A funny email from BEN

Terrorist Groups Operating in Churches

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches. They have
been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Osama Bin Lucifer, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.

However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell, known by the name Bin Prayin, is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whomever and whatever comes along.

Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.

To which cell group do you belong?

And guess what. No church is exempt. However, you can spot them if you "bin lookin".

The Devil Has a Plan for Your Life!

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

- John 10:10

I realize that John 10:10 is a well-known verse to millions of believers around the world, but today I want to give you fresh insight into this powerful scripture. Rather than simply read it as you’ve read it a thousand times before, let’s dig a little deeper into the Greek words behind this verse to see what we can mine from the treasures of the Greek New Testament!

Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). According to these words of Jesus, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy everything good in your life. He wants to destroy your job, your joy, your happiness, your health, your finances, your marriage, and your kids.The thief just wants to ruin anything he can get his hands on!

The word “thief ” comes from the Greek word klepto, which means to steal.: It gives a picture of a bandit, pickpocket, or thief who is so artful in the way he steals that his exploits of thievery are nearly undetectable. This reminds me of the pickpockets who work the streets in certain areas of Moscow.They can slip their hands into a person’s pockets, take what they want, and be long gone before that person discovers they were even there!

Jesus uses this word to let us know the devil is very cunning in the way he steals from people. He knows that if he does it outright, his actions will be recognized; therefore, he steals from people in such a deceptive way that he often accomplishes his evil goal before they even know he has stolen from them!

Often the devil injects thoughts into a person’s mind to steal his peace, his joy, and even his beliefs. The word klepto describes a thief ’s uncontrollable urge to get his hands into someone’s pockets so he can take that which doesn’t rightfully belong to him. I find it very interesting that this is where we get the word kleptomaniac, which describes a person with a persistent, neurotic impulse to steal. Just as a kleptomaniac can’t help but steal, the devil can’t stop stealing because it is his impulse and his very nature to steal. This is precisely the nature and behavior of the thief Jesus told us about!

Not only does the thief come to steal, but Jesus said that he also comes “to kill.” At first glance, it appears that this means to kill, as to take someone’s life. But the Greek word is thuo, which means to sacrifice. It originally referred to the sacrificial giving of animals on the altar. It could mean to sacrifice; to surrender; or to give up something that is precious and dear. It was particularly used in a religious connotation to denote the sacrifice of animals, and it had nothing to do with killing in terms of murder.

Because Jesus uses this word to describe the work of the thief in John 10:10, He is telling us that if the thief hasn’t already walked away with everything we hold precious and dear, he will then try to convince us that we need to sacrifice or give up everything he hasn’t already taken from us.

The thief cannot bear the fact that you possess any kind of blessing. Therefore, if he is unsuccessful at stealing the good things from your life, he will try to cunningly convince you to give up everything you possess and love – simply because he doesn’t want you to have it. He may even try to create stressful situations that cause you to conclude that your only solution is to sacrifice the things you dearly love.

Then Jesus went on to say that the thief also comes “to destroy.” The word “destroy” is from the Greek word apollumi, meaning to destroy. It carries the idea of something that is ruined, wasted, trashed, devastated, and destroyed. By using this word, we discover that if the thief is unsuccessful in his attempts to steal from you or convince you to sacrifice what you hold dear, he will then try to ruin it!

An expanded interpretive translation of John 10:10 could read this way:
“The thief wants to get his hands into every good thing in your life. In fact, this pickpocket is looking for any opportunity to wiggle his way so deeply into your personal affairs that he can walk off with everything you hold precious and dear. And that’s not all – when he’s finished stealing all your goods and possessions, he’ll take his plan to rob you blind to the next level. He’ll create conditions and situations so horrible that you’ll see no way to solve the problem except to sacrifice everything that remains from his previous attacks. The goal of this thief is to totally waste and devastate your life. If nothing stops him, he’ll leave you insolvent, flat broke, and cleaned out in every area of your life. You’ll end up feeling as if you are finished and out of business! Make no mistake – the enemy’s ultimate aim is to obliterate you.”

