Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Poland Raises Concerns Over 'Unprecedented' Russian Activity Over Baltic Sea
Dec 12th, 2014
Daily NewsDW
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Increased Russian military activity over the Baltic Sea has left several eastern European countries on edge. But Poland's Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak has assured: "We are not under threat of an attack."

Poland's Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said on Thursday that he was concerned by the extent of Russia's recent military action over the Baltic Sea.

"For a few days now, there has been unprecedented Russian activity, from its Baltic fleet to flights over the Baltic Sea," Siemoniak said.

Despite his concerns, Siemoniak added: "We are not under threat of attack. These activities don't have the character of preparing for an attack."

Baltic on edge

As well as reports of more than 30 Russian military aircraft in the Baltic region on Monday, two Russian bombers were also intercepted over the Baltic Sea by Dutch F-16 fighters.

Just a day later, Norwegian military said that one of its warplanes had a "near miss" with a Russian fighter which had ventured too close, north of Norway. Poland and other Baltic states including Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia have been on edge since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.

Some eight months of conflict have ensued, which, according to the United Nations (UN), has claimed at least 4,300 lives and displaced close to a million people.

In an attempt to reassure concerned eastern European countries, NATO has deployed more aircraft, ships and personnel.

Ukrainian plea

A new ceasefire was introduced in war-torn eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, which appears largely to have reduced shelling. The Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists, who have a stronghold in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, are yet to organize comprehensive peace talks.

The most recently planned talks on Tuesday in the Belarusian capital of Minsk were postponed without clear explanation.

During a visit to Australia on Thursday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko pleaded with Russia to withdraw its troops from his country and near to the Ukraine-Russia border.

"Please stop the fire. Please release the hostages. Please withdraw your troops from my territory," Poroshenko said.

Lying, Sex - Crazed Generation Makes Jesus in Its Own Image
Dec 12th, 2014
Daily NewsFriday Church News Notes, www.wayoflife.org,
Categories: Creation - Evolution;Contemporary Issues

The Family Guy, a television cartoon, blasphemously depicts Jesus as a sex-crazed liar in “The 2,000-year-old Virgin,” which aired this month. The creator of the program, Seth MacFarlane, has said in interviews: “I’m an atheist. I consider myself a critical thinker, and it fascinates me that in the 21st century most people still believe in, as George Carlin puts it, ‘the invisible man living in the sky.’ ... Do I have that much contempt for Christianity? I guess maybe I do. ... The Big Bang has got a lot of support, live with it” (“Family Guy,” ChristianityToday.com, Dec. 8, 2014). Actually, the Big Bang is being shot through with holes by evolutionary scientists themselves. There is zero scientific evidence that a complex universe could result from any kind of bang. As for the “invisible man living in the sky,” this is an atheist’s straw man. I don’t know anyone who believes in such a thing. The God revealed in Scripture is an Almighty, eternal God. The evidence for this God is written everywhere in the creation, from the laws of physics to the living cell. As for atheism, it is so ridiculous to disbelieve in God in the face of the overwhelming evidence for His existence that the Bible twice calls such a person a fool. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). The Bible even explains why the fool denies God. He wants to live according to his own sinful lusts. “They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” As for evidence of the Bible’s divine inspiration, one of these is the fact that it prophesied the coming of mockers like MacFarlane 2,000 years ago. “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Let the Headlines Speak
Dec 12th, 2014
Daily NewsFrom the internet
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Tennessee attraction offers Zombie Santa and undead elves for charity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Nashville-area haunted house is getting into the Christmas spirit this weekend, with Zombie Santa, his undead elves and one demonic reindeer going on the attack for fun and charity. "Instead of Christmas cheer, we are spreading some holiday fear," said Carroll Moore, who is turning his Halloween season "Death Yard Haunted Attraction" in Hendersonville into a Yuletide horror show this Friday and Saturday.  

Palestinian shot after acid attack on Israeli family
Jerusalem - A Palestinian threw acid at a family of Israelis picking up a hitchhiker in the West Bank Friday before being shot and wounded, residents and the army said. The incident came with tensions running high in the occupied territories after months of unrest, and follows the death of a senior Palestinian official this week in a confrontation with Israeli troops.  

