Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Let the Headlines Speak
Sep 4th, 2019
Daily NewsFrom the Internet
Categories: Today's Headlines

Iran refuses to cooperate with UN nuclear agency investigation – report 
Iran is refusing to cooperate with a UN investigation into its alleged storage of nuclear equipment and radioactive material in Tehran… Diplomats claim that Iran has refused to answer important questions asked by the IAEA over allegations that it had established a now-dismantled site in Tehran to store nuclear equipment and material used during past weapons development.

Will there be a US-Russia-Israel summit in Jerusalem before elections? 
Efforts are underway to hold another US-Russian-Israel trilateral security meeting in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting. Though he did not say when this meeting would take place, it is widely believed that he would like it to happen before the September 17 elections in order to highlight his diplomatic credentials just prior to the opening of the polls.

Afghanistan war: US-Taliban deal would see 5,400 troops withdraw
The United States would withdraw 5,400 troops from Afghanistan within 20 weeks as part of a deal “in principle” with Taliban militants, Washington’s top negotiator has said. Zalmay Khalilzad revealed details of the long-awaited deal for the first time in a TV interview after briefing Afghan leaders on the agreement. But he said final approval still rested with US President Donald Trump.

New US-led patrols in Arabian Gulf raise stakes with Iran
As the US tries a new way to protect shipping across the Arabian Gulf amid tensions with Iran, it finds itself sailing into uncertain waters. For decades, the US has considered the waters of the Arabian Gulf as critical to its national security. Through the gulf’s narrow mouth, the Strait of Hormuz, 20 percent of all crude oil sold passes onto the world market.

‘Arab states condemning Hezbollah sounds like Messianic times’
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Israel had “endured several tense days” this week, alluding to a major escalation on the border with Lebanon Sunday, when Hezbollah terrorists fired a barrage of anti-tank missiles at IDF positions. “I welcome the remarks by the foreign ministers of Bahrain and the UAE against Hezbollah’s aggression. They condemned the helplessness of Lebanon, which allows the Hezbollah terrorist organization to operate from its territory against Israel. This sounds like the Messianic times, but it shows the fundamental change taking place in the Middle East.

US considering including ‘Jerusalem, Israel’ on passports
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the Trump administration is considering allowing US citizens born in Jerusalem to list “Jerusalem, Israel” on their US passports. While the Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, State Department policy still does not allow for the indication of Jerusalem as being a part of Israel on passports of US citizens.

Netanyahu Promises Jewish Prayer on Temple Mount “Before the Messiah Comes” But Security Minister Says Sooner Than That
a reporter for Kan News, asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the “elementary rights of the Jews to pray at the Temple Mount, their holiest site.” Netanyahu’s answer, which was published in “Sheva”, was, “Don’t worry, it will happen, and before the arrival of the Messiah.” “The right of the Jewish people to their holy place, the Temple Mount, is unquestionable,” Netanyahu wrote, “I believe that the right of prayer for Jews in this place should be arranged, and even more so that we should provide for the freedom of worship for all religions in Jerusalem.”

Party Declares They Will Work Towards “Complete” Jewish Country “In Anticipation of Messiah
“We, the undersigned, are declaring that we will work in the Knesset and in every other framework towards a complete Israel as per the holy opinion of the revered Rebbe of Lubavitch. We will be resolutely opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state or the establishment of Palestinian autonomy of any kind, the delivery of land, or the evacuation of any [Jewish] communities.

Massive Idolatrous Festival in Nevada Plagued with Suspicious Death
Though billed as a celebration of artistic expression, the annual desert Burning Man Festival incorporates countless elements of ancient idolatry. Recent festivals have been plagued by unusual deaths that seem linked to its central figure, a euphemist representation of ancient human sacrifice. This ceremony referred to by Druids as the ‘wicker man’ is almost universal amongst pagan cults and evolved as a replacement for human sacrifice.

Exorcists correct Jesuit superior: The devil is real
“The real existence of the devil, as a personal subject who thinks and acts and has made the choice of rebellion against God, is a truth of faith that has always been part of Christian doctrine,” the exorcists said. Sosa, superior general of the Jesuits, had suggested in an interview last week that the devil was just a “symbolic reality” …In making the comments Sosa is rejecting an article of faith, which is an element in the canonical crime of heresy, noted canon lawyer Ed Peters said.

