There are a lot of child singing sensations popping up on the internet these days, and Michely Manuely is certainly amongst them! What makes her even more special is she is using her talent to glorify God. Watch this incredible and uplifting performance of Testify To Love.
Friday, September 23, 2011
There's a Tree in the Meadow - Jim Whitman.wmv
Here's another great song by the Irish Country Music yodeller, Jim Whitman. I really enjoy Jim's singing, and could listen to it constantly. When you click on the video icon it will direct you to listen on Youtube.
New CD release from Robert B. Beaton : 'Way Out in the Sky'
Sheer Joy Music have just released the latest CD by Warrington-based songwriter, Robert B. Beaton. You can purchase it from the SJM Music Store along with his previous CDs.
AMERICA, AMERICA - Why AMERICA? -Andrew Strom.
Following on my previous post about the 14 Predictions made by Revivalist, Andrew Strom, I also publish the following, received from Andrew this morning:
Since I published my "Updated 14 Predictions" there have been some people questioning- "Does Andrew hate the USA? Why is America at the center of these prophecies?"
The reasons are very simple. But first let me say that I love America and it is one of my favorite places on earth. But this does not stop me seeing the influence that America has been 'broadcasting'. By far the biggest reason why God has me speak to America in this way is because she is the 'LEADER' in the earth.
It used to be, only 50 years ago, that America mostly spread good things and stood for righteousness far more than evil. But in the last 30 years American culture has changed so much that the "righteousness" she is broadcasting is far outweighed by the moral sickness and perversion. And she is the 'Leader'.
To give just one example of this, the worldwide Pornography industry is based out of America - and makes billions of dollars by spreading perversion and lust around the planet. And that is
only one example. It is the 'YOUTH' worldwide that are getting hit.
But why was America at the center of the "bad" financial prophecies that I put out? Well - it is hitting Europe just as bad. But it is true - America is at the center.
Here are further reasons:-
- It is not because I "hate" America. I love the place. And the "heartland" of that country has some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. - But America is the "Leader" in the earth - and this makes for greater influence and greater RESPONSIBILITY. The Bible says
that Leaders will receive a "stricter" judgment. This is exactly what is going on with America right now.
- Also the financial crisis began in the USA. - And I was living in the USA when I published most of those predictions. They will hit other nations, but America is a primary target. Why? Because she is the LEADER. And though she used to be an influence for good, she is now broadcasting a flood of lust, materialism and sickness around the globe.
- People do not realize how all-pervasive American culture is - especially amongst the youth of the world. When American culture turns sick, it affects the entire planet. The youth of the
whole earth watch American music videos, TV, pornography, movies, games, etc,- day and night. It never used to be this sick but now it is. And it is no exaggeration to say that today America is the number one source of spiritual sickness and corruption amongst Youth worldwide.
You might say- "But other countries are "bad" too. Why pick on America?" I say again that it is because she is the "Leader". And everything she does influences the nations of the whole earth.
America is also the only historic "Land of Revivals" that the West has left. And she is the "SPIRITUAL" leader in the earth also. For generations now the church worldwide has looked to the USA for leadership and teaching in Christianity. Now this too is corrupted - and for 30 years now the USA has used its influence to spread "Prosperity" teaching and all kinds of spiritual compromise to other countries - more and more.
I do not believe God can simply sit back and allow this to go on. He HAS to act - and I believe He is. If America will not come back to Him through mighty Revival, then judgment is at the doors.
I do not believe I am "picking" on America in saying these things. She is the 'Leader' and everything she puts out is affecting the whole globe. She is also accountable to God for all He has given her. "To whom much is given, much is required."
For a long time now, God has been watching this mighty tree that He planted turn slowly "poisonous" in its spiritual influence on the earth. The "poison" has spread far and wide. He has decided on a massive 'pruning' operation - to prune the tree right back and hope it comes right. If this does not work, He will cut the tree down. A tree that He loved and nurtured from a tiny seedling. A tree that used to spread so much good in the earth. If this great "pruning" does not work He will tear it down because it is bearing such "poisonous" fruit which now outweighs the good.
This is not to say that America does not produce "good" in the earth still. There are wonderful godly people and godly works still based out of that great nation. Its just that for some time now, the spiritual and moral "poison" coming out of her has more and more outweighed it. And this can no longer be allowed to continue.
I truly hope you are not offended, my friends. I hope you can see that a watchman must cry out what he sees. And this is one of the most important things that I see happening in the earth today. Please understand, I write these things truly out of love, not hate. -Out of hope, not malice.
-Please comment on this article at the following website-
http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/
God bless you all!
Andrew Strom.
Since I published my "Updated 14 Predictions" there have been some people questioning- "Does Andrew hate the USA? Why is America at the center of these prophecies?"
The reasons are very simple. But first let me say that I love America and it is one of my favorite places on earth. But this does not stop me seeing the influence that America has been 'broadcasting'. By far the biggest reason why God has me speak to America in this way is because she is the 'LEADER' in the earth.
It used to be, only 50 years ago, that America mostly spread good things and stood for righteousness far more than evil. But in the last 30 years American culture has changed so much that the "righteousness" she is broadcasting is far outweighed by the moral sickness and perversion. And she is the 'Leader'.
To give just one example of this, the worldwide Pornography industry is based out of America - and makes billions of dollars by spreading perversion and lust around the planet. And that is
only one example. It is the 'YOUTH' worldwide that are getting hit.
But why was America at the center of the "bad" financial prophecies that I put out? Well - it is hitting Europe just as bad. But it is true - America is at the center.
Here are further reasons:-
- It is not because I "hate" America. I love the place. And the "heartland" of that country has some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. - But America is the "Leader" in the earth - and this makes for greater influence and greater RESPONSIBILITY. The Bible says
that Leaders will receive a "stricter" judgment. This is exactly what is going on with America right now.
- Also the financial crisis began in the USA. - And I was living in the USA when I published most of those predictions. They will hit other nations, but America is a primary target. Why? Because she is the LEADER. And though she used to be an influence for good, she is now broadcasting a flood of lust, materialism and sickness around the globe.
