Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Obama Reaches Out to the Muslim Brotherhood

Posted by Robert Spencer on Jul 4th, 2011

Robert Spencer is a scholar of Islamic history, theology, and law and the director of Jihad Watch. He is the author of ten books, eleven monographs, and hundreds of articles about jihad and Islamic terrorism, including the New York Times Bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) and The Truth About Muhammad. His latest book is The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran (Regnery), and he is coauthor (with Pamela Geller) of The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration’s War on America (Simon and Schuster).

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The Obama administration is set to begin formal contacts with the Muslim Brotherhood, a group dedicated in its own words to “eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within, and sabotaging its miserable house.”

This news came in a Reuters report Wednesday, quoting a “senior U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.” Why this official felt it necessary to speak on condition of anonymity is a mystery, given the fact that Barack Obama has never made a secret of his solicitude for the Muslim Brotherhood. Even though the Brotherhood was still outlawed in Egypt at that time, he made a point of inviting leaders of the group to attend his speech to the Islamic world in Cairo on June 4, 2009.


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Is Anthony Weiner’s Wife a Spy?



Posted on July 1, 2011 by Guest Writer

by Walid Shoebat and Ben Barrack

A CIA/FBI agent was responsible for creating the first al-Qaeda training manual from classified military sources; he covertly moved up through the ranks undetected until the al-Qaeda spy, Egyptian born Ali Mohamed, was finally discovered. Though arrested in 1998, Mohamed’s whereabouts and legal status remain unknown. The Fort Hood jihadist, Nidal Malik Hasan, benefited from the same faulty screening.

The Jordanian-born “reformed” jihadist Humam Al-Balawi deceived some anxious CIA agents concerning the whereabouts of Ayman al-Zawahiri. As he passed their guard, he detonated a suicide belt, killing the agents. We were the first to translate the sinister plan of this Taliban spy, which was missed by the CIA but was advertised on his Arabic website for the whole Arabic world to read:

When I drive my car at a traffic police station …my surroundings change by a push of a flash button. I will find myself martyred as I drive a booby trapped Laurie with a bomb heading towards the pagan guards…

Why isn’t the CIA monitoring the Arabic words and connections of these people?

Whether it’s the CIA or the military, sophisticated surveillance is proving inadequate and proper background checks of Middle Easterners aren’t being done. Each example serves as another case in point. What makes us think that the State Department updated its virus protection program? Even more disconcerting than Ali and Al-Balawi is Hillary’s “aide” and Deputy Chief of Staff Huma Abedin, who has been with Hillary since 1996; we believe she was never properly screened and is well positioned to exploit her American connections for the benefit of Islamic radicals.

To be concerned about Huma’s access to sensitive information is an issue that will most likely garner unsolicited curses from “sensitive” Americans who are enamored with her. These same people ignore this diva’s familial ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Lt. Col. Robert Anderson’s detailed reports aimed at getting Army intelligence to investigate Ali Mohamed — and have him court-martialed — were also ignored.

Huma is even more potentially dangerous; she can leak State secrets. She is closely associated with her Muslim Brotherhood family and even joined Hillary at an event with Saleha Abedin – Huma’s mother – at Dar El-Hekma University in Saudi Arabia. Also present was a close associate of Saleha – Suheir Qureshi. Qureshi’s name later appeared in several prominent Arab newspapers when it was revealed that she belonged to a list of 63 members of the secret female arm of the Muslim Brotherhood named The Sisterhood.

The full list was later revealed; Huma’s mother is on it. Huma’s brother – Hassan Abedin – also collaborates with Omar Naseef and Sheikh Yousuf Qaradawi, two of the most influential terror supporters in the world.

Yet, as detractors argue “guilt by association,” they unwittingly strengthen our case, since this is what the FBI uses when investigating federal employees: “Character,” “Associates,” “Reputation,” and “Loyalty to the United States” (CARL). This checklist was never applied to Huma, who still associated with her family. Dismissing all this as “guilt by association” ignores a tough question:

Other than Huma Abedin, has there ever been a case whereby a family member who either belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood or was a prominent Islamist did not denounce a Muslim female relative who married a non-Muslim male?

It’s a question with only one answer; her family made an exception for her because Huma has a higher calling.

Westerners erroneously compare the Middle East mindset with that of the Midwest and fail to understand the Muslim worldview. They do not comprehend the seriousness of a Muslim “daughter” or “sister” marrying a Jewish male, especially since the Islamic Shariah Faculty in Kuwait has deemed Huma’s marriage to a male Jew null and void.

While Westerners portray the Sisterhood as a simple “mule service,” our own detailed research – which will be released shortly – reveals male supervisors as official members along with their wives/daughters; the list includes spies who proudly disclosed their heroic acts during Israel’s wars with Egypt. Others are Nazi-style propagandists; Nazi affiliates from the time of the Brotherhood’s inception; Hijab advocates in Europe; prominent doctors; popular conspiracy theorists and media icons that closely emulate the Goebbels propaganda machine of Nazi Germany.

The group’s influence spans several international organizations from the United Nations to the United States to womens advocacy groups worldwide; its influence is immense. Overlooking this group – and by extension, Huma Abedin – is not dissimilar from ignoring Able Danger’s revelations about Muhammad Atta prior to 9/11.

Any doubting Thomas must acknowledge the validity of the Sisterhood list, because it follows the same agenda and direction shown on the Brotherhood’s official website; it has been confirmed by Egyptian security services as well as top experts, including the Arab Center for Studies, headed by researcher Abdul Rahim Ali.

To give you a taste of this bitter herb, we will examine a single name before we publish all 63. Take Najla Ali Mahmoud, who is supervised by her husband Mohammed Aidalmrsi, member of the Guidance Bureau and the current leader of the Justice and Freedom Party (the Brotherhood’s new propaganda name). He recently appeared on national television and explained why “Egypt needs to ban Western dress” and how “no one with a full mental faculty can believe in the Trinity.” He even condemned Egyptian monuments as “idols.” It differs from the Taliban only in that it has a Western propaganda machine.

Will Egypt do to the Sphinx as the Taliban did to the Buddhist statues in Bamyan? Will Egypt perpetrate a holocaust on Coptic Christians who are already portrayed as having a mental deficiency for believing in the Trinity?

And while this Goebbles runs his propaganda machine, the naysayers demand evidence of Huma’s membership in this notorious group. Would someone appoint the daughter of Magda and Joseph Goebbels as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Cordell Hull—the Secretary of State during World War II—arguing that she is not a member of the Nazi Party?

It is also not “racist” nor even inaccurate to compare the Muslim Brotherhood with the Nazis; Hassan Al-Banna, the grandfather of Tariq Ramadan (Ramadan’s ban from the U.S. was lifted by Hillary) collaborated with my grandfather’s associate and Hitler henchman Haj Amin Al-Husseini, who became the Muslim Brotherhood leader after the war. Neither has the Brotherhood repented; they still take pride in their collaboration with the Nazis.

And while the House of Representatives debated whether to cut off funds for Obama’s military campaign in Libya, which aids the Brotherhood-backed rebels, Clinton challenged Congress over its position asking, “Whose side are you on?”

This is a question Hillary should ask herself.

Even the team that was set up by the State Department’s policy designed to “engage the moderate Muslim world” was infiltrated without even screening its contributor, the Muslim Brotherhood sympathizer and – Egyptian by heritage – Ground Zero Mosque Imam, Sheikh Feisal Abdul Rauf who only moderates his tone in English.

Promoting a moderate Muslim Brotherhood is like promoting “Capitalistic-Communism” to defeat Russia during the Cold War or even a “pro-Jewish Nazism” during WWII. A more current and real-life example is “Chrislam.”

Hillary’s “inclusion policy” may have brought in spies, and this is how she plans to soften the Muslim Brotherhood? Hillary’s use of oxymoronic formulas to combat terrorism is worse than the moronic path taken by the likes of Humam Al-Balawi, who killed his enemy while we bolster the confidence of ours.

Huma Abedin was never properly screened, and unless this diva answers some tough questions, the issue we set forth regarding the failure to screen her, is an ironclad case that the State Department is broken — and American lives may be in danger.

