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SEVERE FLOODING CONTINUES ALONG MISSISSIPPI
Midwest flood fighters face new waves of woe
Pray that the Lord will "remember mercy" and grant
strength and protection to all who are fighting
wildfires, sandbagging flooded areas and engaging in
rescue, emergency housing and cleanup.
President Bush recently declared a major disaster
area in an additional 22 Missouri counties. The
declaration makes federal funding available to state
and local governments and certain private nonprofit
groups to help deal with weather and water damage.
Crews laboring to strengthen fortifications along
the swollen Mississippi tackled new dirt slides and
seepages on fragile earthen levees as forecasters
said more heavy rain could cause a second round of
big crests. An additional eight inches of rain has
fallen this week on parts of northern Missouri
adding water to about four rivers that feed into the
Mississippi, the National Weather Service said.
"They will be dumping in huge, unwelcome amounts
into the Mississippi over the next few days,"
hydrologist and meteorologist Mark Fuchs said. He
said the river city of Hannibal "could go up to its
big crests again." Still more thunderstorms are
forecast over the coming days upstream in Iowa,
Minnesota and Illinois, Fuchs said. "We're very
concerned that the flood of 2008 may not be over,"
he said.
FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING 1,000+ FIRES IN CALIFORNIA
"It is increasing almost hourly."
More than 12,500 firefighters were battling 1,088
fires across Northern California by late Thursday.
The number of fires and acreage was growing so
quickly that California state fire officials were
hard pressed to keep their tallies up to date. Fewer
than one-quarter of the fires had been contained.
Northern California are bracing for weekend winds
and lightning that threaten to spread the blazes,
touch off new ones and force evacuations. Nearly
159,000 acres had been consumed by the fires. Smoke
and soot created poor air quality across much of
Northern California and adjoining Nevada. "We have
so many fires -- there's a logistical problem just
getting to them," said Carol Jolley of the
California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection. (USA Today) Click here to view map of
USA showing all active wildfires.
http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php
PRESIDENT RESCINDS NORTH KOREA'S AXIS OF EVIL
STATUS
"The policy of the United States is a Korean
Peninsula free of all nuclear weapons." The
six-party talks are based on a principle of "action
for action."
President Bush stated the following in a Thursday
morning press briefing in the White House Rose
Garden: "The policy of the United States is a
Korean Peninsula free of all nuclear weapons. This
morning, we moved a step closer to that goal, when
North Korean officials submitted a declaration of their nuclear programs to the Chinese government as
part of the six-party talks. The United States has
no illusions about the regime in Pyongyang. We
remain deeply concerned about North Korea's human
rights abuses, uranium enrichment activities,
nuclear testing and proliferation, ballistic missile
programs, and the threat it continues to pose to
South Korea and its neighbors. Yet we welcome
today's development as one step in the multi-step
process laid out by the six-party talks between
North Korea, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and
the United States.
Last year, North Korea pledged to disable its
nuclear facilities. North Korea has begun disabling
its Yongbyon nuclear facility -- which was being
used to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. This
work is being overseen by officials from the United
States and the IAEA. And to demonstrate its
commitment, North Korea has said it will destroy the
cooling tower of the Yongbyon reactor in front of
international television cameras tomorrow.
Last year, North Korea also pledged to declare its
nuclear activity. With today's declaration, North
Korea has begun describing its plutonium-related
activities. It's also provided other documents
related to its nuclear programs going back to 1986.
It has promised access to the reactor core and waste
facilities at Yongbyon, as well as personnel related
to its nuclear program. All this information will be
essential to verifying that North Korea is ending
its nuclear programs and activities.
The six-party talks are based on a principle of
"action for action." So in keeping with the existing
six-party agreements, the United States is
responding to North Korea's actions with two actions
of our own: First, I'm issuing a proclamation that
lifts the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy
Act with respect to North Korea.
And secondly, I am notifying Congress of my intent
to rescind North Korea's designation as a state
sponsor of terror in 45 days. The next 45 days will
be an important period for North Korea to show its
seriousness of its cooperation. We will work through
the six-party talks to develop a comprehensive and
rigorous verification protocol. And during this
period, the United States will carefully observe
North Korea's actions -- and act accordingly.
