Prophecy of Daniel 2 confirmed by Lisbon Treaty!

Climate Change Conference finds consensus at Bali!

Scientology “threatens the peaceful democratic order.”

Striking truckers paralyze Italy

A storm of “biblical proportions”

Writ of Habeas Corpus under exam by U.S. Supreme court

FBI creating world’s largest biometric data base

Poverty, obesity, and lack of physical fitness - a fatal triad.

Pope Benedict XVI invited to speak at UN in spring.

Holy Fools "celebrate" at the Canterbury Cathedral.

Americans experience precipitous drop in life expectancy.

NAFTA shrinks Western world.

Belly fat predicts heart attack.

Adventists engage in high-level talks with Evangelicals.

Martin Luther would cry!

Cancer risk reduced by stopping alcohol consumption.

Floods, the judgment of God on immorality!

News and Commentary 2006

News and Commentary 2005

News and Commentary 2004

News and Commentary 2003

Other recent "Good News"

1

Prophecy of Daniel 2 confirmed by Lisbon Treaty!

Bible prophecy is vindicated once again by the treaty signed in Lisbon by leaders of all 27 member states on December 13, 2007.

The Lisbon Treaty is Europe’s best alternative to a formal constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters two years ago.

While the treaty replaces the rotating president of the E.U. with a permanent president, allows more decisions regarding justice and security issues to be made by majority vote rather than by general consensus, and gives a louder voice to European and national parliaments, it falls far short of creating the unity of Europe long dreamed of by many Europeans.

According to the Bible prophecy described in the Book of Daniel, chapter 2, there will never again be a world empire such as existed in Ancient Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, or Rome – until one established by God with the return of Jesus, not again as a baby in a manger, but as Lord of Lords and King of Kings, to rule a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.

Over and over again since the fall of the Roman empire this prophecy has been challenged, and over and over again those challenges have fallen flat.

So, though Europe may rejoice with this new treaty (yet to be ratified), Bible prophecy, and the God by whom it is inspired, remains vindicated.

And if this prophecy made 2500 years ago stands the test, should it not be expected that the remainder of the Bible may also be true? (Click here to read about Europe in Bible prophecy)

top

2

The world’s “first people-power movement” on the rise

In the speech accepting the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the U. N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), former U. S. Vice President, Al Gore, expressed optimism for the future based upon his observations across the U. S. and around the world that the “the world’s first people-power movement on a global basis” is seen to be rising into existence.

In fact, because Gore sees global warming as a greater threat than even nuclear war, he is adamant that the global community must rise to the task, and curb the production of greenhouse gases – and that, beginning at once.

Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the IPCC, confirmed Gore’s urgency, stating that in order to be successful, governments will need to take stringent actions during the next seven years.

By 2015, we must see the levels of greenhouse gas production peak and begin on the decline thereafter, Pachauri says.

Just how stringent those actions will be will likely depend upon the frequency and severity of natural disasters – a major factor bringing the world to its present level of concern.

One need only witness a few more catastrophes of the magnitude of Katrina to become a believer, ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to find safety from Mother Nature’s assaults.

We speak now of taking “tough steps to tackle global warming,” but as the effects of global warming intensify and begin to touch us all where it hurts, we may be certain people will unite against this common enemy of mankind in strange and unexpected ways. (Click here to read more)

 top

3

Climate Change Conference finds consensus at Bali!

After two weeks of intensive negotiations, delegates of 190 nations meeting in Bali, Indonesia, finally reached consensus on a climate change policy.

Rather than committing nations to specific actions as some had insisted, the consensus dedicated two years of time during which negotiators are to find ways to reduce pollution while also helping poor nations adapt to the recommended changes by providing them with technology and financial support.

While the agreement appears to some as a stalling tactic, others see it as a very positive thing in that it gives time and opportunity to create a more effective and widely accepted policy that is acceptable to rich and poor nations alike.

Of course, optimism is nice, but given our collective lust for indulgence in the things that satisfy the senses, it seems unlikely that the global family will be able to restrain itself sufficiently to attain any reasonable objective requiring sacrifice – and even if it could, one must wonder if it is already too little, too late!

More likely we will continue our headlong rush down the wide road of self-destruction, ending only when Jesus appears in the heavens as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to separate once and for all eternity the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the weeds. (Click here to read more)

top

Scientology “threatens the peaceful democratic order.”

In keeping with the fact that the Church of Scientology is no longer welcome by top security officials in Germany, preparations are now in progress to ban the organization.

According to Interior Ministers, the Church is in conflict with the principles of the nation’s constitution and a threat “to the peaceful democratic order.”

While specifics are unavailable, the most recent annual report criticized the organization for “disregarding human rights” in that it is said to “limit or rescind basic and human rights - such as the right to develop one’s personality and the right to be treated equally.”

In response, Sabine Weber, president of the Church of Scientology in Germany, rejects the criticism, and suggests that the threatened ban is merely a response to the growth of the Church in other European nations.

The Church of Scientology originated in Los Angeles in 1954 based on the concept of studying truth scientifically, denying the need for faith.

