#2229 (2/14) "Ashes for Valentine’s Day - The Convergence of Eros and Agape"

"ASHES FOR VALENTINE'S  DAY - THE CONVERGENCE OF EROS AND AGAPE" - by John Stonestreet / Roberto Rivera; Breakpoint.org, Feb. 14, 2018;
http://www.breakpoint.org/2018/02/breakpoint-ashes-valentines-day/

Isn’t it odd that today is both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday? If you ask me, it’s a clear case of divine providence.

In A.D. 325 the Council of Nicaea decided that Easter would be celebrated the Sunday following the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. In other words, without going into too much detail, the date we celebrate Easter is the result of a sort of astronomical convergence. This year, there’s also a fascinating religious and cultural convergence on the calendar: Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day.

Are there two more culturally different days than Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday?
     The former is associated with flowers and candy; the last with dark smudges on people’s foreheads. On Valentine’s Day, people expect romance. On Ash Wednesday, it’s about repentance and self-denial. The words you need to remember on Valentine’s Day are “I love you.” But on Ash Wednesday, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.”

These days just don’t seem to fit together, but that’s because we’ve forgotten the real history of Valentine’s Day. No, not the corporate creation of greeting card companies, but the day to remember the third-century Christian martyr: Valentinus of Rome.
     Not a lot is known about Valentinus, but the most-widely accepted version of his martyrdom is that he ran afoul of the emperor Claudius II. Claudius had prohibited marriage in Rome because he believed that “Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.” Valentinus defied the emperor by marrying couples in secret. He was caught and executed on or about February 14.
    Whether the story happened exactly that way or not, every ancient reference to Valentinus associates him and February 14th with martyrdom and sacrifice. And that’s fitting for the observance of Lent, which also begins today.

Our culture’s view of love and romance is so twisted and dangerous, it only seems appropriate to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with repentance.

Now don’t get me wrong: romantic love, what C.S. Lewis called “Eros,” is not wrong. In fact it’s a gift from God. As Lewis wrote in The Four Loves, when rightly ordered, eros causes us to toss “personal happiness aside as a triviality and [plant] the interests of another in the center of our being.” Romantic love can be, as Lewis put it, “a foretaste, of what we must become to all if Love Himself rules in us without a rival.”

And that’s the proper place of eros … not as an end in and of itself, but as a means—something that points beyond itself—and points our hearts beyond ourselves to a higher love, agape, a love that only comes from God Himself.
     Lent turns our focus to that total self-giving love of God, that love that caused God to become man and live and die as one of us, for our sakes, despite our sin and rebellion.

The sexual revolution has, in so many ways, disordered eros, treating it as an end, not a means. But twisted eros is no longer selfless and life-giving. It becomes a sort of mutant sensuality, that creates the selfish and damaging brokenness our culture is being forced to reckon with this year [ie, the many scandals involving sexual abuse].

Today, Ash Wednesday, reminds us that there’s more… more to life than sensual pleasures, more to love than the shriveled-up version that has captivated our Western imaginations.
     So today, ask yourself, “how am I responding to so great an expression of love as what God has shown us?” Valentinus’s response was to give up his own life.
    For us too, a kind of “death” is required—a death to self, a death to the desires that our culture treats as ultimate.

Now of course guys, none of this lets you off the hook with your wives. So don’t forget the flowers.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]

RESOUCES - Ash Wednesday  reminds us of the sacrificial love Christ displayed for us, while Valentine’s Day reminds us to be sacrificial in our love one for another. Let the convergence of these two days motivate us to repentance and self-giving love.
"St. Valentine Beheaded" - This Day in History: February 14 | History.com - http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded
The Four Loves- C. S. Lewis | HarperOne - http://www.colsoncenterstore.org/Product.asp?sku=9780062565396

#2228 (2/13) "America’s Reversal on [Homosexual] “Marriage"