Walid Shoebat is the author For God or For Tyranny. Ben Barrack is a talk show host on KTEM 1400 in Texas and maintains the website BenBarrack.com.


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Country Living Off Grid


Illustration (Courtesy) http://www.fransvanoirschot.nl/schilderijeng.html


Not From the Pulpit

It's very unfortunate that the message to move out of the cities and into the country is not spoken about from the pulpits of our churches as often as it should if at all. There are many that believe and teach that the time to move into the county is not until the enforcement of the National Sunday Law. My question to them and to you is, if you wait until then, what are your plans? Where will you go? How will you feed your family? Where will you find water or shelter for your love ones?
The common answer that I've heard is, "My provisions will be provided," or my favorite, "God has promised that my bread and water will be sure." I have to say to them, this is absolutely true in what we call the "Big Time of Trouble" however we are commissioned to prepare for, "The Little Time of Trouble." Too many examples in the Bible urge us to get out of the city because living in the city was never God's plan for his children. It encourages us to move to locations where there are not worldly distractions in order for our characters to be built to withstand the big time of trouble where this world will be in such a state that the provisions that we have made for the little time of trouble are not longer sufficient and the Lord will supply all of our needs. The devil has our thinking just where he wants it. If we do nothing on our part to prepare, to read and study God's word, to heed to its council, to magnify the word with the Spirit of prophecy, for the lack of knowledge professed christians will accept the mark of the beast in order to buy or sell to provide for their temporal needs without giving their decision a second thought.
Here is where most people wear blinders, the Bible will not have and excerpt in it where your name is a glow and it specifically tells you to pack your bags, sell your home and move out of the city. This is what most are looking for and let me be the first to tell you, you will not find it. When we study the Bible to show ourselves approved rightly dividing the word of truth it is telling us to find the direction in which we are looking for from God's word, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. We must be all over the Bible and believe that if it is God's inspired word, He will guide our paths to answers.
Below are issues we must be aware of...

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Fingerprint technology to help feed India's poorest

4 July 2011 Last updated at 19:01 ET

By Rajini Vaidyanathan

Reporter, India Business Report, Chandigarh, India



WATCH: Critics of the smart card scheme say queues have increased since the card's introduction

Women are waiting in line in one of Chandigarh's slum areas, holding empty shopping bags ready to be filled with rice, wheat and sugar.

As each customer reaches the counter, they hand the shopkeeper a plastic card with their photograph on, then they're asked for something else - their fingerprints.

In order to buy any of the supplies from this government-run ration store, they need to place their fingers on a small credit-card-style machine.

Only once they get a match can their purchase go ahead.

The shoppers here in Chandigarh are part of a project that uses biometric smart cards to deliver food to the city's poorest.

In India, those living below the poverty line (BPL) or on lower incomes, are allowed to buy basic food staples such as rice, sugar and wheat at highly subsidised rates, at government-run Fair Price shops.

In most places, families are given paper "ration books" that record how much food has been purchased and by whom.

But this scheme in Chandigarh is doing away with the old system.

The credit card-sized biometric smart cards contain a 64kb microchip that stores the fingerprints, photograph and other personal details of the head of the family and at least two other members.

It can also store a record of the purchases made by every family - how much they have bought and at what price.

Those behind the scheme believe the technology will do away with fraud, and ensure food reaches the genuine recipients. Under the old paper system where little proof was needed to claim food, people could easily use someone else's card, say officials.

"It means only the person who is holding the smart card will get the food - no-one else can claim the food as theirs" says Bachan Singh, of Chandigarh's food and supplies department, which is administering the scheme.

"Everyone will get the proper quantity of food, at the proper price," he says.

"I like the smart cards a lot," says Usha, a mother of three young children who is waiting to buy food. "I lost my card recently and was able to get another one easily."

Usha works as a domestic maid and earns about 1,500 rupees a month ($33; £21). By that definition hers is a BPL family, and is entitled to up to 35kg of subsidised grains per month.

But Kunti Devi disagrees with Usha's assessment of the scheme. A widow, she earns 2,000 rupees ($44; £28) a month as a cleaner and has reported problems with the new scheme.

"The machine doesn't always read my fingerprints properly, sometimes they tell me to go away and come back later," she says.

"I also have to wait a long time in the queue, before it was much quicker."

One of the biggest challenges officials face is getting people to trust the new technology. Here in this slum area there are no computers or televisions - the idea of doing things electronically is alien to many.

Teething problems are evident in the scheme. During the time we visited, the machine broke down and led to an even longer queue of people waiting in the searing heat for their food. But government officials did turn up promptly to investigate.

Vinay Verma, who deals with the technical aspects of the machines, says some of the problems stem from the fact the vendors themselves are unfamiliar with the machines.

He says failure is often down to human error, such as the cable not being pushed in properly, or the cards not properly inserted.

The city has bold plans to register 200,000 families onto this scheme by September, so far only 5,000 have signed up to the cards.


"The government wants people to give their biometric data and fingerprints, and many people have a fear that this will be used in another way, so they are not coming up in numbers to give their data," says Surendra M Bhanot, from the Consumers Association of Chandigarh.

Mr Bhanot says many of the people the scheme is aimed at are illiterate and fear this biometric information could end up in the hands of the police.

An awareness drive is one way he believes this hurdle can be overcome.

Using this kind of technology to deliver rations is costing the Chandigarh authorities 44 crores and 66 lakhs rupees ($10m; £6.2m). None of this cost is picked up by the cardholder themselves.

The deployment of biometric smart cards to deliver rations is one way the government could meet its bold plans to ensure food rations reach the country's poorest. In its draft food-security bill it guarantees subsidised food grains to at least 90% of rural households and 50% of urban families.

New technology is one way it could deliver this - if the Chandigarh smart-card scheme is seen to be a success, it could be replicated across India.

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High and volatile food prices are here to stay





“Measures to regulate commodity markets, stem the diversion of food into biofuels, and scale up food reserves in poor countries are essential." - Mark Fried

7 June 2011


The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today announced that cereal prices are 69 percent higher than a year ago and that high and volatile agricultural commodity prices are likely to prevail for the rest of this year and into 2012.

"Rising food prices are very bad news for the world's poorest people,” said Mark Fried, policy coordinator for Oxfam Canada. “They spend up to 80 percent of their income on food. Prices have been rising month after month, with no end in sight."

Oxfam called on G20 Agriculture Ministers meeting in France at the end of June to take urgent steps to rein in food prices. “Measures to regulate commodity markets, stem the diversion of food into biofuels, and scale up food reserves in poor countries are essential,” Fried said.

The FAO also reported that despite record harvests, food supply is expected only to barely meet demand this year, putting added pressure on prices. Recently published research by Oxfam shows that global food prices could more than double in the next 20 years unless governments act now.

Fried said: "Canada wisely broke with the do-nothing policies of the last few years when it began putting significant aid money into helping small-scale farmers, many of them women. The 500 million smallholders in developing countries offer the greatest potential for increasing global food production.

“Sadly, it will take several years for such investment to pay off. Canada also needs to help build countries’ capacity to respond to food emergencies, which are bound to become more frequent and severe. The G20 proposal to help poor countries scale up their food reserves is something Canada ought to champion.”

Oxfam's global Grow Campaign is calling for a transformation in the way we grow and share food so that everyone always has enough to eat. For more information please visit www.oxfam.ca/grow.

Latest data on global food prices is available on the FAO website at: http://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/wfs-home/foodpricesindex/en/


5 Tax-Friendly States for Retirees 2011



by Mary Beth Franklin
Friday, July 1, 2011

Where's the best state for you to retire? Here's a good place to start your search: These five impose the lowest taxes on retirees in the contiguous U.S., according to our research. All these retiree tax heavens exempt Social Security benefits from state income taxes. Many of them exclude government and military pensions from income taxes, too, or offer blanket exclusions up to a specific dollar amount for a wide variety of retirement income.

Although relocating to an income-tax-free state such as Florida or Texas may sound appealing, sometimes the best retirement destination is a state that imposes an income tax but offers generous exemptions for retirement income.