- People do not realize how all-pervasive American culture is - especially amongst the youth of the world. When American culture turns sick, it affects the entire planet. The youth of the
whole earth watch American music videos, TV, pornography, movies, games, etc,- day and night. It never used to be this sick but now it is. And it is no exaggeration to say that today America is the number one source of spiritual sickness and corruption amongst Youth worldwide.
You might say- "But other countries are "bad" too. Why pick on America?" I say again that it is because she is the "Leader". And everything she does influences the nations of the whole earth.
America is also the only historic "Land of Revivals" that the West has left. And she is the "SPIRITUAL" leader in the earth also. For generations now the church worldwide has looked to the USA for leadership and teaching in Christianity. Now this too is corrupted - and for 30 years now the USA has used its influence to spread "Prosperity" teaching and all kinds of spiritual compromise to other countries - more and more.
I do not believe God can simply sit back and allow this to go on. He HAS to act - and I believe He is. If America will not come back to Him through mighty Revival, then judgment is at the doors.
I do not believe I am "picking" on America in saying these things. She is the 'Leader' and everything she puts out is affecting the whole globe. She is also accountable to God for all He has given her. "To whom much is given, much is required."
For a long time now, God has been watching this mighty tree that He planted turn slowly "poisonous" in its spiritual influence on the earth. The "poison" has spread far and wide. He has decided on a massive 'pruning' operation - to prune the tree right back and hope it comes right. If this does not work, He will cut the tree down. A tree that He loved and nurtured from a tiny seedling. A tree that used to spread so much good in the earth. If this great "pruning" does not work He will tear it down because it is bearing such "poisonous" fruit which now outweighs the good.
This is not to say that America does not produce "good" in the earth still. There are wonderful godly people and godly works still based out of that great nation. Its just that for some time now, the spiritual and moral "poison" coming out of her has more and more outweighed it. And this can no longer be allowed to continue.
I truly hope you are not offended, my friends. I hope you can see that a watchman must cry out what he sees. And this is one of the most important things that I see happening in the earth today. Please understand, I write these things truly out of love, not hate. -Out of hope, not malice.
-Please comment on this article at the following website-
http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/
God bless you all!
Andrew Strom.
Andrew Strom's book, 'How to Survive the Depression' is a 'Must Read.'
Updated: "The 14 PREDICTIONS" + More Added -by Andrew Strom.
Additional warnings are below. But first, I believe the most important point that needs to be made about the current financial crisis is that it had SPIRITUAL roots and causes - not just physical or economic ones. Materialism, greed and selfishness are SPIRITUAL diseases. And these had an enormous role to play in the crisis that has unfolded. That is partly what enabled myself and others to see what was coming. It was obvious "spiritually" that this age of rampant self-indulgence would bear terrible fruit. We could "feel" it and see it.
It is this 'spiritual' crisis in the West that is ultimately responsible for what is happening. And it is this materialism and selfishness that must now be stripped away. Until this purging has done its full work, I do not believe God will allow it to end. He loves us too much to leave us in such a state.
When it comes to these "14 Predictions" I am often reminded of Arthur Schopenhauer's famous saying that "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." I guess we are getting up to the "self-evident" stage about now, but there sure was a lot of "ridicule" flying around in the early days!
Below is a timeline of the specific warnings that we published from2001 to 2010. After that I will add some additional points to ponder:
SEPT 11, 2001: "The HORNS of American financial power have fallen, have fallen." [-About the Twin Towers].
JUNE 2003: "Revival is going to come in the midst of judgements the like of which you've never seen, and God is going to touch your economy." (-'Thundering in Nashville').
14 DEC 2006: "Let me make some predictions at this point, so I can be clear about what this country [USA] is facing:
(1) Firstly, I believe it is IMPOSSIBLE to avoid Judgment.
(2) Expect a great economic crash - and expect it SOON.
MARCH 14, 2007: "Eight months ago we began to publish warnings about the bursting of this Housing bubble, and the likely impact it would have. saying that in many ways it would be God's MERCY - to shock us out of our complacency and apathy - and to cause us to desperately seek His face."
NOV 8, 2007: "I continue to stand by my statement of many months ago that within 3 years this nation will be in a terrible financial depression - possibly the worst that it has ever seen.
Right now, things are right on track to see this fulfilled."
NOV 2007, Wisconsin USA: "This is the last good Christmas America will have for years..
"Here's my scenario. You can test me. You can remember what I'm saying right now. See if it plays out how I say. In six months time I expect Recession in the United States. In 12 months time I expect the beginning of a Depression." (-AUDIO - 'Survive the Coming Depression - Nov 07' on Sermonindex.net).
10 MONTHS LATER - Sept/Oct 2008 - The two largest Mortgage giants in the world Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) fail, the largest Insurance Company and the largest thrift bank in the USA both collapse, Lehman Brothers goes bankrupt (almost taking the entire financial system with it), Money Markets reel, the Investment banking industry crumbles, and the stock market suffers its worst-ever one-day loss, plunging 777 points in a single day.
24 SEPT 2008: "The DEPRESSION HAS BEGUN".
BACK-TRACK - 31 JAN 2008: "My strong belief is that, particularly in America, this crisis is going to be WORSE than the GREAT DEPRESSION. And it is going to last for YEARS. Other developed nations, such as England, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Germany and even Australasia, are going to be very hard-hit also. China, India and much of Asia will be pounded at first, but I believe will recover faster.. I believe that Christians in America need to face the fact that they are about to live through one of the WORST 5 - 7 year periods that this country has ever seen by far. And they need to be preparing NOW."
OCT 2008: "I am convinced this "breaking" is not merely financial in nature. It is also aimed at the church, the media and the culture. We are about to see another 'Great Reformation'." (-From Andrew's book, 'SURVIVE THE DEPRESSION', Oct 2008).
OCT 2008: "When I was down in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina there was one Spirit-filled Fellowship that was "thriving" in the midst of the chaos. They had filled their sanctuary with food, clothes, and emergency supplies of all kinds - and they were ministering to hundreds. I cannot tell you how important this is, if we want to "thrive" - not just "survive" - through this current crisis. So will you be a "light shining in the darkness" during this present crisis, my friends?" (-Book 'SURVIVE THE DEPRESSION', Oct 2008).
