Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Rick Warren envisions coalition of faith
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily NewsWashington Times
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Church;Apostasy

The Rev. Rick Warren, one of America's best-known evangelical Protestant pastors, pleaded with about 8,000 Muslim listeners on Saturday night to work together to solve the world's greatest problems by cooperating in a series of interfaith projects.

"Muslims and Christians can work together for the common good without compromising my convictions or your convictions," Mr. Warren said during an evening session of the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) at the Washington Convention Center.

"I am not interested in interfaith dialogue but interfaith projects," said the pastor of the 24,000-member Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., who is widely known for his bestseller "The Purpose-Driven Life."

"Talk is cheap ... but love is something we do together," he added. "As the two largest faiths on this planet - more than 1 billion Muslims and 2 billion Christians - as Muslims and Christians, we must believe in this. As more than half the world, we must do something to model what it is to live in peace, to live in harmony."

His 25-minute speech, which was met with light applause at several intervals, included three suggestions: create a coalition to end religious stereotyping, work together to restore civility to American society and take a common stand against attacks on freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

Criticizing the media as being "clueless as to what you believe as well as what I believe," Mr. Warren called for a "coalition of people of good will to say we are not going to allow this stereotyping of anyone. It is the truth that sets us free and we're not going to allow this."

ISNA U.S. President Ingrid Mattson introduced the pastor as a "distinguished guest" whom organizers wanted to invite because of his worldwide charitable projects.

Noting that Mr. Warren gives away 90 percent of his salary, she added, "Here is someone who, in charitable giving, is very stiff competition."

The pastor, who usually dresses in informal Hawaiian shirts, arrived in a beige suit and yellow tie. He began his speech with the common Arabic greeting "Asalam alakum," or "Peace Be Upon You." Mr. Warren said he was "deeply humbled and honored by this invitation," then cracked a few jokes about his unworthiness in being there.

Although he is an evangelical pastor, Mr. Warren was sparse in his mentions of Jesus and God. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet but not God incarnate.

"My deepest faith is in Jesus Christ," the preacher said at one point. "I am committed not only to the good news but the common good. Scripture says 'love your neighbor as yourself.' I am commanded to respect everybody."

The session, held in a cavernous hall with huge screens hanging from the ceiling, began 40 minutes late with a melodious chant from the Koran. Next were several videos, presentations, tributes, speeches and a lengthy session of fundraising.

Several speakers talked of progress among America's millions of Muslims, culminating with their being recognized by President Obama - whose father was Muslim - in his inauguration speech.

Editors Note....We have long said that Rick Warren's goal is to promote and build the world church, known in Revelation as the Harlot Church.  All pretense has now been removed, it's time for those who are sincere in seeking to obey the scriptures to come out against Rick Warren and his apostasy.

Revelation 12:15-16
Jul 5th, 2009
Exploring RevelationArt Sadlier
Categories: Commentary;Prophecy;Book Study

Last week we saw Israel at the mid-tribulation point. Satan has been cast out of heaven and he knows that his time to defeat God by destroying Israel is now very short. As Satan moves against Israel, God moves upon the hearts of the remnant of His people to flee to the mountain wilderness south of Judea. The only mountains in this area are the mountains of the Petra area. God is committed to protect His people, remember His protection and provision for Israel in the wilderness after they came out of Egypt. God sometimes allows His people to go through testing times and times of correction, but He loves His own and provides for them.

"And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away". As in the case of Job, Satan is allowed by the permissive will of God to use the elements of this world to try to accomplish his purposes. We again catch a glimpse of how far God has gone to fight this war with Satan on moral grounds, not on physical grounds. God has restrained His mighty power in this struggle.

As the remnant of the nation of Israel flees from Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, Satan tries to drown her in a flood. In that area of Judea their are many Wadi's. A Wadi is a dry river bed, however when the rains come, these dry beds become  raging torrents of flood water. When I was in Israel in the Qumran area, they told us that the week previous a sudden rain storm had swept a bus away as it crossed a Wadi.

Here we see this battle up close as Satan uses the elements to attempt to destroy the remnant, while God causes the earth to open up and swallow the flood, verse 16. We are surrounded by spiritual warfare of which we understand very little, God evidently is not inclined to reveal much of this to us. However we are to keep our eyes on Him and let Him worry about the unseen spiritual war around us.(See 2 Kings 6:15-17)

Can God feed several million Jews for 3 1/2 years? Can God protect this remnant for 42 months? Could God feed and protect Israel in  the wilderness for 40 years? In this marvellous time when God enters into this intimate experience with Israel, He is drawing their hearts back to Himself.