"AMERICA'S REVERSAL ON [HOMOSEXUAL] MARRIAGE" - by John Stonestreet/G. Shane Morris; Breakpoint.org, Feb.12, 2018; http://www.breakpoint.org/2018/02/breakpoint-americas-reversal-on-gay-marriage/ [AS I SEE IT: First of all, let's be clear that despite what "the polls" say, there is still a substantial number of Americans who do not accept homosexual marriage as correct. It is tempting - and therefore very wrong - to throw up our hands and just say " I give up" when we hear of the recent polls noted in this article. We need to remember that TRUTH never changes, no matter what polls or the culture ( ie., Hollywood, the Media, and academia) might say. As this article challenges, we must persevere in standing for what's True and helping those deceived to know it. - Stan]

The fight over same-sex “marriage” already seems like a distant memory. But the way it was fought is the mother of all worldview lessons.

According to recent surveys, Americans—especially younger generations—are more supportive of gay “marriage” than ever before. One Gallup poll revealed that a strong majority—64 percent—approve of the rights invented and bestowed on same-sex couples by the Supreme Court in the Obergefell decision. And the Barna Group recently reported that teenagers today are at least twice as likely as American adults to identify as LGBT.

All of this, despite the fact that in 2011, a vast majority of U.S. states had defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman. How could it be that, in just the next four years, state after state would strike down those marriage amendments, public opinion would shift by ten points and finally, in 2015, the Obergefell decision would make everything official?

At least part of the answer is found in how entertainment reshaped our collective imaginations. From “Will and Grace,” to “Glee,” to “Modern Family,” Hollywood spent years, and millions, portraying homosexuality as funny, normal, natural, and even wholesome.

Around the same time, in another sphere of culture, politicians like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton “evolved” on the issue, and their base—which was already largely pro-gay—responded with a fast and radical leftward swing.

In a cultural moment, political liberals went from tolerating disagreement on marriage to demonizing anyone who still affirmed “one-man-one-woman,” as bigoted, hateful, homophobes.

Business, too, played a major role in this shift. The success of the Human Rights Campaign in pressuring companies to actively promote LGBT causes is, well, incredible. And government leadership in state after state, with rare exceptions like North Carolina, caved to the corporate financial leverages that were being threatened against them.

But decades before all that happened in entertainment, politics, and business, there was something else that made same-sex “marriage” basically inevitable: the formal divorce of marriage and procreation.

As University of Texas sociologist Mark Regnerus has convincingly argued, “the pill” alone was enough to sever the link between sex and procreation, changing how Americans thought about love and marriage. No longer did those two things necessarily lead to that “baby in the baby carriage.” Protestants, evangelicals, and the Catholic laity mostly accepted that change without a peep of protest.

The divorce of marriage and procreation led to all kinds of unintended consequences. Marriage was popularly transformed from being a nest for children to being an expression of adult feelings. And once it was no longer “about the children,” “no-fault divorce” legally redefine marriage in the law.

Fast forward a few decades, removing any remaining stigmas on sexual behavior, and then terms like “husband and wife,” “mother” and “father,” and ultimately, “male and female” lost their defining power. Same-sex unions were then just a very short step away.

Which brings us to today and the news that an up-and-coming generation may be the most pro-LGBT in history. Those of us who believe in God’s design for sex face a daunting task. Reversing Obergefell and rebuilding the shattered consensus on natural marriage won’t happen quickly. But here’s what we can do…

First, we can help our children understand what went wrong, especially the wrong ideas about sex, marriage, happiness, and procreation that permeate our society. Second, we can help them know what’s right about God’s design for marriage, sex, and procreation.

But remember, this battle was lost, not by argument, but in the imagination. And so we must embody God’s design in our marriages and in our communities.

And finally, we should repent of the ways in which we embraced the deadly wrong ideas of this social revolution.