But Jesus went on to say, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The words “they might have” are from the Greek tense that means to have and to continually possess. The “life” Jesus offers us is zoe, which suggests a
life that is filled with vitality. The word “abundantly” is from the Greek word periossos, and it means to be above, beyond what is regular, extraordinary, or even exceeding. This is not just abundance; it is super- abundance.
What a comparison! The devil comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy, but Jesus comes to give life as we have never known it!

An expanded interpretive translation of this second part of John 10:10 could be as follows:

“But I came that they might have, keep, and constantly retain a vitality, gusto, vigor, and zest for living that springs up from deep down inside. I came that they might embrace this unrivaled, unequaled, matchless, incomparable, richly loaded and overflowing life to the ultimate maximum!”
In your walk with the Lord, you will experience times when the devil pushes buttons in your emotions to keep you all bound up and depressed. Other times the enemy will disguise his voice to make you think God is talking to you in order to get you off track or cause you to cast off your deepest dreams as pure imagination. But whenever these attacks occur, just tell the devil to shut up and stop dropping those dimwitted thoughts of nonsense into your head. Tell him to hit the road! Let him know you’re not going to bite that bait any longer, so he might as well go fishing somewhere else. You’re not a sucker anymore! You know how he works now, and you’ve determined that he isn’t going to steal, kill, or destroy one more good thing in your life!
There’s no doubt about it!

” The devil wants you to be defeated.
” The devil wants you to struggle through your entire life.
” The devil wants you to be sick, depressed, down in the dumps, glum, and miserable.
” The devil wants you to feel like you will never hit the target with your life.
” But Jesus wants to give you a life that is unrivaled, unequaled, matchless, incomparable, richly loaded, and overflowing with life to the ultimate maximum!

So now that you know the devil wants to make your life a less-than-gratifying, unhappy, uneventful life – a life that no one will even notice is gone once it’s over – what are you going to do about it? I urge you to put on the brakes and stop Satan from wreaking havoc in your life. Jesus will give you the power to resist every attack and to overcome every strategy the devil ever tries to use against you!

This was from the Book Sparkling Gems By:Rick Renner! Great Book

FACTBOX-Key 2010 global political risks to markets - Unless you get this, you can't evaluate what is about to happen

04 Jan 2010 14:00:24 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Peter Apps, Political Risk Correspondent

LONDON, Jan 4 (Reuters) - The risk of sovereign debt default, looming elections, social unrest, populism, and thorny relations between the United States and China could all hit global markets in 2010.

Reuters has moved a series of factboxes on the key political risks facing each region of the world. [ID:nLDE5BK0X2]

SOVEREIGN DEFAULT RISK

For global markets, probably the main political risk would be one of the world's more troubled economies defaulting or coming close to default on its sovereign debt -- ultimately a political decision. [ID:nN11259082]

Worries over Dubai, Ukraine and Greece have all spilled over into global markets in the last month, and all three look set to remain under economic and political pressure in the coming year, even as most other countries return to growth.

A renewed crisis in one country could spark a wider sell-off in bond markets that would pressure other investors to question again "implied guarantees" that richer neighbours would step in to help the debtors meet their obligations.

Among those in the spotlight over public debt will be euro zone weak links Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain -- dubbed insultingly the PIIGS -- as well as non-euro Britain. Worries have already helped drive strong demand for U.S. Treasuries [ID:nN1873880]

What to watch:

-- Does Ukraine continue to make bond coupon payments? How long does political instability persist after a Jan. 17 presidential election? [ID:nGEE5AN110] [ID:nGEE5B9114]

-- Any clarity on support for Dubai's conglomerates from oil-rich fellow emirate Abu Dhabi, which investors had assumed would step in. For Dubai stories, click here [ID:nLDE5BK06H]

-- Do Greece and others take enough austerity measures to satisfy markets? In the light of comments by policymakers, how strong is the "implied guarantee" from the EU and Germany? [ID:nLDE5BK06H] [ID:nGEE5B815W] [ID:nBAT005017]

ELECTIONS

A number of important elections loom this year, with U.S. mid-term congressional elections coming alongside likely changes of leadership in Britain and Brazil, as well as a host of votes in emerging Europe that could have wider consequences.

