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There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven:
A time for giving birth, A time for dying.
A time for planting, A time for uprooting what has been planted.
A time for killing, A time for healing.
A time for knocking down, A time for building.
A time for tears, A time for laughter.
A time for mourning, A time for dancing.
A time for throwing stones away, A time for gathering them up.
A time for embracing, A time to refrain from embracing.
A time for searching, A time for losing.
A time for keeping, A time for throwing away.
A time for tearing, A time for sewing.
A time for keeping silent, A time for speaking.
A time for loving, A time for hating;
A time for war, A time for peace.
What does a man gain for the efforts that he makes? I contemplate the task that God gives mankind to labour at. All that He does is apt for its time; but though He has permitted man to consider time in its wholeness, man cannot comprehend the work of God from beginning to end.
John 15:4
Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye abide in Me.
Abiding in Christ means a life of converse with Him. To tell Him all; to talk over all anxieties and occurrences with Him; to speak with Him aloud as to a familiar and interested friend; to ask His counsel or advice; to stop to praise, to adore, and utter words of love; to draw heavily upon His resources, as the branch on the sap and life of the vine; to be content to be only a channel, so long as His power and grace are ever flowing through; to be only the bed of a stream hidden from view beneath the hurrying waters, speeding without pausing toward the sea.
This is abiding in Christ. – F.B. Meyer
“Draw heavily upon His resources.” Prayer does that. Prayer is to the soul what the sap veins are to the vine, it is the channel through which divine life comes into the soul.
Let there be much prayer, let there be much intimate converse with Christ, and there will be fullness of His indwelling.
- Daily Meditations for Prayer.
Inside Egypt, the government mostly shut down the Internet today, shut down Twitter, and Facebook and other social media, while deploying the army, beating protestors and jailing more than 1,000 people.
Welcome to the Before It’s News Daily Featured 5 Stories. Each weekday we deliver the most important and interesting alternative stories to your inbox. Be the first among your friends and colleagues to get the scoop on the stories everyone should be talking about today.
Fluoride isn’t just in your drinking water. It is in a variety of food and beverage products, including baby food and beer. Here is an excerpt from a USDA database, “2004 USDA National Fluoride Database of Selected Beverages and Foods.”…
Do you remember what the economy was like in America during the 70s? We had high unemployment and high inflation at the same time. It was horrible. Well, all the warning signs are there for a stagflation repeat. The following are 20 economic warning signs that should be of great concern to all of us…
Watch this stunning local television news report before it gets yanked from the internets. Two attorneys who were on board the flight with the “underpants bomber” say they saw him be escorted onto the flight without a passport by what they believe was a government agent. Oh, and there’s more…
Following the arrest of five people in Britain in connection with the “Operation Payback” cyber-attacks in support of WikiLeaks, the FBI announced mass raids across the United States in connection with the case. The bureau said suspects, if charged, could face up to 10 years in prison…
After compiling various census and US health figures, pop culture blog Pleated-Jeans constructed a surprisingly informative map to illustrate the acts for which each of our fifty great states came in dead last. Read to find out the state with the highest rate of bestiality, and more…
Here’s one day of the New York Times on the Middle East. Be sure to read the surprise ending!
1. Al-Jazira is great! (Wow, just as it runs the Palestine Papers to transform totally our view of the region. Might this be a coincidence?)
The New York Timeshas run a largely adulatory article about al-Jazira without mentioning its Islamist politics (some accuse it of… is how they put it). On reading this article, I get the impression that the writer has never actually watched the station. For example, its debate shows regularly feature a moderate and a radical. The host attacks the moderate and supports the radical and literally every caller taken on the air is hardline. One friend of mine who was on one of them said that he expected it to be 99 percent hostile but it was 100 percent hostile. Nor do we hear about the great scoops of al-Jazira, like claiming the US had used a neutron bomb in Iraq.
So here is a story about a radical force in the region presenting it as a force for democracy.