President Bush's full remarks are posted at:www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080626-9.html
JULY 7-9 G8 SUMMIT IN JAPAN TO INCLUDE 23 NATIONS
At
the top of the agenda this year is climate change
and many global crises
"The summit this time is very different from those
in the past. It's very tough," said Deputy Foreign
Minister Masaharu Kohno, who works directly under
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. "Nowadays, the G8
countries (alone) cannot decide everything." In a
recent interview with The Japan Times, Kohno said
the change involving the annual summit is a
"reflection of the reality" of the current world.
Kohno is the Japanese "sherpa" engaging in
preparatory negotiations with the U.S., Britain,
France, German, Canada, Italy and Russia. U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joined G8
foreign minister June 26 and 27 in Kyoto, Japan for
the final Hokkaido Summit planning sessions.
Reaching a consensus among the participants is
expected to be particularly difficult this year. In
the past three years, the G8 countries have invited
China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa for
expanded "outreach" meetings on the sidelines of the
summit. This year, South Korea, Indonesia and
Australia have been invited along with seven African
countries to discuss Africa-related issues, a total
of 23 countries - the most ever - will join this
year's event. At the top of the agenda this year is
climate change.
SARKOZY TO KNESSET:
SHARE
JERUSALEM WITH PALESTINIANS
"A nuclear Iran is intolerable. Anyone trying to
destroy Israel will find France blocking the way."
France takes on the presidency of the EU on July 1st.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy told the Israeli
Knesset on Monday that there could be no Mideast
peace unless Israel drops its refusal to cede
sovereignty over parts of Jerusalem claimed by the
Palestinians.
Speaking to a packed Knesset plenum at a special
session in his honor, Sarkozy called on Israel to
put an end to West Bank settlement. But he then
tempered his address by assuring Israel that it
could count on France's support in halting Iran's
nuclear program. "A nuclear Iran is intolerable,"
Sarkozy said. "Anyone trying to destroy Israel will
find France blocking the way." He vowed that France
would always defend Israel in the face of any
existential threat - a direct reference to Iran and
its nuclear program, which he called unacceptable.
Amid applause from the assembled politicians,
judicial leaders and assorted dignitaries, Sarkozy
declared: "Israel must know it is not alone in the
battle against Iran's nuclear ambitions." Sarkozy
said confronting Tehran requires a united
international front. France takes on the presidency
of the European Union on July 1.
Sarkozy praised Israeli democracy and said the 20th
century had seen Israel's establishment. "My dear
friends, the 21st century has arrived and I say this
will be the century of peace for Israel." The French
president then declared that the recognition of
Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and a
Palestinian state was a condition for peace. The
Palestinians, he said, "have the right to a viable
state of their own." He added that such a state
would "ensure Israel's security." He urged Israel
to establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as
its capital.
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke
before the visitor, seemed to anticipate Sarkozy's
statements. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would
not return to the '67 borders or withdraw from the
Golan Heights. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert applauded
Sarkozy for his "determination to root out
anti-Semitism in France," and said that ties between
France and Israel had seen a "revival under your
leadership."
