refuse-to-be-stripped-of-their-right-to-fairness-in-sports/
PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes againstISIS ! Pray that coalition forces will be able to fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS .
point.org, 05/25/20; https://www.breakpoint.org/memorial-day-and-the-truth-about-love/
PRAYER ALERT:
URGENT
*That the Corona Virus outbreak may finally be contained and it's victims effectively treated. [P.S. - YOUR BLOOD can help someone specifically recovering from the cornavirus. Please consider donating blood as I did yesterday!] today's Happy Thots (: First time in history we can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let's NOT mess this up! // You know the world is upside down when you go to the bank and someone wearing a mask and gloves isn't tackled by security.
*That the ongoing protests in America's cities will not lead to people being hurt and businesses - esp. those recovering from the pandemic - to not be destroyed by agitators.
*PRAY also that our leaders will finally implement an effective border policy.*That the ongoing protests in America's cities will not lead to people being hurt and businesses - esp. those recovering from the pandemic - to not be destroyed by agitators.
*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)
*Pray for 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. [2/13/19 – This day marked ONE YEAR since her kidnapping.
10/8 - Please pray for my co-worker Brandon who was in a horrific motorcycle accident several nights ago. He is expected to undergo several surgeries and be in recovery for around 6 months
10/8 - Please pray for my co-worker Brandon who was in a horrific motorcycle accident several nights ago. He is expected to undergo several surgeries and be in recovery for around 6 months
ATTENTION!
DECLARATION FOR LIFE: Please be sure to sign this at: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life
PERSONAL UPDATE: 5/30 Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page. Purrty Update: Praise God she is back to being well again!(see 5/21 post)
Heavenly Father,
I pray that you will guide President Trump to seek YOU with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. 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.
The above is a picture of the First Family on Mother's Day.
Can you believe how Barron has grown; Wow!
Can you believe how Barron has grown; Wow!
*For God’s will to be accomplished today and for His name to be glorified and honored.
*For wisdom for President Trump as he considers the challenges of the pandemic, the economy, and racial tensions.
*For General Lengyel and the National Guard as they provide support in these challenging times.
*For citizens to trust the Lord for protection and safekeeping from the virus and from the outbreak of violence in many cities.
*For the Lord to guide everyone in positions of authority during the agitation to show discernment in the necessary steps to take to safeguard the populace.
*For wisdom as the president works with governors and national leaders as part of the recovery process.
*For God to keep the president and his staff safe and healthy in the midst of the outbreak.
*For God to guide each member of the coronavirus task force as they lead in their respective areas.
*For President Trump to be used by God to bring people of faith together.
*For the ongoing research and treatments to be successful and effective against the pandemic.
*For those who continue to become ill to recovery quickly and for strength for those who tend them.
*For the best solutions to be found for Americans with mental health needs during this crisis.
*For protection of the health of the president and the First and Second families..
*For believers to obtain deeper faith and trust in the Lord and for the unbelieving to turn toward Him.
*For encouragement, strength, and protection for the thousands of members of the armed forces who are putting themselves at risk to combat the virus outbreak.
*For God to be at work through the president, vice president, and other members of the Coronavirus Task Force.
*For healing for all who are sick and for God to protect all who are helping to save lives and care for the vulnerable.
*For all who have needs be able to find adequate food and supplies.
*For God to be with the doctors and nurses who are working overtime to help test, treat, and care for those who are ill.
For God to use the cornavirus crisis to open and strengthen the relationships that the U.S. has with foreign nations as they work together to address the spread of the virus.
*For wisdom for the president and state governors as they work to get resources and testing kits into the hands of those that need them.
*For the hearts and minds of all of our nation’s leaders to be turned to God in prayer.
*For wisdom for President Trump as he continues to work to address many issues of national importance in the midst of working to respond correctly in order to mitigate the spread and impact of the virus.
*For wisdom for the CDC and FDA as they work to produce an effective vaccine and to distribute adequate test kits around the nation.