2. An op-ed piece by Nicholas Noe, a noted (pun) supporter of Hizballah. Once again, here is a story about a radical force in the region presenting it as a force for democracy. How should U.S. policy deal with having a revolutionary Islamist group that has Syria and Iran as its patrons which now controls Lebanon? According to Noe: ”pressuring Israel into a full withdrawal from the Golan.”
3. A column on the Middle East by Roger Cohen, a man so ignorant that informed people laugh at his nonsense. Remember he began his career on this topic as an apologist for Iran and never misses a chance to attack Israel.
4. Robert Mackey, another full-time basher of Israel, runs another piece attacking that country in which he distorts Hebrew–a language he doesn’t know–to attack Israel.
And now for the surprise conclusion. Ladies and gentlemen, while there are honorable exceptions, the New York Times has now reached the level of…the Guardian.
Naturally, there are many who would classify this as extreme right-wing nuts paranoid about alleged bias that doesn’t really exist. Well, if that’s so why is there a ridiculous amount of evidence proving this assertion on a daily basis?
If you are interested in demographic trends in the Arab world–especially in the Gulf–this is an excellent article. The basic argument is that many reports are misleading because they don’t distinguish between the increase in the local Arab population and the many foreign workers who are in these countries.
Also, it questions whether falling birth rates are a sign of modernization. So birth rates in much of the Arab world are falling but the precise figures and what it means is in dispute.
Having said this, the author believes that there is a very significant fall in birth rates leading toward a two-child-per-family type situation. This trend shows why demographic analyses regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict are often so misleading.
And these charts (here and here) are interesting regarding the often-made claim that the Arab population of Israel is growing steadily with political implications. In fact, the growth of Arab population has already peaked and is falling off in proportion to the Jewish population.
There is too much happening in the world and I have a lot of articles written waiting to be published here. I don’t know what to do as I don’t want to overburden you, but if I end up holding onto these articles too long the information might actually appear in the mass media (ok, though that will take a few months). So if you have thoughts or suggestions please feel free to write me at <profbarryrubin@yahoo.com> on how I can handle this.
We need your contribution. Tax-deductible donation by PayPal or credit card: click Donate button: http://www.rubinreports.blogspot.com. Checks: “American Friends of IDC.” “For GLORIA Center” on memo line. Mail: American Friends of IDC, 116 East 16th St., 11th Fl., NY, NY 10003.
By Barry Rubin
It seems to have become fashionable for some mainstream media outlets to become supporters of revolutionary Islamist movements recently. The Palestine papers case is an example but not the only one.
The pro-Hizballah Lebanon correspondent of the New York Times first told us that Hizballah wasn’t a threat to take over the government, then had to report on its taking over the government.
What’s his new line? That the new government is just fine. After all, he explains, the new prime minister wants to have good relations with the United States. Etc. No problem here. Just as there were no problems when Iran had an Islamist revolution, the Taliban took over Afghanistan, and Hamas seized the Gaza Strip.
I just love the headline: “Next Premier of Lebanon Tries to Set His Own Course.” So all those who believe the newspaper will not think that he’s just a puppet of Iran, Syria, and Hizballah. Unfortunately, he is.
Remember when we were told that sending a U.S. ambassador to Syria was not a reward but just a way to communicate better? Communicate what?
The new ambassador explains that this move is: “Proof that we are committed to try and solve the problems between our governments.” In his talks with the Syrian president, they discussed, “Some areas in which we hope to identify mutual interests and ways of addressing them that serve the interests of both of our countries.”
In other words, though he might well have been tougher in private (I doubt it but it is possible) the signal being sent is: Do whatever you want because we are continuing the soft line toward Syria.
The fact that this happened in the same week that Syria for all practical purposes took control of Lebanon is rather pointed, isn’t it?
Finally, I cite this AP article not because it contains new information but it is a rare example of something that actually reveals the key issue.
’ From the Afghan badlands to the Mediterranean, evidence of Iran’s reach is easy to spot: a mix of friend and foe for Kabul leaders, a power broker in Iraq, deep alliances with Syria and a big brother to Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza.”