Designed to achieve true spiritual release and freedom, the church teaches that man is an immortal spiritual being whose capabilities are unlimited.

Whether of not the teachings and practices of the church do conflict with Germany’s constitution, this attempt to ban a religious organization must raise the level of concern among the members of other church organizations that for conscience sake may not be able to fully cooperate with the laws of the state.

For although it is true that the Bible admonishes Christians to support and honor the government (for it is authorized by God to keep the order), it is also clear in its teaching that when one is forced to decide between obeying God or the State, God must always take first place.

Given the world we now live in with extreme examples of religious fanaticism and terrorism, it should not seem strange that governments seek ways to protect the wellbeing of its citizens.

In fact, the Bible has predicted just a state of unrest during the end times of history preceding the return of Jesus.

Then, we are told, the State and the ecumenical Church will join resources to control by force those that fail to comply with the rule of the majority.

In keeping with this, it is appropriate for each of us to ask ourselves if we are ready to stand for what we believe to be truth – at any cost! (Click here to read more)

top

5

Striking truckers paralyze Italy

Defying government demands to end the strike that paralyzed the nation, Italian truckers accused Transport minister, Bianchi, of using provocation against them rather than working to solve the difficult problems creating economic conditions in the country.

Meanwhile, grocer’s shelves became empty, filling stations closed, and industry was forced to shut down for lack of parts and supplies.

This had all occurred within the space of three days, forcing one to wonder just what would happen should such a strike continue on for weeks, or occur in the European Union, in the United States, or some other major economy.

All of which demonstrates the real power of a small group of people, whether controlled by a labor union, or even loosely united by a common interest.

While it may be true that Labor has lost some of its clout when compared to a few decades ago, this example in Italy reminds us of the power of even a few when these few control a critical link in a major economy – such as the trucker’s union.

Predictions describing labor unions as major players in end-time events on planet earth ought not be written off too soon – nor should concerned citizens fail to be prepared for such emergencies. (Click here to read about end time Bible prophecies)

top

6

A storm of “biblical proportions”

The ice storm that toppled trees, brought down power lines, and stopped most traffic, in the air and on the ground, has been described by some as a storm of “biblical proportions.”

Ice storms are common, and an expected phenomenon on the great central plains of America, but never, as far as records reach back into history has there been a storm to equal this one.

Early reports tell of at least 24 deaths while millions of homes remain without electrical power and heat.

Were this the only natural disaster occurring in America, it would be note worthy, but it is not!

Even while ice laid its heavy burden on the trees and power lines of the plains states, America’s North West was inundated by floods and high winds, these also of record setting proportion.

We may attribute these “freaks” of nature to global warming, and this may very well be true, but more than this, we may see them as “signs of the times” predicted in the Holy Bible concerning the end-times of history just preceding the return of Jesus as Lord of Lords and King of Kings to put an end to sin – which is, after all, the root cause of the present state of our world. (Click here to read more)

top

7

Writ of Habeas Corpus under exam by U.S. Supreme court

Because of contention regarding the 300 foreign suspects being held indefinitely at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, the U. S. Supreme Court has recently heard arguments from which it must determine whether these detainees have the same rights to Habeas Corpus as do American citizens.

For seven centuries the Writ of Habeas Corpus, the right to seek relief from illegal detention, has been a fundamental principle of law.

According to the U.S. Constitution, the “Writ” shall not be suspended from American citizens “unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.”

But do non-citizens qualify for the same rights?

That is the question.

In September, 2006, Congress passed legislation suspending habeas corpus for anyone deemed an “unlawful enemy combatant.”

Already in 1950 (according to a recently declassified document), at the beginning of the Korean War, J. Edgar Hoover, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), sent a plan to then president Harry S. Truman, calling for the suspension of habeas corpus for 12,000 Americans suspected of espionage and sabotage, and putting them in military prisons.

That plan, though never carried out, changed the meaning of the “Writ” from “rebellion or invasion” to “threatened invasion” or “attack upon United States troops in legally occupied territory.”

Given the present war on terrorism, so violently expressed on 9/11, the whole issue of individual freedoms is being forced into the lime light.

With this “new war,” it is not only foreign suspects that threaten attack against America, but some radical citizens as well.

Is citizenship therefore sufficient basis to grant habeas corpus?

And if not, how does one define a “threat?”

Since America’s greatest threats appear to be religious extremists of the Muslim faith, one might wonder if under the right circumstances, “dissidents” of other faiths might also seem to be a threat to the American dream.

Bible prophecy predicts just such a scenario in the days ahead. (Click here to read more about America in Bible prophecy)

In the meantime we will await the ruling of the Supreme Court that is expected to be made public next summer.

top

8

FBI creating world’s largest biometric data base

Citizens of the United States and others will soon discover that there is no place to hide from the watchful eye of the FBI.

In a secure, climate controlled, underground facility the size of two football fields in Clarksburg, W. Virginia, the FBI is in the process of creating the world’s largest biometric data base.

