Pamela Geller posted an interesting blog piece at Bigjournalism.com that probably has not been reported widely.
Apparently, U.S. Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA) was issued a death threat by Muslim convert, Norma Leboon.
According to Geller's piece, Leboon stated in his YouTube video, "Remember Eric…our judgment time, the final Yom Kippur has been given. You are a liar, you’re a Lucifer, you’re a pig, a greedy [expletive deleted] pig. You’re an abomination. You receive my bullets in your office. Remember they will be placed in your heads. You and your children are Lucifer’s abominations."
The Washington Times published a story yesterday that is quite chilling. According to the piece, the CIA in its annual report to Congress stated, "Iran continues to develop a range of capabilities that could be applied to producing nuclear weapons, if a decision is made to do so."
The piece also noted that Iran "producing more capable medium-range ballistic missiles remains one of its highest priorities. Three test flights of a new 1,240-mile-range Sejil missile were conducted in 2009, the report said, noting that assistance from China, North Korea and Russia 'helped move Iran toward self-sufficiency in the production of ballistic missiles.'"
According to the Debkafile piece, "Scenarios of a potential Israeli attack on Iran - usually without Washington's assent - abound in leading US media in the last 24 hours....Debkafile's military sources point in particular to the work of two eminent experts on Iran's nuclear program, Anthony Cordesman and American-Jordanian Abdullah Toqan for the Washington Institute for Strategic Affairs, who report the belief in some American military circles that '…nuclear weapons are the only weapons that can destroy targets deep underground or in tunnels'… In their latest work, the two researchers find that 'Ballistic missiles or submarine-launched cruise missiles [such as those with which Israeli Dolphin submarines are armed] could serve for Israeli tactical nuclear strikes without interference from Iranian air defenses.'"
Certainly no one knows who will initiate the next clash in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, but it is for certain that the conflict is becoming a big concern to many people and it seems almost a given that the conflict will erupt into a major military battle probably sooner rather than later.
Apparently, famous tantric guru, Pandit Surender Sharma, said in a television interview that he could kill another man using his mystical powers. Skeptic, Sanal Edamaruku, answered the challenge from the guru requesting him to use his mystical powers to kill him.
According to the Times Online, "First, the master chanted mantras, then he sprinkled water on his intended victim. He brandished a knife, ruffled the sceptic’s hair and pressed his temples. But after several hours of similar antics, Mr Edamaruku was still very much alive — smiling for the cameras and taunting the furious holy man."
According to the Ynet News piece, the Scottish newspaper, The Herald, reported that "the American government signed a contract in January to transport 10 ammunition containers to the island. According to a cargo manifest from the US navy, this included 387 “Blu” bombs used for blasting hardened or underground structures."
The Ynet News piece also said, "The report quoted experts as saying that the bombs are being put in place for an assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities. According to the newspaper, although Diego Garcia is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, it is used by the US as a military base under an agreement made in 1971. The report said Superior Maritime Services, a shipping company based in Florida, , will be paid $699,500 to transport many thousands of military items from Concord, California, to Diego Garcia. The cargo includes 195 smart, guided, Blu-110 bombs and 192 massive 2000lb Blu-117 bombs, said The Herald."
Barker was a Christian and a minister for 19 years of his life until 1984 when he announced to his friends that he decided to be an atheist.
The Age piece paints a not so surprising picture of how Barker went from Christian minister to atheist activist. The piece states, "Exposure to more liberal Christians pushed him from preaching hellfire and damnation. Then, in his early 30s, he studied theology, philosophy, history and science. Slowly, his beliefs began to unravel."
Senior Pastor of Grand Avenue Baptist Church, Dr. Jeff Crawford, announced the event on his blog today saying, "For two hours, on April 11th, James Walker and Khalil Meek will go head-to-head, each sharing their story and then engaging in a point-counter point dialogue over the topic: Jesus, the Cross, and the Resurrection (remember, this is the week AFTER Easter.)We have already received word from groups within an hours driving radius that are interested in coming to this event.We will be inviting the congregations of both Islamic Centers in Fort Smith as well as the Mormon community.Needless to say, I am extremely excited that Grand will be hosting this unique event where the clear message of Jesus Christ will be proclaimed."
This could be an event that many Evangelical churches would be interested in hosting for their city.
The church has also produced a TV commercial of the event that is being broadcast on the local stations.
The UK's Guardian has an interesting story today about American Christianity. The Guardian apparently believes Osteen is the new face of Evangelical Christianity.