OBAMA FLIP-FLOPS ON "UNDIVIDED" JERUSALEM; McCAIN
PROPOSES MOVING U.S. EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM
Intercede for spiritual statesmen and for adherence
to biblical revelation and principles in the
formulation and execution of foreign policy,
especially toward Israel and Jerusalem. Intercede
for the revelation of Jesus as Messiah in the Middle
East and for "the peace of Jerusalem." (Ps 122)
Intercede for our national leaders - that every
decision, action or plan to pressure Israel to give
up land or evacuate its people from any territory
would be frustrated and abandoned. May God raise up
leaders in the U.S. and Israel who would support His
end-time purposes for the Jewish people. Intercede
for Messianic believers in Israel and for the
establishment of religious freedom
"Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it
must remain undivided," U.S. Democratic presidential
candidate Barack Obama thundered on Wednesday, June
4, earning an ovation from the 7,000-plus attendees
at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
policy conference. But a campaign adviser
"clarified" the next day that what Obama meant to
say is "Jerusalem is a final status issue, which
means it has to be negotiated between the two
parties as part of an agreement they both can live
with." "Two principles should apply to any
outcome," which the adviser gave as: "Jerusalem
remains Israel's capital and it's not going to be
divided by barbed wire and checkpoints as it was in
1948-1967." Obama found himself forced to backtrack
in the face of Arab fury at his statement that
Jerusalem will remain the undivided capital of the
Jewish state. (Israel Insider / Jerusalem News
Network 6/17/08)
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Sen. John
McCain noted his rival's "flip-flop" on Friday while
affirming his own commitment to an "undivided
Jerusalem." "I can't react to every comment that
Senator Obama makes, because it probably will
change," McCain told a crowd of supporters while
campaigning in Florida. "The point is Jerusalem is
undivided. Jerusalem is the capital," he continued,
and, in an effort to offer a practical demonstration
of his stance, suggested moving the American embassy
to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. McCain did qualify his
comments by emphasizing that regardless of his
position, the status of the city is still subject to
negotiation. "The subject of Jerusalem itself will
be addressed in negotiations by the Israeli
government and people," McCain said. (Jerusalem
Post 6/7/08)
"Jerusalem should remain an undivided city"
- U.S. Policy according to the Jerusalem Embassy Act
of 1995
"JORDAN IS PALESTINE" PLAN RECEIVING ATTENTION
"Reports that a top advisor to US Presidential
candidate John McCain is promoting this idea have
led to a flurry of press reports in the Arab media."
Jordan is in an uproar over the revival of the
"Jordanian option" - the thesis that Jordan is the
true home to the "Palestinians." Reports that a top
advisor to US Presidential candidate John McCain is
promoting this idea have led to a flurry of press
reports in the Arab media, as well as a denial from
Jordan's King Abdullah himself. Some officials in
Israel and the United States, however, feel it's the
only way to prevent the formation of a Palestinian
state.
The King responded defensively to the option,
declaring in an interview with a Lebanese newspaper
last week, "This country was made to stay. Jordan is
Jordan and Palestine is Palestine." "The
Palestinian nation has the right to a state and
independent identity on the areas of Palestine,"
said King Abdullah II. "The Palestinians will not
accept any substitute for their homeland Palestine."
Though Arabs today call Israel "Palestine," MK Benny
Elon (National Union) told IsraelNationalNews that
in this case, "the words 'Palestinian homeland' can
mean Jordan as well... Certainly Abdullah himself
remembers that the original Palestine includes
Jordan - but perhaps he assumes that everyone else
does not." (Israelnationalnews.com)
METRO DC OFFICIALS ASK STATE DEPARTMENT TO REVIEW
AND RULE ON CONTENT OF ISLAMIC ACADEMY MATERIALS
Offer thanksgiving that materials in Islamic schools
across the U.S. are coming under investigation and
scrutiny by public officials. Affirm the supremacy
of Christ over Arabist bias in the U.S. State
Department and pray that objective linguistic
translation work be completed in a prompt manner,
reviewed and ruled on. Pray that this action in the
Metro DC area will serve as a precedent and model
for other areas. (Colossians 1:13-17)
With unanimous support from the Fairfax County Board
of Supervisors, Chairman Gerald Connoly (D) sent a
letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
"formally requesting" that the State Department
engage Arab language linguists and provide direction
regarding whether the county's should renew a
one-year lease with the Saudi Arabian government
(Sunni Islam) which funds the operation of the
Islamic Saudi Academy, housed in a former Fairfax
County high school. At issue is the content of the
academy's pre-kindergarten through grade 12
textbooks. One review of text materials was
completed for the congressionally appointed U.S.
Commission on International Religious Freedom, which
recommended in October that the State Department
close the school until it demonstrates that it is
not teaching religious intolerance potentially
dangerous to the United States. Bahais, Jews and
Shitte and Sufi Muslims are among the religious
groups denounced in some academy texts. (Washington
Post 6/24/08)
The modern Saudi state is founded on the 18th
century alliance between the Sunni Wahhabi Islam
reform movement and the royal House of Saud. Daniel
Pipes and other scholars claim there is "a direct
line between the Wahhabis, Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda
terrorists and the global militant jihad movement.