[italics and colored emphasis mine]

RESOURCES - John has called believers to repent from a casual acceptance of the sexual revolution’s ideology, and has encouraged us to embody God’s design in our own marriages. Teach your children the truth for marriage, sex, and procreation, and be an example in your families and communities.
"Get Ready, Youth Group Leaders: Teens Twice as Likely to Identify as Atheist or LGBT" -  Kate Shellnutt | Christianity Today | Jan. 23, 2018; http://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/january/youth-group-leaders-generation-z-atheist-lgbt-teens-barna.html
"In U.S., More Adults Identifying as LGBT" - Gallup News | Jan. 11, 2017; http://news.gallup.com/poll/201731/lgbt-identification-rises.aspx
Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God's Design for Marriage - John Stonestreet, Josh McDowell | Baker Publishing | July 2014 - http://www.colsoncenterstore.org/Product.asp?sku=2191_9780801018343
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"The Sex-Change Revolution Is Based on Ideology, Not Science" - Ryan T. Anderson / @RyanTAnd / January 22, 2018 / http://dailysignal.com/2018/01/22/the-sex-change-revolution-is-based-on-ideology-not-science/

#2227 (2/12) "The Dawn of a New Budget"

"THE DAWN OF A NEW BUDGET" - Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, Feb. 09, 2018; http://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20180209/dawn-budget [AS I SEE IT: I honestly don't know how tragic it would have been for the government to have been forced to shut down for an extended time, if the hurt it would have meant for many would have been small compared to the harm this budget adds to our out of control federal deficit. (see attached link). Only time will tell just how much this was worth it all. Meanwhile, I agree with the sentiments expressed at the end of the article that we need more leaders who have the courage to make the hard choices needed to control our national spending. I recently started to pray for this year's mid-term elections and I invite you to join me.  Maybe we'll never have the leaders we need but we'll never know unless we invite God to guide the American people to make the right choices when they vote. - Stan]

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      It was over almost as soon as it began, but this morning's government shutdown still happened. While most Americans were counting Zzzs, congressional Republicans were counting votes. And, in a tense debate over the new budget, they didn't have them. The midnight deadline came and went, with members doing everything they could to jump start the government before rush hour. The internal battle between defense hawks and fiscal conservatives lasted until dawn, when the House and Senate's compromise finally passed in enough time to take a 5:00 a.m. trip to the White House for the president's signature.

Although the agreement keeps the government running through March 23, neither side was thrilled with the $320 billion package. The deal is particularly significant because it sets the spending caps for military and nondefense spending over the next two years. Conservatives, most vocally the House Freedom Caucus, were frustrated by the GOP's refusal to cut costs. "We support funding our troops but growing the size of government by 13 percent is not what the voters sent us here to do," the group tweeted.

Leaders like Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) struggled to come to grips with the steep costs. Like a lot of Republicans, he thought conservatives could do better.
    "This budget deal shows the American people exactly how broken our budget and appropriations process is," he said. "It does not address our runaway deficits and actually takes major steps backwards in the fight to reign in Washington's overspending appetite. Our budget process has only worked correctly four times since 1974. We desperately need budget reform. I'm ashamed that we have passed five continuing resolutions since the end of last Fiscal Year in September. This is no way to govern."
    "While I strongly support the budgetary certainty and increased military funding that this bill provides, the long-term negative consequences of the bill are too many. The prevailing theme of debt ceiling negotiations is usually avoiding default, but lost in the conversation is how we got here in the first place, and how we can get out of the cycle of deficit spending."

Good, solid conservatives voted both ways on the bill. Many of our friends probably found themselves on the opposite sides of the roll call for the first time in a long time. As difficult as the details were to swallow, President Trump and others did cheer the $165 billion bump for our troops, which finally ended the long, painful days of sequestration. "Without more Republicans in Congress," he tweeted, "we were forced to increase spending on things we do not like or want in order to finally, after many years of depletion, take care of our Military. Sadly, we needed some Dem votes for passage. Must elect more Republicans in 2018 Election!"