Once you narrow your search to a few key states, zero in on local taxes. Municipalities can impose hefty property taxes or other assessments, or they may layer local sales taxes on top of statewide levies. Federal taxes? If you claim the standard deduction, they'll be the same no matter where you live. But if you itemize your deductions, you'll be able to write off real estate taxes and state income taxes, reducing your federal tax bill and easing some of the pain.

#1 Wyoming

State Income Tax: None
State Sales Tax: 4%
Estate Tax/Inheritance Tax: No/No

Thanks to the abundant revenues that Wyoming collects from oil and mineral companies, its residents have one of the lowest tax burdens in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation, a nonprofit research group in Washington, D.C. There is no state income tax. The state sales tax is 4%, and counties in the Equality State can only add up to 1% in additional levies -- a very low ceiling. Plus, prescription drugs and groceries are exempt from state sales taxes. For most property, only 9.5% of market value is subject to tax, so a home worth $100,000 is taxed on $9,500 of assessed value.

#2 Mississippi

State Income Tax: 3%-5%
State Sales Tax: 7%
Estate Tax/Inheritance Tax: No/No

Mississippi offers a sweet income-tax deal for retirees. It not only exempts Social Security benefits from state income taxes but also excludes all qualified retirement income -- including pensions, annuities, and IRA and 401(k) distributions. Remaining income is taxed at a maximum 5%. In addition, the Magnolia State is home to some of the lowest property taxes in the nation. Residential property is taxed at 10% of assessed value, and seniors qualify for a homestead exemption on the first $75,000 of value. The statewide sales tax is 7%, and counties and cities may add up to 3% to the state rate. But prescription drugs and health care services are exempt.

#3 Pennsylvania

State Income Tax: Flat rate of 3.07%
State Sales Tax: 6%
Estate Tax/Inheritance Tax: Yes/Yes

True to its Quaker roots, Pennsylvania extends a friendly hand to retirees. It offers unusually generous exclusions from state income tax on a wide variety of retirement income. Pennsylvania does not tax Social Security benefits or any type of public or private pensions. Nor does it nick distributions from 401(k)s, IRAs, deferred-compensation plans or other retirement accounts. Remaining income is taxed at a low, flat rate of 3.07%. Food, clothing and medicine are exempt from state sales taxes. Property taxes can be high in the Keystone State, especially near larger cities, but rates vary widely. One caveat for the wealthy: Your heirs won’t get off so easily. Pennsylvania is one of the few states to have both an inheritance tax, paid by the heirs, and an estate tax -- though it applies only when an estate is large enough to trigger federal estate taxes ($5 million or more).

#4 Kentucky

State Income Tax: 2%-6%
State Sales Tax: 6%
Estate Tax/Inheritance Tax: No/Yes

The home of the Kentucky Derby is a good bet for retirees. It exempts Social Security benefits from state income taxes, and it allows residents to exclude up to $41,110 per person in retirement income from a wide variety of sources, including public and private pensions and annuities. Personal income-tax rates range from 2% to 6%. A 6% sales tax is imposed at the state level only. Homeowners 65 and older qualify for a homestead provision that exempts part of the value of their property from state taxes. The Bluegrass State has an inheritance tax, but immediate family members are exempt.

#5 Alabama

State Income Tax: 2%-5%
State Sales Tax: 4%
Estate Tax/Inheritance Tax: No/No
Alabama is a tax haven for retirees. Social Security benefits, as well as military, public and private defined-benefit pensions, are excluded from state income taxes. Remaining income is taxed at the state's low rates, which range from 2% to 5%. Alabama also has some of the lowest property taxes in the U.S. Homeowners 65 and older are exempt from state property taxes, but some cities assess their own property tax. The only downside is sales taxes. Although the statewide rate is just 4%, cities and counties in the Yellowhammer State can impose their own levies, and together the taxes can add up to a whopping 10% or more in some cities. Food is taxed, but prescription drugs are not.

Visit Kiplinger for more tax-friendly states for retirees.





Monday, July 04, 2011

US celebrates July 4th with fireworks, parades, hot dogs


Fireworks light up the sky over the Capitol dome and the Washington Monument as the U.S. celebrates its 235th Independence Day in Washington, D.C., July 4. (Hyungwon Kang / Reuters)

Obama hosts White House barbecue for troops to celebrate nation's 235th birthday

NEW YORK — The nation's most extravagant display of July 4 fireworks Monday was a triumphant celebration that turned solemn briefly to commemorate the 10-year mark since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Tens of thousands of people from all over the world streamed to Manhattan's West Side to see the pyrotechnics show over the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey, featuring more than 40,000 shells exploding in choreographed, multicolored progression.

"It's beautiful," said Rosa Riveras, a 57-year-old health educator from northern Manhattan, as bursts of light filled the sky. "It's amazing. I'm loving it."


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Crystal Cathedral founder Schuller bounced from the board


Rev Robert H. Schuller preaches on March 11, 1998.

July 4th, 2011

06:23 PM ET

By Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor

(CNN) – The Rev. Robert H. Schuller built the Crystal Cathedral, one of America's first megachurches, from the ground up but now the 84-year-old has been voted out by the church's board.

In a statement issued by the church Monday, church officials said Schuller's role with the board was merely changing.

"Now 84 years old, Dr. Schuller has been working toward semi-retirement, since total retirement is not an option for this pastor who is still just as passionate about his calling," the statement said. "Recently, the board of directors of Crystal Cathedral Ministries voted to change Dr. Schuller's position from that of a voting board member to the honorary Chairman of the Board Emeritus, a non-voting position," the statement added.

It continued to say the move would allow more time for speaking engagements and writing opportunities for Schuller.

"He will also continue to speak in the pulpit of the Crystal Cathedral and on the Hour of Power, and meet with staff in creative and vision-casting meetings," the church release read. "Hour of Power" is a weekly television program that was started by Schuller.

Schuller's granddaughter, Angie Schuller Wyatt, said the vote took place several days ago. "He was ousted by the board in the same way my father was. It was surprising, but not completely unexpected," she said.

In 2006, the elder Schuller stepped down from the pulpit as senior pastor, but continued to preach and be on the the board. His son Robert A. Schuller stepped in as senior pastor. Two years later after a dispute with the board the younger Schuller was voted out by the board.

Today, Sheila Schuller Coleman, Schuller's eldest daughter, has the reins of the ministry, carrying the title of executive director of ministries and missions.

Coleman released a statement, included with the church's, on her father's change on the board:

"Dad will continue to provide leadership for this ministry through me for as long as possible," says Coleman. "I have and will continue to defer to his wisdom and honor him for his unprecedented accomplishments."

Coleman and her sister, Gretchen Schuller Penner, who has a leading role with the television ministry, have faced the brunt of criticism due to declining membership and financial woes for the church.

Schuller Wyatt said the church's board once had as many as 30 members but recently had shrunk to only five members.

Schuller had been advocating adding more members to the board, and Schuller Wyatt said that is what led to the board to vote him out. She said Schuller was not present at the board meeting.

"They did it behind his back, just like they did to my dad. They conspired behind his back and made this happen," Schuller Wyatt said. "This board is causing the demise and the destruction of the Crystal Cathedral."

"They weren't letting him do anything anyway. Those of us here see it as symbolically awful," said Pastor James Kok, who has been on staff with Crystal Cathedral Ministries for 28 years. "They had effectively stopped listening to him two or three years ago. It's symbolic, not functional. He was mostly put on the shelf by his daughters."

"I'm very invested in the people of the church. That's what I'm concerned with," Kok said. "Especially the old people. The ministry has changed from a traditional worship service to a loud music, contemporary type, service to keep up with the other churches."

He said with the Schuller sisters now in charge, voting their father out followed a similar patter, "That is the way the church has been managed ever since Robert Schuller stepped down. They just do things. They don't ask anybody."

"They have no experience in ministry and no care for the people of the church. They have no theological experience. Zero. Those of us who bothered to go to seminary for five years are left on the shelf," Kok said.

Schuller Wyatt said she has remained at an arm's length from the Crystal Cathedral for some time. She has her own ministry called Spiritual Wellness.

The Orange County, California, church has been hit hard by financial woes and last year sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. A spokesman at the time told CNN the church was being sued by a small number of creditors.