Pray that al Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist
networks, "sleeper cells" and agents be exposed,
attacks thwarted and individuals arrested and
brought to swift justice. Intercede that the Lord
will prevent an overlap between al Qaeda and U.S.
drug dealers, street gangs and members.
http://standeyo.com/News_Files/NBC/Terrorist_cells.html
SUICIDE BOMBERS SHIFT TACTICS TO IRAQI TRIBAL
MEETINGS
Suicide bombers kill nearly 40 at council meetings;
Anbar handover ceremony "still on" says U.S.
commander.
Pray that wisdom and strategy be granted to U.S. and
Iraqi commanders to know how to counteract suicide
attacks at tribal council meetings. Intercede for
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (Kurdish), Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki (Shiite Muslim), the Iraqi
Parliament, and all officials - that a form of good
government that is representative of all Iraqi
socio-religious ethnic groups be established and
maintained. Pray for all troops deployed and for
their families-for protection, good health and
morale. Pray for all Christians and churches in
Iraq. (1 Tim 2:2)
Bombers killed nearly 40 people in Iraq on Thursday,
including 20 at a tribal council meeting in Anbar
province just days before the U.S. military
transfers control of security for the vast western
region to Iraqi forces. The U.S. military said there
were American troop casualties in the attack in
Anbar but gave no details. In the northern city of
Mosul (Nineveh), a car bomb killed 18 people and
wounded 62 near the office of the governor of
surrounding Nineveh province, officials said.
Nineveh Governor Duraid Kashmula had just left his
office to investigate damage caused by two rockets
that landed nearby when the car bomb went off. The
governor was unhurt. Officials said the bomb may
have been an assassination attempt. Al Qaeda has
been significantly weakened and violence in Iraq
fell to a four-year low last month, but there have
been a spate of attacks in the past week, especially
in and around Mosul, which the U.S. military has
called Sunni Islamist al Qaeda's last major urban
stronghold in Iraq.
JOIN IN PREVAILING PRAYER FOR RESOLUTION IN IRAQ
Prayer Surge Now Invites You to
JOINT PRAYER MEETINGS ACROSS AMERICA
Saturday Mornings
Special Saturday, June 28 - 7:30 AM Eastern 4:30 AM
Pacific
Lt Col Al McCarn, U.S. Army - Preparing for Iraq
Lt Col Glenn Wright, U.S. Air Force - Returning from
Iraq
8 AM Eastern, 7AM Central, 6 AM Mountain, 5 AM
Pacific
Use the Conference Call Number & Access Code:
1-712-432-9998 & 526338#
(Alternate Number: 1-712-432-1690 & 399430#)
____________ _ ____________
PLEASE REMEMBER IFA IN YOUR SUMMER PRAYERS AND
GIVING!
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"Statesmen
may plan and speculate for liberty,
but it is religion and morality alone which can
establish the principles
upon with freedom can securely stand." -- John
Adams
"On every new day in your life put the most
important things first: prayer, thanksgiving and
intercession. Through prayer human hearts will be
changed, and problems will be resolved, which
otherwise would have wasted much time. Through
prayer, strength for body and soul, confidence and
blessing will be given for each new task.
Everything in your life and daily work will become
easier. Things will fall into place and run more
smoothly."
--M.
Basilea Schlink, "More Precious than Gold"
 More Precious Than Gold
M. Basilea Schlink
Perfect summer reading!
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Additional titles by M. Basilea Schlink are also
available.
 ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH:
PARALLEL
RESTORATION
By Derek Prince
This message was taken from a Derek Prince audio
series entitled, "Israel: Past, Present and
Future."This timely message helps us understand the
Church's role in God's Kingdom plans - along side
Israel's role. Order IFA Item #CD041, $4.95 +
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 JERUSALEM:
THE COVENANT CITY
by Lance Lambert / Hugh Kitson
Why do world leaders wage war for the Temple Mount
and rage over "the final status" of Jerusalem? Part
1 of Jerusalem, the Covenant City traces the
prophetic history of the Holy City. Part 2 explores
what the Bible has to say about Jerusalem's present
and future destiny.
We discover that, as we move into the third
millennium of the Christian Era, the destiny of the
whole world hinges upon the destiny of Jerusalem and
the nation of Israel. This 108-minute documentary
will bring you a message of challenge and hope that
you will not easilyforget. Order IFA Item #DV046,
$15.95 + $3.50 shipping. Credit
card orders toll-free 1-800-872-7729or via IFA's
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