If you are paying attention to life and events around our nation and world, it is clear, something is coming. Something uncomfortable … unpleasant … uninvited. Are you prepared?
I am not necessarily talking about stockpiling food & water, although there is no harm in that type of preparation. I’m more concerned with a general attitude.
9 Proclaim this among the nations:
Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men!
Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up!
10 Beat your plowshares into swords
And your pruning hooks into spears;
Let the weak say, “I am a mighty man.”
Some might have heard of the new film in theaters at the writing of this, War Room. This is the preparation I speak of. This is the greatest weapon believers have against the riding tide of selfishness and lawlessness.
Prayer. I am not talking about “bless me” prayers, but prayer that is violent against all that stands against our God and Creator. (Eph 6:10-20, Matt 11:12) We have been silent and ineffectual long enough! There is a time to turn the other cheek, but now is the time to take a stand, as unpopular or politically incorrect as it may be. It is God we should be concerned with pleasing, not man.
As we approach a turning point election, I challenge all people of faith to pray against the surge of evil that challenges traditional Biblical values in our nation and work diligently together to stem the attack on our families, our faith, and our freedoms, for the sake of our children and the children of the nations!
Man on the TV’s gone insane, everybody’s just laughing
People ‘cross the world holding on
The earth caved in, the ocean came down crashing
My neighbor lost his house ’cause he can’t find a job
Don’t you dare pledge allegiance, don’t you dare speak of God
Speak of God
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
“If it weren’t for a shamelessly dishonest, hyper-protective liberal media, the American people would know, unanimously and without doubt, that Obamanomics is killing American jobs. There is no silver lining in the December jobs numbers.
Experts and analysts were expecting this latest jobs report, released Friday, to show 200,000 new payroll jobs in December, but there were only 74,000, which is 37 percent of the goal. Not 90 percent, not 80, not 70, not even 50 percent. Just 37 percent.
If these abominable numbers had occurred under George W. Bush’s watch, the GOP would have had hell to pay for decades. But liberal presidents always get a pass in the form of wildly far-fetched excuses and rationalizations for their failed policies.
Attentive minds, however, will not be fooled. As the liberal media live by the dishonest rationalization, so they must die by it, as well. With the help of sympathetic economists, they have been whitewashing Obama’s perennially anemic economy as being in “recovery” for 52 months now.” Read MORE
♫ “That’s Why I Pray” ♫
Now I’m begging for forgiveness
I wanna make a difference even in the smallest way
I’m only one person, but I can feel it working
I believe in better days
That’s why I pray
Some stupid video posted as a joke, somebody’s life gets ruined
Out of everything we can create
Where is the cure to keep the sick from losing
Babies having babies ’cause their parents are always gone
Somehow we have forgotten how to make a house a home
How to make a house a home
Oh! Oh! Yeah! Yeah!
Seems “bullying” is in the news every week as either a teen commits suicide or a politician uses “bullying” language in reference to an opponent or opposition party. If “bullying” is defined as someone acting loudly arrogant and overbearing, then many in the headlines fall into that category. Problem is, we, as adults, are teaching our kids how to bully and when to bully, and it starts in the White House! Until we, as adults, remember we are all Americans & we all have a voice, our kids will pay the price for our bigotry.
“On December 4, 2013 Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.5-million member American Federation of Teachers (AFT), spoke on C-Span about bullying, particularly of gay students. Ms. Weingarten said, with surprise in her voice, that she doesn’t understand why gay students are still bullied in public schools, because in 2013, “It’s cool to be gay.” She also said she is gay, and now speaks about it openly.
As a psychotherapist, I tell clients that being surprised by another person’s behavior often results from erroneous assumptions about the person, usually because you see them as you want them to be rather than as they are. As Ms. Weingarten talked about the love that not only dares speak its name but never shuts its yap, I imagined how it would sound if a heterosexual male schoolteacher said, “The way I do sex is cool.” Read MORE
♫ “That’s Why I Pray” ♫
I’m begging for forgiveness, I wanna make a difference
Even in the smallest way
I’m only one person, but I can feel it working
I believe in better days
That’s why I pray, yeah
That’s why I pray, yeah
These demons from my past haunt me every night
And I just can’t get through it
If I could forget them on my own, I’ll let go and just move on
But heaven knows I am only human
Politicians have chosen to make firearms an issue in place of the more controversial issue of Mental illness. In doing so, they totally miss the point in an attempt to distract the public and give a semblance of “taking action!” We, as Americans, must demand better! Our streets are littered with people … human beings who have lost their way by means of mental illness, not to be confused with substance abuse!
After every mass shooting, I write a variant of the same column. Perhaps I’ll republish this one when the next attack happens.