Among the data being gathered are such things as fingerprints, palm prints, irises, face shape data, scars, walking gates, and DNA samples – and research for other identifying characteristics is ongoing.

Data is presently being gathered from across the nation and around the world in traffic and border checks, airport check in screens, by customs agents, military and police records, etc., etc.

During the next ten years, as the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) develops its “Next Generation Identification” system, means for gathering biometric data will continue to expand to the point that all of us will be “known” to those who request the data.

While this FBI project is geared toward protecting the public safety, some fear its potential for abuse.

Others see it as the fulfillment of Bible prophecy whereby public authorities may identify conscientious followers of Jesus who “stand out” for non-compliance with laws regarding worship, established for what is believed the public good.

In fact, truth be known, America is developing exactly as those Bible prophecies of two thousand years ago predicted.

Even now, we have the options of fear for those things coming upon the world, or of faith, knowing that the return of Jesus is at hand, when sin and its terrible consequences will be no more. (Click hear to read about America in Bible prophecy)

top

9

Poverty, obesity, and lack of physical fitness - a fatal triad.

Poverty, obesity and lack of physical fitness just seem to go together.

The state of Mississippi has the nation's highest poverty rate at nearly 20% of its population.

It also ranks top of the list for obesity and near the bottom of the list of states in physical fitness.

Colorado, on the other hand is top of the list for physical fitness, and low on poverty (though still a long way from ideal!).

Nor do things look good for the future.

In fact, Professor Paul Zimmet, Director of the International Diabetes Institute in Melbourn, Australia claims that "diabesity," (diabetes associated with obesity), will during the next couple decades, become the biggest epidemic the world has ever faced.

What HIV/AIDS has been in the past 3 decades, "diabesity" will soon reach and exceed in terms of morbidity and mortality of AIDS.

The disease already afflicts 246 million people worldwide and taking its toll on all aspects of society.

That number is expected to reach 380 million by 2025 - and already high health care costs related to obesity are hurting the bottom line of many U.S. industries.

The irony of this whole scenario is that it is the poor that are getting the ills of the rich - excessive amounts of rich, refined foods and excessive leisure.

While in some parts of the world this may be due to ignorance, for most it appears to be nothing more than selfish indulgence of those things that are pleasant and enjoyable in the short run with little regard for the future - much as has existed at those points in history just before society collapsed in on itselt - the flood of Noah's day, Sodom and Gomorrah, the fall of all the great empires ending with Rome, etc.

While the Bible gives the remedy for the world's ills, it also requires one submit to power from above to make the change - a submission few seem willing to make. (Click here to read more)

top

10

Pope Benedict XVI invited to speak at UN in spring.

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has invited Pope Benedict XVI to speak at the UN General Assembly next spring.

As we look around us today, we see escalating troubles everywhere.

Secretary Ban sees these too, saying, "Whatever we have achieved in the past, we will be judged in the future on the action we take today."

"The world turns to us, increasingly to solve more and more problems - and the problems seem to grow ever more complex," he said.

Accordingly, Mr. Ban told his hearers at the New York Holy Family Church that we must find new ways of working.

We can only assume that his invitation to the pope to speak before the General Assembly indicates an acknowledgment that when things get to big for men to handle, it is time to call upon God.

And since the pope is viewed by many as God's representative on earth, it is perhaps natural that he be called upon to help in this time of need.

Indeed, the Bible and inspired writings are quite clear in describing our times - a time when religion and politics will join hands in their vain attempt to "buy" God's favor as we reap the consequences of our sin in war, natural disaster, and calamities of every kind. (Click here to read more)

top

11

Holy Fools "celebrate" at the Canterbury Cathedral.

On Sabbath, September 15, Holy Fools UK, will be holding a special 25th silver anniversary celebration at the Canterbury Cathedral during which time 30 Christian clowns will entertain the public and show how they use their ministry.

Of course, the public is invited to enjoy the service as the clowns, all colorfully made up in costume prepared to present this special service "with all the energy and fun that clowns can give."

Holy Fools UK describes their aim as using clowning, miming puppetry, dance, storytelling and allied arts in ministry and worship.

"We make services special, memorable and fun," they say.

Without attempting to judge the hearts and motives of the Holy Fools, one must wonder if this is truly what Jesus would do in view of the times in which we live with all the signs pointing to the end of the world.

Is this truly a time for celebrating and fun? (Click here to read more)

top

12

Americans experience precipitous drop in life expectancy.

America, one of the richest nations on earth, now ranks 42nd on terms of life expectancy - down from 11th place 20 years ago.

Reasons given for this drop seem paradoxical at best.

While we are one of the richest nations on earth, poverty is attributed to our inability to purchase health insurance - and too much food makes us so fat it kills us prematurely.

Something seems drastically wrong with this picture.

No! It is not the lack of health insurance that has caused this life expectancy ranking shift.

Nor is it the lack of food that causes obesity or high infant mortality.

It is, rather, primarily the result of the way we use our resources - but even mal-distribution is not the major problem.