Well, if it is so easy to spot why has it been so difficult for Western media, academics, and government to recognize that this (combined with the revolutionary Islamist challenge generally) is the main issue facing the Middle East?
Here’s the core paragraph:
“To those keeping score, it would appear that Iran is winning some important points around the Middle East at the expense of Washington and its allies.”
I think I’ve been saying this for several years.
But of course one can’t have everything so it tempers that analysis by adding:
“But such gains have potential built-in costs, experts say. With Iran’s extended family increasingly joining the ranks of power — first in Gaza, then Iraq and now Lebanon — there also comes pressure to moderate and make other compromises often required from those in charge.
“It eventually could bring some uncomfortable contrasts for Tehran — with its partners in the region embracing more flexible policies and Iran facing more sanctions and isolation for refusing to make concessions over its nuclear program.”
Now consider the anti-logic of that argument. Faced with the “moderation” and “compromises” of Hamas, Hizballah, Syria, and the hardest-line groups in Iraq, Iran will have to become moderate? And that will be the effect of sanctions and isolation? Are you kidding me?
Or to put this worst way of thinking a better way, we are supposed to believe that the more Iran expands and the stronger its influence gets, the less dangerous it is going to be. See, now you understand geopolitics!
A better way to spend your time is figuring out how to deal with Iran’s string of victories—and there are more in the offing—rather than declare that the problem will naturally be solved by the moderation of revolutionary terrorist movements intent on imposing a ruthless repressive regime on millions of people, expelling Christians, killing Jews, and chasing Western influence out of the region.
Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His latest book is Israel: An Introduction, to be published by Yale University Press later this year. The website of the GLORIA Center is at http://www.gloria-center.org and of his blog, Rubin Reports, http://www.rubinreports.blogspot.com.
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: Exodus 18:21 KJV
Hezbollah Has Support To Pick Lebanese PM – January 24, 2011
Hezbollah has secured the support from a majority of parliament to nominate its candidate for prime minister, putting the Iranian- and Syrian-backed militant group in position to control Lebanon’s new government. Hezbollah toppled Saad Hariri’s Western-backed unity government on January 12 over his refusal to renounce a United Nations-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Haaretz
Discontent In Egypt After Tunisia – January 24, 2011
Tunisia has brought a blast of reality to Mideast politics. Aging autocrats have been put on notice they can no longer count on docile citizens. Amre Moussa, the Arab League secretary-general and former Egyptian foreign minister, warned regional leaders last week: “It is on everybody’s mind that the Arab spirit is broken. The Arab spirit is down by poverty, unemployment and the general decline in the real indicators of development.” Regional parties like the moderate Islamists in the Muslim Brotherhood, scent opportunity… CNN
GM Sells More Cars in China Than in US – January 24, 2011
General Motors Co. sold more cars and trucks in China last year than it did in the US, for the first time in the company’s 102-year history. Despite GM’s growth in China, Toyota Motor Corp. held onto the title of world’s largest automaker. The Japanese company reported 8.42 million sales worldwide last year. That’s 30,000 more than GM’s 8.39 million. GM said Monday that it sold 2.35 million vehicles in fast-growing China, about 136,000 more than it sold in the US. GM expects its sales growth to continue, and industry analysts say it may once again dethrone Toyota as the global sales leader this year. AP
The World’s War On Christians – January 14, 2011
In recent days, Christian churches have been bombed in Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, and the Philippines. In Indonesia a mob of 1,000 Muslims burned down two Christian churches because, according to one commentator, local Islamic authorities determined there were “too many faithful and too many prayers.” In Iran, scores of Christians have been arrested. In Pakistan, a Christian woman received the death penalty for the “crime” of insulting Islam; the governor of Punjab promised to pardon her — and was then assassinated for the “crime” of blasphemy. National Review
BOMB BLASTS AND THE ENEMY: THE WISDOM OF VIGILANCE
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” – 1 Peter 5:8
Resorts World Sentosa, a Universal Studios theme park in Singapore, experienced a terror attack on Tuesday – after a fashion. A package left in an auditorium began to smoke, and guests were evacuated. Another package exploded outside a theater, and armed men opened fire on tourists. However, unlike the vicious bombing that killed 35 people at a Russian airport on Monday, the attack on the Singapore tourist attraction was not meant to be deadly; it was a simulation.