The increase in mass shootings over the course of the past several decades is not imaginary. In 2000, The New York Times analyzed 100 mass shootings between 1949 and 1999 and found that 73 of them had happened since 1990. Since 2000, according to Mother Jones magazine, there have been 33 more, including the recent massacre at the Navy Yard. The majority of the killers have untreated mental illness. Read MORE
♫ “That’s Why I Pray” ♫
And that’s why I pray, yeah yeah
That’s why I pray, I pray, I pray, I pray
Yes I’m begging for forgiveness (I’m begging for forgiveness)
I just wanna make a difference (Just wanna make a difference)
I believe (I believe) in better days
That’s why I pray
As we come into the Holiday Season, we must understand that many of our neighbors are financially and/or emotionally stretched beyond their means. Others will run up extravagant credit card bills to lavish their loved ones with “stuff” that will be trashed or discarded within a month. Across the nation, food banks are struggling to keep their shelves stocked for the genuinely needy. Homeless shelters see the weather turning colder and more desperate people in need of shelter. Of course, there are those among us who abuse the system and drain our resources, but that doesn’t negate the true need that exists.
It is my contention that we are ALL people of faith … the question is in what or Whom do we put our faith? It is not up to me to decide, nor is it up to me to sit in judgment! It is up to you and me to CARE about our neighbors! Can we DO this, or are we too ruined by fear and suspicion?
caring …
Years ago, before 9/11 … before the nation went crazy, we knew our neighbors. Our children played together. We got to know different family and cultural traditions through people we lived next to and worked with. It made us richer human beings. Jews, Christians, and Catholics all living together, sharing “American Life!” Germans, Irish, Ethiopian, Chinese, Argentinian, Ukraine, Nigerian, Cuban … it didn’t matter where we came from. We were all AMERICANS. We still are!!!
Listed below is a short list of some of my favorite organizations that help our NEIGHBORS. Maybe if we all added our NEIGHBORS to our Christmas/Chanakah list, we’d appreciate the season more?
Be creative! Get acquainted with NEIGHBORS. We don’t have to be best friends, but we all have something to share with one another! DONATE to one of the organizations listed above, or one of your choice, and help bridge the gap for those in need.
God asks us – and commands us – in I Timothy 2:1-2 and Romans 13 to pray for our nation and its leaders. This boldness in prayer isn’t just about asking God for big things, but stepping out and trusting Him in faith, despite how impossible circumstances may seem. We can make a difference in America by praying bold prayers…prayers with answers that are only possible by God.
It’s our purpose as a ministry to use all of our available resources to mobilize an army of prayer warriors, people – like you – who unashamedly proclaim: “We Pray For America.”
In keeping with this purpose, we’re introducing a new BOLD (Beside Our Leaders Daily) prayer initiative for impacting America’s leaders. “We the People” will be the largest and most valiant prayer campaign we’ve ever undertaken as the largest fulltime prayer movement for our nation. During the final six months of 2013, we’ll be giving you focused and specific prayer direction and information on the highest positions within our government. Each day we’ll move office-by-office and department-by-department — from the Administration, Congress, the judiciary, and our military — praying for those individuals within our government who shape the course of this great nation.
As part of this “boots-on-the-ground” approach, we’ll also let each leader know that hundreds of thousands of people will be praying for them as they work and possibly make important decisions about our country’s future.
Your bold prayers and faith represent the same kind of courage that launched our great nation 237 years ago and that has sustained us through wars, economic downturns and terrorist attacks.
This bold plan to inspire millions of Americans to pray for their leaders has received some significant financial help by several friends of this ministry. But, they recognize that their giving alone is not enough to underwrite the entire cost of this intensive six month campaign. So, we are asking for your prayerful, bold financial help. They have graciously offered to match dollar-for-dollar any gift of $25 or more given now, or promised through December 31. But, we must know of your faith-giving plans before midnight on July 4.
That’s right – ALL your financial gifts of $25 or more for the rest of this year will be doubled. Starting NOW … any gift received by July 4th and your monthly faith commitments will be doubled as you give each month until the end of the year. The deadline to give now or indicate your faith promise is midnight on July 4th.
In I Samuel 2:30, God promises to honor a people and nation that honor him, so let’s keep praying. We believe that the recent scandals coming out of our nation’s capital are just one way God is answering the prayers of our members to “bring to light” the wrongs and deceptions in our government. We thank you for your generous support and for being among those who boldly proclaim: “We Pray For America.”