We know what we ought to eat, how to obtain adequate exercise, the kind of fluids it is best to drink, the amount of sleep we need, and the harmful effects of mind-altering drugs of all kinds - but we do not follow our knowledge - neither the rich nor the poor!

Were we as a nation to apply these well known principles of health, we would have little problem with obesity and diseases of excess (and even high infant mortality), and little need of health insurance.

But, lacking a healthy spiritual perspective as children of a loving God who desires our health and happiness in this life, and eternal life beyond, we have no high purpose for life, and no power to live health promoting life practices.

And though we may expect politicians to push for universal health care, the wise will recognize that only a relationship with and dependency upon the God revealed in the Holy Bible has the answer to the crying health needs of the American society. (Click here to read more)

 
top

13

NAFTA shrinks Western world.

Results of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) made in 1994 are taking on a new dimension as "long haul" trucks begin to cross the Mexican border back and forth into the United States and Canada.

Until now, Mexican truckers were required to stop at the border and transfer their goods to U.S. trucks for transport throughout the nation.

This will no longer be necessary.

Already, the border with Canada is open to "long haul" trucking.

Though meeting opposition from the Teamsters Union, the Sierra Club and Public Citizen, a one-year test run is now underway toward shrinking the size of the Western world.

Bible prophecy has long been understood to predict the status of America as the leader of a worldwide movement uniting the powers of Church and State in regulating Sunday as the universal day for worship.

That, of course, can only happen in a world that is also united by other bonds.

While this prophecy may seem far-fetched to some, one need only look at the disasters of the World Trade Center, or of Katrina to see how people respond when disaster strikes.

What will be our corporate response when one disaster follows another faster than we can cope?

Surely then, people will seek to appease the God they know we have long offended by our individual sins, and those of society.

And what better way than by demanding we all give Him worship on the day most of the world already recognizes as special - even if it should ignore the Biblical Sabbath? (Click here to read more)

top

14

Belly fat predicts heart attack.

One of the best predictors of heart attack appears to be the amount of abdominal fat one carries.

Like smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increasing age, the amount of fat in the belly is an independent risk factor for heart attacks.

According to the research done at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, fat inside the abdomen is more dangerous than fat around the hips or other places because it is "metabolically active," raising the level of acids that contribute to heart attack.

Whereas body mass index has until now been the measure usually used to denote the risks associated with obesity, this study suggests that a simple measure of abdominal girth is an even better measure - at least for heart disease.

What the study does not reveal is the answer to the question of what causes fat to be preferentially stored in the abdomen in some people but not in others.

Fortunately, belly fat, like other risk factors for heart attack, can be reduced by life style practices that include a diet composed of natural, mostly unrefined foods of plant origin, a good exercise program, and water as the beverage of choice - leaving each of us with the choice of continued indulgence of the senses or a longer, healthier life. (Click here to read more)

top

15

Adventists engage in high-level talks with Evangelicals.

Seventh-day Adventists, long viewed by the greater Christian community as a sect, or sometimes by the pejorative term, "cult," have recently concluded a second round of high-level talks with both the Presbyterian Church of the USA and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).

Early reports from those meetings indicate that teachings long held by Adventists, such as Saturday as the Sabbath rather than Sunday, the recognition of death as an unconscious state as in sleep, and the writings of Ellen White as a messenger of God but not with authority superceding the Bible, were seen by their Evangelical counterparts as compatible with mainline Christianity.

According to Hal Thomsen, who led the Adventist contingency at the talks, the primary purpose was to help the evangelical community to better understand the rather unique teachings of Adventism.

This objective appears to have been at least partially achieved in view of the fact that further dialog has not been ruled out by either group, and that WEA leadership is said to be giving study to permitting interested Adventist groups to join the world organization.

From its beginning, Seventh-day Adventists have viewed themselves as a special "movement" within Christianity raised up by God to call the inhabitants of planet earth out of symbolic "Babylon" in preparation for the return of Jesus.

The initiatives taken by the Adventist Church here must properly be seen as an honest effort on their part to open dialog with other faiths, not with the objective of joining in the present ecumenical movement, but rather, to expose them to the saving Biblical truths of the seventh day Sabbath, the true state of death and coming resurrection, God's final judgment even now in session separating the faithful from the world, etc. (Click here to read more about the judgment)

top

16

Martin Luther would cry!

Martin Luther would cry his eyes out if he were to awake to see what is happening to those who call themselves by his name.

While Luther fought with his life to defend "Sola Scriptura" (the Holy Scriptures) and proclaim the beautiful theme of righteousness by faith, leaders of the largest Lutheran denomination in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, voted to ignore scripture and to refrain from disciplining "those who are in a faithful same-gender (homosexual) relationship."

Mark Hansen, the presiding bishop, suggested that the discussions and actions of the assembly expressed the attempt of the church to fit the straight testimony of Holy Scripture into today's culture in a way that the church could still be faithful to the interpretation of Scripture and the confession of the Church - or, in other words, for the 4.8 million member Church to "have its cake and eat it too."

Because the Word of God as encompassed in the Bible is not widely appreciated in most Christian Churches any more, many are finding it "necessary" to sacrifice Biblical truth in an attempt to keep the church alive and its members attending services.

Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus prayed for unity in the Church.

Ever since that prayer was prayed, Christians of all stripes have sought to see its fulfillment - even if by compromise with evil if need be!

This latest vote by this Lutheran assembly in ignoring Scripture and permitting homosexual relationships for its pastors and bishops is just one more example of how far "Christians" have fallen from the Word of God in which they profess to believe and practice in their vain effort to reach Jesus' plea for unity among His followers.

Where are those faithful ones who, like Martin Luther, will stand true and firm for the Holy Bible - the one and only safe guide for happiness now, and life everlasting when Jesus returns? (Click here to read more about the Bible)

 top

17

Cancer risk reduced by stopping alcohol consumption.

Alcohol ranks next to tobacco for its contribution to causing cancer in many parts of the body, but especially in the head and neck and esophagus.

According to Dr. Jurgen Rehm, of the Center for Addiction and Public Health in Toronto, Canada, studies comparing those who continue to drink with those who have quit reveal that following 2 years of abstinence, cancer risk begins to recede, and by 15 years is equal to those who never drank.

These findings closely parallel the health benefits of discontinuing the use of tobacco products.

While the public media hype the benefits of alcohol in preventing heart disease, in reality, the benefit of quitting on preventing cancer far exceeds the potential benefit gained from the alcohol in helping the heart.

Furthermore, regularly consuming the whole foods used to make alcoholic drinks is far more beneficial to the heart than any amount of alcohol coming from them.

The bottom line! It's better to quit late, than never!

And yes, our bodies are described in the Bible as the temple of God, and it is our privilege to make that temple the most beautiful as possible. (Click here to read more)

 top

18

Floods, the judgment of God on immorality!

The floods devastating Great Britain and the U.S. are judgments of God on the immorality and greed of modern society - according to the senior bishops of the Church of England.

Pro gay legislation has undermined marriage and thereby provoked God to act by sending the storms, they said.

While it is undoubtedly true that our collective lack of care for our planet is a factor contributing to floods, the bishops maintain they are also a judgment on society's moral decadence.

Graham Dow, Bishop of Carlisle, goes even further, likening governments to the "Beast" power described in the Bible book of Revelation - that sets itself up to control the people and their morals.

When our governments rule that people are free to act as they want, they are, in essence, playing the role of God and preempting the rule of law established by Him at creation, he suggested.

Dow continues, saying, God's judgments are given to call us to repentance.

He therefore pleads with us to heed the warning.

There is a very real sense in which the bishop is right in describing government as usurping the authority of God by such legislation, but the prophecy of Revelation describing the "beast" carries the symbolism a step further, indicating the joint efforts of government and religion in legislating conscience and penalizing those who stand firm for God's truth. (Click here to read more)

top

Other recent world news and commentary

• Recent News and Commentary Suggesting the Fulfillment of End-Time Bible Prophecy

• News and Commentary Suggesting Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy regarding Israel

• News and Commentary Suggesting fulfillment of Bible Prophecy about America

• News and Commentary Suggesting Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy About Muslims

• News and Commentary Suggesting fulfillment of Bible Prophecy Regarding Europe

• Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy Regarding the "Church"

• News and Commentary Suggesting Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy about Spiritualism

Other recent "Good News"

What would you do? Feb. 5, 2007

You are waiting at the platform for the no. 1 subway train at 137th Street in Harlem with your two little girls when you notice a young man near by suddenly begin to convulse, then fall down onto the tracks just as the rapidly approaching train comes into view?

Would you jump, or run?

Wesley Autrey jumped!

Unable to wrestle the convulsing man up onto the platform, he quickly forces him down between the tracks, throwing himself down on top while pulling his thrashing extremities between the rails just as the trains rolls over them. Both survive!

Hero or fool?

Thoughtless act, or true child of God?

You decide!

But please remember, the gospel is not words alone! (Click here to read more)

Bangladeshi economist receives Nobel Peace Prize. Oct. 30, 2006

Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi economist, has received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize of $1.4 million for his innovative and charitable creation of "microcredit" financing by which millions of poor people, mostly women, have been lifted from abject poverty to economic viability.

Since his first experiment with the concept in 1974, his bank, the Grameen Bank founded in 1983, has assisted 6.6 million borrowers in more than 70 thousand villages in Bangladesh and inspired similar efforts all around the world.

An average loan amounts to about $200 for which anyone can qualify, but must be used to invest in some business venture having the potential to produce income.

Repayment (an unequaled rate of 99%) is encouraged by the lending process which involves 5 intended borrowers, two of which receive the requested loan, the other three of which must wait for those loans to be paid back before they can get theirs.

It is interesting to speculate what our world would be like if everyone of us applied our talents with the same godly commitment to benefit our fellow men as Mr. Yunus has done!

Surely, this Nobel winner has exemplified the spirit of Jesus by his acts.

Often times we tend to judge people on the basis of their religious affiliation whereas Jesus clearly noted that He will judge based upon our loving service to our hurting fellow men.

