Letters To The Seven Churches Part IV
The Book of Revelation is 404 verses with over 800 allusions to the Old Testament. Learn about the past, present and future of the Church and our ultimate destiny. This is an ideal "first study" and foundational for every Christian.
The Cambrian explosion was one of the most spectacular events in the history of life. In a short window of geological time an abundance of new animals-and new animal body designs-arose fully formed without evidence of any evolutionary ancestors.
Charles Darwin viewed this as an inexplicable mystery. He had envisioned the evolution of life through a multitude of small, undirected steps. Yet, the fossil record reveals not such pattern of gradual development. Instead, early in the Cambrian period, compound eyes, articulated limbs, sophisticated sensory organs and skeletons burst into existence seemingly out of nowhere.
Darwin's Dilemma explores the Cambrian explosion and the scientific controversy that still surrounds it. Where are the missing transitional forms that Darwin's theory requires?
Filmed on four continents, this fascinating documentary examine some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made and with them, a mystery deeper than Darwin ever imagined. For the Cambrian explosion of life was actually an explosion of biological information-assembly instructions in DNA and embryonic blueprints that directed the development of the first complex animals. Information that points unmistakably to foresight, purpose and intelligent design.
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SLEEPING IN AMERICA - (Print)
Ask any baby boomer "Where were you when JFK was shot?" and they will
be quick to give you an answer. On Friday, November 22, 1963 the United States
of America was caught up by national tragedy. Those who witnessed that event
will always remember how they felt the moment they heard the news. Likewise,
the question "Where were you on the morning of September 11th, 2001?"
will be echoed for generations. On that morning the world stood still and
watched in disbelief as the Pentagon burned and the Twin Towers came tumbling
down. For three days following the attacks the major television networks
suspended all of their scheduled programming – not since the
assassination of John F. Kennedy has any single event captivated the nation's
attention in such a way.
This week, as we observe the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, most will
acknowledge that the world we live in today is very different than it was seven
years ago. The 9/11 attacks changed both our perceptions and our reality. In
the weeks and months following the attacks many predicted that our nation would
experience a broad revival and that Americans would turn back to the Word of God
for guidance and comfort. Indeed, some have looked to Christ for answers, but
those who hoped for national revival and repentance have been disappointed.
The blood shed on September 11, 2001 became the catalyst in the war on
terrorism. That tragic event briefly united Americans in a common cause,
however that unity has splintered. Growing differences in values and philosophy
have driven a wedge down the middle of American society. We are a divided
nation. We are divided by ideologies, worldviews, and politics. We are perhaps
no stronger, no better equipped or prepared, today to take on the challenges
facing our nation than we were seven years ago.
Sleeper Cells
Today the question looms: will terrorists strike us again on American soil?
Some say the likelihood of another attack is almost certain, it is only a
matter of time. One of the biggest concerns in the intelligence community are
reports of Western-born operatives who have received training in Al-Qaeda camps
in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ted Gistaro, of the National Directorate for
Intelligence, has warned that "Al-Qaida is identifying, training and
positioning operatives for attacks in the West, likely including in the United
States. These operatives include North American and European citizens and legal
residents with passports that allow them to travel to the United States without
a US visa." Some of these operatives are young Caucasian men that are
unlikely to attract the attention.
Last week authorities arrested three German citizens in a bomb plot targeting
American military personnel stationed in Europe. Police say the three men, two
of which are ethnic Germans, were trained by Al-Qaeda in Pakistan. This latest
incident is just one example of what intelligence officials say is a growing
trend. Al-Qaeda is actively recruiting disaffected Americans and Europeans to
join with them in Jihad. The US government believes that Al-Qaeda has trained
dozens of Westerners that may even now be part of terrorist cells planning
attacks in Europe and North America.
A Wake Up Call
It seems most Americans have closed their eyes to the challenges facing our
nation. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair once aptly stated that:
"September 11 for me was a wake up call. Do you know what I think the
problem is? That a lot of the world woke up for a short time and then turned
over and went back to sleep again."
It has been observed that nations and empires have "life cycles."
This has been studied by many historians throughout the years and most have
come to the same conclusion: a lifetime of about two centuries. And they all
seem to go through the same life cycle: "from bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to
abundance; from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from
apathy to dependency; from dependence back again into bondage (Alexander Tyler,
1750)."
Where are we in this cycle? We, too, have gone from bondage to spiritual faith;
from faith to great courage which established our precious liberty, which, in
turn, has given us unprecedented abundance that has made us the envy of the
world. That abundance, however, has led to complacency and apathy. Ask almost
anyone, "What is the biggest problem in America? Is it ignorance or is it
apathy?" They are likely to answer, "I don't know and I don't
care!"
This apathy will ultimately lead to dependency and then return us to the very
bondage that this nation was founded to deliver us from. Robert Bork was right
when he said that, "the only hope for America is a grass roots
revival." Is America ripe for judgment? Billy Graham quipped many years
ago, "If God doesn't judge America He will have to apologize to Sodom and
Gomorrah!" Likewise, Thomas Jefferson summed it up when he said: "I
tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; and that His justice
cannot sleep forever."