The gleaming glass building still hosts the weekly "Hour of Power" telecast, that since 1970 beamed Schuller's smiling face and folksy preaching into millions of American homes. The church said the show has a worldwide audience of 20 million viewers to go along with 10,000 congregants who fill the pews in Garden Grove, California. The church was founded by the elder Schuller in 1955 as part of the Reformed Church in America.

"All we've been told for 25 years was how wonderful this family is, and now it's shattered," Kok said.

Source

I Spent a Coin (and I Liked It) — How I Bought Lunch With Bitcoins

6/28/11 at 12:45 PM



Photo: iStockphoto


Some claim that the unregulated digital currency known as Bitcoin is imaginary, or a Ponzi scheme. I have a different perspective, because last week I used it to pay for a hummus platter with olives in midtown Manhattan.

It began when someone sent me a Fortune article, “The Clock Is Ticking on Bitcoin." The article was mainly full of gloom and doom about the future of Bitcoin, an encrypted digital currency that can be transferred between users without any involvement from banks or governments. But it also happened to alert me to the existence of Meze Grill, a restaurant near Columbus Circle that accepts both U.S. dollars and bitcoins.

I decided to hop over to Meze Grill — "where authentic Mediterranean food meets modern flavor" — with my laptop in hand. The restaurant sports a rather professional-looking “Bitcoin Accepted Here” sign in the window. My conversation with the man behind the counter began awkwardly:

“I heard that you take ... bitcoins here ... as a way of paying for food,” I said.

“Oh,” he said, looking confused. “Ask him about that,” he added and pointed to the restaurant owner, who was sitting at a table explaining Bitcoin to another employee.

I walked up to them. “Excuse me,” I said, “I heard you accept bitcoins here?”

“Yes, of course,” the owner replied, nonchalantly. What kind of restaurant did I think this was — of course they accept bitcoins!

The owner calculated the current exchange rate, which has fluctuated wildly in recent months amid rampant hype about Bitcoin. My lunch was $5.51 plus tax: I owed him 0.52 bitcoins.

He held up an enormous laminated QR code the size of an entire sheet of paper, which I scanned on my phone yielding: bitcoin:1MTbKpYWnzqmsLvCjdTtwrvuX81g3HCgC. This was the address where I would send the money. Using my laptop, I opened up my account on the Mt. Gox Bitcoin exchange market, sent 0.52 bitcoins to 1MTbKpYWnzqmsLvCjdTtwrvuX81g3HCgC, and about three minutes later the restaurateur received an e-mail indicating that the coins had arrived.

The entire transaction was anonymous — we didn't know each other's names or any other identifying details. Incidentally, I'm keeping my name anonymous in accord with that feature.

While we were waiting for the transaction to clear, the Meze owner and I talked about how much nicer it would be if I could send the transaction directly from my phone. As if on cue, a young man I’d prefer to remember as wearing a trench coat, mirrored sunglasses, and with slicked-back hair walked in with his entourage. I knew why he was there even before he began inquiring about Meze Grill’s Bitcoin support.

The young man said he was a blogger and Android app developer, and he was hoping to make it easy to make a Bitcoin transaction from a phone. He bought lunch for his friends.

Feeling satisfied as I enjoyed my lunch, I remembered how many people I’ve heard continue to call Bitcoin an outright scam. I had just used it in a retail point-of-sale transaction and got a tasty meal, on the basis of nothing more than a cryptographic signature telling everyone on the Bitcoin network to consider the Meze Grill the new owner of my half of a virtual coin.

Bitcoins are not really imaginary, or at least no more so than the bits the traders down on Wall Street are signing over to each other all day long, the ones that encumber quantities of corn and wheat that haven’t been grown yet. Bitcoin is an experiment, which will probably fail at some point for reasons other people have already enumerated, and that’s fine. We’ll have learned an enormous amount from it.

All fiat currency gets its value from psychology and various institutional arrangements. That’s true of the currency in your wallet right now. There are tremendous resources that could be brought to bear to defend the value of the U.S. dollar. There isn't much to defend the value of a bitcoin once something goes awry, as it almost inevitably will. But I have no patience for theories that say that I couldn’t possibly have bought lunch with my half a bitcoin or that the restaurant was crazy to accept it. It was a delicious thrill; I suggest you go down to Columbus Circle and try it for yourself.

The most amazing part of the entire transaction at the Meze Grill was not the QR code or the military-grade cryptography, but the offhand composure of the restaurant owner when he said that of course his restaurant accepts bitcoins. Maybe the dividing line between a "real" currency and an "imaginary" one is how nervous you get asking if a business will accept it, and the eagerness of the business to say yes.

Adapted from a post on Star Simpson's blog.


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Remember, The U.S.A. has 57 States!

Fourth of July Parades Might Turn Your Kids Into Republicans


July Fourth Parades Might Turn Your Kids Into Republicans

by Zeke Miller Jul. 1, 2011, 11:23 AM

Children who attend Fourth of July parades are more likely to become Republicans, according to a new Harvard University study.

A single rain-less parade before the age of 18 increases the likelihood of a child becoming a Republican at 40 by 2 percent, and of voting for a Republican presidential ticket by 4 percent, researchers found.

Parade attendance was also linked to an increased likelihood of making political contributions (3 percent), and voter turnout (0.9 percent).

There was no correlation between attendance at the parades and voting for Democrats.

Read the full study here.
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Sunday, July 03, 2011

John Piper Laments Normalization of Homosexuality as 'the New Calamity'

The Christian Post > U.S.Fri, Jul. 01 2011 10:02 AM EDT


By Audrey Barrick Christian Post Reporter

Amid ongoing "gay pride" celebrations and the continual push for gay marriage across the states, influential evangelical John Piper wants to put it all in perspective for the church.


(Photo: SBC via The Christian Post)
In this file photo, John Piper speaks to hundreds of pastors at the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention's Pastor Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., June 13, 2011.

"My sense is that we do not realize what a calamity is happening around us," Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, wrote in a commentary on Thursday. "Christians, more clearly than others, can see the tidal wave of pain that is on the way. Sin carries in it its own misery."

It's been nearly a week now since marriage for gay and lesbian couples was legalized in New York and since hundreds of thousands of Americans celebrated homosexuality with gay pride parades, not only in New York but also in Piper's home state of Minnesota.

Homosexuality and its celebration are nothing new, the Reformed pastor clarified.

"[Homosexuality] has been here since we were all broken in the fall of man," he wrote. "What’s new is not even the celebration of homosexual sin. Homosexual behavior has been exploited, and reveled in, and celebrated in art, for millennia."

"What’s new," he underscored, "is normalization and institutionalization. This is the new calamity."

America, and the rest of the world for that matter, is moving toward the institutionalization of homosexuality, the 65-year-old pastor lamented.

The Bible makes it clear, he indicated, that homosexual behavior is sin.

And, "alongside its clearest explanation of the sin of homosexual intercourse (Romans 1:24-27) stands the indictment of the celebration of it," the respected pastor stated.

"Though people know intuitively that homosexual acts (along with gossip, slander, insolence, haughtiness, boasting, faithlessness, heartlessness, ruthlessness) are sin, 'they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them' (Romans 1:29-32).’I tell you even with tears, that many glory in their shame' (Philippians 3:18–19)."

This is where much of America stands today. A Gallup poll last month revealed that for the first time since it began tracking the issue of same-sex marriage in 1996, a majority of Americans (53 percent) believe marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by law as valid.

Moreover, 56 percent of Americans say gay or lesbian relations is morally acceptable, another Gallup poll found in May. Only 39 percent perceive homosexual relations as morally wrong.

The Christian Post tried to reach Piper for comment in the days following the gay marriage passage in New York but was told he does not comment on news stories. Thursday's commentary by Piper was the first time since last week's event that the Minneapolis pastor directly addressed the issue.

He stressed that his purpose for writing on the controversial issue is "not to mount a political counter-assault."

He doesn't believe that is the calling of the church.

Rather, Piper expressed his desire to "help the church feel the sorrow of these days. And the magnitude of the assault on God and his image in man."

He didn't pin the sin of sexual immorality on homosexuals alone, however. Heterosexuals are just as guilty.

