Join Us in Prayer for our Nation, our Leaders and Topics of Concern for 6/27/14 - 7/3/14

  Pray for our Nation     

Censored Speech Are universities intolerant of conservative opinions? by Diann Noles Are America’s universities still a place of thoughtful debate, where even opposing ideas are thoroughly examined and discussed? Or, have they become hotbeds of intolerance and small-mindedness – today’s version of McCarthyism? The latter is what many – including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg – fear is happening. In his recent commencement speech at Harvard University, Bloomberg warned that the current ultra-liberal climate is detrimental to America’s educational future. At universities across America, “The forces of repression appear to be stronger now than they have been since the 1950s,” Bloomberg said. “You have to wonder whether students are being exposed to the diversity of views that a university should offer.” Telling students not to “major in intolerance,” Bloomberg compared the academic climate to that of Washington, D.C. politics where the extreme difference in ideology between liberals and conservatives is causing gridlock on many different issues. “Today, on many campuses, it is liberals trying to repress conservative ideas, even as conservative faculty members are at risk of becoming an endangered species,” Bloomberg said. He referenced a number of high-profile conservative speakers – including former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice – who either were forced to withdraw from commencement speaking engagements, or were uninvited. “In each case, liberals silenced a voice and denied an honorary degree to individuals they deemed politically objectionable,” Bloomberg said.     Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest comes to the job of White House Press Secretary with a reputation for Midwestern affability and a style of relating to the media that’s more honey and less vinegar. Earnest officially becomes White House PressSsecretary this week after several years as the Chief Deputy, but he planned to take over the daily briefing – the most prominent and high-stakes part of the job – last Friday.  Kevin McCarthy, U.S. Representative for California House Republicans reshaped their leadership team last week, promoting Representative Kevin McCarthy of California to Majority Leader, following the surprise primary defeat of Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia. The party picked conservative Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana to replace McCarthy as Majority Whip and complete the shake-up resulting from Cantor’s defeat.  Major General Garrett Harencak, USAF, Assistant Chief of Staff A senior Air Force general made an appeal Tuesday for building a new long-range strategic bomber that he said is urgently needed to replace the aging bomber fleet. “We need to actually have an unemotional debate about what’s going on and how we need to modernize, and how we need to protect America from its only existential threat,” Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak said during a defense industry breakfast on Capitol Hill.  Justice Antonin Scalia, United States Supreme Court The Supreme Court delivered a setback to the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday, placing limits on the sole Obama administration program already in place to deal with power plant and factory emissions of gases blamed for global warming. The decision does not affect recent and highly controversial EPA proposals to set the first-ever national standards for new and existing power plants. One recent proposal would aim for a 30 percent emissions reduction by 2030.  Forgotten Freedoms Iraq’s greatest tragedy by Jim Ray A naïve letter of advice, addressed to General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, arrived at General Headquarters in Tokyo in late December, 1945. “I am a member of the Japan Communist Party,” began the correspondence from concerned citizen Kumao Tokuheo. “No one but we Communist Party members can crush the obstinate believers in the emperor system, the imperialists, and the thieving war-lovers, and truly lead Japan to democratic nationhood.” Mr. Tokuheo would find out that MacArthur did not have a benevolent view of the Communist Party, which was soon taken down by the General. Having personally fought two World Wars, he was desirous of avoiding a third. Almost 70 years later, democracy lives on in Japan. Is there a lesson in America’s post-World War II strategy? Just a few short years after U.S. troops pulled up stakes, Iraq is now exploding in violence. Christians in particular are suffering and dying at the hands of Islamic extremists. Many are questioning now whether the sacrifices there were all for naught. Why has everything gone wrong? Arguments abound as to whether U.S. intervention in Iraq was justified. Blame-mongering has been apportioned among numerous presidents, but one thing is clear: American policy in Iraq has been an all-around disaster for Christian liberty. In the late 1980s, there were 1.4 million Christians in Iraq. Now there are fewer than 300,000, and many of those remaining are fleeing or in hiding. The radical group ISIS has overrun much of the country, terrorizing Christians and forcing them to embrace Islam … or be killed.     Passing the Plate A new motivational method by Holly L. Meade There is one word that can make pastors sweat in the pulpit and church attendees squirm in their seats: tithing. There are an estimated ten million Christians in the U.S. who tithe more than 50 billion dollars annually, according to the annual State of the Plate report. The fifth annual study reveals that 97 percent of church attendees make giving to their local church a priority and 63 percent started tithing between their childhood and their twenties. It also found that 70 percent give based on their gross income and 77 percent give more than ten percent. Studies show that the finances of Christians who give ten percent or more of their income to churches and charities are generally healthier than the finances of those who do not. However, church attendees who tithe consist of between five and 20 percent of the givers in a typical congregation, yet they donate 50 to 80 percent of the money. Among non-tithing Christians who struggle to give, 38 percent say it‘s because they can‘t afford it, 33 percent say they have too much debt and 18 percent say their spouse doesn‘t agree with tithing. Brian Kluth, founder of Maximum Generosity, says, “We‘re in the midst of a 40-year decline in the percentage that Christians give and we need to see a generosity movement in America, that Christians re-embrace generosity as a spiritual value, but not for the sake of the church budget, but because of the Bible. Without this group of givers, most churches would cease to exist within months.”    