Native Americans allowed to sell, grow marijuana, DOJ says
Native American tribes are allowed to grow and sell marijuana on their lands as long as they follow the same laws laid out for states that have legalized the drug, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday.  

Time capsule found at Massachusetts Statehouse
Crews removed a time capsule dating back to 1795 on Thursday from the granite cornerstone of the Massachusetts Statehouse, where historians believe it was originally placed by Revolutionary War luminaries Samuel Adams and Paul Revere among others.  

A Very Scary Situation
Whipping up racial resentments among blacks is causing some ugly whites reactions. what the media is missing is that as angry as the blacks are at the whites, that’s how angry many — not all — whites are at the blacks. Blacks ask for reparations for slavery and Jim Crow, as if paying today’s twenty-year-old crack addict had anything to do with his ten times removed grandfather being a slave or could make any difference at all to the soul of that slave. “What I wonder is when white people are going to start asking black people for reparations for wrecking the public schools, for destroying urban life in many cities, for the insanely disproportionate share of armed robberies, homicides, and rapes they commit?  

IDF official: Israel must foster unlikely alliances with regional neighbors to combat ISIS threat
The threat of Islamic State has compelled Israel to foster unlikely alliances, or “frenemies,” IDF Planning Directorate head, Maj.-Gen. Nimrod Shefer tell Post’s Diplomatic Conference.  

Congress quietly expands NSA powers for spying on Americans
By way of two pieces of legislation, Congress maintained and expanded the NSA’s surveillance powers. In a bill now headed for President Barack Obama’s desk, Congress gave the agency what civil liberties advocates argue is an unprecedented authority to collect and store data belonging to American citizens.  

Commander: Iran Monitoring every move and logistical back up of the US, British and Israeli navies
n relevant remarks in November, Head of the Navy's Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Office General Ali Gholamzadeh also said that the Iranian naval forces deployed in the high seas were monitoring every move and logistical back up of the US, British and Israeli navies.  

Facing "Palestine" With Truth: An Uncommon Perspective
Credo quia absurdum. "I believe because it is absurd." Almost everywhere, individual countries and amalgams of countries (European Union is the latest such amalgam) are falling over themselves to endorse "Palestine." Systematically ignoring long-term deceptions associated with demands for Palestinian sovereignty - and also relevant contradictions between recognition and statehood under international law - such endorsements will further undermine regional stability.  

Oil price slump to trigger new US debt default crisis as Opec waits
Based on recent stress tests of subprime borrowers in the energy sector in the US produced by Deutsche Bank, should the price of US crude fall by a further 20pc to $60 per barrel, it could result in up to a 30pc default rate among B and CCC rated high-yield US borrowers in the industry.  

The GOP: For Wall Street, Not Main Street
And ultimately we got a clear picture of where Republican leaders stand. They headed to the edge of the shutdown cliff, willing to shut down the government for a Wall Street bailout, but unwilling to do so to stop the President’s amnesty plan.  

Fault zone off NW coast silent: 'It's storing energy'
EUGENE, Ore. - The fault off the Northwest coast where geologists predict a massive quake will someday shake is eerily quiet, scientists say. A University of Oregon seismic expert said that could signal problems down the road.  

Peace In Ukraine By Appeasing Putin? Refuting The Ill-Informed Proposal
Two Washington policy wonks propose an appeasement policy that would doom Ukraine and give Putin a huge victory over the West, while offering no tangible benefits. Their “win-win-win” policy is based on a fundamental lack of understanding of the Kremlin.  

Eighth North Texas earthquake in less than a month
he Dallas-Fort Worth area experienced its eighth earthquake in less than a month Thursday evening  

Is Obama secretly working to replace Netanyahu?
Nurtured in the Saul Alinsky-style, ACORN-esque tactics of organizing revolution ...Barack Obama...understood early on the importance of a crisis and how to ride the waves of an emergency to effect the fundamental transformation of society. ...The White House has singled out Netanyahu as standing in the way of Obama's utopian vision for a new Middle East and Persian Gulf.  