Dorian evacuation orders hit Florida, Georgia, Carolinas
Mandatory evacuations hit coastal areas from Florida to the Carolinas on Monday as Hurricane Dorian was expected to graze Florida and possibly strike Cape Hatteras, N.C.

Kurds Falling Prey to Turkey Expansionist Policy
Syrian Kurds are on top of Turkish hit list as they are the major obstacle in Ankara expansionist policies in Syria. Since the beginning of Syrian conflict Turkey tries to instrumentalize the Syrian war to further its own agenda.

Nasrallah: We no longer have red lines. This is start of new phase
Hezbollah, he said, broke “the biggest red line for dozens of years” for Israel by targeting it across border, not in the contested Shebaa farms area where the group had previously targeted IDF troops. The attack against Avivim was a message to Israel, Nasrallah warned. “We no longer have red lines. This is the start of a new phase. Remember this date.”

Scientists Attempt Controversial Experiment To Edit DNA In Human Sperm Using CRISPR
First it was human embryos. Now scientists are trying to develop another way to modify human DNA that can be passed on to future generations, …”If we can wipe out a particular gene, it would be incredible,” Palermo says. “Theoretically, in principal, this would be a major, major benefit to society.” “It doesn’t matter whether you’re manipulating the embryo or you’re manipulating the sperm,” …”The concern is what kind of world are you creating as you move down the path to start manipulating human genetics. We’re on the cusp of prospective parents controlling the genetics of their offspring,”

Democrats Pass Resolution Applauding ‘Nonreligious Americans,’ Criticizing Churchgoers
the resolution criticizes religious Americans: “[T]hose most loudly claiming that morals, values, and patriotism must be defined by their particular religious views have used those religious views, with misplaced claims of ‘religious liberty,’ to justify public policy that has threatened the civil rights and liberties of many Americans, including but not limited to the LGBT community, women, and ethnic and religious/nonreligious minorities.” Secular and atheist groups applauded the resolution.

US Travel Industry Nightmare Unfolds As Chinese Tourist Stay Away From Washington, DC
“If market share loss continues in future years, the United States will be losing out on one of the largest and fastest-growing source markets of global travel…” 

Brexit: ‘Election in October’ if MPs block no deal
The government is expected to table a motion to hold a general election on 14 October if it is defeated by MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit on Tuesday.Boris Johnson said he did not want an election, but progress with the EU would be “impossible” if they won.

Iran stifling probe of storage of nuclear equipment
Iran is stifling a United Nations probe of its alleged storage of nuclear equipment and radioactive material in Tehran, diplomats told The Wall Street Journal on Monday.

Liberal FEC chairwoman targets online news she considers ‘fraudulent’
New concerns are being raised that online conservative media outlets could face federally imposed censorship going into the 2020 elections.

Dorian kills 5 as hurricane stalls over Bahamas, triggers massive flooding
Hurricane Dorian unleashed massive flooding across the Bahamas on Monday, pummeling the islands with so much wind and water that authorities urged people to find floatation devices and grab hammers to break out of their attics if necessary. At least five deaths were blamed on the storm.

It’s Always 1984 On the Administration’s Calendar at Loveland High School 
It’s Always 1984 On the Administration’s Calendar of Loveland High School. There are still very good high schools in Colorado. However, this is the type of school that parents should avoid, lest your child be the next victim of Principal Big Brother

Martin Armstrong Asks “Are Democrats Trying To Change American Politics By Opening Borders?”
“This nonsense of the Democrats to create open borders and then allow them voting rights is just off the wall. This is a political ploy to change the voting population to seize the power of the United States.”

For Those Who Don’t Identify as Male or Female, Growing Acceptance—and Accommodation
A growing number of states and companies are allowing people to designate their gender as “X” instead of male or female on driver’s licenses and other forms of identification.

Archaeologists Uncover Babylonian Destruction of Jerusalem Just How Bible Describes It
 Academics are saying the Bible is trustworthy after discovering evidence of the 6th century Babylonian siege of Jerusalem as it is described in 2 Kings, Chapter 25.