Following a meeting with senior Kurdish officials, Secretary of State John Kerry said Kurdish forces have been crucial in slowing the expansion of ISIS in Iraq. Kurds make up about 20% of Iraq’s population. Vice President Joe Biden said that protecting gay rights around the world, including the U.S., trumps cultural and social traditions and is the “defining mark of a civilized nation.” Pray for President Obama and his advisers as they determine priorities for their next two years in office. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) reignited a Senate floor battle of the Keystone XL pipeline, urging a floor vote, and he was promptly rebuffed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nevada). House Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) is considering bringing a lawsuit against President Obama over his high use of executive orders that overstep Congressional authority. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, “There’s no there there.” Pray for the leadership in both Houses of Congress to find bipartisan cooperation as the mid-arm elections draw near. The Supreme Court ruled that the TV company Aero is illegal, delivering a huge victory to broadcasters who warned the Aero service could destroy their industry by rebroadcasting programming without paying any fees. The U.S. Government’s no-fly list barring people accused of links to terrorism from commercial flights violates their constitutional rights because it gives them no meaningful way to contest the decision based on internal security. Pray for the Supreme Court Justices as they conclude the current session with the issuance of major rulings. THE WARS The first 150 of 300 Special Forces deployed by President Obama to aid the Iraqi military in its defense against Sunni militant forces has arrived in Baghdad to establish a strategic base in the city. President Obama has nominated Army General John Campbell to command U.S. and NATO Forces in Afghanistan after former Commander General Joseph Dunford was appointed Marine Commandant. Pray for God’s protection over America’s military men and women wherever they are deployed. TERRORISM About 20,000 people (majority Christians) are trapped in 16 communities in Central African Republic because if they leave they may be attacked by Muslim extremists, and they fear a total genocidal wipe-out of non-Muslims there. The tenuous cease-fire in Ukraine is on the verge of collapse after pro-Russian rebels shot down a military helicopter with a heat-seeking missile near a separatist stronghold, although Russian President Putin urged cease fire agreement. Pray about the formerly peaceful regions that are now being subjected to violence from minority groups. THE ECONOMY The Commerce Department reports America’s economy shrank at a drastic 2.9 percent annual rate in the first quarter, a far more alarming picture in the two previous government estimates – one of which actually showed modest growth. New home sales went up in May, but the gains simply put the market back on track to match last year’s overall pace rather than signaling a significant gain in momentum. Pray about America’s continued sluggish economy and the millions who remain unemployed. ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST Palestinian support for a two-state solution with Israel has dropped below 30 percent, according to a new poll, with 68 percent saying Palestine should reclaim its area “from the river to the sea” – in other words, eliminate Israel. Israel’s IDF Chief of Staff said the military is “still operating on the working assumption that the three Israeli teenagers kidnapped in the West Bank are still alive, but with the passing of time, fears grow.” Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:6) HEALTH CARE “Invincible,” young healthy Americans, have not enrolled in the ObamaCare exchanges so much as have young, chronically ill men and women with serious, and often very costly, medical problems. 3-D mammography, the taking of many X-ray images to create a dimensional result, appears to improve detection rates for breast cancer. Millions of women will get that test this year; but for others, it is still a far-away procedure. Pray about health care insurance premium increases, and the new diagnostic technologies that add to medical costs. Major Compassion For Minor Immigrants Flood of refugees causes southern border mess by Diane Markins The news media is buzzing with reports of immigrants entering the United States illegally and being shuffled around the country. From October 2013 to the end of May 2014, 162,000 people from a wide array of countries other than Mexico have entered the United States across the southern border. That’s almost 100 percent more than the previous year. A large majority of American citizens are in favor of securing the borders. “If we don‘t send the message that they can’t just come in and stay here, it‘s gonna continue, this wave of humanity,” says Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar. Among those coming were more than 47,000 unaccompanied children, sent by family in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador or Nicaragua to join relatives in the United States. Under U.S. law, children and families with small children will not be deported immediately, resulting in a massive undertaking for the U.S. Border Patrol.  Tell It To Us Tuesday Results for the Survey on the Sanctity of Marriage in America We asked for your opinion in this week’s Tell It To Us Tuesday – and you responded! Thank you. This week’s survey had more respondents than the other surveys to date. Here are the results. We’ll repeat the statement, and set out the percentages: Traditional marriage is gone. Accept it and move on. 90.8% strongly disagreed with this statement, and another 4.7% somewhat disagreed. Those who somewhat agreed were 2.1%; those strongly agreeing, 2.0%, and neutral .4%. No one has the right to force his or her morals on anyone else. [This statement is often cited by proponents of same-gender marriage. We apologize that it seemed confusing or ambiguous to many.-Editor] 34.8% strongly agreed, 18.4% somewhat agreed. Those who somewhat disagreed were 19.7% and who strongly disagreed, 17.7%. Neutral or of no opinion - 9.4%.   All prayer requests are made directly from our Presidential Prayer Leader.  We ask you all to pray for our leaders as the scripture says.  1 Timothy 2:1-3 (KJV)   1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Our weekly bible study will begin July 1, 2014 Topic: The Baptism of the Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit Join us, by clicking on the link below.   Churches, Bible Study groups, etc., that would like Evangelist Waters to speak at your church, bible study, conference, women’s ministry, special program, etc.  Please contact Minister Waters on her website listed below, on the  “Speaking Engagements Page”.   Contact Evangelist Waters: www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistries.com  Follow my Bible Study Blog: www.PureGoldMinistries.blogspot.com  Follow the Weekly Prayer Blog: www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistriesPrayer.blogspot.com