Piper emphasized that Jesus died for both heterosexual and homosexual sinners so that they might be saved. Jesus, he stressed, offers "astonishing mercy."

But rather than embracing that salvation, thousands celebrated sin last weekend, he lamented.

"Christians know what is coming, not only because we see it in the Bible, but because we have tasted the sorrowful fruit of our own sins. We do not escape the truth that we reap what we sow. Our marriages, our children, our churches, our institutions – they are all troubled because of our sins," he wrote.

"The difference is: We weep over our sins. We don’t celebrate them. We turn to Jesus for forgiveness and help. We cry to Jesus, 'who delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).'"

"And in our best moments, we weep for the world."

The win in New York for gay rights activists is expected to propel the gay marriage movement forward. Already, they are working to push similar legislation in Maine and to defeat a measure amending the constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman in Minnesota.

Amid the movement to redefine marriage, Piper made it clear that Jesus created sexuality and "has a clear will for how it is to be experienced in holiness and joy."

"His will is that a man might leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and that the two become one flesh (Mark 10:6-9). In this union, sexuality finds its God-appointed meaning, whether in personal-physical unification, symbolic representation, sensual jubilation, or fruitful procreation."

Nevertheless, there are no signs of the gay marriage movement slowing down. With that, Piper left Christians with this concluding note:

"This is what I am writing for. Not political action, but love for the name of God and compassion for the city of destruction. 'My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.' (Psalm 119:136)."

Source
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The Work Not Circumscribed by the Counsel of God



Oh, that the Lord might guide you! You should never in a single instance allow hearsay to move you to action, and yet you have sometimes done this. Never take action to narrow and circumscribe the work unless you know that you are moved to do so by the Spirit of the Lord. Our people are doing work for foreign missions, but there are home missions that need their help just as much as these foreign missions. We should make efforts to show our people the wants of the cause of God, and to open before them the need of using means that God has entrusted to them to advance the work of the Master both at home and abroad. Unless those who can help in-----are aroused to a sense of their duty, they will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall be heard. When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness. Those who are accounted good workers will need to draw nigh to God, they will need the divine touch. They will need to drink more deeply and continuously at the fountain of living water, in order that they may discern God’s work at every point. Workers may make mistakes, but you should give them a chance to correct their errors, give them an opportunity to learn caution, by leaving the work in their hands.


Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 299-300.

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Oil spill on Montana's Yellowstone River forces evacuation



A motorist fills up at an Exxon service station in Burke...




LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - An undetermined amount of crude oil spilled from an ExxonMobil pipeline into the Yellowstone River in Montana, prompting evacuations of nearby residents on Saturday, authorities said.

The spill that was detected early Saturday came from a crude oil pipeline that runs from Silver Tip to Billings, Montana, the ExxonMobil Pipeline Company said in a statement. The pipe was subsequently shut down and state and federal authorities were alerted, the company said.

Nearby residents in Laurel, Montana, were evacuated in the wee hours of the morning but were able to return to their homes by 6 a.m., said a spokesman for Laurel City Fire and Ambulance.

"Evacuation orders for all of Yellowstone County have been lifted," the emergency services spokesman said.

Exxon said the cause of the rupture was not yet known and it was unclear how much oil had been released.

"We recognize the seriousness of this incident and are working hard to address it," the company said in a statement. "Our principal focus is on protecting the safety and health of the public and our employees."

(Writing by Barbara Goldberg; Editing by Greg McCune)

Source


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ISAIAH, JESUS AND THE FINAL GENERATION


Uploaded by mdmissionary on Jun 24, 2011

Another Powerful Message from Pastor JR Cofer on revival and reformation! Watch as the parallel nature of the Gospel of Isaiah, Jesus and the Final Generation points us to the final work for the Remnant People of God. A message to wake up the sleeping church!!

The Holy Bible in Urdu on-line

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. John 1:1

Read Urdu Bible

Wildlife in HD

Friday, July 01, 2011

The Coming New World Order (1)



Uploaded by on Feb 15, 2009

10:26
The Coming New World Order (1)

Emiliano Richards The Global Meltdown Series

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You can continue viewing segments below:









Happy Sabbath

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You can't call me a Conspiracy Theorist


Well, am I paranoid?

It sure looks as if the events occurring (before all who are willing to recognize them) give evidence that the things that are happening are doing so in an observable pattern adding to the suspicion that these are part of the grand design.
“In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.”
Traditionally attributed to Franklin D. Roosevelt, but, recently discredited... (the earliest use is found in the 1971 conspiracy theory book None Dare Call it Conspiracy, by Gary Allen and Larry Abraham).1

Well, if F.D. R. didn't say it? Perhaps, he should have said it since many of the things we've heard lately sure makes it seem as if that principle is a fact.

The case is point is the following:

During a covert operation in Abbottadad, Pakistan on May Day 2011, the U.S. Navy and several Intelligence Organizations (CIA?) located, then killed Osama bin Laden, the alleged leader of Al Qaeda. Bin Laden was finally bagged after almost 10 years of eluding an international manhunt for his capture.

On June 22, 2011 the hunt for the fugitive Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger came to an end in Santa Monica, California when he was arrested by local law enforcement authorities and the FBI. Whitey Bulger was finally caught (wanted for 19 murders ) after being on the run since 1999.

On April 27, 2011: After years of speculation and conspiracy theories, the White House has released President Obama’s “long form” birth certificate, clearly stating that he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961.2

Just this past week:
Wait, all this information about DSK's victim surfaced after Ms. Christine Legarde had replaced the now disgraced ex-ector?

Qui est
Mme Legarde?
Lagarde worked as an intern at the United States Capitol, as William Cohen's congressional assistant... Lagarde joined Baker & McKenzie, a large Chicago-based international law firm, in 1981...Religion Roman Catholicism.3

You can call me paranoid, but you can't call me a Conspiracy Theorist? If you do what do these consistent strange occurrences imply? A Conspiracy?

The defense rests its case, your Honor!

---------------------------
Reference

1 http://www.lorencollins.net/blog/?p=39
2 http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/04/27/obamas-birth-certificate-born-in-honolulu.html
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Lagarde
4 http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/07/01/2011-07-01_dominique_strausskahn_will_walk_out_of_court_without_bail_as_sex_assault_case_cr.html

Unconquerable Forces Waiting


Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the minds of men.

We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Many of the prophecies are about to be fulfilled in quick succession. Every element of power is about to be set to work. Past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God's people on every side. Intensity is taking hold of the human family. It is permeating everything upon the earth. . . .

Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated. . . . We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know.

Angels desire to look into the truths that are revealed to the people who with contrite hearts are searching the word of God and praying for greater lengths and breadths and depths and heights of the knowledge which He alone can give.

As we near the close of this world's history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study. The last book of the New Testament Scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many so that they have been glad of any excuse for not making the Revelation their study. But Christ through His servant John has here declared what shall be in the last days; and He says, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein."

The books of Daniel and the Revelation should be bound together and published. A few explanations of certain portions might be added, but I am not sure that these would be needed.

This is the suggestion that I made to Elder Haskell [SEE APPENDIX.] which resulted in the book he published. The need is not filled by this book. It was my idea to have the two books bound together, Revelation following Daniel, as giving fuller light on the subjects dealt with in Daniel. The object is to bring these books together, showing that they both relate to the same subjects.

A message that will arouse the churches is to be proclaimed. Every effort is to be made to give the light, not only to our people, but to the world. I have been instructed that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation should be printed in small books, with the necessary explanations, and should be sent all over the world. Our own people need to have the light placed before them in clearer lines.

The vision that Christ presented to John, presenting the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, is to be definitely proclaimed to all nations, people, and tongues. The churches, represented by Babylon, are represented as having fallen from their spiritual state to become a persecuting power against those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. To John this persecuting power is represented as having horns like a lamb, but as speaking like a dragon. . . .