“A Murderer’s Row”: Oil And Gas Bankruptcies To Accelerate As $137 Billion Debt Matures Over Next Two Years
5.7% of all energy companies with junk rated bonds are defaulting as of August, the highest level since 2017. The metric is “considered a key indicator of the industry’s financial stress.”

How Unthinkable Became Unquestionable: New Study on Collapse of Moral Consensus
Sep 4th, 2019
CommentaryJOHN STONESTREET/BREAKPOINT.ORG
Categories: Moral Decline

Anyone else dizzy by how quickly some things went from being unthinkable to unquestionable? Just in the last few years? Although the most recent demands of the Sexual Revolution are more radical than ever, people seem to be embracing them more quickly than ever.

For example, when Andrew Sullivan first made the case for same-sex marriage in the New Republic back in 1989, the very notion was considered to be beyond the fringe, and it stayed that way for about two decades.

Then, suddenly, it wasn't beyond the fringe anymore. By 2012, a majority of Americans favored same-sex marriage, and three years later, it became a constitutional right. Today, opposition or even ambivalence to same-sex marriage is regarded as beyond the fringe.

And the pace of change on sexual issues has only accelerated. Transgenderism was considered beyond the fringe when same-sex marriage was legalized, and I predict the acceptance of polyamory could happen even faster.

So what explains this quick and thorough collapse of the old moral consensus?

That's what I talk about on the BreakPoint Podcast this week with sociologist Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas. Our conversation dug into a recent Public Discourse article he wrote: "How the Rise in Unreligious Americans affects Sex and Marriage: Comparative Evidence from New Survey Data."

Just after the midterm elections in November 2018, Mark Regnerus asked three groups--Catholics, Evangelical Protestants, and the non-religious--about their opinions relating to marriage, family, and sexuality. He compared their responses with those from a survey he conducted three years prior.

What Regnerus found was that the nonreligious are now even more likely to hold "progressive" views on marriage, family, and sexuality, especially when compared to self-identified Catholics and Evangelicals.

For instance, 24 percent of the non-religious agreed with the statement "marriage is outdated," compared to just 10 percent of Catholics and 2 percent of Evangelicals. 

Similarly, the non-religious were three times more likely to say that polyamorous relations were okay compared to Catholics and ten times more likely compared to Evangelicals. And, the non-religious were eight times as likely as Evangelicals to say that "sometimes extra-marital sex can be okay."

Of course, the strong relationship between one's religious observance and their view on marriage, family, and sex is no surprise. What makes Regnerus' study so revealing is how rapidly the number of those who self-identify as non-religious has increased. In 2015, they made up 15 percent of the respondents. Four years later, they made up twenty percent, a one-third increase in only four years.

The non-religious are often called the "nones," and it's important to remember that relatively few of them are atheists or agnostics. Many believe in things like astrology and witchcraft and many consider themselves quite spiritual. 

But they reject authoritative religious traditions and institutions, and increasingly embrace progressive views on social issues.

But the even more "ominous" trend from this study is that even though there exists a significant disparity in views between the religious and non-religious, the religious are displaying trends of increasing liberalization too. "Catholics... have witnessed liberalization in attitudes," Mark says, though "Evangelical numbers display a more modest uptick." 

Regnerus concludes that Christians seem to be growing more complicit in the Sexual Revolution, or at least more quiet about their misgivings, year by year.

Divided America: Democrat Resolution Celebrates God - Less Agenda
Sep 4th, 2019
CommentaryMICHAEL BROWN/ASKDRBROWN.ORG
Categories: Contemporary Issues

There is no question about it. There is not even a desire to hide it. The Democrat Party continues to grow spiritually darker to the point of actually proclaiming itself the party of the religiously non-affiliated. Is it any surprise?

Back in 2012, the Washington Post reported the Democrats were under fire for removing "God" from their national platform.

This was not missed by Paul Ryan, then a Republican vice-presidential candidate, who stated on Fox News, "I guess I would just put the onus and the burden on them to explain why they did all this, these purges of God."

And was it a coincidence that, the same year, the Democrats also failed to affirm Jerusalem as Israel's capital?