This year, on the anniversary of September 11, pray for our nation, pray for
our leaders, pray for revival, pray for our enemies, and pray for guidance and
correction in your own life. For more on this subject, check out Avi Lipkins
briefing titled Sleeping In America: The Secret War.
• Fears Grow of Terrorist With 'An American Face' - MSNBC
• The Decline of the US - Strategic Trends
• Sleeping in America by Avi Lipkin - DVD
• Sleeping in America by Avi Lipkin - MP3 Download
• Sleeping in America by Avi Lipkin - Audio CD
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: GROWING DESPITE SUFFERING - (Print)
Whether facing the threat of militant Islam in Iran, or outright slaughter in
India, Christian persecution around the world has not gone away. Even as we
pick through different versions of the Bible for our Bible study, pastors in
other countries have to pay half a year's wages on the black market just to
possess one copy of God's Word in their own tongues. We should keep up on the
situations around the world, so that we can pray for our brothers and sisters
and stand in the gap for them during their hours of great need.
India
Horrible massacres have been taking place in the Orissa state on India's
eastern shore. An anti-Christian Hindu leader was assassinated on August 22,
and since then Hindu mobs have been burning churches and homes. Unknown numbers
of Christians have been slaughtered and their bodies burned. Others are burned
alive. A pregnant woman and her one-year-old child were chopped up when she
refused to convert to Hindusim. The brutality is unbelievable. It is estimated
that 50,000 Christians have left their homes to save their lives.
Despite the horror, there is hope that this persecution will only lead to the
growth of Christianity in the region. Gospel For Asia's leader in Orissa, Juria
Bardhan, points out that the Christian population in the state has grown from 2
percent to 28 percent, and has had its most dramatic growth during times of
persecution: "They don't understand that by doing this, the church will
grow by leaps and bounds, and this will cause thousands to come to
Christ."
Iran
Fewer than one percent of Iran's 70 million people are Christians, but the
numbers appear to be rising despite the country's hardline Islamic government.
As in many countries, there are official Christian churches allowed in Iran.
These, though, are not what concern the Iranian government. The underground,
uncontrolled churches are sprouting up across Iran, and President Mamoud
Ahmadinejad is determined to stop them.
According to Voice of the Martyrs' Todd Nettleton, "The people look
around, they see the poverty, they see the discontent, they're not happy so
they have questions. Why isn't it working out, we're doing it the Islamic way,
why isn't our country great? So, they are ripe to hear a new way."
Gary Lane, CBN News International Correspondent, reports that Ahmadinejad has
cracked down on house churches. Members are harassed and arrested and sometimes
beaten. This summer, a house church meeting in the city of Isfahan was raided
and the leader and his wife so severely beaten they both died.
As in India, the persecution does not stop the spread of the Gospel; it only
adds to the Christians' resolve to be more like Jesus. Persecution also has the
effect of moving people around. As Christians flee to other parts of the
country, they take their faith with them and start new churches.
Christian broadcasting is reaching its Persian audience and is also having an
impact. SAT-7 PARS, now broadcast 24-hours-per-day in the Persian tongue, tells
Iranians about God's love and helps disciple believers. The station receives
about 1000 viewer contacts per week. One message from Iran said, "In the
past, through my studies, I came to the conclusion that Christianity was a
heresy. However, when I started watching your programs on SAT-7 PARS, I
realized that it is the most complete of all religions. It is a religion that
shows happiness in this world and the world to come. Jesus raised people from
the dead and gave them life. Blessed are those who are the followers of this
religion."
China
Only one factory prints Chinese-language Bibles in China, and those are
strictly for state-approved churches. Pastors are desperate for the Word of God
in the native Chinese, and Bibles are not always available. China claims to have
religious liberty, but that "liberty" is strictly controlled.
Vision Beyond Borders founder Patrick Klein freely delivered thousands of
Bibles to the hungry Church in Asia, including China, until his last trip.
Klein and his fellow missionaries were surprised when their 315 Bibles were
confiscated from their checked luggage in the airport at the southwestern city
of Kunming. A law passed in June 2007 put a bridle and bit on Bible
distribution in China. Outsiders are no longer allowed to bring in large
numbers of religious materials for distribution unless they get permission
first. The Chinese officials returned the Bibles to Klein's group as they left
the country, and the missionaries were able to hand out the Bibles in Laos.
However Klein says "There's a waiting list of 400,000 pastors who need
Bibles. The need is tremendous. If they were to buy one on the black market, it
would cost six months' to a year's salary."
A Call To Prayer
As Todd Nettleton said of Iran: "We have to pray for them. That is their
first request. Pray for us, pray for us, pray for us...and I challenge people
to really pray for the Iranian government," Nettleton said. "Pray for
Ahmadinejad to have a personal meeting with Jesus Christ. Imagine how that would
change that country; imagine how that would change the world."