We cannot but help repeating Zechariah 13:9, "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, it is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God". I get the feeling that this is the climax of God's ages long, patience working with Israel.

This is God's dealing with Israel and it has nothing to do with the church, except to say that the same God with the same attributes works patiently with us as well. The key is how do men respond. Remember God said to Israel choose life or death. Unbeliever choose life or death. Believer choose blessing or loss of blessing.

Report: Saudis to support Israeli strike on Iran
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily NewsIsrael Today
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;War

Israel may no longer need a green light from Washington to launch a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. According to a report in London's Sunday Times, Saudi Arabia has agreed to let Israeli aircraft circumvent US-controlled airspace in Iraq by flying over the oil-rich kingdom.

The report claimed that the head of the Israeli Mossad, Meir Dagan, met with top Saudi officials last week and secured tacit approval for an Israeli overflight. The source that leaked the information said the Saudis recognized that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear arms was for them, too, a top national security interest.

An Israeli government official interviewed by Army Radio later in the day complained that if such an agreement did exist, clearly whoever leaked it to the media did not want Israel to be able to use Saudi airspace, since the publication of the deal would cause the Saudis to publicly deny any cooperation with the Jewish state.

In related news, a diplomatic source in New York told Ha'aretz at the weekend that the Obama Administration is working hard behind the scenes to prevent the enactment of additional economic sanctions against Iran at the G8 summit next week.

The official said Washington believes harsher sanctions will only backfire, and prefers to continue easing pressure on the Islamic Republic.

Reiki 15 Percent of US Hospitals Using Occult Practice
Jul 5th, 2009
CommentaryRay Yungen - Lighthouse Trails Research
Categories: Commentary;Warning

In a recent article in Reiki News, it was revealed that 15 percent of all US hospitals are now implementing the practice of Reiki. In Reiki, a type of therapeutic touch, it is believed that the ki (chi) energy (a supposed universal energy that flows through all things) can be used to heal people. In the Reiki News article written by Reiki proponent William Lee Rand, Rand expresses a concern about a statement released by US Catholic bishops asking Catholic hospitals not to use Reiki because of its Buddhist roots. Rand tries to show that Reiki is a scientific method that has healing results.

However, as Rand explains his views on Reiki, the discerning reader begins to realize that Reiki is not scientific at all but rather a spiritual approach. Rand admits that "Reiki healing energy directs itself." He says:

 "I was unable to direct it with my mind or will and realized this wasn't necessary as Reiki had its own form of guidance that was superior to my own. This experience has been verified by other professional Reiki practitioners and forms the basis of one of the important keys to using Reiki: If you want Reiki to provide the best healing experience, it's necessary for the practitioner to set their own desire, will and ego aside, and allow the Reiki energy to guide itself."

Author Ray Yungen, who says there are now over one million Reiki channelers in the US alone (a million in Germany also), explains this "energy" behind Reiki further:  "One practitioner describes the experience in the following way:

"When doing it, I become a channel through which this force, this juice of the universe, comes pouring from my palms into the body of the person I am touching, sometimes lightly, almost imperceptibly, sometimes in famished sucking drafts. I get it even as I'm giving it. It surrounds the two of us, patient and practitioner."

What is this "juice of the universe?" The answer is an important one, given by a renowned Reiki master [Rand] who explains:

A Reiki attunement is an initiation into a sacred metaphysical order that has been present on earth for thousands of years ... By becoming part of this group, you will also be receiving help from the Reiki guides and other spiritual beings who are also working toward these goals."

While this is not widely advertised, Reiki practitioners depend on this "spirit guide" connection as an integral aspect of Reiki. In fact, it is the very foundation and energy behind Reiki. One Reiki master who has enrolled hundreds of other masters spoke of her interaction with the spirit guides:

"For me, the Reiki guides make themselves the most felt while attunements are being passed. They stand behind me and direct the whole process, and I assume they also do this for every Reiki Master. When I pass attunements, I feel their presence strongly and constantly. Sometimes I can see them."