Congress Passes Bill Which Grants “Unlimited Access to Communications of Every American”
According to Congressman Justin Amash, Congress just passed a bill which grants the government and law enforcement “unlimited access to the communications of every American”. ...Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2015 had been amended with a provision that authorizes “the acquisition, retention, and dissemination” of all communications data from U.S. citizens...  

Kenyan MPs pass Security Law after heated debate
The Kenyan parliament has passed a controversial bill aimed at "enhancing the authorities' capacity" to deal with terrorism and security issues. Members of parliament engaged in heated debate on Thursday before the bill was passed, with the opposition saying the law would infringe basic human rights. They and human rights groups have said they will stage protests if the bill is not amended to be less draconian.  

US House passes $1.1tn budget bill to avert shutdown
The US House of Representatives has passed a $1.1tn budget, hours before government was due to shut down at midnight on Thursday. The Republican measure was passed by 219 votes to 206 after President Barack Obama had urged Democrats to support the budget. It will fund most of the government until September 2015, but some areas will only receive short-term funding.  

Iran says nuclear talks to resume in Geneva Wednesday
Tehran - Iran will resume negotiations with world powers in Geneva next week aimed at reaching a deal over Tehran's controversial nuclear programme, its deputy foreign minister said Thursday.  

Obama Justice Department Was Involved In IRS Targeting, Lerner Emails Reveal
The documents prove that Lois Lerner met with DOJ’s Election Crimes Division a month before the 2010 elections. Ms. Lerner was talking to DOJ officials about prosecuting tax-exempt entities (yes, criminally!) two years before the IRS conceded there was inappropriate targeting.  

Storm Fueled By 'Pineapple Express' Brings Hurricane-Force Winds to California, Oregon, Washington; Flood Threat Continues
A powerful storm fueled by a stream of tropical moisture called the "Pineapple Express" is battering not only drought-stricken California but the entire West Coast with damaging winds and enough rain to cause flooding and landslides. On top of that, the Sierra Nevada is in line for a bona fide blizzard likely to make travel there all but impossible.The National Weather Service in Monterey, California, said Monday that this storm is "expected to be one of the strongest storms in terms of wind and rain intensity" since storms in October 2009 and January 2008.On Thursday afternoon in Oregon, the Portland International Airport recorded a 62-mph wind gust, its highest wind gust in nearly 19 years.  

Black Pro-Lifers: If “Black Lives Matter,” Why Don’t They Protest Abortion?
Each and every life matters – but, as the media cry “black lives matter,” they conveniently forget the millions of black babies destroyed in abortion. The phrase “Black Lives Matter” surfaced in the news and on social media after a grand jury’s decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the murder of 18-year-old Michael Brown last month. The mantra continued after a viral video showed Eric Garner’s death after a confrontation with New York police. From the beginning, the media pushed the phrase – while, at the same time, ignored a Nov. 27 CDC report revealing 78 percent of the babies aborted in New York City in 2011 were black and Hispanic.  

The Gaza Strip: What Can Israel Do to Postpone – or Even Prevent – the Next Round of Vio
This article examines three options for Israel regarding the reconstruction of Gaza. None of these options are optimal for Israel, as they do not guarantee a long term lull in hostilities – although two have the advantage of including a political initiative, which could extricate Israel from its international isolation and facilitate a breakthrough in the political deadlock.  

How current events might play into America's shift in favor of gun rights
For the first time, a Pew survey found more support for gun ownership than gun control among Americans. Current events like the Michael Brown case may be accelerating the trend, a gun control advocate says.  

U.S. 'troubled' that Crimean leader in India with Putin
NEW DELHI - The leader of Crimea, the former Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia, visited India on Thursday as a member of President Vladimir Putin's annual summit delegation, and the United States said it found the reports troubling.  

India and Russia Deepen Energy, Defence Ties During Vladimir Putin's Delhi Visit
Dec 12th, 2014
Daily NewsNDTV
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

PM Modi and President Putin addressed a joint press conference after talks in New Delhi.