As for other silver linings, FRC was pleased to see the religious liberty protections for FEMA disaster assistance included, as well as a big boost in sexual risk avoidance (abstinence) dollars ($75 million a year for two years), an extension of the funding for community health centers that don't perform abortions, a repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board death panels, and major cuts to the Obamacare slush fund.

I would agree with President Trump with one caveat: we need to elect more conservative Republicans. We need leaders who are willing to go toe-to-toe with the liberals who have pushed America to the verge of fiscal and moral bankruptcy until we prevail.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]
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"5 Things to Know About Congress’ Latest Budget-Busting Deal" - Justin Bogie / @JustinBogie / February 07, 2018 / http://dailysignal.com/2018/02/07/5-things-know-congresss-latest-budget-busting-deal

#2226 (2/11) Need Your Sponsorship!; "The Role Faith Must Play In America’s Future"

"THE ROLE FAITH MUST PLAY IN AMERICA'S FUTURE Future"- Lea Carawan / Jan. 12, 2018 / http://dailysignal.com/2018/01/12/role-faith-must-play-americas-future/

National Religious Freedom Day will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 16. (Photo: iStock Photos)

Does faith matter anymore in America? Should it?
    That probably depends on who you ask, but what is becoming increasingly evident is a growing hostility among some segments of society and culture.

[Two months ago], much of our nation celebrated the birth of Christ—called Christmas, short for Christ’s Mass—yet, the idea of any public display for a clearly religious holiday is somehow considered insensitive, discriminating, or criminal. One begins to wonder if even saying “God Bless you” after a sneeze might somehow generate formal complaints and a lawsuit to stop such egregious behavior. Sounds like nonsense, doesn’t it? Sadly, it’s not.
    Religious expression in the marketplace of ideas is not an automatic religious endorsement by the government, though this remains a loud, but hollow, cry among many who would deny those rights if given the power to do so.

When our nation was established, the idea of “self-government under God” was a prevailing theme. Today, it feels more like an increasingly intrusive government without God.
    Teachers, football coaches, counselors, city and county officials, our men and women in uniform, chaplains, students, and even government officials are being reprimanded for acknowledging God or Jesus Christ in almost any public forum.
    Business owners—photographers, bakers, florists, and others—are being sued, some even closing their doors, for simply adhering to their values, beliefs, and their rights of conscience in an honorable fashion.

Millions of citizens are rising up to say “enough” and declare that they still want to “keep faith in America.” Millions of people in this country continue to pray and place a heartfelt trust in God. This simple act of humble faith has given America strength in wartime, dignity and compassion toward those less fortunate, and confidence in the face of unprecedented challenges.

For so many, faith matters, faith makes a difference, faith brings with it a renewed sense of hope for a better future. Thankfully, this certainty is finding its way back into the hearts, conversations, and actions of everyday Americans.

Throughout U.S. history, prayers of petition and thanksgiving have been lifted up by state and national leaders—to embrace our grief and sorrow, for our troops and first responders in harm’s way, in times of uncertainty and chaos, during global crises, for protection, provision, guidance, and the acknowledgement that in and of ourselves, we are wholly insufficient.

These cherished values are derived from principles deeply woven into the very fabric of our founding documents—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—and through the legacy and dedication of the men and women who helped build and shape this country.The only way to preserve their sacrifice is to boldly move forward with courage and determination, and to walk out what we know to be true.

This legacy also speaks to why millions more have immigrated to our shores over the past three centuries and why countless others have risked everything to preserve our Judeo-Christian heritage.Are these realities only because the United States is viewed as a “land of opportunity,” a global superpower, a place where dreams can come true? Or is it as the Pledge of Allegiance acknowledges, that we are “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”?

Americans have long viewed freedom as a core longing given by the creator in his design of man and a primary reason that religious liberty was established as a leading principle in our nation’s founding. The freedom to choose what and who you believe in, as well as matters of conscience, is among the most basic and fundamental rights afforded to every citizen. Faith and freedom may not have been born together, but their marriage built America, and divorcing the two would ultimately lead to its demise.