According to the Guardian, "Powerful politicians from both parties crave to be seen with him, just as in the past they paid homage to Billy Graham (who has endorsed Osteen). The Republican governor of Texas, Rick Perry, made sure to attend the grand opening of Lakewood in July 2005; Osteen in turn led the prayer during Perry's inauguration two years later. But Osteen doesn't pick political favourites; when Houston elected its first openly gay mayor this year (a Democrat), he said the prayer during her inauguration. The Clintons like to be seen worshipping at Lakewood when they're in town, and John McCain was happy to sing the praises of Osteen while campaigning in 2008. And while Obama is yet to pay a visit, last December he found the time to receive Osteen at the White House. These disparate and often opposed politicians recognise one thing: if anybody is the face of evangelical Christianity in America today, it is Joel Osteen."
The way the Guardian article begins, however, is most interesting. The piece says, "Forget Billy Graham and Jimmy Swaggart – the most popular and influential pastor in the US is Joel Osteen. On the surface he is modest and quietly spoken, but his belief in the 'prosperity gospel' is changing the way people pray."
It's interesting that the piece notes Osteen's Word-Faith theology because that may be something about Osteen that many people are unaware of.
In the January 23, 2006 edition of Christianity Today's Leadershipjournal.net, Emerging Church leader, Brian McLaren, made this statement in regards to whether or not homosexuality is immoral, "Perhaps we need a five-year moratorium on making pronouncements. In the meantime, we'll practice prayerful Christian dialogue, listening respectfully, disagreeing agreeably. When decisions need to be made, they'll be admittedly provisional. We'll keep our ears attuned to scholars in biblical studies, theology, ethics, psychology, genetics, sociology, and related fields. Then in five years, if we have clarity, we'll speak; if not, we'll set another five years for ongoing reflection. After all, many important issues in church history took centuries to figure out. Maybe this moratorium would help us resist the "winds of doctrine" blowing furiously from the left and right, so we can patiently wait for the wind of the Spirit to set our course."
Evidently, McLaren's 5-year moratorium is over in less than 5 years. In a piece in The Washington Post, McLaren said, "Since I come from an Evangelical background, most of my good friends sincerely and passionately hold the strict conservative view on homosexuality with which we all were raised. They can't understand why I don't stand side by side with them on this issue any more."
Sean David Morton, a self-proclaimed psychic who calls himself, "America's Prophet" was arrested recently and charged with investor fraud. Apparently, "America's Prophet" says he was able to predict stock market changes and therefore could bring a great profit to his clients.
According to the ABC News piece, Morton said, "I have called all the highs and lows of the market, giving exact dates for rises and crashes over the last 14 years." But he apparently could not foresee that the SEC was going to catch him.
Self-help guru, James Arthur Ray, famous for his involvement in the recent spiritual phenomenon known as "The Secret" was arrested on February 4 on manslaughter charges.
According to Reuters, "Police arrested self-help guru James Arthur Ray on Wednesday for the manslaughter of three people who fell ill during a ceremony in a "sweat dome" at a retreat in northern Arizona last year. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said Ray was indicted on three counts of manslaughter relating to the deaths of James Shore, Liz Neuman and Kirby Brown on October 8 following the retreat near Sedona. His bond was set at $5 million."
Debkafile reports now that Egyptian sources are saying that Israel is preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities from the Gulf and northern Iraq. The interesting thing about the story is this statement, "Some of this information was leaked in Cairo Wednesday night to Shorouk, a publication which Egyptian intelligence often uses as an outlet for information held to be credible. Shorouk was first out with the story of the Israeli Air Force attack on Iranian arms convoys in Sudan in January 2009."
CNN is reporting that Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated in a state-run Press TV interview that Iran will deliver a harsh blow to "global arrogance" on February 11.
Debkafile reports today that a massive plan to invade Israel is in place and ready to go. According to Debkafile, the plan will be led by Iran and is to be implemented by Syria, Hamas, Hezbullah and Iran's Revolutionary Guards corps. It is not clear when the plan will be set in motion, but is probably ready for a response to Israel should Israel attack Iran's nuclear installations.
The "new truth" says, "How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about 'this generation'? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation" ("The Holy Spirit's Role in the Outworking of Jehovah's Purpose",The Watchtower, April 15, 2010, p. 10).
James Walker of Watchman Fellowship has a great article on another "new truth" put forth by the Jehovah's Witnesses regarding the 1914 generation.
According to Debkafile, "The Obama administration took the unusual step Saturday night, Jan. 30, of leaking word to major US media that the United States, Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies - the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain - have accelerated the deployment of new defenses against possible Iranian missile attacks. They are preparing for Iran, or its surrogate Hizballah, to hit back for a possible US or strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities."
The Debkafile piece goes on to say, "The White House's decision to deploy additional defenses in the Gulf came only a day after National Security Adviser James Jones warned that Iran was liable to react to pressure by having its proxies Hizballah and Hamas attack Israel. The abruptness of this step pointed to the administration having woken up to the realization that its diplomatic and military position in the region was in grave jeopardy and in dire need of shoring up without delay."
Debkafile had an alarming story yesterday regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities.