In the United States, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and one third of the 100 Senate seats will be up for grabs November 2, with the Democrats seen suffering from a strong anti-incumbent mood [ID:nN12418931].

In Britain, Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown looks likely to lose parliamentary elections, which must be called before June, to David Cameron's Conservative Party. But markets worry about the prospect of a hung parliament with no outright majority. [ID:nLDE5BD1ER]

In emerging Europe, elections are due in Hungary, Latvia, Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is widely expected to win another term, with the only question being the timing of the election. [ID:nSGE5BE00L] But elections in the Philippines [ID:nSP510426] and Sri Lanka [ID:nSGE5BE023] are harder to call.

What to watch:

-- Pre-election positioning weighing on U.S. policy from climate change to Afghanistan and healthcare. Republican challengers jockeying to take on President Barack Obama in 2012.

-- Any signs Britain is heading towards a hung parliament will unsettle sterling. Clarity from policymakers on likely spending cuts with Britain's credit rating under pressure.

-- Local politics imperilling International Monetary Fund rescue deals in emerging Europe, with Ukraine, Latvia, Hungary and Romania most in focus. [ID:nGEE5B70ZL]

UNREST, POPULISM, RESOURCE NATIONALISM

Social unrest has risen less than many expected as a consequence of the economic crisis, but risks are seen growing in 2010 as Western governments exit from stimulus packages and discontent builds up amongst the unemployed. [ID:nLDE5BH0LM]

Civil unrest in China would be particularly unsettling for markets, but the crisis could fuel instability from Thailand to South Africa to Iran.

Overall, the crisis is seen pushing politicians towards more populist policies, such as attacking bankers' bonuses or stepping in to support struggling industries.

A global recovery in commodity prices could stoke resource nationalism, particularly in Africa and Latin America, raising the threat of expropriation from foreign investors. [ID:nL5588746]

Opinions are divided on whether the crisis has boosted protectionism. A December pressure group report identified dozens of potentially protectionist measures introduced in recent months [ID:nLDE5BD179] but the World Trade Organisation says there has been no major breakdown [ID:nLDE5BH0X0].

What to watch:

-- Signs of unrest in Europe, particularly in Latvia and Greece -- the most exposed Western and emerging EU states respectively. Both could be bellwethers for the wider continent. Reports of xenophobic attacks on minorities.

-- A dramatic commodity price spike, particularly in foodstuffs, could raise pressure on foreign resource projects particularly recent land deals in Africa.

-- Any overt protectionist measures or heightening rhetoric, particularly between the United States and China. Any acknowledgement by the WTO protectionism is rising.

UNITED STATES AND CHINA

The United States and China are already by far the two most important countries in terms of political clout. In 2010, China is set to overtake Japan as the second-largest global economy. The "G2" relationship is key to shaping our destiny not just in the coming year or coming decade, but through the 21st century. Like most relationships, it is not easy.

Pressure on China to allow the yuan to appreciate will become ever more intense in 2010 as economic storm clouds evaporate, and one-year non-deliverable forwards suggest modest gains by the currency by the end of the year.

Beijing will not want to jeopardise economic growth by letting the currency rise too quickly, and does not welcome being told what to do by Washington or the European Union. In the United States, meanwhile, yuan weakness is regarded as a protectionist policy that threatens the U.S. recovery.

Most analysts say Washington and Beijing are painfully aware of the risks and would step back from the brink before any dispute threatened the global economy. But the two countries have yet to find a way to communicate comfortably as partners.

What to watch:

-- The battle over the yuan. Will Beijing let it appreciate, and if not, how will Washington react? [ID:nSP87477]

-- Protectionism and trade tariffs. If President Barack Obama imposes more tariffs, under pressure from Congress and domestic industry, expect sparks to fly. [ID:nLR352231]

-- Any disputes arising from China's dealings with North Korea, Myanmar, Iran and other "rogue states". [ID:nPEK192670]

UNPREDICTABLE CRISES

Ongoing confrontation over Iran's nuclear programme remains a risk, particularly for energy markets, and the situation is complicated by deepening domestic instability following last year's disputed presidential election. [ID:nHAF152285]

North Korea continues to be dangerously unpredictable, with potential scenarios ranging for a war to the death of leader Kim Jong-il -- an event that might prompt a reunification that could prove financially crippling for South Korea. [ID:nSP523325]

Both Nigeria and Thailand could face market uncertainty over the health of their president and king respectively. Both were hospitalised in 2009.