20 DEC 2008: "The WORST of the slump is set to last for. 7 years."
10 APRIL 2009: "A "DOUBLE DIP" DEPRESSION .. The phrase "A Double-Dip Depression" has been on my heart for many months, so it is no surprise to see a temporary respite. But we need to be aware that it is simply an illusion - so we don't get lulled back to sleep and cease to prepare for what lies ahead.
18 JUNE 2009: "We stated not long ago our belief that we are headed for a "Double-Dip" Depression. I do believe there will be a further 'wave' downwards, and we need to keep preparing - both physically and spiritually."
1 APRIL 2010: "If this 'second wave down' has not occurred by the end of 2011 then I will need to issue a public apology to the Body of Christ."
FURTHER POINTS - THE 'TIMEFRAME': As you know, I am on the record as stating that I believe the "worst" of the slump will last for 7 years. People may think that, since this 'Depression' really began with the great collapse of late 2008, perhaps we can expect to come out of it around the end of 2015 or so. But wait.
While I certainly acknowledge the "possibility" of 2015 - we need to remember that we are talking about the "worst" of the slump here. By all indications we are now entering a "second leg down" in this crisis - and things are about to get noticeably worse.
My own view is that I expect the "worst" of this crisis to last for the next 7 years until around 2018. And even then, I expect only a "mild" recovery until the early 2020's - when I expect things to start taking off again. (That is - if we survive intact).
If we look at the last two "Great Bear" markets, they both resulted in war. The last one was 80 years ago - which ended with World War 2. The previous one was 70 years before that - and ended with the American Civil War. I expect this one to be ugly also.
People think it is "impossible" and 'ridiculous' to talk about a breakup of the USA or war in Europe, etc. These people have not lived through a 10-year "Bear" market. The possibility is very real, the stresses are unbelievable, and I personally will be delighted if we make it through the next 15 years without major armed conflict. Even though America may be at most risk from forces "within" rather than without, we should not even rule out war involving the US on her own home soil. We are in an hour when anything could happen - especially towards the end of this crisis. Civil strife will greatly increase.
RESPONSE FROM the CHRISTIANS: We have entered the time of greatest 'shaking' and danger that we are likely to see in our lifetimes. We have the choice of either cowering in fear or being about the work of the kingdom. The true Christians will stand up at such a time. I believe God's call to us is very simple. His people will be preserved if they stay focused on serving and loving God and others. It is about as simple as that. Great shaking means great opportunity for those in tune with Him. Please stay in prayer - and be encouraged, my friends.
Do not allow "fear" to rule your heart. Be listening to the Spirit of God and many spiritual victories will be won in this time. But it is important to know what kind of period we are entering into, so we can truly prepare our hearts. "Blessed are the peacemakers."
-Please comment on this topic at the website below-
http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/
It is this 'spiritual' crisis in the West that is ultimately responsible for what is happening. And it is this materialism and selfishness that must now be stripped away. Until this purging has done its full work, I do not believe God will allow it to end. He loves us too much to leave us in such a state.
When it comes to these "14 Predictions" I am often reminded of Arthur Schopenhauer's famous saying that "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." I guess we are getting up to the "self-evident" stage about now, but there sure was a lot of "ridicule" flying around in the early days!
Below is a timeline of the specific warnings that we published from2001 to 2010. After that I will add some additional points to ponder:
SEPT 11, 2001: "The HORNS of American financial power have fallen, have fallen." [-About the Twin Towers].
JUNE 2003: "Revival is going to come in the midst of judgements the like of which you've never seen, and God is going to touch your economy." (-'Thundering in Nashville').
14 DEC 2006: "Let me make some predictions at this point, so I can be clear about what this country [USA] is facing:
(1) Firstly, I believe it is IMPOSSIBLE to avoid Judgment.
(2) Expect a great economic crash - and expect it SOON.
MARCH 14, 2007: "Eight months ago we began to publish warnings about the bursting of this Housing bubble, and the likely impact it would have. saying that in many ways it would be God's MERCY - to shock us out of our complacency and apathy - and to cause us to desperately seek His face."
NOV 8, 2007: "I continue to stand by my statement of many months ago that within 3 years this nation will be in a terrible financial depression - possibly the worst that it has ever seen.
Right now, things are right on track to see this fulfilled."
NOV 2007, Wisconsin USA: "This is the last good Christmas America will have for years..
"Here's my scenario. You can test me. You can remember what I'm saying right now. See if it plays out how I say. In six months time I expect Recession in the United States. In 12 months time I expect the beginning of a Depression." (-AUDIO - 'Survive the Coming Depression - Nov 07' on Sermonindex.net).
10 MONTHS LATER - Sept/Oct 2008 - The two largest Mortgage giants in the world Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) fail, the largest Insurance Company and the largest thrift bank in the USA both collapse, Lehman Brothers goes bankrupt (almost taking the entire financial system with it), Money Markets reel, the Investment banking industry crumbles, and the stock market suffers its worst-ever one-day loss, plunging 777 points in a single day.
24 SEPT 2008: "The DEPRESSION HAS BEGUN".
BACK-TRACK - 31 JAN 2008: "My strong belief is that, particularly in America, this crisis is going to be WORSE than the GREAT DEPRESSION. And it is going to last for YEARS. Other developed nations, such as England, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Germany and even Australasia, are going to be very hard-hit also. China, India and much of Asia will be pounded at first, but I believe will recover faster.. I believe that Christians in America need to face the fact that they are about to live through one of the WORST 5 - 7 year periods that this country has ever seen by far. And they need to be preparing NOW."
OCT 2008: "I am convinced this "breaking" is not merely financial in nature. It is also aimed at the church, the media and the culture. We are about to see another 'Great Reformation'." (-From Andrew's book, 'SURVIVE THE DEPRESSION', Oct 2008).
OCT 2008: "When I was down in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina there was one Spirit-filled Fellowship that was "thriving" in the midst of the chaos. They had filled their sanctuary with food, clothes, and emergency supplies of all kinds - and they were ministering to hundreds. I cannot tell you how important this is, if we want to "thrive" - not just "survive" - through this current crisis. So will you be a "light shining in the darkness" during this present crisis, my friends?" (-Book 'SURVIVE THE DEPRESSION', Oct 2008).