*For the health a safety for the president, for healing for all who are infected, and for protection for all Americans
*For strength for the many immigration and border patrol agents working to secure the U.S. border.
*For wisdom for President Trump as he considers the challenges of the pandemic, the economy, and racial tensions.
*For General Lengyel and the National Guard as they provide support in these challenging times.
*For citizens to trust the Lord for protection and safekeeping from the virus and from the outbreak of violence in many cities.
*For the Lord to guide everyone in positions of authority during the agitation to show discernment in the necessary steps to take to safeguard the populace.
*For wisdom as the president works with governors and national leaders as part of the recovery process.
*For God to keep the president and his staff safe and healthy in the midst of the outbreak.
*For both houses of Congress to avoid partisanship and work with President Trump for the benefit of the nation and the American people; for God’s will to be accomplished in the actions and activities of U.S. elected officials.
*For the president’s administration to have wisdom to guide the nation effectively as the virulence of the pathogen wanes.*For God to guide each member of the coronavirus task force as they lead in their respective areas.
*For President Trump to be used by God to bring people of faith together.
*For the ongoing research and treatments to be successful and effective against the pandemic.
*For those who continue to become ill to recovery quickly and for strength for those who tend them.
*For the best solutions to be found for Americans with mental health needs during this crisis.
*For protection of the health of the president and the First and Second families..
*For believers to obtain deeper faith and trust in the Lord and for the unbelieving to turn toward Him.
*For encouragement, strength, and protection for the thousands of members of the armed forces who are putting themselves at risk to combat the virus outbreak.
*For God to be at work through the president, vice president, and other members of the Coronavirus Task Force.
*For healing for all who are sick and for God to protect all who are helping to save lives and care for the vulnerable.
*For all who have needs be able to find adequate food and supplies.
*For God to be with the doctors and nurses who are working overtime to help test, treat, and care for those who are ill.
For God to use the cornavirus crisis to open and strengthen the relationships that the U.S. has with foreign nations as they work together to address the spread of the virus.
*For wisdom for the president and state governors as they work to get resources and testing kits into the hands of those that need them.
*For the hearts and minds of all of our nation’s leaders to be turned to God in prayer.
*For wisdom for President Trump as he continues to work to address many issues of national importance in the midst of working to respond correctly in order to mitigate the spread and impact of the virus.
*For wisdom for the CDC and FDA as they work to produce an effective vaccine and to distribute adequate test kits around the nation.
*For the health a safety for the president, for healing for all who are infected, and for protection for all Americans
*For strength for the many immigration and border patrol agents working to secure the U.S. border.
*For wisdom for the president and secretary of state as they work on the next steps in negotiations with North Korea.
*For guidance for the president as he continues to tackle complex issues such as border security and immigration.
*For wisdom for President Trump, Cabinet members and advisers determining the best course of action for the United States in Venezuela.
*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 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.\
(...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/
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017;
-------------------------------------
"TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOWS SUPPORT FOR FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL TRACK ATHLETES INVOLVED IN TRNANSGENDER CASE" - Tony Perkins / @tperkins / June 02, 2020 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/06/02/trump-administration-shows-support-for-female-high-school-track-athletes-involved-in-transgender-case
Chelsea Mitchell finally beat her foes on the track—but now she’s ready to beat them where it counts: in court. The runner, one of the three Connecticut girls suing to stop biological boys from competing in their races, got some good news on that front last week, when a letter from the Department of Education finally became public. For the first time since their case began, the Department of Education is warning schools: Uphold Title IX or face the consequences.
For Mitchell, it was the best development since she finally defeated a boy in competition this past February. “It feels like we’re finally headed in the right direction, and that we will be able to get justice for the countless girls along with myself that have faced discrimination for years,” she said. “It is liberating to know that my voice, my story, my loss, has been heard—that those championships I lost mean something.”