To put this in perspective, the Post observed that, "God is mentioned 12 times in the 2012 GOP platform. The 2008 Democratic platform made one reference to God: the 'God-given potential' of working people. The 2004 platform had numerous references to God."

How times have changed.

Democrats Have a God Problem ... and a Problem with God

Two years ago, in 2017, Selena Zito claimed in the New York Post that, "The Democratic Party has a God problem."

Remembering what happened in 2012, when it was widely reported that the Democrats booed God" (during the platform hearings), Zito argued that the Democrats have since "pushed away religious voters not simply by ignoring them but by actively repelling them with accusations of bigotry and backwardness."

And, she added, "Unless they change that, Democrats haven't got a prayer of solving their God problem."

As of today, I wouldn't be holding my breath.

The DNC has now issued a resolution stating that "religiously unaffiliated Americans overwhelmingly share the Democratic Party's values, with 70% voting for Democrats in 2018, 80% supporting same-sex marriage, and 61% saying immigrants make American society stronger."

Yes, the Democratic Party is the party of the religiously unaffiliated, and this is now seen as something to celebrate. "If you have no religious affiliation, we're the party for you!"

Cheering Abortion

Not surprisingly, this fairly substantial group, growing by the year, holds to strongly liberal social views, especially when it comes to abortion and same-sex "marriage." And this, in particular, is something praised by the Democrats. "If you support LGBT activism and stand for abortion, we're the party for you!"

As noted by a Pew Forum poll, "About three-quarters of white evangelical Protestants (77%) think abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.

"By contrast, 83% of religiously unaffiliated Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, as do nearly two-thirds of black Protestants (64%), six-in-ten white mainline Protestants (60%) and a slim majority of Catholics (56%)."

This is a strikingly high number: 83 percent. It looks like lack of religious affiliation deeply affects one's views of the sanctity of life, beginning in the womb.

Booing Those With Traditional Values

The DNC resolution states that "the nonreligious have often been subjected to unfair bias and exclusion in American society, particularly in the areas of politics and policy-making where assumptions of religiosity have long predominated."

This, of course, is ironic, since there has been an increasing attack on religious beliefs in America in recent decades, from the courts to the universities and beyond. Are the non-religious really being "subjected to unfair bias and exclusion in American society, particularly in the areas of politics and policymaking?"

The resolution also states that "those most loudly claiming that morals, values, and patriotism must be defined by their particular religious views have used those religious views, with misplaced claims of 'religious liberty,' to justify public policy that has threatened the civil rights and liberties of many Americans, including but not limited to the LGBT community, women, and ethnic and religious/nonreligious minorities."

So, in contrast with conservative evangelicals, who are branded as religious hypocrites and who are abusing their religious power, it is the religiously non-affiliated who hold to ethical values and truly care about all Americans.

Of course, it is good strategy for the Democrats to make such an explicit appeal to this substantial voting bloc. And it appears that the values of the religiously non-affiliated are much closer to the those of the DNC than the RNC. And, without question, there is some hypocrisy among those of us on the conservative evangelical side, which the DNC wants to highlight. (No group has a monopoly on hypocrisy. It affects all groups on all sides.)

But it is still quite enlightening to see how lack of religious affiliation (which does not theoretically mean lack of faith but simply lack of affiliation) does impact one's worldview, as it appears that lack of religious affiliation means lack of connection to biblical mores.

Obama Faith Adviser Calls the DNC Resolution "Stupid"

Still, not everyone on the Democrat side thinks that the DNC's resolution was wise. According to Michael Wear, who previously served as a faith adviser to President Obama, the DNC's resolution is "stupid on a fundamental level that transcends electoral politics."

Given that the resolution will be used as further evidence that the Democrat Party is the God-less party, Wear could well be right.

What is undeniable, though, is this. The militantly pro-abortion, pro-LGBT activism party is the party of those without religious affiliation.

This makes perfect sense.

Back to School: Islamist Indoctrination for U.S. Kids?
Sep 4th, 2019
CommentarySARAH BANDUJO/CLARION PROJECT
Categories: Contemporary Issues

The new school year is upon us and Access Islam, a program backed by the Department of Education, is under fire again after being accused of being an Islamist indoctrination program.