According to Debkafile, "Attaining the ability to enrich uranium up to 20 percent grade brings Iran dangerously close to 'break-out' point for a nuclear weapon capability, Debkafile's intelligence sources report. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised the 'good news' would be announced during the Feb. 1-11 celebrations of the Islamic Revolution. The 'news' was the subject of an urgent cabinet meeting in Jerusalem last week."
The Debkafile piece goes on to say, "The only straight talk from any Western leader has come from French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Saturday, Jan. 23, he told visiting Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri that France has evidence Iran is developing nuclear weapons contrary to its claims. He warned that Israel "would not stand by while Iran develops nuclear weapons."
It's a sad day when France is the apparent leader on something as significant as standing up to a dangerous regime very near to attaining nuclear weapons.
Physorg.com reports that University of Haifa Biblical Studies Professor, Gershon Galil, recently deciphered an ancient inscription on a pottery shard in the Elah Valley. The inscription dates back to 10th century BC, which was the period of King David's reign making this the earliest known Hebrew inscription.
Israel Today reports that the significance of this discovery is that, "Previously, a wide range of respected academics had insisted that the Bible could not possibly have been written before the 6th century BC due to widespread illiteracy, making most of text hearsay rather than eye-witness accounts. But the new inscription was found at what was a remote settlement in the 10th century BC, meaning that even small isolated communities had capable scribes."
"Sec. 2. Functions. The Council shall meet at the call of the Secretary of Defense or the Co-Chairs of the Council to exchange views, information, or advice with the Secretary of Defense; the Secretary of Homeland Security; the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism; the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement; the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs; the Commander, United States Northern Command; the Chief, National Guard Bureau; the Commandant of the Coast Guard; and other appropriate officials of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, and appropriate officials of other executive departments or agencies as may be designated by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Homeland Security.Such views, information, or advice shall concern:
(a) matters involving the National Guard of the various States;
(b) homeland defense;
(c) civil support;
(d) synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and
(e) other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities."
Yesterday General David Petraeus made some very interesting comments regarding the U.S. bombing Iran's nuclear facilities.
Petraeus told CNN, "Well, they certainly can be bombed. The level of effect would vary with who it is that carries it out, what ordnance they have, and what capability they can bring to bear." Petraeus went on to say, "It would be almost literally irresponsible if CENTCOM were not to have been thinking about the various 'what ifs' and to make plans for a whole variety of different contingencies."
Debkafile also reported on this story and noted, "The deployment in the Middle East of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group in the first week of January adds muscle to the words of Gen. David Petraeus, CENTCOM commander, on Jan 10 that Iranian nuclear infrastructure, albeit strengthened against attack with enhanced underground tunnels, wasn't fully protected."
McAlpin's piece states of Browne's predictions, "To put it bluntly, Ms. Browne failed miserably." He then goes on to state Browne's prophecies with the result.
McAlpin concludes, "Of the fifteen Sylvia Browne predictions specific and unequivocal enough to be verified or disproven, none have been shown to come true. It remains possible, however, that there was an unpublicized major bank robbery in Las Vegas that involved a Brinks truck. If that is later found to have happened, Ms. Browne's record will be one in fifteen."
James Lankford, a Southern Baptist Minister in Oklahoma, recently decided to make an interesting career choice. His decision, however, is not the kind of career decision that most Baptist ministers decide upon. Lankford is running for Oklahoma's 5th Congressional seat.
One has to wonder that given the current state of affairs of the country, if Lankford is representative of other Christians and Christian leaders who will decide in the near future to get more involved in the political arena beyond just voting.
Fox News veteran anchor, Brit Hume, has come under fire recently by the likes of Jon Stewart among others for encouraging Tiger Woods to convert to Christianity.
Hume defended his statements on the Fox News Channel's O'Reilly Factor and on CBN News. The CBN News interview was especially interesting because he discusses his faith a little more.
Hume told CBN News, " If you think about what Christianity is about it's about sinners and Christianity is a religion for sinners and I think that Tiger Woods has an opportunity here and my prayer would be that he would take it.If you're trying to find the two most explosive words in the English language those two words are Jesus Christ. You start talking about Jesus Christ and I don't mean to make a pun but all hell breaks loose. People rage about this. It's very offensive to those who don't share the faith. It's offensive to some people who claim they do share the faith.This is to be expected and it's been happening to people who proclaim their faith in Christ for as long as anybody can remember. This is part of the deal. You have to be willing to deal with this if you're going to say his name out loud you’re going to hear about it."
According to Rosenberg, "Last week — for the first time ever — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned all of the Jewish State’s ambassadors back to Jerusalem for special briefings….why?….what’s brewing?….developing."
It will certainly be interesting to see why this event has taken place.
Pamela Geller posted an interesting blog piece at Bigjournalism.com that probably has not been reported widely.