Analysts expect al Qaeda and its allies to try to spark conflict between nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India. [ID:nGEE5B5050] And Pakistan's weak government, under threat on several fronts, may have its own reasons to focus popular anger on India.

The attempted bombing of an airliner bound for Detroit on Christmas Day shows that attacks on Western targets also remain a threat.

What to watch:

-- Turmoil in Iran. Western decision on sanctions in 2010. Potential split in the ruling establishment.

-- Any news on the health of Thailand's 82-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Nigeria's President Umaru Yar 'Adua or North Korea's Kim. (additional reporting by Andrew Marshall; Editing by Paul Taylor)

People fall down because they can't stand up

John 18:6 Jesus said "I am he" the Bible then says "they went backward and fell to the ground." I have never figured out why people are shocked during altar services when someone falls to the ground. People react differently to the exposure of God's power. Some weep, some laugh, some dance, some fall down. Be careful of judging someone else's reaction, worry about your own.

When Jesus said "I AM" I have always had a sense that at that moment of time when the great I AM spoke, all the power he carried in his humanity clothed divinity was for a brief second released into the atmosphere. Heaven impacting earth must have caused a reaction. I don't care who you are or how hard you are, when that happens you goin down Bang. Only by the grace of God does he hold back from all his Glory being released because if he revealed himself fully to man we'd all be dead. No man has seen God and.... But sometimes, just for a moment, we get to see a little and then....we fall like dead men. Life changes forever in that time. I know it's a little midrash, but those men who arrested Jesus. They went home that night. They ate with their family or colleges. What did they say happened? Why? Who was that naked once dead kid running around who was wearing a burial shroud? What did all that mean?

It's a wonderful thing when the Power of God is released for real. It's a horrid thing when it's taking the name of God in vain. Some is.

This is a Spirit I Recognize. Thought it was a Jezebel Spirit. I was wrong

The Roots of an Absalom Spirit
(Scripture References Based on II Samuel 13:20-29; 14:23-33; and 15:1-12)

An Absalom Spirit is rooted in a basic distrust and resentment of one’s authority--either justifiable or exaggerated. (II Samuel 13:20,21)

An Absalom Spirit is rooted in a basic independence and self dependence--especially as it pertains to honest communication, problem solving, sharing of honest feelings, needs, wants, etc. (II Samuel 13:20)

An Absalom Spirit is rooted in camouflaged bitterness-- unresolved disappointments, fear, anger, impotence, etc. (II Samuel 13:22)

An Absalom Spirit is rooted in irrational secrets--that appear totally rational and justified to "the Absalom." (II Samuel 13:20,22,23)

An Absalom Spirit is rooted in hidden agendas, hidden strategies and hidden alliances. (II Samuel 13:22-29)

Absalom Spirit and Authority
Belief system of an Absalom Spirit...

1. Most authority is not to be trusted.
2. Most authority is incompetent.
3. “I know the right/better way to handle this.”

The Absalom Spirit is rooted in hidden contempt, hidden hatred and hidden revenge--of authority and those under that authority. (ll Samuel 13:22)

Additional Roots of an Absalom Spirit
An Absalom Spirit Is Rooted In Pride (ll Samuel 14:23-26)

An Absalom Spirit is rooted in rebellion--that will grow and grow and become unquenchable. (ll Samuel 14:27-30)

An Absalom Spirit is rooted in a deep-seated desire to be close to/next to/in a place of favor with the one in authority, but not with purity of heart. (ll Samuel 14:30-33)

An Absalom Spirit is rooted in impressing and stealing the hearts of the people who are under authority in order to eventually “dethrone” and replace the one in authority. (ll Samuel 15:1-12)

Manifestations of an Absalom Spirit

Self-promotion. (ll Samuel 15:1)

A carefully constructed and carefully projected image--one that is designed to impress. (ll Samuel 15:1)