Join Us in Prayer for our Nation, our Leaders and Topics of Concern for 6/20/14 - 6/26/14

Pray for our Nation

 

 

The Battle That Wasn’t   Breaking the “War on Women” Myth by By Carol Hatcher “The war against women” – it’s a phrase often tossed around in the political realm. What does it really mean? The first use of this phrase was by radical feminist Andrea Dworkin in 1989. She used it in the introduction to a book, but later took that writing and more like it, compiling them in a volume called Life and Death: Unapologetic Writings on the Continuing War Against Women. The phrase has gained popularity and now the “war” typically refers to programs dealing with sex, pregnancy, contraception, or abortion. The terminology has been used in reference to many Republican policies. The idea has as much to do with slandering a political group as promoting rights for the women it references. For example, when Pro-Life supporters rallied to stop abortions, specifically late-term abortions, it was deemed a “war on women.” Those from the Pro-Choice side said not allowing abortions took away women’s freedom with their bodies, therefore making it a “war.” Valerie Huber, president and CEO of the National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA), recently spoke of the policy most currently under attack – abstinence education. Here are some examples of some recent newspaper headlines: Teaching Abstinence Only is a War on Women and Sex, Lies and Stereotypes: How Abstinence Only Programs Harms Women and Girls. Huber gave a talk at the Family Research Council (FRC) entitled, “Collateral damage in the ‘war on women’ debate: Sexual risk avoidance education caught in the crosshairs.”

 

R. Gil Kerlikowske, Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection The head of internal affairs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the federal government‘s largest law enforcement workforce, was removed from his post amid criticism that he failed to investigate hundreds of allegations of inappropriate use of force by armed border agents, officials said. James F. Tomsheck had been responsible since 2006 for rooting out misconduct and corruption among the 60,000 border agents, port officers and other officials in Customs and Border Protection, the parent agency of the Border Patrol. He has been shifted to a temporary assignment.

 

Tim Kaine, United States Senator from Virginia Senator Tim Kaine said that the situation in Iraq is “very dire” and urged the Obama Administration to present a plan to Congress “very soon.” The Virginia Senator said, “The way we ought to do this here in Washington is that the president should put a plan on the table and make a suggestion to Congress about what we should do,” adding that Congress and the White House underwent such a process last summer with Syria.