Doctrines and beliefs mean nothing except they transform our selfishness into loving, giving individuals doing the work of our loving God. (Click here to read more)

The "coloured" cotton picker that changed America is dead at age 92. Nov. 7, 2005

It took a "coloured" cotton picking lady from Alabama named Rosa Louise McCauley Parks to free the slaves in America and win their right to vote.

It will be 50 years ago this December 1 that Rosa was riding home from work, sitting in the "coloured" section of the bus when she was asked to give up her seat to a white man.

In refusing, she was breaking the law, a crime for which she was arrested.

But out of this one spark, the civil rights movement was ignited, leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act banning segregation in the South in 1964, and the right of black people to vote in 1965.

Many years later, Rosa Parks received the highest honor America has to award, the Gold Presidential Metal of Freedom.

2000 years ago another spark ignited a movement, but that hero still patiently waits to receive his award until the slaves he came to rescue are prepared to meet him at his coming.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus - and thanks for sending such as Rosa Parks to help prepare the way. (Click here to read about the return of Jesus)

Little kid sends spiritual food to victims of Katrina. Nov. 2, 2005

Tyler Mattingly is only six years old, but inspired by a dream in which God told him to provide something more than food and water to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Tyler has collected Bibles and sent them to the evacuees.

It is the Word of God that you are to send to the people, Got told Tyler.

Though only attending church for a couple of years, Tyler has been very sensitive to spiritual things, his mother says.

Jesus told us centuries ago, "Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven."

It is noble to run to the aid of the hungry and homeless, but as good as those things are, without God and a knowledge of him, everything else fails to really satisfy the hurting one.

An old adage says, "You can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, you can feed him for a lifetime."

In providing Bibles, Tyler was doing just that - feeding the hungry and destitute for a lifetime.

Thanks, Tyler! (Click here to read about the benefits provided by the Bible)

Disabled Iraqi boy adopted by American soldier. April 4, 2005

National Guard Captain Scott Southworth, met a 10 year old Iraqi boy with crippling cerebral palsy one day while volunteering in an Iraqi orphanage.

Ala'a had been abandoned at the age of four, but while living in the orphanage, learned to speak English.

The two hit it off at once, and soon became the best of friends.

When it became time for Captain Southworth to return to America, he could not bear the thought of leaving Ala'a behind to spend his life in a government hospital for the disabled.

Upon arriving home, Southworth began "operation rescue Ala'a."

Six months later, after difficult legal battles, the Captain received a humanitarian visa for Ala'a and returned to Iraq to bring him home.

Two months later, father and son heard the good news from their doctor that it is very possible Ala'a will be able to walk by next autumn.

Would that many would follow the example being set by Captain Scott Southworth who is modeling the answer to the question, "what

would Jesus do?" (Click here to read more)

“Peace be still!” Mar. 7, 2005

Two thousand years ago, while Jesus sailed across the lake of Galilee with his disciples, a terrible storm arose and threatened to sink the ship.

Jesus, aware of the fear of his followers, spoke just three words, “Peace, be still.”

Immediately the storm was calmed.

On January 15, Typhoon Kulap was headed northwest from the Caroline Islands toward Guam, just as Pastor Cox and his team were preparing for a series of public Bible meetings the next day.

Warnings were posted and Electricity was cut off to the Island in keeping with government policy during typhoons.

Seeing the serious threat to the meetings, pastor Cox led his team in an hour of prayer, asking God to turn the storm and send it out to sea.

Upon awakening the next morning, the team discovered that the storm had indeed turned and gone off to sea, completely bypassing the Island.

Just as re quested in the prayer, the meetings were able to proceed as scheduled.

News of the miracle spread rapidly across the Island, prompting many to attend the meetings with the man they were convinced had a direct connection with God. (Click here to read more)

Bible history confirmed by "accident." Feb. 7, 2005

Bible history has recently been confirmed by findings of a Canadian archeologist studying copper production during the Bronze Age and Iron Age.

Until Professor Russell Adams' discovery, many Old Testament Bible scholars believed that the Old Testament was not historically accurate, but represented fragmented history and folk-lore.

One of the key areas of question had to do with the time of King David and existence of the Kingdom of Edom.

Until now there has been no credible evidence that Edom even existed until about 200 years after King David.

Professor Adams' discoveries during his investigations of a copper mining and smelting site prove by precision radio carbon dating that Edom was indeed a powerful kingdom at the time of David as the Bible states.

Having resolved this key challenge to the historical accuracy of the Edomites, the Bible takes on a new and important legitimacy not previously present among Bible scholars.

And it gives new credence to Jesus who often quoted the Old Testament as if it were truly just what it claims to be, the very Word of God. (Click here to read more)

Survivors at sea! Jan. 24, 2005

In the wake of the Indian Ocean earthquake and accompanying tsunami we read stories of survivors rescued from the open seas.

We read of a lady carried for a week on a coconut tree, surviving on the juice of coconuts floating nearby.

Shahputra, another survivor, was rescued after eight days at sea.