A Christian's initial response to this information might be, "So what? I don't travel in those circles, so it does not concern me." This nonchalant viewpoint would be valid except for the fact that Reiki is currently growing to enormous proportions and in some very influential circles. (It may even be in your local hospitals, schools, and youth organizations.) It is essential to know that many nurses, counselors, and especially massage therapists use Reiki as a supplement to their work. It is often promoted as a complementary service. (ATOD, pp. 94-95).

In Rand's article, he talks about a doctor who has been largely responsible for the growing popularity of Reiki. Dr. Mehmet Oz is "one of the most respected cardiovascular surgeons in the US" who "uses Reiki during open-heart surgeries and heart transplants." According to Dr. Oz, "Reiki has become a sought-after healing art among patients and mainstream medical professionals."

Dr. Oz is a frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. No doubt, she has been an evangelist for Dr. Oz and Reiki treatments. Yungen discusses this rapid growth in popularity:

"The reason for this level of acceptance is easy to understand. Most people, many Christians included, believe if something is spiritually positive then it is of God. A pastor friend of mine recounted a situation in which a Christian, who had some physical problems, turned to Reiki for comfort. When this pastor advised the man that Reiki fundamentally opposed the Christian faith he became furious and responded with the following defense, 'How can you say this is bad when it helped me?' [However], if something is of God it will conform to the very cornerstone of God's plan to show His grace through Christ Jesus and Him alone (Ephesians 2:7). Reiki, as I defined earlier, is based on the occult view of God."

This assessment of Reiki is beyond question. Every Reiki book I have ever seen is chock full of pronouncements that back up the point I am trying to make. In The Everything Reiki Book, the following clears up any doubt about Reiki's incompatibility with Christianity:

"During the Reiki attunement process, the avenue that is opened within the body to allow Reiki to flow through also opens up the psychic communication centers. This is why many Reiki practitioners report having verbalized channeled communications with the spirit world.4 (from ATOD, p. 97)

Lighthouse Trails urges you to be sure to ask your own health practitioner if he or she plans to perform Reiki on you or your loved ones when you or they are on the operating table or at any other time during health care treatment. We are living in a society that has integrated occult mysticism into every facet of life. The Bible gives a prophetic statement about such practices (of which includes contemplative spirituality), which should not be ignored or taken lightly.

"And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived." Revelation 18:22-24

Obama hopes to persuade all Americans to accept homosexuality
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily Newsonenewsnow.com
Categories: One World Church;Moral Decline

President Barack Obama says that while he's dedicated to expanding homosexual rights, many Americans still cling to what he calls "worn arguments and old attitudes."

At a White House celebration of Gay Pride Month, Obama said he hopes to persuade all Americans to accept homosexuality. ""There are good and decent people in this country who don't yet fully embrace their gay brothers and sisters -- not yet," said the president. "That's why I've spoken about these issues -- not just in front of you -- but in front of unlikely audiences, in front of African-American church members."

Obama acknowledged that many Americans still disapprove of homosexuality. "There are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes," he stated.

He added that Congress should repeal what Obama referred to as "the so-called Defense of Marriage Act" -- and that his administration is working to pass a hate crimes bill and to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuals in the military.

The audience at the White House ceremony included Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson and other homosexual clergy. Obama introduced Robinson as a "special friend."

Netanyahu: Israelis support two states
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily NewsJpost
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;Peace Process

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday cited the national consensus on the two-state solution for an Israeli-Palestinian accord as a major accomplishment for his government in its first 100 days.

"For the first time, we brought a national agreement for the concept of two states for two peoples," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.

The prime minister explained that the agreement was that "the Palestinians will need to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, the refugee issue will be resolved outside of Israel's borders, and that Israel needs and will get defensible borders that include the full demilitarization of the Palestinian territory."

Netanyahu also noted that in its first 100 days, his government had brought calm to the South.

"While Operation Cast Lead gave a broad foundation for calm, the quiet was also achieved through our offensive approach," he said. "After Cast Lead, various Palestinian groups tested us, but deterrence was created when I gave the order to respond resolutely to every attack."

"Although I cannot say that we have had 100 days of grace - in fact we haven't even had one day of grace - thank god, we have no complaints," he continued. "The main accomplishment was in the formation of a national unity government."

Netanyahu stressed there was national unity both in the economic and diplomatic fields.

Also at the start of the meeting, Defense Minister Ehud Barak spoke of his upcoming trip to London where he is scheduled to hold talks with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell.