Manipulation. (ll Samuel 15:1)

Selfish ambition--disguised to appear as service to others. (ll Samuel 15:2)

Opportunism--self-advancement at the expense of others. (ll Samuel 15:2)

Divisiveness, antagonism, and negative criticism of authorities to promote self. (ll Samuel 15:3)

Rebellion and/or insurrectionism. (ll Samuel 15:4)

False Humility (ll Samuel 15:5)

Thievery--stealing the hearts and loyalty of the people away from their true authority. (ll Samuel 15:6)

Treachery.... This is no innocent disagreement. Absalom is dangerous. (ll Samuel 15:7-10)

Subtle seduction. (ll Samuel 15:11)

Religious hypocrisy and hype. (ll Samuel 15:12) “..while offering sacrifices..”

Betrayal (ll Samuel 15:12)

A Healing For Ahithophel

Later, Ahithopehl joins Absalom's rebellion. Ahithophel means: A brother/kindred: to smear, plaster, slime. A brother to (or those who) smear, slime.

Warning! Absalom is not your friend!

Those of us who have the trust of our leader(s) are targets for an Absalom spirit.

Stay loyal to leaders who are putting their trust in you even if they are not perfect or adequate. Either be loyal or quit.

Confront any Absalom who tries to manipulate you and use you.

Go straight to your leader and tell them about “Absalom” before it is too late for them and for you. (ll Samuel 15:1, 13)

Why Sarah Palin is NOT a has been....

• She has just emerged on to the national scene
• Her popularity is unfettered
• She has been managed well
• She is over a decade younger than Hillary Clinton and think back a decade on Hillary
• She is patient and able, proven over and over again that she CAN
• She will be be right in the prime of her political life about the time of the end of the Obama Administration IF he should get two terms (which I personally doubt)

So, if my more left leaning friends think she is going away, just relax, she ain't going anywhere.

Maybe the war against Christmas by the Secularists in our Country has it's roots in Radical Islam

Every year about Christmas Time Muslims gather in ATLANTA GA to rail against Jesus, the Bible, Christmas and all kinds of other things.

Maybe the "Happy Holiday" campaign is orchestrated. Maybe eliminating Christmas Carols from Schools is a Plot.

I'm just sayin....

Hope that we MIGHT avoid a Global Freeze

The sun finally woke up on December 22. It has been asleep for two years. We need the heat.

It's no longer just "WEATHER" - This is serious climate change and I'm starting to worry

Despite what the idiots proclaiming global warming are saying, the earth is freezing to death. All over the world. IT'S COLD

It was cold all spring. Cold all summer. Cold last winter and now. It's cold everywhere.

Maybe this is that ocean heat conveyor stopping. Maybe it's the sun cooling off. Or maybe it's just a global cooling. Last time we had a global cool off there was a mile of ice over the city of Chicago.

I'm hoping it won't happen again.

It's cold in India, people are dying.

It's cold in Great Britain people are dying.

It's cold in Europe, People are dying.

It's snowing in southern USA.

Oranges are freezing in Florida.

It snowed in Australia and it's supposed to be summer there.

People are dying of the cold in Chicago.

The cold snap is global......what are we going to do?

The Pope says we should be worried... Let's just be sure we worry about the right things.

The Prophetic Word for those who Believe God Still Speaks

I do believe, but some do not. I won't force them to read it. But, if you are interested what the Creator of all the Universe might have to say about the year to come.... read it here.

2009 Person of the Year ---

Guess Who?

on Atheisim

A believer trying to reason with an atheist is like a butterfly trying to explain flight to a caterpillar who refuses to enter her cocoon.

A Generation Lied to - when they Receive the Lie it Places Them in Chains

I became more aware than ever before that there is a whole generation of young people who have been well indoctrinated to a raft of lies and half truths. They have been educated by Music (the lyrics they know well) and Movies.

I recently saw a movie about World War Two where Hitler is killed in a theater. Casually I checked out other's reactions to the movie. Believe it or not many commenters on this fiction were questioning if or whether or not it actually happened as shown in the movie. Somehow fiction and reality have become confused.