20 DEC 2008: "The WORST of the slump is set to last for. 7 years."
10 APRIL 2009: "A "DOUBLE DIP" DEPRESSION .. The phrase "A Double-Dip Depression" has been on my heart for many months, so it is no surprise to see a temporary respite. But we need to be aware that it is simply an illusion - so we don't get lulled back to sleep and cease to prepare for what lies ahead.
18 JUNE 2009: "We stated not long ago our belief that we are headed for a "Double-Dip" Depression. I do believe there will be a further 'wave' downwards, and we need to keep preparing - both physically and spiritually."
1 APRIL 2010: "If this 'second wave down' has not occurred by the end of 2011 then I will need to issue a public apology to the Body of Christ."
FURTHER POINTS - THE 'TIMEFRAME': As you know, I am on the record as stating that I believe the "worst" of the slump will last for 7 years. People may think that, since this 'Depression' really began with the great collapse of late 2008, perhaps we can expect to come out of it around the end of 2015 or so. But wait.
While I certainly acknowledge the "possibility" of 2015 - we need to remember that we are talking about the "worst" of the slump here. By all indications we are now entering a "second leg down" in this crisis - and things are about to get noticeably worse.
My own view is that I expect the "worst" of this crisis to last for the next 7 years until around 2018. And even then, I expect only a "mild" recovery until the early 2020's - when I expect things to start taking off again. (That is - if we survive intact).
If we look at the last two "Great Bear" markets, they both resulted in war. The last one was 80 years ago - which ended with World War 2. The previous one was 70 years before that - and ended with the American Civil War. I expect this one to be ugly also.
People think it is "impossible" and 'ridiculous' to talk about a breakup of the USA or war in Europe, etc. These people have not lived through a 10-year "Bear" market. The possibility is very real, the stresses are unbelievable, and I personally will be delighted if we make it through the next 15 years without major armed conflict. Even though America may be at most risk from forces "within" rather than without, we should not even rule out war involving the US on her own home soil. We are in an hour when anything could happen - especially towards the end of this crisis. Civil strife will greatly increase.
RESPONSE FROM the CHRISTIANS: We have entered the time of greatest 'shaking' and danger that we are likely to see in our lifetimes. We have the choice of either cowering in fear or being about the work of the kingdom. The true Christians will stand up at such a time. I believe God's call to us is very simple. His people will be preserved if they stay focused on serving and loving God and others. It is about as simple as that. Great shaking means great opportunity for those in tune with Him. Please stay in prayer - and be encouraged, my friends.
Do not allow "fear" to rule your heart. Be listening to the Spirit of God and many spiritual victories will be won in this time. But it is important to know what kind of period we are entering into, so we can truly prepare our hearts. "Blessed are the peacemakers."
-Please comment on this topic at the website below-
http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/
Thursday, September 22, 2011
A few things I'd like to do
- Laze by the water's edge by Lake Negratin in Andalusia where we spent a great holiday in a cave house a couple of years ago.
- Drive once again in the wonderful 1948 Bentley, registration CTK 990, that I owned back in the late 1960's. It had a Mulliner-Ward body in Goodwood green, and it almost purred as you drove it.
- Have the opportunity to sing once more with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I was privileged to do this when I visited Utah in March this year.
- Spend just one more day with my late parents so that I could tell them just how much I loved them.
- Have a party with all of my friends from around the world as guests.
- Spend a day back in my youth with the wisdom of age.
- Spend the day on a tropical beach with the sun to keep me warm and my beautiful wife to keep me company.
- Visit the Canadian Rockies, armed with my camera.
- Swim with dolphins and go whale watching.
- Spend the day alone with God in the mountain-top retreat that is Ffald-y-Brenin.
Beautiful beaches where I would love to be today!
This morning, with the weather forecasters promising rain and the temperature dropping enough to make you feel the chill, my thoughts turn to holidays and beautiful beaches to chill out on the golden sand. Throw in a palm tree or two, clear blue waters, maybe a boat, and the opportunity to be with those you love the most just soaking up the sun and the peaceful atmosphere.
God's promise revealed (Genesis Chapter 9, verses 8 - 17)
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him:
9 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you
10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.
11I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:
13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,
15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”
More Great Christian Quotes
"If the doctrine of Christian union is true, then division and sectarianism are a great and prodigious evil, and therefore ought to be abolished. Who then will lay the axe to the root of this corrupt tree to help cut it down?"
- D.S. Warner
"Only fix even the smallest amount you purpose to give of your income, and give this regularly; and as God is pleased to increase your light and grace, and is pleased to prosper you more, so give more. If you neglect in habitual giving, a regular giving, a giving principle based upon Scriptural grounds, and leave it only to feeling and impulse, or particular arousing circumstances, you will certainly be a loser."
- George Mueller
"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."
- Martin Luther
"One man with God is always in the majority."
- John Knox
"If rich men only knew when they died, how . . .
- William Tiptaft
"I will not judge a person to be spiritually dead whom I have judged formerly to have had spiritual life, though I see him at present in a swoon (faint) as to all evidences of the spiritual life. And the reason why I will not judge him so is this -- because if you judge a person dead, you neglect him, you leave him; but if you judge him in a swoon (faint) though never so dangerous, you use all means for the retrieving of his life."
- John Owen
- D.S. Warner
"Only fix even the smallest amount you purpose to give of your income, and give this regularly; and as God is pleased to increase your light and grace, and is pleased to prosper you more, so give more. If you neglect in habitual giving, a regular giving, a giving principle based upon Scriptural grounds, and leave it only to feeling and impulse, or particular arousing circumstances, you will certainly be a loser."
- George Mueller
"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."
- Martin Luther
"One man with God is always in the majority."
- John Knox
"If rich men only knew when they died, how . . .
- their relatives would scramble for their money,
- the worms for their bodies, and
- the devil for their souls,
- William Tiptaft
"I will not judge a person to be spiritually dead whom I have judged formerly to have had spiritual life, though I see him at present in a swoon (faint) as to all evidences of the spiritual life. And the reason why I will not judge him so is this -- because if you judge a person dead, you neglect him, you leave him; but if you judge him in a swoon (faint) though never so dangerous, you use all means for the retrieving of his life."