As we near the close of time, there will be greater and still greater external parade of heathen power; heathen deities will manifest their signal power, and will exhibit themselves before the cities of the world; and this delineation has already begun to be fulfilled. By a variety of images the Lord Jesus represented to John the wicked character and seductive influence of those who have been distinguished for their persecution of God's people. All need wisdom carefully to search out the mystery of iniquity that figures so largely in the winding up of this earth's history. . . . In the very time in which we live, the Lord has called His people and has given them a message to bear. He has called them to expose the wickedness of the man of sin who has made the Sunday law a distinctive power, who has thought to change times and laws, and to oppress the people of God who stand firmly to honor Him by keeping the only true Sabbath, the Sabbath of creation, as holy unto the Lord.

The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn the people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation would be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message. We have no time to lose; God calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must give an account. Advance new principles, and crowd in the clear-cut truth. It will be as a sword cutting both ways. But be not too ready to take a controversial attitude. There will be times when we must stand still and see the salvation of God. Let Daniel speak, let the Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope, "the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning Star."

Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp.116-118.
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Thursday, June 30, 2011

A Sinful World Waxing Worse And Worse!



Volume XXX Issue VII July 2011
Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Fax: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/



A Sinful World Waxing Worse And Worse!


"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

Matthew 24:23-27

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."


Matthew 7:21-23

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

II Timothy 3:12-13


In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will once again examine the progression of events leading us ever closer to the end of this age that we now live in. As we the children of God obey the Biblical command to watch and pray, we need not look far to see the flood of evil that has engulfed the majority of this erstwhile beautiful planet. Satan's footprints are everywhere as they are manifested in the form of moral depravity, wars and uprisings, false religions, oppressive autocratic political regimes, and a glut of other problems too voluminous to list in this newsletter. As Christians, we understand that the situation in this world will continue to deteriorate until the return of our Saviour, for as Paul wrote in II Timothy 3:13, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." We now live in a time when Satan is working like mad in an attempt to overtake the entire world to set up his own devilish one world government. He is in panic mode and "raising hell," so to speak, because as a portion of Revelation 12:12 tells us, "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Satan only has a short time left to work his plan, and we know that ultimately he will fail to accomplish what he has set out to do.

Unfortunately, the window of opportunity for sinners to repent is also closing and may soon be completely shut. If you have not yet repented of your sins and given your heart to God, I encourage you to do so now. As the prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 55:6-7, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Strange Religion In The Last Days!

In Matthew 24 Jesus warned us regarding many of the conditions we would face in the last days. Our Saviour spoke of wars and rumours of wars, nations rising against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. I have covered many of these topics in-depth in earlier issues of the Last Trumpet Newsletter. Additionally, Matthew 24 also warns us that many false prophets would rise up in the last days, and there would be some who would even claim to be Jesus Christ. We are truly living in the days in which many forms of strange religion are rising up.

For the last several months, one man who has received a lot of attention in the media and in the court of public opinion is 89 year-old radio personality Harold Camping. Mr. Camping predicted that the rapture would occur on May 21, 2011, and because of his teachings, many of his followers sold their possessions and spent all that they had in an effort to sound the alarm. May 21st has come and gone, and unfortunately, many of Mr. Camping's biggest supporters are now broke and penniless. One news article, published on May 7, 2011, cited a Camping follower as saying, "We budgeted everything so that, on May 21, we won't have anything left." (1) This is very sad and my heart goes out to those who were deceived by these false teachings. As for Mr. Camping, he remains unrepentant and now insists that the world will be completely destroyed on October 21, 2011. (2) Interestingly enough, Camping suffered a stroke on June 9, 2011. For the most part, he seems to be doing okay although his speech is slurred. (3) Perhaps this is God's way of warning the man to keep quiet.

Harold Camping was not the first man to predict a date for judgment day, and it is unlikely that he will be the last. Nevertheless, if Jesus had wanted us to know the date of His return, He would have told us. The Bible never gives us that information because it is not information we need to know, and it could be detrimental to our spiritual health if we did know. If given a date, many Christians would let their guard down, and possibly even fall into sin. Matthew 25:13 tells us, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Rather than attempt to decipher secret codes in the Bible or use numerology to try and discern the day of our Saviour's return as Mr. Camping had done, we should be in a state of constant readiness to meet our God.

To yet indicate that we are living in the last days, there is now a man in Australia who is claiming to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. However, the man is actually Alan John Miller, and his wife, who claims to be the reincarnation of Mary Magdalene, is actually a woman named Mary Suzanne Lock. The couple have established their "church" near Kingaroy in Queensland, Australia. The surrounding property has been purchased by an estimated thirty to forty followers that Miller has drawn in over the years. (4) On his website, Mr. Miller states, "Just a little over 2000 years ago, we arrived on Earth for the first time. Because of my personal desire and passion for God, as I grew, I recognized not only that I was the Messiah that was foretold by ancient prophets, but also that I was in the process designed by God that all humans could follow if they so desired." (5) A report by the Daily Mail quotes Miller as saying, "There's probably a million people who say they're Jesus and most of them are in asylums. But one of us has to be. How do I know I am? Because I remember everything about my life." (6)

Jesus warned us that men such as Alan John Miller would arise. In Matthew 24:24-26 we read, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not." The existence of false christs is another fulfillment of prophecy and another sign of the time we live in.

Most of us have probably heard of the major religions in the world today. There is Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and many others. Yet, what may be the strangest religion in this modern era is what you might call the Cult of Apple. In a BBC documentary entitled "Secrets of the Superbrands," reporters had the editor of an Apple publication undergo an MRI. The reporters discovered that when the man was looking at Apple products the areas in his brain that became active were usually the same areas of the human brain which were active during religious devotion. The documentary also noted that the opening of an Apple store in London was "more like an evangelical prayer meeting than a chance to buy a phone or laptop" with Apple fanatics "jumping up and down, clapping and shouting." (7)

Although many people would find the notion that Apple is a religion to be a bit far-fetched, the devotion some give to Apple products is nothing short of shocking. A news story that began circulating in early June tells of how a 17 year-old boy in China was so desperate to obtain an iPad 2 (Apple's new tablet computer) that he sold one of his kidneys on the black market in order to acquire the funds to do so. "I wanted to buy an iPad 2, but I didn't have the money. When I surfed the Internet I found an advert posted online by an agent saying they were able to buy a kidney," the boy said. (8)

There is nothing wrong with using Apple products if it is done with the right mindset. I own a few of Apple's devices myself. However, it is important that we do not allow fanaticism to overtake our hearts, whether it be for electronics, movies, television, sports teams, or anything else. As Christians we need to be devoted to God, not to our iPads, iPods, or laptop computers.

Persecution Of Christians - Intensifying In The Last Days!

Another condition of the end times that our Saviour warned us of is prevalent persecution of the Christian people. In Matthew 24:9 we read, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake." Although we still enjoy a fair amount of religious freedom in the United States today, Christians around the world are being persecuted every day. Many of the stories I have been finding through various news sources are utterly horrifying.

The recent revolution in Egypt, which resulted in the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak, was hailed by many as a great victory for democracy. Unfortunately, the ensuing power vacuum has allowed a hard-line Islamic element to rise up and seize control. The oppressive new government, which is operated by the military of that country, has arrested an estimated 7000 people since it took power. (9) The Egyptian authorities are especially hostile to Christians, and they do very little, if anything, to protect them from harm's way. In fact, those in positions of authority often assist in persecuting those who follow Christ.