"I'm heading out to London today for a meeting that will take place tomorrow with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell and other officials, again, in a bid to advance a broader understanding between us and the US concerning the peace process," he said.

"That includes the regional comprehensive solution we greatly support, and also translating the Road Map - which Israel has accepted with reservations and understandings - to a way agreed upon by us, the US, and the other sides, in order to move the peace process forward and to create an opening for the Palestinians," said Barak.

Editors Note.....Israel's leaders today are showing the same unbelief that Israelis of old demonstrated at Kadesh Barnea when they refused to believe God and trust Him to give them the land God had promised.

Netanyahu thinks world has sided with his demands
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily NewsIsrael Today
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;Peace Process

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday told the weekly cabinet meeting that his government had scored a major victory in its first 100 days by convincing the international community to back his conditions for a final status peace deal with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu claimed that all major world powers involved in the Middle East land-for-peace process now agreed that the Palestinians must recognize Israel as a "Jewish state," that the so-called "Palestinian refugees" must be settled outside Israel's borders, and that a future Palestinian state must be demilitarized.

"For the first time, we brought an international agreement for the concept of two states for two peoples," said the prime minister. It was the first time Netanyahu had publicly used the words "two states," an indication that he believes international power brokers have indeed accepted his demands.

But many in Israel remained concerned, remembering that Western powers like the US and Europe Union have often seemingly backed Israeli positions in order to extract Israeli concessions, only to later renege on their promises.

Israel Prepares F-15 Jets for Long Range Attack
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily Newsisraelnationalnews
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;Warning

The Israel Air Force’s F-15 fleet is undergoing an upgrade, with systems that make it better equipped for complex long distance attack scenarios. The systems are being installed in both the F-15 and the F-15I -- a model of the F-15 that was developed by its U.S. manufacturer specifically for the IAF.

According to IDF journal BaMachaneh, the F-15I model is currently being fitted with two new systems – one called “Barad Pelada” (“Steel Hail”), and another named Lightning. 

The Barad Pelada advanced weapons system has been operational in the IAF’s F-16s for almost four years, but had to be modified in order to fit the F-15. 

Barad Pelada is an advanced Israeli armament that operates like a smart bomb. “The system is unique in that it is able to plan the bombing in an accurate way by identifying the target from above,” a knowledgeable source in the IAF explained. “After the identification, the system carries out guidance to the target and only then is impact made.”

The Lightning advanced attack system has also been in use in the IAF’s other jets. Until now, the F-15I jets had to rely on the older Inbar system, which used to be fitted in all of the IAF’s jets but was gradually phased out. 

The Inbar system is capable of providing an operational solution in some ranges, but other attack scenarios require advanced systems like the Lightning, IAF sources said. “The need for the new system led to an accelerated procedure of development of advanced means,” a source in the IAF’s Weapons Department explained. “Once the testing at the Flight Experiment Center is finished, we will complete the system’s integration in the aircraft.” 

For the time being, however, the F-15I jets will not part with the older Inbar systems. “From now on, the aircraft will enjoy a combination of both attack systems and will enjoy a meaningful advantage in their operational activity,” the sources said.

The F-15 jets, meanwhile, recently received a new weapon system named “Barad Kaved” (“Heavy Hail”) and used it for the first time during operation “Cast Lead” in Gaza in early 2009. IAF sources said the use was a success. The F-15 fighters used Barad Kaved in attacks with zero malfunctions, and “we are very pleased with its performance in the operation,” the sources said.

“The reelection of Iran’s president, his grave utterances regarding his will to harm the state of Israel and Iran’s continual effort to achieve unconventional weapons require us to maintain an army that is coiled and ready to spring into action, and an Air Force that is skilled and sharp as a razor, that will stand up to any enemy and remove any threat from our citizens and residents,“ IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said Thursday in an IAF ceremony for new pilots at the Hatzerim Air Force Base.

Biden: U.S. will not block Israeli strike on Iran
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily NewsWND - Aaron Klein
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;War

Says Jewish state 'has sovereign right' to choose own path

JERUSALEM – The U.S. will not stand in the way if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes Israeli military action is needed to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat, Vice President Joe Biden said during an interview with ABC News today.

The statements mark the first time the Obama administration has openly put on the table a possible Israeli military strike against Iran.