- John Owen
Leonard Ravenhill on the subject of 'Prayer'
Leonard Ravenhill was a man truly inspired by God because he spent so much of his life in communion with God. This is why his words are still able to impact upon us today just as readily as on the day that he first uttered them. In this short video he talks about the amount of time that we spend alone with God, speaking with Him, worshipping Him and above all listening to Him. In other words, the amount of time that we spend in prayer. Leonard Ravenhill spend many hours every day in prayer, and God's anointing was on his ministry, and I believe that it still is, for even though he is now in Glory he still reaches tens of thousands through all that he's left behind in books and videos. I certainly thank God for the ministry that He blessed Leonard Ravenhill with, and for the way in which His ministry impacts upon mine.
Joanne Lowe's Meditations
HIS UNENDING GRACE
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 2:4-7 (King James Version)
Joanne Lowe
September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Pete Rivers sings 'In Walked Love'
This is a very rare demo recording by Pete Rivers. I understand that he never intended to release it, but I think it's a great fun song with a great story to it. Pete calls this his 'fooling around at the end of the day' song. I believe that this is really a jam session at the end of a recording session, and apart from the chorus which he had for another song, all the verses were made up on the actual recording.
Joanne Lowe's Meditations
WHEN WE SEE JESUS
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 (King James Version)
Joanne Lowe
September 20, 2011
Every Lie is True to those who peddle Disinformation!
A Muslim student at Arkansas State University (ASU) spreads more disinformation
You don’t want to miss this—and our analysis!
Is the Muslim college student from Saudi Arabia, who wrote the column below, naïve, uninformed, or deliberately feeding us disinformation (the practice of “taqiyya”)?
We can’t know for sure. But regardless, this column, which appeared in the ASU newspaper, illustrates again how disinformation is being peddled to mislead Americans. Uninformed Americans are vulnerable to this “information warfare.”
Please read her column, and note our editorial responses in red caps to her various claims.
Muslim student reflects on tragedy
By Abdullah Raslan
Published: Monday, September 12, 2011
http://www.asuherald.com/opinion/muslim-student-reflects-on-tragedy-1.2625549
Yesterday marked the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. The attacks were associated with al-Qaeda, an Islamic organization founded by Osama bin Laden.
Being a Muslim, I frequently get asked about my thoughts toward the incident. For everyone that is wondering, here is my answer:
The word "Islam" comes from the word "peace" in Arabic. [THIS IS FALSE, AND SHE MUST KNOW IT. THE ARABIC FOR ISLAM MEANS “SUBMISSION.” THE ARABIC FOR “PEACE” IS A DIFFERENT WORD.]
Muslims are brought up on morals and beliefs to do good to others and not spread harm, no matter what your religious background is.
All Muslims are raised to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad. [MUHAMMAD ENGAGED IN OR AUTHORIZED NEARLY 90 DIFFERENT RAIDS, ATTACKS, ASSASSINATIONS AND OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE. DOES SHE NOT KNOW THIS? IF SHE DOES, IS SHE CHOOSING TO MISLEAD HER READERS WHEN SHE SAYS MUSLIMS ARE TO DO GOOD TO OTHERS WHILE FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MUHAMMAD? AFTER ALL, IT WOULD BE HARD TO CHARACTARIZE MUHAMMAD’S MILITARY CAMPAIGNS AND ACTIONS AS DOING “GOOD TO OTHERS.”]
In fact, Muslims believe that if they don't strive to be like the prophet they might as well not call themselves Muslims.
During the prophet's time, whenever Muslims would invade a city in the name of spreading Islam, there were strict orders to not hurt any civilians. [THIS IS FALSE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN MUHAMMAD DEFEATED THE QUARAYZA JEWISH TRIBE IN MEDINA, HE ORDERED THE TRIBE’S 800 MEN BEHEADED AND HE SOLD THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN INTO SLAVERY.]
The elderly, women and children were asked to leave and were not harmed. [THIS IS FALSE. SEE NOTE ABOVE.] It is a sin to harm any innocents.
The attacks of 9/11 had a death toll of 2,977 people. Those were 2,977 innocent men and women that were working – not at war with any Muslims. Of those, 31 were known to be Muslims, and died during the attacks.
Do I think this work would make the Prophet Muhammad proud?
No.
The prophet and the holy Quran teach us to lead by example and not use violence to force people to hear us.
Islam is a religion that teaches tolerance and acceptance of everyone around us. [WHILE THERE ARE PEACEFUL AND TOLERANT MUSLIMS, THE CLAIM THAT ISLAM TEACHES “TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF EVERYONE AROUND US” IS FALSE. SHE COMES FROM SAUDI ARABIA, THE COUNTRY THAT IS THE HOME OF ISLAM’S TWO HOLIEST SITES, MECCA AND MEDINA. SAUDI ARABIA IS THE PINNACLE OF INTOLERANCE. IN SAUDI ARABIA, NON-MUSLIMS CANNOT ENTER MECCA. CHRISTIANS CANNOT OPENLY CARRY BIBLES. JEWS CANNOT OPENLY WEAR A STAR OF DAVID. SURELY SHE MUST KNOW THIS.
THE QUR’AN HAS NUMEROUS PASSAGES THAT CALL FOR WARFARE AGAINST AND THE SLAYING OF NON-MUSLIMS. PASSAGES, SUCH AS SURAH 9:5, THAT ARE UNDERSTOOD BY ISLAMIC SCHOLARS TO HAVE ABROGATED (ANNULLED) EARLIER, PEACEFUL VERSES IN THE QUR’AN.
ISLAMIC CONQUESTS DURING ITS 14 CENTURY HISTORY WIPED OUT ENTIRE NON-MUSLIM SOCIETIES, LEFT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS DEAD AND TENS OF MILLIONS ENSLAVED. TODAY IN IRAQ, 500,000 CHRISTIANS HAVE HAD TO FLEE THE COUNTRY SINCE WE DEPOSED SADDAM HUSSEIN, DUE TO PERSECUTION BY MUSLIMS.
WE COULD CITE MANY, MANY MORE EXAMPLES, BUT YOU GET THE POINT.]