One such example of persecution occurred in January 2011 when an off-duty police officer became enraged at the presence of several Christians on a train bound for Cairo. The police officer shot and killed a 71 year-old Christian man while wounding the man's wife and four other people. (10) Barry Rubin, the director of Global Research in International Affairs, had this to say about the attack, "The critical factor is that [the shooter] was on his way to work, and so it wasn't a planned thing. If it was a planned thing he would have done it some evening or sometime. I think he was overcome with rage and hatred." (11) Daniel Pipes, the director of the Middle East Forum, said of the shooter: "He is a jihadist and one who doesn't want to have any Christian presence in Egypt. He believes that Egypt should be a completely Muslim country." (12)

Sadly, the hostility toward Christians extends far beyond the borders of Egypt. In May 2011, an attack on a Christian village in Nigeria left sixteen people dead. "There was an attack on Kurum village by unknown gunmen and from reports reaching me 16 people have been killed and 20 houses burned in the attack," stated Amama Abakasanga, commissioner of the Bauchi state police. (13)

Another attack occurred in April 2011 in the African country of Somalia when two Muslim extremists brutally murdered a 21 year-old man who had recently converted to Christianity. The young man was reportedly dragged from his house and then shot several times. After killing the Christian man, the Islamic militants shouted, "Allahu Akbar [God is greater]" and fled the scene. (14)

The Chinese government is also very hostile to Christianity, and in April 2011 they arrested and detained approximately fifty Christians for holding an unregistered church gathering. Although China claims to allow Christian worship in its country, adherents are only allowed to attend church services approved and controlled by the state. Remarkably, Christianity is flourishing in China despite persecution from the government. There are an estimated sixty million Chinese Christians who worship in unregistered "house" churches, which the oppressive communist regime deems to be illegal. (15)

In the United States we are blessed to have easy access to our Bibles and to be able to hold church services without the government breaking down the door. However, the Gospel is not allowed to flow quite as freely as it used to in America. It is not uncommon to hear of street preachers being arrested for "disturbing the peace" or Christians being arrested for "hate speech" if they try to witness to a homosexual. I thank God for the opportunities we do have to spread the Gospel, and yet I understand that we may not always be able to do so. We at Last Trumpet Ministries feel the urgency of the time in which we live, and it is for that reason we are more determined than ever to work as hard as we possibly can for the cause of God's Kingdom.

American Freedom Trampled Underfoot!

Each month there are several hundred news stories that come across my desk. Invariably, I find that many of these stories are appalling and indicate that the erosion of our privacy, freedom, and rights as American citizens is occurring at an ever-increasing and alarming pace.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, is in the process of revising their manual known as the Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide in an effort to give their agents more leeway to conduct investigations. Under the new rules, the agents need no firm evidence, probable cause, or even a hint of suspicion to search database records, follow Americans with surveillance teams, or search through a person's trash. The new regulations also loosen the requirements necessary to administer lie detector tests. (16)

Just weeks before the FBI announced their new regulations, Barack Obama signed an extension for certain controversial portions of the Patriot Act which are considered so intrusive that they must be renewed every four years. (The majority of the Patriot Act is a permanent part of United States' law.) Regarding the Patriot Act, Obama stated, "It's an important tool for us to continue dealing with an ongoing terrorist threat." (17) Other figures in Washington, however, were far from delighted. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) lamented over his decision to vote in favor of the Patriot Act in 2001, saying, "I soon realized it gave too much power to the government without enough judicial and congressional oversight." (18)

It is no longer unusual to hear of law enforcement officers breaking down the doors of innocent Americans. In fact, a recent incident took place in Stockton California, wherein a team of agents, acting on the behalf of the Department of Education, broke down the door of a man's home, dragged him out of his house, and locked him in a hot patrol car for six hours after confronting him about his estranged wife's unpaid college loans. (19)

Another outrageous incident occurred in Vernal, Utah, on May 27, 2011 when a man was given a citation after attempting to pay a disputed $25 bill at a clinic with 2500 pennies. The police charged the man with "disorderly conduct." (20)

If you ever spend time in the city of Chicago, there is a good chance Big Brother will be watching you. The city has a network of over 10,000 surveillance cameras, and plans are underway to add more. Of the surveillance expansion plans, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel stated, "Work's been done. We should complete it because it's identified as important in the Homeland Security reports. The camera network is part of security and safety for the city." (21)

Have The Scientists Gone Mad?

Throughout the course of history, there have always been scientists who were known to be a little eccentric. However, the projects that many scientists are now working on today go beyond minor eccentricities but rather redefine the realm of insanity. Have the scientists gone mad?

Scientists have taken light-emitting proteins from jellyfish and merged them with a single human cell to create what one news report called a "living, biological laser." "This is the first time that we have used biological materials to build a laser and generate light from something that is living," said Seok-Hyun Yun, an optical physicist at Harvard Medical School. (22)

A new system known as Nutrismart, which would allow edible RFID tags to be embedded in food, is being developed. The scientists claim the system would be useful for tracking nutrition and food allergies, thus making it easier for people to keep a record of what they eat. (23)

Scientists in China have produced a herd of genetically modified cows that produce milk with the same properties as human milk. Professor Li Ning, the project's director and lead researcher stated, "The genetically modified cow milk is 80 percent the same as human breast milk. Our modified cow milk contains several major properties of human milk, in particular proteins and antibodies which we believe are good for our health and able to improve our immune system." (24)

AgResearch in New Zealand has produced genetically engineered transgender goats, which they are calling goys. The goats, which are said to be females in sterile male bodies, will be induced into milking by the researchers in charge of the project. (25)

This next story is so disgusting that I am reluctant to even include it in this section. It is hard to read this without feeling a little nauseous, and for that I apologize in advance. A Japanese researcher by the name of Mitsuyuki Ikeda has developed a synthetic meat product made from the proteins found in "sewage mud," or in other words, human waste. "I admit that few people would be keen to eat it knowing it's made of human excrement. As far as the cost is concerned, because at the moment it includes the cost of research, our artificial meat is 10 or 20 times more expensive than normal meat. But once the research is complete and it's put on the market, we'll probably be able to price it at roughly the same level as normal meat," said Ikeda in an interview. (26)

A Worldwide Food Supply In Crisis!

One thing every man, woman, and child has in common in this world is that they all must eat. Yet, we find in this modern age when new technology is supposed to be making our food safer and more abundant that it is actually becoming more difficult to obtain wholesome, nutritious, and affordable food. In fact, a report published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, states that they expect the price of food to continue to rise over the next ten years. "People are going to be forced, either to literally eat less, or find other sources of income," said Angel Gurria, the head of OECD. (27) Jim Borel, the executive vice president at DuPont had this to say, "People are starting to recognize that food demand is outstripping supply. If the world doesn't figure out how to effectively deal with this challenge, then the results are ugly." (28)

Much of the food that is available to consumers is actually unsafe for consumption. It was recently discovered that a considerable amount of the food in China is tainted, including diseased pigs that were used to make bacon; noodles made from a mixture of corn, ink, and paraffin; rice contaminated with heavy metals; sausages made of rotten meat and fertilizer; and pork that is so full of bacteria that it glows a strange blue color in the dark. (29)

In Germany, a breakout of a new strain of E.coli bacteria has sickened 3408 people and killed 39 more as of June 18, 2011. (30) The origin of this tenacious new strain of E.coli is a mystery, which officials in Germany are having a difficult time solving. At first they thought tainted lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes were the culprits. After that they turned their suspicion to sprouts of mung beans, broccoli, peas, chickpeas, garlic, lentils, and radishes. Meanwhile the scare has left many Europeans afraid to consume vegetables, particularly if it happens to be organic. Upon learning that many of the suspected crops were grown on organic farms, a German man was quoted as saying, "It's a bit scary all of this, especially that it is coming from an organic place. No more organic food for me for now." (31)

Here let it be noted that a report by The Atlantic, claims the new strain of E.coli, which is known as O104:H4, contains genetic material from various strains of E.coli as well as DNA sequences from plague bacteria. (32) When we consider all of the facts we know regarding this deadly new strain, which some reports called the worst outbreak of E.coli ever, I cannot help but wonder if it was created in a lab somewhere.

Corn prices in the United States have continued to rise, and the cost of a bushel of corn is now more than double what it was just a year ago. Stockpiles are also at levels of about half of what officials would like them to be, which is partially due to the flooding which occurred earlier in the year and destroyed crops in many areas. (33) Meanwhile, other areas of the United States have been suffering from severe drought, and this has threatened our nation's supply of wheat. Inventories of wheat are expected to drop 8.8 percent with a price increase as high as 20 percent by the end of 2011. Other regions of the world, such as China, parts of Europe, the Ukraine, and Russia have also had recent difficulties growing wheat. Dan Basse, president of AgResource Co, was quoted as saying, "In 32 years, I've never seen so many problems in so many places. We're concerned about the world story now." (34)

The world's supply of wheat also faces another challenge from a strain of fungus called Ug99. The fungus is referred to as wheat rust, and once it is attached to a wheat crop, the plants become covered in reddish brown blisters, which renders them useless. Ug99 was first discovered in Uganda in 1999. Since that time it has spread to all of the southern and eastern regions of Africa, and scientists are growing more concerned that it may reach other areas of the world, such as Pakistan, India, Australia, or even the Americas. Because of the destructive potential of Ug99, researchers are frantically working to develop new varieties of wheat which are resistant to the fungus. (35)

Earth - Battered And Beaten By Natural Disasters!