New Delhi:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin got straight down to talks today on boosting nuclear and defence cooperation at a summit aimed at reviving an old friendship that has faded over the years. (As President Putin Arrives for 22-Hour Visit, PM Narendra Modi Tweets 'Our Friendship Has Not Changed ')

Putin's  one-day visit to India, at which a raft of agreements were signed, comes at a time when Russia is  at odds with the West over Ukraine, and its economy is stalling as oil prices tumble to their lowest in five years.

Here are some of the key announcements:

Energy

* Russia's state-owned Rosatom will supply 12 nuclear energy reactors to India over 20 years, under an agreement aimed at boosting nuclear energy ties between the two countries. (India Will Build At Least 10 More Nuclear Reactors With Russia's Help: PM Modi)

* India's Essar Group signed a deal with Russian oil producer Rosneft to import oil. (Essar Group, Rosneft to Sign 10-Year Oil Deal: Report)

* Russian bank VTB will open a $1 billion credit line to Essar Group, chief executive Andrei Kostin said. (Russian Bank VTB to Lend India's Essar $1 Billion)

* The Russian Direct Investment Fund will team up with an Indian infrastructure financing company, IDFC, to invest $1 billion in hydroelectric projects in Asia's third-largest economy.

* India's Tata Power signed a pact with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to increase energy investment between the two countries.

Defence

* Russia, which is India's top defence supplier, offers to manufacture an advanced helicopter inIndia. (Russia Remains Our Top Defence Partner, Says PM Modi After Meeting President Putin: 10 Updates)

Mining

* India's top iron ore miner NMDC signed a memorandum of understanding with Akron to buy a stake in a potash mine in Russia.

Discernment or Criticism?
Dec 12th, 2014
Daily NewsRoger Oakland
Categories: Contemporary Issues;Commentary

Taking a stand from a biblical perspective with regard to purpose-driven-emerging Christianity is not very popular these days. Those working towards establishing the kingdom and “getting closer to Jesus” through contemplative practices rooted in eastern mysticism are very outspoken. If you are not in favor of what they are promoting, you are labeled a hater and against everything.

One pastor wrote me a letter and asked the following question: “Before you went public with your book Faith Undone did you contact everyone you wrote about in the book personally and discuss the issues? If not, shame on you and don’t write me back.”

Of course, I was shamed into writing him back. I recognize that I should always be open for correction. But “shame” is a pretty harsh term coming from one of the “brethren.” Incidentally, this man was insinuating that I was violating Matthew 18 by writing about public figures in my book. But Matthew 18 is not about challenging leaders who are deceiving millions of people.

One pastor I tried to contact sent his bulldog after me who attacked me personally with slander. He didn’t even address the facts. Should I be ashamed of myself for quoting someone who said what he said in a public forum? Does this really make me a “counter-cult-kook” as he said?

The problem seems to lie in the area of perspective. When a watchman warns about teachings that are popular, the watchman is unpopular. However, popularity is not what determines truth. For example, the popular position on origins is evolution. Does that mean evolution is true? What about the facts?

Ezekiel and Jeremiah were called to be watchmen. When they warned the Israelites that they had abandoned God and were seeking after the gods, the people thought they had lost their minds. They were interested in hearing about peace not judgment. They devised harsh things to say about the prophets. Jeremiah got quite discouraged and wanted to quit his job. It is hard to have someone say you are an idiot when you are telling people the truth. He was only doing what God told him to do. He was trying to warn them that judgment was ahead.

I know a fellowship of pastors who responded the same way when facts about the purpose-driven-emerging church were presented. When they were told the truth, they didn’t want to hear the truth. They said that telling the truth was being critical or having a critical spirit.

Saying that one has a critical spirit means that one has been influenced by Satan. Instead of being discerning and warning about deception, you are considered a divisive person. At least, that is what I have been told.

Another pastor wrote to admonish me by saying “the Bible teaches that we are to mark those who cause division.” I guess this is why he said I should be ashamed for telling people the truth. Of course, he had forgotten the rest of the verse – Paul said the ones who cause division are the ones who teach contrary to the doctrine.

However, we know according to 2 Timothy chapter four that in the last days so-called Christians will not want to stand for sound doctrine. They will say discernment and warning about false teaching is “just being critical.”

I am Roger Oakland. This has been a biblical perspective to help understand the times