We believe that Allah is beautiful, and loves beautiful things.
The prophet said that all men, including women, are equal in Islam. [THIS IS FALSE. ACCORDING TO SHARIA, A MUSLIM WOMAN’S TESTIMONY IN COURT IS WORTH ONLY HALF THAT OF A MAN’S. A HUSBAND CAN DIVORCE HIS WIFE SIMPLY BY SAYING “I DIVORCE YOU” THREE TIMES. THE WIFE HAS NO SUCH RIGHT. A MAN CAN BEAT HIS WIFE FOR DISOBEIDENCE, SURAH 4.34.]
Arabs have no superiority over non-Arabs, nor do non-Arabs have superiority over Arabs.
In the article "Racism and Islam" by Hisham Zoubeir, he was quoted saying "The people of other faiths have always enjoyed religious toleration under Islam; when the Jews were being persecuted in the rest of Europe, they found freedom and sanctity in Muslim Spain." [IT IS TRUE THAT JEWS AT TIMES AND IN SOME PLACES ENJOYED MORE FREEDOM UNDER MUSLIM RULE THAN CHRISTIAN. HOWEVER, THE CLAIM THAT “PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED RELIGIOUS TOLERATION UNDER ISLAM” IS FALSE. AN ESTIMATED 2000 HINDU TEMPLES WERE DESTROYED IN ISLAMIC JIHADS OVER THE CENTURIES AND TENS OF MILLIONS OF HINDUS WERE KILLED. CHRISTIAN CHURCHES THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST WERE DESTROYED BY MUSLIM CONQUERORS AND MOSQUES WERE ERECTED IN THEIR PLACE.]
The attacks have given Islam a bad name.
The association of Islam with terrorism and hate is a stereotype that needs to be put to rest.
Just because al-Qaeda believes that the attacks were justified doesn't mean all Muslims follow.
Living in the Bible Belt for the past three years and befriending many devoted Christians here on campus, I've learned that Islam and Christianity have a lot in common.
Both religions preach values and morals, stressing that violence is never the answer.
My deepest sympathies go to all the families of the men and women that died in the attacks.
I hope we can continue to find the positive in times like these instead of dwelling in sorrow.
You don’t want to miss this—and our analysis!
Is the Muslim college student from Saudi Arabia, who wrote the column below, naïve, uninformed, or deliberately feeding us disinformation (the practice of “taqiyya”)?
We can’t know for sure. But regardless, this column, which appeared in the ASU newspaper, illustrates again how disinformation is being peddled to mislead Americans. Uninformed Americans are vulnerable to this “information warfare.”
Please read her column, and note our editorial responses in red caps to her various claims.
Muslim student reflects on tragedy
By Abdullah Raslan
Published: Monday, September 12, 2011
http://www.asuherald.com/opinion/muslim-student-reflects-on-tragedy-1.2625549
Yesterday marked the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. The attacks were associated with al-Qaeda, an Islamic organization founded by Osama bin Laden.
Being a Muslim, I frequently get asked about my thoughts toward the incident. For everyone that is wondering, here is my answer:
The word "Islam" comes from the word "peace" in Arabic. [THIS IS FALSE, AND SHE MUST KNOW IT. THE ARABIC FOR ISLAM MEANS “SUBMISSION.” THE ARABIC FOR “PEACE” IS A DIFFERENT WORD.]
Muslims are brought up on morals and beliefs to do good to others and not spread harm, no matter what your religious background is.
All Muslims are raised to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad. [MUHAMMAD ENGAGED IN OR AUTHORIZED NEARLY 90 DIFFERENT RAIDS, ATTACKS, ASSASSINATIONS AND OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE. DOES SHE NOT KNOW THIS? IF SHE DOES, IS SHE CHOOSING TO MISLEAD HER READERS WHEN SHE SAYS MUSLIMS ARE TO DO GOOD TO OTHERS WHILE FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MUHAMMAD? AFTER ALL, IT WOULD BE HARD TO CHARACTARIZE MUHAMMAD’S MILITARY CAMPAIGNS AND ACTIONS AS DOING “GOOD TO OTHERS.”]
In fact, Muslims believe that if they don't strive to be like the prophet they might as well not call themselves Muslims.
During the prophet's time, whenever Muslims would invade a city in the name of spreading Islam, there were strict orders to not hurt any civilians. [THIS IS FALSE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN MUHAMMAD DEFEATED THE QUARAYZA JEWISH TRIBE IN MEDINA, HE ORDERED THE TRIBE’S 800 MEN BEHEADED AND HE SOLD THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN INTO SLAVERY.]
The elderly, women and children were asked to leave and were not harmed. [THIS IS FALSE. SEE NOTE ABOVE.] It is a sin to harm any innocents.
The attacks of 9/11 had a death toll of 2,977 people. Those were 2,977 innocent men and women that were working – not at war with any Muslims. Of those, 31 were known to be Muslims, and died during the attacks.
Do I think this work would make the Prophet Muhammad proud?
No.
The prophet and the holy Quran teach us to lead by example and not use violence to force people to hear us.
Islam is a religion that teaches tolerance and acceptance of everyone around us. [WHILE THERE ARE PEACEFUL AND TOLERANT MUSLIMS, THE CLAIM THAT ISLAM TEACHES “TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF EVERYONE AROUND US” IS FALSE. SHE COMES FROM SAUDI ARABIA, THE COUNTRY THAT IS THE HOME OF ISLAM’S TWO HOLIEST SITES, MECCA AND MEDINA. SAUDI ARABIA IS THE PINNACLE OF INTOLERANCE. IN SAUDI ARABIA, NON-MUSLIMS CANNOT ENTER MECCA. CHRISTIANS CANNOT OPENLY CARRY BIBLES. JEWS CANNOT OPENLY WEAR A STAR OF DAVID. SURELY SHE MUST KNOW THIS.
THE QUR’AN HAS NUMEROUS PASSAGES THAT CALL FOR WARFARE AGAINST AND THE SLAYING OF NON-MUSLIMS. PASSAGES, SUCH AS SURAH 9:5, THAT ARE UNDERSTOOD BY ISLAMIC SCHOLARS TO HAVE ABROGATED (ANNULLED) EARLIER, PEACEFUL VERSES IN THE QUR’AN.