Unfortunately, the fabric of this wonderful tapestry is fraying, and in many places is now being torn apart. Religious leaders across America have been concerned about the moral and spiritual decline we are seeing in the country, including the lack of respect and civility that exists in our national discourse.
   Polarized and entrenched positions, angry rhetoric, and other signs of acrimony reveal the growing loss of decency and tolerance on all sides. And yet, faith still matters. It still has a role to play in the days ahead. We must keep faith in America.

On Jan. 16, National Religious Freedom Day, thousands of people from all walks of life [jointed] together in a powerful show of unity to raise their voices and launch the “Keep Faith in America” movement.
    They were joined by numerous federal and state legislators, governors, celebrities, and faith leaders who are uniting to help ensure that prayer, God, faith, and the Bible continue to represent an important guiding influence in America’s future—a movement dedicated to promoting freedom and civility, and to reduce the bitter animosity infecting nearly every part of our national psyche.
   Things kick off on the 16th at events across the United States and in 30 state capitols nationwide. Interested individuals can be part of the initial launch through a first-of-its-kind nationally broadcasted Facebook Live event that could potentially reach millions of people throughout the world.

In the following months, there will be a focus on other critically important segments of society, including churches and clergy members, colleges and universities, local governments, and school boards. Some of the most recognized and respected faith leaders in America are uniting to make a difference and reach into every sphere of influence in today’s culture.

Now, more than ever, there is a need to affirm that faith and trust in the creator remain vital to our national well-being. He was understood as the God of the Bible, which was given to help guide our decision-making, our governance as a people, to protect religious liberty, and to live before others with humility and Christian love.

Believers should be leading the way when it comes to engaging society and culture with greater civility, focusing their efforts to reduce harmful divisions. Faith is the key in the days ahead, and it must move beyond a well-crafted sermon and become faith in action.

The Keep Faith in America movement is a renewal of hope. [www.KeepFaithInAmerica.com.]
The goal is to first stand together, then pray together, and finally, to move forward together.

Stand. Pray. Move. This is about a renewed hope, a strengthened resolve, a sharpened focus, a bold declaration, and an energized movement.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]

Lea Carawan is the executive director for the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation.

#2225 (2/10) PRO-LIFE SAT: "Meet Lucas, the Adorable New Gerber Baby With Down Syndrome"

"MEET LUCAS, THE ADORABLE NEW GERBER BABY WITH DOWN SYNDROME" - Leah Barkoukis : Feb 08, 2018; https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2018/02/08/new-gerber-baby-has-down-syndrome-n2446213

The 2018 Gerber baby meets all the usual criteria to be a winner—namely, being adorable and happy—but 1-year-old Lucas Warren stands out for another reason: He’s the first child with Down syndrome to be selected as the “Gerber Spokesbaby.”

ADORABLE: The winning smile goes to 18-month-old Lucas Warren, the first baby with Down syndrome to be awarded first place for the Gerber baby contest in its 91-year history. http://fxn.ws/2BgQdQj 

Warren, who’s from Dalton, Georgia, won the distinction from more than 140,000 photos that were submitted from parents across the country. His mother, Cortney Warren, submitted a photo of him wearing a green shirt, polka dot tie, and with a huge grin on his face. That smile was what caught the company’s eye. “Every year, we choose the baby who best exemplifies Gerber’s long-standing heritage of recognizing that every baby is a Gerber baby,” said Bill Partyka, chief executive and president of Gerber. “This year, Lucas is the perfect fit.”