 

Vice Admiral James D. Syring, USN, Director, Missile Defense Agency Critical upcoming flight tests, progress worldwide, growing missile proliferation and cybersecurity were among the topics Navy Vice Admiral. James D. Syring discussed before a Senate panel. The Missile Defense Agency Director testified before the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee on the agency’s budget request for fiscal year 2015.

 

Judge Andrew S. Hanen, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas “[The government] has simply chosen not to enforce the United States’ border security laws,” wrote U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Brownsville, Texas, blasting authorities for releasing a Salvadoran girl to her mother, who hired a smuggler to transport her daughter and was in the country illegally.

 

First Amendment Assault   Senators move to curtail political speech spending by Dave Ficere “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” —1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution The right to free speech is one of the bedrock freedoms that has brought millions of immigrants to America’s shores for more than two centuries. It has survived countless communication evolutions that have taken the nation from the quill pen and parchment paper to laptop computers, Smartphones and Twitter hashtags. It is a freedom that millions have fought and died for from Omaha Beach to the shores of Tripoli; from the rice paddies of Vietnam to the mountains of Afghanistan. But today, that freedom of speech is threatened, not by a foreign power, but by some walking the halls of the United States Congress. Frustrated by the Supreme Court’s consistent defense of political speech, most recently exhibited in the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case, a group of 41 Senators is backing an amendment proposed by New Mexico Democrat Tom Udall that would amend the Constitution to allow Congress to limit fundraising and spending on political speech.

 