These delusions are intentional. They have been part of a strategy for a long time.

Josef Stalin said: " Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed. Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas. Print is the sharpest and the strongest weapon of our party. The writer is the engineer of the human soul".

“Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.”—Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

“The education of all children, from the moment that they can get along without a mother’s care, shall be in state institutions at state expense.”—Karl Marx

So it's not an accident. This is a plan. And our current government is right in line. They control much and they didn't take it from us, we gave it to them. The lies are everywhere. It hammers us every day.

Television of course is full of falsehoods. But the characters on those programs become believable and therefore people decide that it's all real. Look at the propaganda surrounding the Global Warming lies. What did Al Gore use? Movies and Television. And people buy it.

Many of the formerly "harmless" movies have chiseled away at truth. Remember the movies Dan Brown has authored? Harmless right? Not so much. Chip Chip Chip.

The atheist agenda and the discredit efforts of the big lie has tried and in many cases succeeded in casting enough doubt that without a genuine experience people are unable to receive the truth because of the lie that they have accepted. They have been put in chains.

Even among people who have been raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord, the capacity to believe half truth and myth on the Internet has become rampant. The church is full of conspiracy used only to confuse and distract the believer from the main things.

The outright BIG LIE has become manifest because people are unwilling to face it down. Lies about the world. Lies about Islam. Lies about our government.

Some of this is the result of lowest common denominator education in the public schools. Discernment and understanding are no longer taught. Yet everybody graduates with a 4.0. It's all fiction. Even the grade.

The myth is that we can take this back easily. IT won't be easy. We all have been duped. This isn't about politics. It's about the blind leading the blind both into a ditch.

The world is too much with and in us to help us see thru the smokescreen it presents. How do we separate lies from truth? We don't.

Look at some discussions on the Internet or talk radio or TV. The discussions are driven by parroted lies and myths. Left and right. They are equally guilty.

There is a dimension to this that is doubly dangerous. The most duped lied to among them seem to think they are "In the Know". They are the most duped of all. They have been badly educated in good science so bad science suffices. They are badly educated in good economic theory so bad economic systems are accepted. They are poorly informed as to the consequences of bad political decisions so we end up with the mess we have today. They worst of all have a poor historical perspective from dumbed down history education so they have no framework to consider the future in light of the past.

To them the past is what has happened since Elvis died.

In fact the biggest manifestation of this syndrome are people who don't watch the news, who's current events feeds come from Jon Stewart and Stephan Colbert. Sure you know them. They are 20-40 something people who think they are in because some joker has told them so.

They are dupes of the worst kind.

Will we get back from here? Probably not as long as the status quo isn't challenged by the ones who still have a voice.

The schools aren't going to do it. Few movies will. Look at Avatar. A beautiful anti American propaganda film. Look at most of Television. Nope. The Internet? Some. Talk Radio? Some. Newspapers? WHAT, who reads anymore? Churches? The ones that have no fear...which is few any more.

So where are the cultural defenders for this generation of lost souls?

I believe we can find them, but it must start with US.

If we don't take a stand, we will have been duped ourselves.

Now Obama is losing Maureen Dowd...Who's next?

She is about to give up on BHO. Welcome home Maureen.

President Obama’s favorite word is “unprecedented,” as Carol Lee of Politico pointed out. Yet he often seems mired in the past as well, letting his hallmark legislation get loaded up with old-school bribes and pork; surrounding himself with Clintonites; continuing the Bushies’ penchant for secrecy and expansive executive privilege; doubling down in Afghanistan while acting as though he’s getting out; and failing to capitalize on snazzy new technology while agencies thumb through printouts and continue their old turf battles.

What the True Great Awakening will look like

About every week or so some ministry or another is initiating some move or another that will be the beginning of the great awakening in America..and the world.

This prayer thing, that worship thing, this conference thing, that meeting, this church, that movement.

Over and over and over again.

OH, we will have the great awakening. It will be wonderful. It will stir the heart of the nation. It will come in time of great need. It will come out of chaos.

The churches and all the leaders with their various initiatives will be blindsided by it all. They will run to get on board when it happens.