In a world where far too many people and countries (like Iceland) don’t believe in the value of every human life, Gerber’s decision should be celebrated. Many parents, particularly those who have children with Down syndrome, did just that. 
    “In a puddle of tears over here…my mama heart is so so thankful…when Bodie was born I believed a lie, that others would not value him as much as I do. But, today is a new day. It is such a beautiful, good day,” Instagram user samanthajob wrote. 
     Another user, catfishwithketchup, commented on Warren’s Instagram photo: “My older sister has Down syndrome and she inspired my husband and I to start our family by adopting a baby with Down syndrome. That baby is almost 8 now and I’m so optimistic for her future opportunities thanks to initiatives like this. Thank you for celebrating the diversity of the human condition! He’s gorgeous! Awesome selection!”
    Warren’s father, Jason Warren, was hopeful his son’s new role as Gerber Spokesbaby will bring increased awareness and acceptance of people with Down syndrome. “We’re hoping this will impact everyone — that it will shed a little bit of light on the special needs community and help more individuals with special needs be accepted and not limited,” he told “Today.” “They have the potential to change the world, just like everybody else.”

Obianuju Ekeocha ✔
@obianuju - I’m so glad that everyone is celebrating Lucas- the first Gerber baby with Down syndrome. But the elephant in the room is that in many western countries unborn babies with Down Syndrome are being detected by tests & most are killed. #GenocideInTheWomb 

590 people are talking about this - “He may have Down syndrome, but he’s always Lucas first,” his mother told “Today.” “He’s got an awesome personality, and he goes through the milestones of every child. .?.?. We’re hoping when he grows up and looks back on this, he’ll be proud of himself and not ashamed of his disability.”

Bravo, Gerber.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]

"New Gerber Baby is a Little Boy With Down Syndrome" - Wesley Smith, Feb.7, 2018| http://www.lifenews.com/2018/02/07/new-gerber-baby-is-a-little-boy-with-down-syndrome/
... This is excellent, a very visible and enthusiastic support for human exceptionalism and equal moral worth.  This years’s “Gerber Baby” has Down syndrome. From the Today story: The 2018 Gerber baby is Lucas Warren, a 1-year-old from Dalton, Georgia who is the first child with Down syndrome to be named a Gerber baby since the contest’s start in 2010. “He’s very outgoing and never meets a stranger,” Lucas’s mom, Cortney, told TODAY Parents. “He loves to play, loves to laugh and loves to make other people laugh.”

Don’t tell Iceland. That country has wiped babies with Down off their territory through a pogrom of eugenic abortion targeting fetuses with that condition.

Don’t tell France. That country refused to permit a Down syndrome support organization run a TV ad extolling the joys of raising a Down child because it could make women who aborted Down fetuses feel guilty.

Don’t tell Peter Singer of Princeton. He has advocated the propriety of infanticide of Down syndrome infants–e.g. post-birth abortion.

Do applaud Gerber for making an all-too-rare very positive statement about the inherent value of people with Down.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]

LifeNews.com Note: Wesley J. Smith, J.D., is a special consultant to the Center for Bioethics and Culture and a bioethics attorney who blogs at Human Exeptionalism. 

#2224 (2/9) "What Lies Behind North Korea’s ‘Charm Offensive’ at the Olympics"

"WHAT LIES BEHIND NORTH KOREA'S 'CHARM OFFENSIVE' AT THE OLYMPICS" - Bruce Klingner / February 08, 2018 / http://dailysignal.com/2018/02/08/north-koreas-charm-offensive-at-olympics

Kim Il Guk, president of the North Korean Olympic Committee, second from left, poses for a photo with other officials involved in planning the Winter Olympics, Jan. 20, 2018. (Photo: Kyodo/Newscom)

The Winter Olympics open on Friday with North and South Korean athletes marching together behind a single Korean unification flag, rather than their respective national flags. The moment will be emotionally uplifting, raising hopes of reconciliation and reduced tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The presence at the games of Vice President Mike Pence, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s high-ranking sister, Kim Yo Jong, and North Korea’s ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong Nam, has generated speculation of a bilateral meeting just below the leadership level.Washington has been coy about the possibility, saying only, “We’ll see what happens.”