And then there is Afrizal, for whom God provided first a plank, then a leaky fishing boat, and finally a raft with a hut to shade him from the sun until two weeks after being swept out to sea he found refuge on the deck of a passing cargo liner.

We may never know this side of the “pearly gates of heaven” why these and others of all the thousands that perished were kept alive, but this much we may know  - for the Bible is clear – God’s love knows no limits – and He still answers prayers.

If fact it tells us over and over again that He is not willing that any perish, but that all men might come to a knowledge of Him.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

Pray that these and all that have survived this terrible disaster will, out of this disaster, find the greater light that lights the whole world, Jesus Christ, and know the joy of serving Him in this world and in the world yet to come. (Click here to read more)

We all possess the "God Gene"! Dec. 6, 2004

Geneticist Dean Hamer, tells his readers in his recently published book, "The God Gene," that all of us possess a genetic predisposition to be spiritual - to connect with God.

He likens the God gene to the genes that program us for language. Just as we are programmed to speak, but are not bound by which language we use - so all being spiritual, are not bound to any given religious body.

Put in other words, we are free to choose whom we will worship, whether the God of the Holy Bible, or some other God - but worship we will all do -by genetic predisposition.

Nor will our happiness in this world or our arrival at the better world to come be determined by our genes, but by the choices we make in how we apply the power of those genes.

Unfortunately, all of us make "bad" choices at least some of the time, and all of us fail to live according to the principles to the law of God established so that we might enjoy fullness of life. We call this failure SIN.

Christians believe and teach that only through Jesus Christ and the blood He shed on the Cross 2,000 years ago can this sin be forgiven and the God gene be modified - "born again" - with His law written on the heart and in their minds – necessities if would we enter that promised heavenly land.

Surely it was because of His love that God placed that gene within us when He created us, for the Bible tells us "He is not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to come to repentance." 2 Peter 2:9. (Click here to read more)

Share The Well – a call to Christians for action. Oct. 18, 2004

Share The Well – a musical call to Christians everywhere to action, began when Caedmon’s Call, Houston’s top-selling Christian folk-pop band traveled to India to find inspiration for world music and found instead the untouchables – a finding, they say, that changed their lives.

When upon arriving in India and meeting members of India’s 3 hundred million dalits, or “broken people” as they refer to themselves, the musical group was changed.

Touched by seeing a people treated like animals, poor, uneducated, illiterate and disdained by the other casts, the musicians set to work to produce a musical CD entitled, Share The Well, to be used in tours to raise money and create support for the poor and underprivileged of the world in accordance with Jesus’ admonition.

Would that all of us would be similarly inspired to serve our fellow men.

Surely, such an inspiration would not only change the world, but our lives as well.

Pray God will open each of our eyes to “see” the needs of those around us and be moved to make a difference in our world.

There is power in the word! Sept. 6, 2004

There is power in the Word of God.

At least that seems to be the case at Angola prison in Louisiana, America’s largest maximum security prison.

Once America’s most violent jail, incidents of attacks by inmates on fellow inmates have fallen from 799 in 1995 to 78 so far this year, and attacks on staff have fallen from 192 to 19 during the same time period.

The difference? – Angola has found God.

Angola now has a seminary, the only one of its kind in the U.S., where hundreds of prisoners are taking a four-year course to become ministers.

Bible studies, prayer sessions, Christian radio, and chapels scattered around the prison campus provide an atmosphere for the Spirit of God to work in the hearts of the inmates.

While reports from Angola prison stand as powerful witness to the power of the Word of God to change lives, not everyone is pleased to see the promotion of religion in government institutions.

In spite of concerns expressed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama are seriously considering similar seminaries in their prisons. (Click here to read about God's power)

One man – with a purpose! Aug. 30, 2004

Chad Pregracke is a man with a purpose.

Growing up along the shores of the mighty Mississippi river in Hampton, Illinois, Chad learned to know the river inside and out - but the things he saw did not always make him happy.

Unable to stomach the trash along the shore and floating on the water, Chad began to collect the trash in his 20-foot johnboat and store it in his parent’s yard.

Now 29, Chad has spent the last seven years single-handedly cleaning up the river he loves.

Today he commands a crew of six and a whole fleet of boats, barges, trucks and vans, all committed to keeping the river clean.

Nine months of each year Chad works the river.

The other three he travels the country raising money to fund his $500,000 not for profit project.

Chad’s story was told in a recent issue of the Chicago Tribune and highlights what just one person can do when committed to a task with a purpose.

What, I wonder, would this world be like if each one  of us were to follow Chad’s example, committing our lives to serving the needs of our fellow men with the best of the blessing we have been given.

Twenty-five years in a wheel-chair. Aug. 16, 2004

Joni Eareckson Tada has now spent 25 years confined to her wheel chair – twenty five years filled with loving service to others.

Joni was completely paralyzed following a diving accident at age 17, but an indomitable spirit of faith in Jesus Christ has blessed the world by her witness.

Quadraplegic, without use of her hands, Joni paints pictures by holding a brush between her teeth.