Only a fool has said in his heart there is no God! (Psalm 14:1 & 53:1)
America is in trouble, really big trouble. For decades, the “good” people of this nation slept and trusted our elected officials to take care of business properly. Ooops! We goofed! With increased power and decreased accountability, corrupt human nature took over. Washington DC is now occupied, and it might as well be by a foreign entity. The men and women who are charged with the responsibility to lead our nation have failed and turned us away from our heritage, away from the ideals and practices that made the US the most prosperous, most creative, most inventive, most satisfied people on earth. The way back to the Constitution, the only viable stable ground, is virtually impossible to reach simply because of the extent of the corruption and the depth of our overindulged and pampered population.
So … do we throw in the towel? Give up? HECK NO! As an old rock band used to sing, “It’s time to get on our knees and fight like men!” (and women!)
As our nation’s Founders designed their plan for a more perfect union, they understood that the success of a modern republic would require more than a political document like the Constitution. From their study of history, the Founders had learned of the pitfalls of republics before this one. They concluded that even the Constitution alone could not curb individual selfishness. They believed that virtues were necessary for sustaining the American experiment. Their fervent prayers were an integral part of the birth of our nation.
In fact, during the process, when the men were at an impass in the writing of the Constitution, it was Dr. Benjamin Franklin, (not the most devout Christian in the group!) that suggested they all pray for God’s guidance.
I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move — that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.
Pray for President Obama as he prepares to more fully lay out his agenda in next month’s State of the Union address. Pray he will seek to serve the needs of the nation.
Pray For Congressional Leaders
Senator Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia) said the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will likely hold hearings on the problems plaguing the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner,” after its grounding by the FAA.
Representative Paul Broun (Georgia) is moving rapidly to assume Texas Congressman Ron Paul’s mantle, beginning with pressuring lawmakers to get a tighter grip on the Federal Reserve. He believes support is growing.
Pray for the new Congress as it sets out its legislative agenda for the year, especially on debt ceiling and spending.
Pray For Judicial Needs:
The U.S. Supreme Court dashed a Chicago-area atheist’s final legal bid to challenge the use of state funds to renovate a towering cross in Southern Illinois known as the Bald Knob Cross. The Court did not comment on its decision.
A federal appeals court upheld a controversial Wisconsin law that restricts the power of public sector unions, the passage of which sparked the unsuccessful effort last summer to remove Governor Scott Walker.
Pray for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court who will be taking up same-sex marriage issues this spring.
Current Events
WARS AND TERRORISM
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delivered a newly completed Afghan Uniformed Police District Headquarters in Herat Province to Afghan authorities. The structure was built by Afghan contractors under U.S. supervision.
Afghan officials say a suicide squad launched an eight-hour assault in the capital on traffic police headquarters, killing three police officers. Authorities say all five attackers were killed in the offensive in Kabul.
Pray about the Taliban’s intention destroying facilities such as police headquarters and killing civil officers.
FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS
Several Egyptian members of the squad of militants that lay bloody siege to the Algerian gas complex last week also took part in the deadly attack on the U.S. Mission in Benghazi, Libya, a senior Algerian official reported.
The broader challenges the U.S. and its allies face in confronting terrorist cells that have taken up sanctuary across northern Africa was brought into focus by the bloody hostage crisis in Algeria.
Pray about the increasing levels of Islamist militant attacks in the African continent and level of U.S. response.
THE ECONOMY
Nearly half of eligible ex-service members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are snubbing free federal healthcare they earned in uniform because many harbor “huge distrust” of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Even though much has changed over the past four years, the un-employment rate is the same today as it was when President Obama first assumed office in 2009. The current reported rate is 7.8 percent; some believe it is higher.
Pray for our ex-service members, many of whom count themselves among America’s unemployed.
ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies were sharply weakened in election results Tuesday, pushing him to try to form a coalition government with his opponents that stands to be more moderate but less stable.
The Palestinian Authority Wednesday said it would deal with any Israeli government that abides by UN resolutions calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state with the pre-1967 lines and Jerusalem as its capital.
Pray for the strength and resolve of the new government that Prime Minister Netanyahu must now assemble.
HEALTH CARE
Millions of low-income people could be required to pay more for health care under a proposed federal policy that would give states more freedom to impose co-payments and other charges on Medicaid patients.
The next edition of psychiatry’s diagnostic manual will include a listing for Internet-Use Disorder as a condition worth studying. Excessive internet use is a “drug” to the new generation, some claim.
Pray about ever-escalating costs of medical care, and for America’s youth in the Facebook and Twitter culture.
Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
Barak: Israeli, U.S. positions on 1967 lines not contradictory
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Have you looked at a map of Israel? Have you noticed they are surrounded on all sides but the sea side by lethal enemies that desire to wipe Israel off the map? Can you imagine living like that day after day, year after year?
(“Yahveh (Adonai) bless you and keep you. Yahveh make His face to shine upon you & be gracious unto you. Yahveh lift up His face upon you & give you peace”.) Num. 6:22-26 (Aaronic Blessing)