But the Korean landscape is strewn with the shattered remnants of previous attempts to use sporting or cultural events to create a path for diplomatic progress.
     The 2000 Sydney Olympics provided a similar joint march-in of the Koreas, the 2008 New York Philharmonic concert in Pyongyang, and the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea are just a few of the previous attempts to use sports or music to soothe the savage beast.

Pyongyang’s decision to reschedule a massive military parade to Feb. 8, the day before the Olympics’ opening ceremonies, does not bode well for improving the diplomatic atmosphere.
During last year’s parade, the regime unveiled numerous new offensive missile systems, and it is expected that several intercontinental ballistic missiles will be displayed this week.
     During his annual New Year’s Day speech, Kim Jong Un claimed completion of North Korea’s ICBM program and boasted that he now possesses “a powerful and reliable war deterrent” that puts the “whole of [the U.S.] mainland within the range of our nuclear strike.”
     The juxtaposition of North Korea’s military and Olympics parades signals Pyongyang’s intent to simultaneously demonstrate that it is a formidable military force to be feared but, if accepted as a nuclear state, is also prepared to re-engage the international community on its terms. The regime will show it is a fearsome tiger one day, but a cute and cuddly kitten the next.
     Pyongyang hopes that the image of South Korea embracing the North during the games will weaken international support for U.N. sanctions. After all, if Seoul can overlook the military threat just north of the demilitarized zone, why is Washington working so hard to isolate the regime?

North Korea cleverly included sanctioned entities in its Olympics entourage. Kim’s sister was sanctioned by the U.S. for human rights violations, and the North Korean cultural troupe will be transported via the sanctioned Mangyongbong-92 ferry. In both cases, Seoul acted on Pyongyang’s behalf by having to ask for an exemption to international sanctions.

Indeed, it is the fear of a successful North Korean propaganda gambit that motivated the U.S. vice president’s attendance. Pence has “grave concerns that Kim will hijack the messaging around the Olympics” and seeks to offset the “charade.”
    Lest any potential meeting between Kim Jong Un’s sister and Pence be seen as a potential breakthrough, the vice president announced en route that the U.S. plans to unveil the “toughest and most aggressive” sanctions yet against North Korea. 
    To drive home the administration’s message, Pence will meet with North Korean defectors while in South Korea and be accompanied by the father of Otto Warmbier, the American college student who was brutalized during North Korean captivity and died shortly after his release.
The image of Warmbier’s grief-stricken parents during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address provided a heart-rending indictment of the true nature of the North Korean regime.

If Kim Yo Jong brings a message of Korean reconciliation from her brother, South Korean President Moon Jae-in will be tempted to offer additional concessions, including further postponing of annual military exercises with U.S. forces. Senior South Korean officials affirmed to me in Seoul that the exercises would not be canceled, but Pyongyang has warned that resumption of exercises threatens to quash improving inter-Korean relations.

While the Olympics will provide a welcome respite from escalating tensions, it is likely to be short-lived. Moreover, it will take careful alliance management in Seoul and Washington to prevent North Korea’s “charm offensive” from amplifying bilateral policy differences and driving a wedge between the allies.

[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]

Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at The Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center, spent 20 years in the intelligence community working at the CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency. Read his research

#2223 (2/8) "A Tale Of Two Leaders"

"A TALE OF TWO LEADERS" - Kevin McCullough: Feb 07, 2018; https://townhall.com/columnists/kevinmccullough/2018/02/07/a-tale-of-two-leaders-n2445913

Prepping for my radio show on Wednesday the contrast could not have been more clear. As I sat in my studio with the wall-sized monitor behind me lit with the rapidly changing headlines of the day I could not help but be struck by the divide playing out in the day’s news cycle.