This program claims to educate school children about religious diversity, but it is specifically geared toward Islam.

Children in grades 5 through 12 are required to learn about the Five Pillars of Islam then asked to make posters about them, read and interpret Islamic scripture from the Quran and provide examples on how Muslims implement these lessons into their everyday lives.

In Virginia, students in the program were required to copy the shahada, the Muslim declaration of faith, which declares, "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."

In New York, students were shown videos of Islamic terrorists justifying their attacks against Israelis.

In Massachusetts, students were given reading materials funded by Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, which advocates for "Palestine." While these textbooks were being used in schools, there was a rise in the amount of anti-Semitic acts committed.

It should be noted that the U.S. Department of Education backing Access Islam contradicts the United States' stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The United States has shown public support for Israel and does not recognize a country called "Palestine." How can the U.S. publicly support Israel while simultaneously support anti-Israel ideologies being taught in its public schools?

There is a certain point where education transforms into indoctrination, in this case, Islamist indoctrination. Many people have accused Access Islam of crossing this line, based on the fact that no other religion is taught this thoroughly, if at all, in American public schools and with no critical eye.

In fact, no other religious program of this scale has been backed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Moreover, in states where the program is taught, it is not offered as an elective course, but rather a required subject. The program is not even taught in religious studies classes (which most American public schools do not offer).

Students encounter Access Islam lesson in their mandatory classes, such as history and geography.

There have been multiple cases of parents requesting that their child receive an alternative assignment, but their requests have been refused. 

Children are told they will receive a failing grade if they do not complete the Access Islam assignments.

There has been a nationwide outrage against this program in recent years and with a new school year about to start, it is important to get all the facts out.

Access Islam is more of an Islamist indoctrination program than an educational program. It lacks the objectivity required to legally implement a program of this manner in our public schools.

Abraham Separated from Lot Pt.1
Sep 4th, 2019
Morning MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Commentary;Inspirational;Book Study

"Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me. If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or, if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." --Genesis 13:9.

In our last, we saw something of the original stuff of which God makes His saints. By nature Abraham was not superior to the general run of Orientals, who do not hesitate to lie, in order to gain a point or to avert a disaster. Compared with an average Englishman, Abraham would have come off a bad second. The faith which one day was to do business in the ocean waves could not swim across a tiny creek. It is hard to imagine such a man would ever arrive at a stature of moral greatness so commanding as to overtop all his contemporaries, and look across the ages to see the day of Christ. Yet so it was. And from that thought we may take courage.

Our God does not need noble characters, as the ground-work of His masterpieces. He can raise up stones as children. He can turn thorns into fir trees, briars into myrtle trees. He can take fishermen from their nets, and publicans from their toll-booths, making them into evangelists, apostles, and martyrs. We are not much by nature -- wild, bad blood may be flowing in our veins; but God will be the more magnified, if from such stones He can raise up children unto Abraham. The miracle of His grace and power will bring more conspicuous glory to His holy Name, in proportion to the unpromising character of the materials on which He works.

"Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south."

Very marvelous this! Judging as men, we might have thought that he would never recover from that sad mistake, that disastrous failure and sin. Surely he will reap as he has sown! He will never see his faithful wife again, but must bear for ever on his conscience the brand of coward treachery! Or if, indeed, she be given again to him, he will never extricate himself from the meshes into which he has thrown himself! Irritated and deceived, Pharaoh will surely find some method of avenging the wrong with which the foreigner has repaid his generous hospitality!

But no. Contrary to all human anticipation, Jehovah appears on the behalf of his most unworthy servant. In after-years the Psalmist gives us the very words, which He uttered in the heart of the king: "Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm" (Psalm 55:15). What a marvel of tenderness! God does not cast us away for one sin. "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him" (Psalm 53:10-11). And thus, notwithstanding repeated falls and shortcomings, He lovingly pursues His Divine purpose with the soul in which the "root of the matter" is found, until He sets it free from its clinging evils, and lifts it into the life of faith, and power, and familiar friendship with Himself. "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, then the Lord shall be a light unto me" (Micah 7:8). F. B. Meyer