ISLAMIC CONQUESTS DURING ITS 14 CENTURY HISTORY WIPED OUT ENTIRE NON-MUSLIM SOCIETIES, LEFT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS DEAD AND TENS OF MILLIONS ENSLAVED. TODAY IN IRAQ, 500,000 CHRISTIANS HAVE HAD TO FLEE THE COUNTRY SINCE WE DEPOSED SADDAM HUSSEIN, DUE TO PERSECUTION BY MUSLIMS.
WE COULD CITE MANY, MANY MORE EXAMPLES, BUT YOU GET THE POINT.]
We believe that Allah is beautiful, and loves beautiful things.
The prophet said that all men, including women, are equal in Islam. [THIS IS FALSE. ACCORDING TO SHARIA, A MUSLIM WOMAN’S TESTIMONY IN COURT IS WORTH ONLY HALF THAT OF A MAN’S. A HUSBAND CAN DIVORCE HIS WIFE SIMPLY BY SAYING “I DIVORCE YOU” THREE TIMES. THE WIFE HAS NO SUCH RIGHT. A MAN CAN BEAT HIS WIFE FOR DISOBEIDENCE, SURAH 4.34.]
Arabs have no superiority over non-Arabs, nor do non-Arabs have superiority over Arabs.
In the article "Racism and Islam" by Hisham Zoubeir, he was quoted saying "The people of other faiths have always enjoyed religious toleration under Islam; when the Jews were being persecuted in the rest of Europe, they found freedom and sanctity in Muslim Spain." [IT IS TRUE THAT JEWS AT TIMES AND IN SOME PLACES ENJOYED MORE FREEDOM UNDER MUSLIM RULE THAN CHRISTIAN. HOWEVER, THE CLAIM THAT “PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED RELIGIOUS TOLERATION UNDER ISLAM” IS FALSE. AN ESTIMATED 2000 HINDU TEMPLES WERE DESTROYED IN ISLAMIC JIHADS OVER THE CENTURIES AND TENS OF MILLIONS OF HINDUS WERE KILLED. CHRISTIAN CHURCHES THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST WERE DESTROYED BY MUSLIM CONQUERORS AND MOSQUES WERE ERECTED IN THEIR PLACE.]
The attacks have given Islam a bad name.
The association of Islam with terrorism and hate is a stereotype that needs to be put to rest.
Just because al-Qaeda believes that the attacks were justified doesn't mean all Muslims follow.
Living in the Bible Belt for the past three years and befriending many devoted Christians here on campus, I've learned that Islam and Christianity have a lot in common.
Both religions preach values and morals, stressing that violence is never the answer.
My deepest sympathies go to all the families of the men and women that died in the attacks.
I hope we can continue to find the positive in times like these instead of dwelling in sorrow.
| Raslan is a senior digital media and design major of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. |
Freedom of Religion in Pakistan? More like Religious Paedophilia!
Estimated 700 Christian girls annually kidnapped and forcibly married to captors in Pakistan
The abduction and forced conversion to Islam of Christian girls who are then married against their will to their captors is a disturbing and growing trend in Pakistan; it is estimated that there are over 700 cases every year.
One of the latest incidents involved a 14-year-old girl, Mehek Rashid, who was kidnapped at gunpoint from her home in Shisharwali, Gujranwala, by a gang of five armed Muslim men. One of her abductors yelled that he would purify Mehek by converting her to Islam before marrying her. The local authorities are refusing to investigate the case, apparently because the assailants are from a prominent Muslim family.
It is sadly an all too familiar story in Pakistan, where a senior church leader has warned that the “the cases of forced conversion are rising at an alarming rate”.
The authorities initially refused to intervene; a local police officer said Mariam acted of “her own free will”. But after she was questioned by officials and told them that she had been abducted and forced to convert, they returned Mariam to her family. The young woman’s ordeal is not over, however; her kidnapper threatened
“terrible consequences” if he did not get her back.
VIOLENCE AND RAPE
The forced conversions and marriages are often carried out by influential Muslim families who threaten and severely beat the young girls to frighten them into compliance, as seemingly happened in the case of Farah Hatim. The authorities rarely take action, and often the young girls never return to their families unless they manage to escape their captors. The girls are often raped and become pregnant, making it almost impossible for the courts to release them.
One father was told by police to “forget his daughters” after the two Christian sisters were abducted, raped and forcibly converted in Faisalabad in May.
Even when a captive does manage to escape, it is by no means the end of her suffering. If a woman leaves her new Muslim family and Islam to return to her Christian background, she is considered an apostate – even though she was forcibly converted – and is therefore liable to be killed.
Alfred Arifa, a 27-year-old Christian woman, is on the run with her family from the man who abducted her. She was drugged and kidnapped in May 2009; when Arifa revived, she was told that she had converted to Islam and married her captor. For over two years, she was locked in a house, constantly drugged and severely beaten, but she managed to escape last month. Her “husband” has threatened to kill her along with her entire family if she does not return to him.
HELP FOR VICTIMS
Barnabas Fund supports a Pakistani Christian legal organisation, CLAAS, that helps women who are victims of kidnap, rape, forced conversion and marriage. Lawyers fight for cases to be taken up by the authorities and pursue justice for women in the courts. They also help the women to rebuild their lives; CLAAS has a rehabilitation centre, where women who have escaped from forced marriages can recover from their ordeal. Here, they are given opportunities to study, learn useful life skills and live normal lives as part of a loving Christian community.
a video interview with our partners from CLAAS.
a video interview with our partners from CLAAS.
GIVE TODAY
If you would like to help, please send your donation to project 41-645 (Pakistan – Christian lawyers helping abused Christians). Please click to donate online using our secure server.
If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference 41-645 (Pakistan – Christian lawyers helping abused Christians).
If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. Please quote project reference41-645 (Pakistan – Christian lawyers helping abused Christians).
For a quick donation of £3.00 by SMS (see terms and conditions here) text Barnabas/645 to70007 (Please note: This facility is presently only available to UK supporters).