According to a report by the International Displacement Monitoring Center, 2010 was the most devastating year ever recorded with 42 million people being forced to flee their homes because of natural disasters. (36) The trend has continued in 2011 with major earthquakes in various regions of the world, flooding in several countries, droughts, volcano eruptions in Chile and other places, and a shocking number of storms and tornadoes in the United States. In fact, experts are now claiming that April 2011 was unlike any month in the history of America. "While similar extremes have occurred throughout modern American history, never before have they occurred in a single month," says the report published by the National Climatic Data Center. (37)

The extreme weather was not limited to the month of April, however. On May 22, 2011, one of the deadliest tornadoes ever recorded occurred in Joplin, Missouri. This powerful storm cut a path of destruction nearly fourteen miles long, and tragically, at least 153 people lost their lives. (38) Other areas of the United States are still suffering the consequences of major flooding, and much of the southwestern United States is still enduring major drought. Unfortunately, the severe drought has presented ideal conditions for wildfires, and several such fires were started in June 2011. The Wallow fire in eastern Arizona is the largest the state has ever seen with 773 square miles, or 495,016 acres, now destroyed. As of this writing, there are more than 4,600 firefighters attempting to contain the blaze. (39)

There are many other examples of disasters around the world that could be discussed, such as the volcano in Chile, which has strewn ash all the way across the Pacific Ocean and grounded flights in Australia; (40) the earthquakes and aftershocks in Christchurch, New Zealand, which have frustrated city residents to the point that many wish to leave the area altogether; (41) and the flooding in China, which has forced over 555,000 people in seven provinces to evacuate their homes and killed over 100 more. (42) It certainly seems that natural disasters and extreme weather only are intensifying in these last days, and that trend will likely continue as we move through time and get closer to the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

A Gloomy Outlook For The Economy!

Experts and the average American people have taken on a stark, gloomy tone regarding the economy in recent weeks. According to a new survey by a research company known as AlixPartners, 61 percent of respondents believe that they will not be able to return to their pre-recession lifestyles until 2014 or later, while 10 percent of respondents believe that they will never recover from the recession. (43) Meanwhile, the Misery Index, which combines unemployment and inflation data to measure the level of misery in the United States is now at a 28 year high. (44) On June 5, 2011, CBS News published a story claiming that chronic employment is now worse than it was during the Great Depression. The report says that 6.2 million Americans, which represents 45.1 percent of the unemployed in the United States, have now been unemployed for more than six months. (45)

The situation here in the United States could deteriorate quickly if the government begins defaulting on its debt. Many experts, such as Jim Rogers, chief executive at Rogers Holdings, believe the United States may soon be facing a crisis worse than the 2008 recession. (46) There is so much more that could be written about the economy, but unfortunately I am out of space in this issue. What I can tell you is that we need Jesus more than ever to protect us from the storms of this life. We know from our Bible that the situation here on earth will only grow progressively worse as we move closer to our Saviour's coming, but we also know that He will watch over us and protect us if we put our trust in Him.

In closing, I wish to thank all of you who support this ministry. We appreciate each and every one of our readers, and we will continue to publish this newsletter as long as the Lord allows us to do so. I know that much of the subject matter discussed is very heavy and sometimes hard to bear, but I firmly believe that we need to continue to keep ourselves and our fellow Christians apprised of the current events happening in these trying times as we watch and pray. If you have any prayer requests, small or great, please feel welcome to send them our way, either through postal mail or the email address listed below. Our team of intercessors will give each request individual attention. We know that our God answers prayer, and we have seen the results of prayer time and time again. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.


Samuel David Meyer

Acknowledgements

01. National Public Radio, May 7, 2011, By Barbara Hagerty, http://npr.org.
02. Christian Post, May 31, 2011, By Elena Garcia, http://christianpost.com.
03. CBS News, June 13, 2011, By David S. Morgan, http://cbsnews.com.
04. The Daily Mail, May 18, 2011, By Daily Mail Reporter, http://dailymail.co.uk.
05. AOL News, May 16, 2011, By AOL News, http://weirdnews.aol.com.
06. The Daily Mail, May 18, 2011, By Daily Mail Reporter, http://dailymail.co.uk.
07. South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 23, 2011, By Sun Sentinel Staff, http://sun-sentinel.com.
08. The Daily Mail, June 2, 2011, By Daily Mail Reporter, http://dailymail.co.uk.
09. National Public Radio, June 14, 2011, By Eric Westervelt, http://npr.org.
10. Associated Press, January 11, 2011, By Hamza Hendawi, Cairo, Egypt.
11. WorldNetDaily, May 10, 2011, By WorldNetDaily, http://wnd.com.
12. Ibid.
13. AFP, May 6, 2011, By AFP, Kano, Nigeria.
14. Christian Post, April 21, 2011, By Compass Direct News, http://christianpost.com, Nairobi, Kenya.
15. The Telegraph, April 18, 2011, By The Telegraph, http://telegraph.co.uk.
16. The New York Times, June 12, 2011, By Charlie Savage, Washington, D.C.
17. Associated Press, May 27, 2011, By Jim Abrams, Washington, D.C.
18. Ibid.
19. NewsOne, June 10, 2011, By NewsOne Staff, http://newsone.com.
20. Associated Press, June 5, 2011, By Associated Press, Vernal, Utah.
21. Chicago Sun Times, June 15, 2011, By Fran Spielman, http://suntimes.com.
22. Fox News, June 13, 2011, By Fox News, http://foxnews.com.
23. Dvice, June 6, 2011, By Dvice, http://dvice.com.
24. Reuters News Service, June 16, 2011, By Haze Fan, Beijing, China.
25. Scoop Independent News, June 12, 2011, By Scoop Staff, http://scoop.co.nz.
26. Natural News, June 16, 2011, By Ethan A. Huff, http://naturalnews.com.
27. The Telegraph, June 18, 2011, By Emma Rowley, http://telegraph.co.uk.
28. Reuters News Service, June 7, 2011, By Carey Gillam, Kansas City, Missouri.
29. Los Angeles Times, April 29, 2011, By David Pierson, http://latimes.com.
30. Associated Press, June 17, 2011, By Kirsten Grieshaber, Berlin, Germany.
31. Associated Press, June 5, 2011, By Kirsten Grieshaber and Tomislav Skaro, Hamburg, Germany.
32. The Atlantic, May 31, 2011, By Adam Martin, http://theatlantic.com.
33. Associated Press, June 15, 2011, By Michael J. Crumb, Des Moines, Iowa.
34. The Wichita Eagle, June 6, 2011, By Beccy Tanner, http://kansas.com.
35. CBS News, June 10, 2011, By CBS News, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
36. The Japan Times, June 19, 2011, By The Japan Times, http://japantimes.co.jp.
37. MSNBC, June 15, 2011, By Dave Martin, Washinton, D.C.
38. CNN News Blog, June 13, 2011, By CNN, http://cnn.com.
39. The Washington Post, June 17, 2011, By Associated Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
40. Associated Press, June 14, 2011, By Sarah DiLorenzo, Sydney, Australia.
41. Stuff.co.nz, June 19, 2011, By Iain McGregor, http://stuff.co.nz.
42. Reuters News Service, June 17, 2011, By Royston Chan, Zhuji, China.
43. CNBC, June 3, 2011, By Christine Cheddar Berk, http://cnbc.com.
44. CNBC, June 17, 2011, By Jeff Cox, http://cnbc.com.
45. CBS News, June 5, 2011, By Ben Tracy, http://cbsnews.com.
46. CNBC, June 8, 2011, By Margo D. Beller, http://cnbc.com.

Special Note: A new tribute website for Pastor David J. Meyer can now be accessed at http://pastormeyer.org.

Comments regarding this newsletter or topic suggestions may be submitted to editor@lasttrumpetnewsletter.org.
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