She has written 30 books, produces a daily 5 minute radio program that was voted radio program of the year by the National Religious Broadcasters in 2002 and has speaking appointments booked up two years in advance.

Perhaps her favorite projects are related to helping other disabled persons.

Even now, scores of wheel chairs are on the way to Rwanda to assist victims of the recent genocide.

Over the years she has donated more than 20,000 wheelchairs to developing countries.

Seeing Joni’s witness each of us must ask ourselves, if Joni can contribute so much loving service to our hurting world in her disability, what more might we who can walk and use our arms do for others were our hearts too filled with Jesus’ love. (Click here to read more of Jesus' love)

“The Conscientious Objector” wins awards at Cinequest Film Festival. April 5, 2004

“The Conscientious Objector”, a true story demonstrating the faith of one, Desmond Doss as a conscientious objector during World War II, has won awards as the best feature in the digital category and the Audience Choice Award documentary at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California.

Following the screening Cinequest presented Doss with an additional “Maverick Spirit” award.

The story tells of Doss’ experience as a Sabbath-keeping Seventh-day Adventist conscientious objector (who for conscience reasons would not carry a gun) on the Island of Okinawa during one of the fiercest battles of the war.

Because of his fearless, self-sacrificing faithfulness in rescuing injured fellow soldiers when he himself was injured, Doss was granted the Congressional Medal of Honor – the only one awarded to a conscientious objector during the war. (Click here to read more about obedience to God's principles)

Production of the film was by filmmaker, Terry L. Benedict.

      The ultimate price. Mar. 29, 2004

Larry and Jean Elliott, Karen Watson, and David McDonnall have paid the ultimate price for the honor of serving their fellow men in Iraq.

The life of Carrie McDonnall still hangs in the balance.

As the five Southern Baptist missionaries sought means to provide a source of clean water to the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, their car was attacked by unidentified assailants with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons.

Three were killed on the scene – one died on the way to the hospital – and one remained in critical condition several days later.

Having heard the call of God to serve their fellow men in Iraq - knowing they would not be able to “preach the Word” in this Muslim land - and understanding the risk to life and limb, the five missionaries chose to accept the call anyway - whatever the price.

Sometimes love “drives” us to do awfully strange things – but then, so did it do to Jesus when He came down here to rescue us!

       Bangladeshi banker practices love! Feb. 23, 2004

Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, never gives to beggars, but has loaned more than $4 billion in tiny loans to poor Bangladeshis, helping them to help themselves.

In doing so he has created a banking model copied in more than 100 nations.

Acting on the philosophy that one can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, or teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime, Mr. Yunus, an economics professor “with a heart”, began his “business” in 1976 by loaning the equivalent of $27 to 42 women in a nearby village.

From that small beginning, the Grameen (village) bank has grown to disburse $30 million a month to more than 3 million borrowers in 44,000 villages - and his concepts are now helping millions of poor worldwide.

When Jesus described the Day of Judgment he identified the characteristics of those who would qualify for entrance into paradise and those that would be cast into hell.

Surely the actions of Muhammad Yunus fulfill the qualifications for the first group.

Read the account in Matthew 25.

       Israeli Elite Commandos become conscientious objectors. Feb. 23, 2004

Thirteen of Israel’s elite Sayeret Matkal fighters have become convinced Israel’s oppression of Palestinians is wrong - and certainly not in the best interest of Israel. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have declared Israel’s war unjust and have refused to have a part in it – but they were just ordinary soldiers.

The Sayeret Matkal are a different breed.

Highly qualified for the most difficult military missions, the Sayeret Matkal are also the politically glorified symbols of patriotism.

For them to express a change of heart is nearly unthinkable – yet they have done so – believing Israel is on a precarious course and hoping by their example to yet keep Israel from falling apart – whatever the cost.

Whether right or wrong in their assessment of Israel’s war tactics against Palestine, our hats go off to these brave men who have dared to stand for right, though the heavens fall. (Click here to read the complete quote)

       Miracle in Palau. Jan. 19, 2004

A miracle has occurred in the Island Republic of Palau of the kind that can only occur when hearts have been transformed by the love of Jesus.

It happened at the funeral of a pastor, his wife and 11 year old son, all of whom had been killed by a man pleading not guilty by reason of insanity while under the influence of crystal methamphetamine.

During the funeral Ruth DePaiva, mother of the slain pastor, stood before the many grieving parishioners and offered forgiveness to the mother of the killer and her son Justin and asked the mother of the accused son to join her in prayer.

The press related the story with these words, ““Here we are, two mothers,” … “I am sure the mother of Justin has prayed so many times for her son, and I am sure her heart hurts terribly. I just want to take Justin's mother and let her know we will be praying for her ... and for Justin.”

Tommy Remengesau, Republic of Palau President who attended the funeral was impressed with the love expressed by her words.

He told the press that her ability to forgive would allow the whole nation to begin to heal, noting that even amid such terrible tragedy, forgiveness can make it possible for people to live together.

Wouldn’t this world be a better place if all of us had the heart of Ruth DePaiva? (Click here to read more about following Jesus example)

       Nov