Yet, it will happen. It will happen with people who didn't expect it. Like Candid Camera...least expected

It will come up as a CRY of pain, of anguish. It will rise up in desperation. It will come because everything has failed around them. There will be no God available. People will turn to the True God.

You don't have to read any further than the Book of Revelation to see what this is or what this means. God's passionate love for his creation will put them in a corner until they cry uncle.

So, while I am not against all the plans of ministries, they don't bring us closer to breakthrough or awakening. God will not be programmed. He will not be put in a box.

He will respond to the desperate and the broken. Even announcing yourself as broken isn't enough. Broken is usually pretty ugly.

When you are truly broken you can't even say the word.

So, awake sleeper, your time is come.

When you elect inexperience, you get inexperience

Barack H Obama has demonstrated during his 11 months in office profound incompetence when it comes to foreign affairs.

Here are the top ten dumbest things he has done:

2009 was the worst year for American foreign policy since the Carter administration.

1. Surrendering to Russia over missile defence.
2. Appeasing the mullahs of Iran.
3. Ending the war on terror.
4. Announcing a surge while declaring an exit.
5. Apologizing to France for America’s “arrogance.”
6. Giving DVDs to the British Prime Minister.
7. Siding with Marxists in Honduras.
8. Bowing to emperors and kings.
9. Embracing genocidal killers in Sudan.
10. Throwing Churchill out of the White House.

It’s been a long year.

Chavez Kicks a live dog and leaves all the dead ones alone

"No one ever kicks a dead dog" is an old axiom that defines the reality of the global criticism of America and Americans. And China, and Russia, and perhaps someday Brazil and India.

You don't hear much about Bolivia except from Chavez as he pokes at America and Americans. Why. They are significant only for their insignificance. They can't pose a true threat. They have no economic power. They are only an island of nothing.

That's not arrogance. It's truth. Peanut galleries is where the peanuts sit that make a habit of poking at the USA with criticism and egotistical faux geocentrism.

Guess what. The opinions of Chavez and the other America bashers from countries outside the USA are just noise. Irrelevant. Not understanding. Amateur hour stuff.

If there were real solutions they would quickly find a place in decision making that could matter.

So, I say to Chavez and his ilk....your voice is not heard nor does it matter. We must be ready militarily to do what must be done at a moment because some of the critics of the USA are armed and if they chose would be the recipients of a very short war on their ground.

I hope that like Castro, Chavez will learn this truth. If he ever became rambunctious his country would resemble a landfill. The USA is never going to abide a genuine threat on it's virtual border to exist. Not Venezuela, not Mexico and didn't in Cuba. Won't.

Sovereignty is a very hard thing to break once you achieve it. Just ask China. They really don't care what Great Britain thinks or thought when they executed a man found with drugs today. Brutal? I guess. BUT, they are now where the USA is.

A live dog being kicked at by a lot of fleas.

The Enemy among us

If you are a leader you will have conflict sooner or later. How you manage conflict will determine how good of a leader you will be. Jesus handled conflict in many different ways. Sometimes he confronted the issue head-on, other times He ignored the accusation and went on His way. Sometimes He chose to wash the feet of those who attacked Him.

Dr. Martin Luther King, father of the United States civil rights movement modeled conflict management in the following way:

"On Christmas Day, 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a sermon at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. It was based on this passage and the sermon title was, 'Loving Your Enemy.' Through the course of his sermon, Dr. King suggested three ways by which we can do just that.

First, we must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. Such forgiveness doesn't mean that we ignore the wrong committed against us. Rather it means that we will no longer allow the wrong to be a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness, according to King, 'is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning.'

Second, we must recognize that the wrong we've suffered doesn't entirely represent the other person's identity. We need to acknowledge that our opponent, like each one of us, possesses both bad and good qualities. We must choose to find the good and focus on it.

Third, we must not seek to defeat or humiliate our opponent, but to win his or her friendship and understanding. Such an attitude flows not from ourselves, but from God as his unconditional love works through us.

As followers of Christ who seek to lead as He led, we must remember that the more freely we forgive, the more clearly we reveal the nature of our Heavenly Father."*

Today, be proactive about forgiving those who have been the source of pain in your life.