The most important thing we can do for our brothers and sisters around the
world is to pray for them. The power of God moves through prayer, and when we
kneel in solidarity with them, God does great things. Imagine how, if we were
in their places, we would want others to get on their knees for us.
• Christians Brave Horrifying Massacres - WorldNetDaily
• House Churches Growing in Iran Despite Persecution - Assist News Service
• Vision Beyond Borders Founder Shaken By China Experience - Casper Star-Tribune
• SAT-7 Celebrates Six Years Of Persian Broadcasts For Iran - Christian Today
CHINA LEADS IN ASIAN SPACE RACE - (Print)
The People's Republic of China has announced that its third manned mission into
space will launch a few weeks earlier than expected. The mission, in which the
Chinese astronauts will attempt their first space walk, is scheduled to take
off later this month. China is currently making the final preparations for the
launch, which could take place as early as September 25th.
In recent years China has made great strides in its space program and it has
ambitious plans for the future. In 2003 China became the third country to put a
human in space. In October the Chinese launched a lunar orbiter that will make a
three-dimensional survey of the moon's surface. The lunar orbiter will
eventually be followed by two rover missions to investigate the moon's surface
and collect rock samples. According to a white paper put out by the China
National Space Administration, China has plans for a manned mission to the moon
as well as the establishment of a manned lunar base.
The Chinese are also reportedly working on a new rocket that would enable them
to launch their own space station. China formally requested to join the
International Space Station in 2003, but the US is strongly against it. Since
then, China has announced plans to build its own space station. China also has
plans for deep space exploration, including a mission to Mars.
Experts say that China's space program serves both scientific and military
purposes. In January of 2007, China used a ground-based ballistic missile to
successfully shoot down a dilapidated weather satellite. The Chinese ASAT
(anti-satellite) test was conducted without warning. It took the international
community largely by surprise and raised fears of a space arms race. China is
now the only nation, besides the US and Russia, that has demonstrated the
capability to successfully target and destroy a satellite.
China's space program has already triggered an Asian space race. China, Japan,
South Korea, and India have all announced plans to eventually put men on the
Moon. This year South Korea completed construction on its Naro Space Center and
sent its first astronaut into space by means of a Russian mission to the
International Space Station. Meanwhile, India is scheduled to launch its first
unmanned lunar mission next month. The Chandrayaan I orbiter will spend two
years mapping and studying the moons surface. India is planning a second
mission to the moon in 2011, the Chandrayaan II mission will include a rover to
collect rock and soil samples. India hopes to send its first man into space by
2015.
In recent years there has been renewed interest in the moon as a possible
source of Helium-3 and other resources. Helium-3 is a rare substance that could
possibly someday be used as fuel for nuclear fusion power plants. It seems the
need for new energy resources combined with growing national security concerns
has spurred a new era in space exploration. Space technology is becoming an
increasingly important strategic concern for countries worldwide, to learn more
click on the links below.
• China Counts Down to Third Manned Space Launch - Reuters
• China to Launch Record Number of Spacecraft in 2008 - AFP
• China's Ambitious Plans in Space - CNN
• The Rise of the Far East - Strategic Trends
Kim Jong il May Be Gravely ill - September 09, 2008
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il may be gravely ill, perhaps the victim of a
stroke, U.S. and other Western officials said Tuesday after he failed to appear
for his country's 60th anniversary parade. If so, it could jeopardize the
already troubled international effort to get his nation to abandon nuclear
weapons. AP
Federal Budget Deficit Climbs to $407 Billion - September 09, 2008
The federal government will run a near-record deficit of $407 billion for the
budget year ending September 30, according to new Congressional Budget Office
figures released Tuesday. That number could go even higher as the government
takes over mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. AP
Discovery or Doom? Collider Stirs Debate - September 09, 2008
Will the Large Hadron Collider destroy the world, or help the world? As the
atom-smasher at Europe's CERN research center is readied for its official
startup near Geneva on Wednesday, researchers might wish that the general
public was captivated by the quest for the Higgs boson, the search for
supersymmetric particles and even the evidence for extra dimensions. But if the
feedback so far is any guide, the real headline-grabber is the claim that the
world's most powerful particle-smasher could create microscopic black holes
that some fear would gobble up the planet. [Editor's Note: For more on this
subject read our article titled "CERN Seeks Secrets of the Cosmos" from the
August 26th issue of the K-House eNews.] MSNBC
Food Crisis and Silent Famine Continue - September 09, 2008
There is no end in sight to global food shortages and multiple crises from
climate change and energy and water scarcity will soon intensify what is
already a silent famine, the World Bank said on Wednesday. Reuters
US Approves $330 Million Arms Deal for Israel - September 09, 2008
The U.S. government on Tuesday said it had approved up to $330 million in three
separate arms deals for Israel, and sources tracking a much bigger deal for 25
Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets said that agreement could be approved
later this month. Reuters
O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have
sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art
a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy
and truth.
Psalms 86:14-15 KJV
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