Rose Colored Reading Glasses   Rose Colored Reading Glasses by Louie Christensen A Gallop poll conducted between May 8 and 11 of this year found that 28 percent of Americans consider the Bible to be the true word of God that should be taken literally. The poll also found that 47 percent of people consider the Bible to be connected to God, but that it shouldn’t be taken literally. Both results are two percent lower than the last time Gallop asked the question in 2011. Is this the beginning of the end of Christianity? No, not really. Questioning the legitimacy of scripture isn’t a new thing; it’s been happening since…well, since before scripture was even considered scripture. Sunday school has been scriptures biggest trip-fall. While Sunday school lays a great foundation for believers to build their faith upon, it also portrays the Bible in an almost mythological story structure. Everyone has beards, wildly imaginative and colorful things happen, and the main characters become pseudo-gods akin to an Achilles or Hercules. While this may be the easiest way to teach the subject matter to children, it does cause some riffs in the general understanding of what was really happening in biblical times. What’s your opinion of Benjamin Franklin? Is he a treasured, but slightly corky, forefather that should be considered a national hero? But, that isn’t the truth. He remained a loyalist until surprisingly late in the American revolution, but wasn’t trusted to write the final draft of the founding documents. Through the rose-colored glasses of history, the world does not remember him for his shortfalls. This same selective-history is what the church uses when looking back on the early church.   President Obama is considering a targeted, highly selective campaign of airstrikes against Sunni militants in Iraq similar to counterterrorism operations in Yemen, rather than the bombardment of a widespread air war. Vice President Joe Biden is extending his planned trip to Latin America this week in order to convene a high-level meeting in the region to address the massive surge of children crossing the U.S. border through Mexico. Pray that President Obama and Vice President Biden would seek God’s wisdom on immigration and Iraq.   Representatives Ed Royce (California) and Elliot Engle (New York) are collecting signatures on a letter to President Obama urging him to work with Congress before agreeing to any final deal with Iran on its nuclear program. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) is planning an amendment to an upcoming spending bill that could put the brakes on the EPA’s planned regulations on carbon emissions from existing coal-fired power plants. Pray for a more bipartisan spirit of cooperation even though this is a mid-term election year.   The Global Catholic Television Network (EWTN) has been denied protection from the ObamaCare contraception mandate by an Alabama District Judge. EWTN plans to appeal to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, set to review same-sex marriage cases from each of the four states in its geographical area, will consider all four before the same three-judge panel in August. Pray for the judges of the Appeals Courts as they rule on cases that involve religious freedom and individual rights.   THE WARS Less than 48 hours after a runoff election to choose the next President of Afghanistan, the first signs of a looming political crisis emerged, with the campaign of Abdullah Abdullah claiming ballot-stuffing fraud. Afghan security forces report they have killed two Taliban insurgents accused of cutting off the ink-stained fingers of a group of elders who voted in the presidential election and condemning the elderly men for their “Western ways.” Pray that the right agreement for U.S. force remaining can be made to avoid calamity like that occurring in Iraq. TERRORISM Syrian and Iraqi terrorist forces obtained significant numbers of tanks, trucks and U.S.-origin Humvees in recent military operations in Iraq and are shipping them to al-Qaeda rebels inside Syria, according to U.S. officials. A three-pronged wave of cyber-attacks aimed at wrecking Ukraine’s presidential vote – including an attempt to fake computer vote totals – has been blamed on Russian interference, a warning shot for future U.S. elections. Pray about the activities of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and about the need for greater cyber security in the U.S. THE ECONOMY The number of Americans from the middle class who have been renouncing their citizenship in order to escape costly tax compliance penalties has skyrocketed in recent months – more than 1,000 in the first quarter of 2014. Consumer prices last month posted their sharpest increase in 15 months as inflation continues its recent acceleration from unusually low levels bringing core inflation (excluding food and energy) to its highest level since August 2011. Pray about the need for tax reform, and for the recovery from the Great Recession not to lead to high inflation. ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST Gaza residents are preparing for war after Israel accused Hamas of kidnapping three Israeli teens (one who also holds American citizenship), as Israeli Defense Forces sweep the West Bank and turn their attention to Gaza. The Obama Administration has joined Israel in implicating the militant group Hamas in connection with the kidnapping of the three teens, and has called the move “a despicable terrorist act.” Pray for the safe and rapid return of the three teenagers to their Israeli families. HEALTH CARE Doctors should use newer medications rather than aspirin to treat a common heart problem, according to a new report. Blood-thinning drugs like warfarin are better for those with arterial fibrillation which can increase the risk of stroke. A year after ObamaCare gave young adults the right to stay on their parents insurance plans, more of them reported excellent physical and mental health, one of the first definitive results seen from the healthcare overhaul. Pray for physicians and laboratories who engage in the development of pharmaceuticals.   A Tale Of Two Prisoners     Bergdahl and Tahmooressi plights challenge America’s belief systems   by Dr. Tom Askew A pair of stories in the news reveals the contrasting views embraced by contemporary figures on a wide range of political, moral, legal, philosophical, and humanitarian issues. As most Americans know, U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been released, after five years of captivity by the Taliban, in exchange for five Afghan detainees from the naval prison at Guantanamo Bay. In a response to this action by the White House, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is demanding that President Obama seek the release of Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi from a Mexican jail, where he has been held since March 31 for entering the country with several firearms. The backlash against Washington for its trade of Bergdahl for terrorists has been huge. Many are accusing Bergdahl of willful desertion, insisting that he be court-martialed, rather than receive the promotions he was awarded while in captivity. President Obama is being criticized for negotiating with terrorists and for releasing five Taliban leaders who could ultimately return to active hostility against the United States.     Foreign Policy Survey Results   Results for the Survey on America’s Foreign Policy We asked for your opinion in this week’s Tell It To Us Tuesday – and you responded! Thank you. Here are the results. We’ll repeat the statement, and set out the percentages: The perception of America’s strength and resolve is deteriorating worldwide. Those who strongly agreed were 81.9%, and who somewhat agreed, 14.4%. Only 2.3% disagreed, and 1.4% were neutral or undecided. Reducing America’s military strength enhances the balance of power around the world ensuring peace. 79.4% strongly disagreed, 10.8% somewhat disagreed, 5.9% strongly agreed, 1.9% somewhat agreed and 2.0% were neutral or of no opinion.   All prayer requests are made directly from our Presidential Prayer Leader.  We ask you all to pray for our leaders as the scripture says.  1 Timothy 2:1-3 (KJV)   1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Our weekly bible study will begin July 1, 2014 Topic: The Baptism of the Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit Join us, by clicking on the link below.   Churches, Bible Study groups, etc., that would like Evangelist Waters to speak at your church, bible study, conference, women’s ministry, special program, etc.  Please contact Minister Waters on her website listed below, on the  “Speaking Engagements Page”.   Contact Evangelist Waters: www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistries.com  Follow my Bible Study Blog: www.PureGoldMinistries.blogspot.com  Follow the Weekly Prayer Blog: www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistriesPrayer.blogspot.com