Monday, September 19, 2011
'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring' sung by Celtic Women
What better way to start your day than listening to the beautiful sound of Celtic Women.
The Contrariness of Man
Someone asked the Dalai Lama what surprises him most. This was his response.
"Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; He lives as if he's never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived"
Sunday, September 18, 2011
'Leave the World Loving You' sung by Marc James
Here is one of the songs from Marc James' forthcoming CD. I look forward to hearing the rest!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Jim Whitman, 'The Yodelling Legend' sings 'By This Time Tomorrow.'
Here I go, indulging myself once more with this video of Ireland's Jim Whitman, 'the yodelling legend' who reminds me so much of his namesake, the incredible Slim Whitman whom I have loved to listen to since I first discovered him about 54 years ago. I had the privilege of attending Slim's very last UK concert which was in Norwich a few years ago. Now I can look forward to attending one of Jim Whitman's concerts.
Great Christian Quotes
"God never can use any man very much till he has grace enough to forget himself entirely while doing God's work; for He will not give His glory to another nor share with the most valued instrument the praise that belongs to Jesus Christ alone."
- A. B. Simpson
"The greatest miracle Almightily God can do is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world, make that unholy man holy, put him back in an unholy world and keep him holy! It takes all the power of the Atonement to do that, plus the indwelling of the Spirit of God and all the promises of God."
- Leonard Ravenhill
"Great sermons lead the people to praise the preacher. Good preaching leads the people to praise the Saviour."
- Charles Finney
"I believe that God has given to Christian men the responsibility of fighting for and protecting the doctrine of the Church, and it is a tragedy that we don't have more strong men of conviction who will fight to protect the Gospel."
- David Pawson
In speaking about the Holy Bible, Dr. Steven J. Lawson said, "I have read other books, but this Book reads me."
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive withot breathing."
- Martin Luther
"Revivals begin with God's own people; the Holy Spirit touches their heart anew, and gives them new fervour and compassion, and zeal, new light and life; and when He has thus come to you, He next goes forth to the valley of dry bones.Oh, what responsibility this lays on the church of God!"
- Andrew A. Bonar
- A. B. Simpson
"The greatest miracle Almightily God can do is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world, make that unholy man holy, put him back in an unholy world and keep him holy! It takes all the power of the Atonement to do that, plus the indwelling of the Spirit of God and all the promises of God."
- Leonard Ravenhill
"Great sermons lead the people to praise the preacher. Good preaching leads the people to praise the Saviour."
- Charles Finney
"I believe that God has given to Christian men the responsibility of fighting for and protecting the doctrine of the Church, and it is a tragedy that we don't have more strong men of conviction who will fight to protect the Gospel."
- David Pawson
In speaking about the Holy Bible, Dr. Steven J. Lawson said, "I have read other books, but this Book reads me."
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive withot breathing."
- Martin Luther
"Revivals begin with God's own people; the Holy Spirit touches their heart anew, and gives them new fervour and compassion, and zeal, new light and life; and when He has thus come to you, He next goes forth to the valley of dry bones.Oh, what responsibility this lays on the church of God!"
- Andrew A. Bonar
Israel needs prayer for UN summit
On the 22nd September, the UN is holding the tenth anniversary of the anti-Israel Durban Declaration but the UK, Canada and Israel have already announced they will not be attending and there is prayer and pressure for the America to follow them.
“That conference, and the anti-Semitic atmosphere in which it was held, was a particularly unpleasant and divisive chapter in the U.N.’s history. It is not an event that should be celebrated,” said Foreign Secretary William Hague.
The United States and Israel walked out of the original 2001 World Conference against Racism, held under U.N. auspices in Durban, South Africa, over Arab attempts to brand the Jewish state racist. A follow-up conference in Geneva in 2009 also descended into chaos with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prompting a walk-out when he called Israel “a cruel and repressive racist regime.” (Reuters)
Palestinians may push for statehood at UN
The next day, Friday 23rd September, may see a showdown between Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Abbas planning to push for membership for a Palestinian state and Netanyahu arguing against it.
“Despite the pressures that we face, Palestine goes to the UN on the 23rd of this month to seek admission as a full member,” Abbas told Egyptian TV on Wednesday.
The United States has threatened to veto the move if it is made in the UN Security Council, saying it would harm prospects for peace talks and that a Palestinian state can only result from negotiations with Israel. Britain has not yet made its position clear.
Confusingly, the Palestinian envoy to the UN said the Palestinian leadership has not yet decided whether to seek full membership and on Wednesday Abbas assured Saudi and European officials that he would not press for statehood.
Israelis strengthening security in Judea and Samaria (the so-called ‘West Bank’) ahead of expected Palestinian violence to coincide with the UN move.
Turkey rattles its sabres but Greece is a friend in need
Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Tunisians last Thursday that his country could have frigates and assault vessels in the eastern Mediterranean “at any time” to ensure freedom of movement.
“Israel will not be able to move in the eastern Mediterranean as it wishes,” Erdogan said at a joint news conference with his counterpart, Interim Prime Minister Beji Caid el Sebsi. “It will see our determination in this regard.”
The comment follows the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador and its other high-level diplomats from Ankara in the wake of the Mavi Marmara Gaza flotilla affair in May 2010, and raises the spectre of a possible maritime confrontation with the Israeli navy.
On the positive side, Israel and Greece have invoked their new, secret mutual defense pact to counter heavy Turkish sea and air movements in the eastern Mediterranean. They also agreed to share intelligence. Israel’s expanded cabinet of eight was called into session over the Turkish threat to its off-shore oil and gas rigs.
Comment: The fact that a 'Palestinian parliament in waiting' has been recognised by the UN is, in itself, a complete travesty, for Palestine is only a State in the minds of those who wish it to be. There is no historical fact behind it, and it is yet another example of the attempts by Islam to dominate the world from a religious standpoint. They see the establishment of a Palestinian State as being a decisive move towards the ultimate total annihilation of Israel. It is completely understandable in the light of this that Islamic nations such as Turkey will offer support for both the notion and establishment of such a completely new State. It is less understandable why nations such as Britain are dithering in their support of Israel, unless one considers the implications of the power of the oil-rich Arab world as opposed to the oil-hungry nations such as Britain.