In the James S. Brady press briefing room at the White House, Secretary of Defense James “Mad Dog” Mattis looked anything but a former fierce general with a flare for sometimes going off script and routing his enemies by mere intimidation. In fact his tone and pleas much more conversational and pleasant, simply, quietly, without much fanfare, was making his case for the prioritization of funding for the military.

He discussed how such budget uncertainty has an effect on troop morale. He was asked about and answered how yet another shutdown would impact operations. He pledged to spend the money with the greatest discernment and stewardship possible. He put forward the needs the military currently faces. He went long on the need to revamp our nuclear arsenal. He spoke bluntly about the need for our enemies not to miscalculate our capacity. In short it should have been something every American — who desires to see and keep us strong — should’ve been sympathetic to.

On the other side of the mall Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat minority leader in the House, was filibustering for a number of hours on why no such spending allowances should go through. They shouldn’t, she argued, unless we gave in to her demands for allowing 700,000-3,000,000 non-citizens to stay in America, gain full benefits of American life, and even become U.S. citizens. She argued for this even though each of these individuals have had the chance for numbers of years to begin the citizenship process and for many could have completed it long before now—but for some reason chose not to.

Here just two weeks since the last shutdown, a Democrat leader was holding court threatening the needed funding for our military—and funding that her colleague in the U.S. Senate had already agreed to—unless her pet project of DACA be completely agreed to and adopted post haste.

Whether or not such stunts are ever successful is always a debate for historians and professors.
The assessment I take away from it is one that fundamentally speaks to our greatness as a nation. Why?

Because America as an experiment is big enough for really competent, calm, and level headed leaders—sometimes ones who’ve even literally made our enemies sweat their own deaths—to go to the people directly and explain why we should be especially focused on approving the funding for our nation’s defense. America can also absorb the caged-hamster-act that Ms. Pelosi pulled and realize that she’s actively defending the supposed “rights” of people she doesn’t even technically have the capacity to represent.

The hardship stories are a dime a dozen in the DACA crowd. Every person reading this likely knows people here illegally, and even feels for their future and may even really want to see them succeed and become an American citizen. But that debate is a debate to be had at the time and place when the people’s elected leaders set it. (Leadership in both the House and the Senate have pledged to deal with DACA and bring reform for a vote to the larger bodies.)

The left keeps attempting to short circuit that process. They keep trying end-arounds hoping to get the permanent fix they want (zero deportations, automatic citizenship, and immediate voter enrollment into the Democratic Party.)

Meanwhile effective public servants like Secretary Mattis are staring down ISIS in Syria and Iran, the Taliban in Afghanistan, mullahs that are out of control in Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas in the West Bank & Gaza, a fool in North Korea who wants to bring about a nuclear incident, and an ever growing threat from Russia and China over territory, currencies, gold and oil. 

While Nancy Pelosi plays “Ms. Smith Goes To Washington” (for people who aren’t Americans,) actual American heroes are trying to protect us from the next cataclysmic encounter if we can show enough strength to stave it off.

Pelosi pretends to be doing her job. Mattis is just asking the government and our elected leaders to give him the tools to genuinely do his. And while she will get paid if another shutdown occurs, he will have to notify active duty non-tour troops that they may miss a check or two.

As the ones who employ both it’s on us to make sure that we effectively set the right priorities for them, so that there is no misunderstanding as to why it was more urgent to fund our military than to give extended benefits and citizenship to those who could’ve cared for that on their own all along.

It’s time to choose.

[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]

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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 the greatest privilege and responsibility 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:

1/1 - 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 endurance. 

Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:To learn more, please go to -  - https://www.opendoorsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/28385-PFA.pdf; 
February 8 | MYANMAR - Amod* is a part of the Rohingya people group, a group well-known for refugee status. Being a Christian in a mostly Muslim people group caused him to flee quickly and alone. Pray for him to continue to be built up in the faith.
*Names changed for security purposes.

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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.y 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 on their behalf?

PRAYER
Lord, broaden my awareness of the needs of my suffering brothers and sisters. May I not be known for my silence.