The Education Department, which is the second agency after the Justice Department to weigh in on the girls’ side, unleashed its Civil Rights Office on the Connecticut athletic conference at the beginning of the year but failed to reach any sort of agreement. Now, months later, the time for negotiating is over. It will “either initiate administrative proceedings to suspend, terminate, or refuse to grant or continue and defer financial assistance” to the conference and those districts, The New York Times explains, or refer the cases to the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Connecticut law is clear,” the Education Department’s attorneys insist, “and students who identify as female are to be recognized as female for all purposes—including high school sports,” the athletic conference said in a statement. “To do otherwise would not only be discriminatory but would deprive high school students of the meaningful opportunity to participate in educational activities, including inter-scholastic sports, based on sex-stereotyping and prejudice sought to be prevented by Title IX and Connecticut state law.”
For Selina Soule and Mitchell and girls across the country, the idea that girls would continue to face this injustice is what’s driven them to stand up in public (sometimes at great personal cost) and fight. The idea, Concerned Women for America’s Doreen Denny says, that biological boys have competed for three seasons as females and won NCAA titles is absolutely astonishing. Imagine it, she told “Washington Watch’s” Sarah Perry:
"On the shelf of a … college is a trophy that was won by a biological male athlete in a female sport … We don’t believe it’s justified. We think that it is a complete [and] clear violation of the purpose of Title IX, which was enacted over 40 years ago now so that women athletes, that females had equal educational opportunities and benefits in athletics and education. And that has always meant binary male and female distinction.
Believe it or not, 18 states and the District of Columbia have now caved to this idea of gender identity, flooding girls sports with boys who are stealing their matches, meets, scholarships, and opportunities. If the Department of Education follows through with this threat and cuts federal funding to these schools, it might finally get these districts’ attention.
“These standards that are set through these governing bodies for sports really do trickle down,” Denny pointed out. “The pressure that you’re seeing now, … even at the school level with these [and] with other … athletics across the board [is intense], and so all of it needs to change.”
Alliance Defending Freedom’s Christiana Holcomb, who’s representing the girls, was thrilled by the development, suggesting that the Trump administration go even farther and issue actual guidance “to school districts and universities across the nation that makes it very clear what they said in this enforcement letter, which is that, look, it violates Title IX to allow males to compete in the girls category.” As for her athletes, she says, they “feel validated now that the U.S. government agency charged with enforcing Title IX agrees with them and has underscored their argument. That’s really very meaningful to them.”
You know, Chelsea, specifically, mentioned that she feels like her losses have meant something. You know, she has lost four state championship titles and countless other New England awards. And just to be able to look back on her athletic career the entire four years, she’s competed against biological male athletes. And to be able to look back at that and say, ‘OK, my losses and the public stand that I have taken actually have meant something.’
For now, the girls will fight on—trying to level the playing field for the generations of athletes who will come after them. But in the here and now, they agree, having the president and government cheering them on certainly gives them the push they need to keep going.
Originally published in Tony Perkins’ Washington Update, which is written with the aid of Family Research Council senior writers. Tony Perkins is president of the Family Research Council.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"These 2 Women Refuse to Be Stripped of Their Right to Fairness in Sports" - Nicole Russell / @russell_nm / June 02, 2020; https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/06/02/these-2-women-refuse-to-be-stripped-of-their-right-to-fairness-in-sports/
-------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
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
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 AMERICA 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
*For believers in Syria
------------------------------------------------------------
Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
Secret church meetings in North Africa - Almost all Christians in North Africa are converts from Islam and because of this, they face persecution, often beginning with their own family. It’s difficult for believers to meet together; when they do, it must be in secret. Daniel* shares that in his town, there are about 20 Christians and no building where they can meet. Instead, they meet in homes and even cafés—taking extra care to ensure they’re not noticed. For example, when they meet in a house, they spread out the meeting over a longer time period, allowing people to more easily sneak into the gathering. Believers must also plan where to park so they’re not all together.
June 4 - Pray for isolated believers who are sometimes completely on their own as the only Christian in a village or town. Pray that God will make a way for Open Doors partners to visit and encourage them.
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
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
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
I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam
I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan
Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea
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?.