"Look, Israel can determine for itself – it's a sovereign nation – what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else," Biden told ABC's George Stephanoupolos in a pre-taped interview.

Stephanoupolos asked if Israel can still attack without U.S. approval.

"Whether we agree or not," replied the vice president.

Continued Biden: "They're entitled to do that. Any sovereign nation is entitled to do that. But there is no pressure from any nation that's going to alter our behavior as to how to proceed. What we believe is in the national interest of the United States, which we, coincidentally, believe is also in the interest of Israel and the whole world.

"And so there are separate issues. If the Netanyahu government decides to take a course of action different than the one being pursued now, that is their sovereign right to do that," Biden said. "That is not our choice."

Stephanopoulos persisted: "But just to be clear here, if the Israelis decide Iran is an existential threat, they have to take out the nuclear program, militarily the United States will not stand in the way?"

"Look, we cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do," Biden stated.

Stephanopoulos pointed out the U.S. can deny Israeli over-flights of Iraq – one of the main aerial routes to strike Iran from the Jewish state.

"We can stand in the way of a military strike," the ABC host said.

Biden replied: "I'm not going to speculate, George, on those issues, other than to say Israel has a right to determine what's in its interests, and we have a right and we will determine what's in our interests."

'U.S. can't get Arabs to commit to normal Israel ties'
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily Newswww.haaretz.com
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;Anti-Israel

The U.S. administration has not been successful in securing commitments from Arab countries to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, a senior source in Jerusalem said Wednesday. 

The source said U.S. President Barack Obama's recent meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia did not produce a commitment to encourage the other Arab states to begin normalization. 

"In such a situation, the Americans can't continue demanding gestures only from Israel, such as the demand that Israel freeze settlement construction," the source said. 

In response, a senior White House source said talks with the Arab states are continuing with the aim of obtaining a commitment to make gestures toward Israel, and there is still hope for progress. 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak returned to Israel on Wednesday from a meeting with U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell. A senior White House official confirmed reports that progress was made on the issue of settlements, though no agreement had been reached. He added that similar progress had been made in contacts with Arab countries. 

Haaretz has learned that the talks with Mitchell included discussions of a package deal to include a curb on settlement construction. Barak reportedly argued that any steps taken by Israel would have to be accompanied by assurances that the Arab states would also move forward. This would lay the groundwork for resumed talks on a final regional peace agreement. 

Within the next two weeks or so, Mitchell is expected to visit Israel to continue talks. 

A senior diplomatic source said that even if a meeting between Mitchell and the prime minister doesn't resolve the settlement issue, it will narrow the gap, and the prime minister may request a meeting with Obama in Washington in the coming months to seal an agreement. 

Barak noted that if a package deal is reached, Israel might agree to a temporary construction freeze in the settlements, but this would not apply to more than 2,000 housing units already being built.

'Iran nuke could wipe Israel off map in seconds'
Jul 5th, 2009
Daily NewsHaaretz.com
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;Warning

Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States, on Friday warned that an Iranian atomic bomb could "wipe Israel off the map in a matter of seconds," and that the Iranians could "accomplish in a matter of seconds what they denied Hitler did, and kill 6 million Jews, literally."

Oren made his comments in a conversation with journalist Jeffrey Goldberg at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado.

The newly appointed ambassador warned, "There are clocks ticking all around," with regard to the Iranian nuclear issue. "One of those clocks is the uranium enrichment clock, which will show that by a certain date the Iranians will have sufficient, highly enriched uranium materials to create a bomb that could literally wipe Israel off the map in a matter of seconds."

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Oren said the world must remain vigilant about what happens in Iran during the country's tumultuous post-election period.

"It's very important that we watch carefully what happens in Iran - the events in Iran have unmasked to the world the true nature of this regime," said Oren. "This is a regime that's willing to kill its own citizens; it will certainly have no compunctions killing other people in the region, Jews and Sunni Arabs alike."

Oren added that he would not "second-guess" the Obama administration's next move in dealing with Tehran's nuclear aspirations, and added that he was certain Obama had "the best interests of the U.S. and the interest of Israel at heart." Israel, he said, was concerned mainly about the "timing and timeline" of dealing with Iran.

Oren also addressed the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which have stoked tensions in recent weeks between Israel and its close ally.

"I never said settlements are not an issue?but they're not the issue," he said.