Lim Swee Say in the Prime Minister’s Office commented, “You saw a terrorist attack, you knew that it was not real, I knew that it was not real, and that’s why all of us were still smiling. But imagine – what if what we saw just now was not a simulation but a real event? In Singapore, we are fighting a war, fighting a battle against global terrorism.”
Terrorism hasn’t gone away. The simulation in Singapore involved 400 of the resort’s staff and law enforcement so that a real terror event wouldn’t catch them by surprise.
Russia is still reeling from a horrific clash with the real thing. A bomb with the blast power of five kg of TNT detonated at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport at 4:40pm local time Monday, killing 35 people and leaving at least 76 hospitalized. Like a cruel pinata, the bomb had been packed with chunks of metal in order to cause as much destruction as possible.
Sadly, law enforcement knew of the plot and were working to find and stop the suspects in the bombing before it took place, but they were not able to work quickly enough. This is Russia’s second major attack in a year. Last March, female suicide bombers linked to Chechen militants killed 39 people when they detonated themselves on the city’s metro.
Singapore does not want to be caught flat-footed. The simulation there on Tuesday offered security teams and law enforcement the opportunity to practice dealing with a threat . Issues that might not come up in brain-storming sessions were brought to their attention by actually having to go through a mock attack. For instance, when the officers were trying to neutralize the gunmen, they discovered they could not hide behind the big pillars and expect to be protected, because the pillars are not actually made of concrete, and bullets could penetrate them . Those are the sorts of realizations that save lives.
Melvin Yong, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police and Commander of Clementi Police Division, commented on the value of the simulation in preparing the resort staff for a real emergency.
He said, “During a crisis, the first responder at the scene is very important because lives can be saved if the first responder knows how to react promptly, calmly and confidently.
“And I think it’s in our interest to make sure the IR staff are well trained, and well prepared to make sure that in any contingency, they are in the best position to take care of the patrons and customers within the resort.”
In a world where armed men walk into post offices and even churches and start shooting, it is wise to have prepared in advance for how to deal with dangerous situations. Those of us in positions of responsibility for the protection of others should always have contingency plans for emergencies, so that we are not caught completely by surprise without a plan of action.
This applies to us spiritually as well. We know we have a spiritual enemy who wants to destroy us. Peter likens him to a roaring lion, hunting around for somebody to gulp down (1Peter 5:8). Above all, we need to remain vigilant and aware of his desire to destroy the truly precious things in our lives, to be aware of his methods, and to remain fully protected under the faithful, watchful care of the Holy One of Israel, our Father.
Folks who want to take a little side trip to see King Tut on their next vacation will still be able to do so, for now at least. The boy king is still on display, and DNA testing should soon prove whether he is the father of stillborn babies buried with him. The Valley of the Kings near Luxor in Egypt is visited by 9000 curious people every day, and King Tutankhamun’s tomb has been one of the most popular attractions. As much as people love catching a glimpse into ancient history, however, access to antiquities can be limited, and King Tut’s tomb will not be readily available to visit forever.
A $10 million project called the “Valley of the Replicas” is in the works in Egypt. Rather than visiting the actual tombs as in times past, visitors will enter exact replicas. There are 63 burial spots in the Valley of the Kings, and visitors will first be able to go into reproduction of the tomb of King Tut, as well as those of King Seti I and Queen Nefertari, whose burial sites have already been closed to the public. The real tombs will remain available for entry, yes, but only for those able to pay thousands of dollars for the opportunity. Even now, access to King Tut’s tomb is limited to 1000, visitors each day.
The Cyrus Cylinder:
Meanwhile, the Cyrus Cylinder will remain on display in Iran for another three months. The famous clay cylinder of Cyrus the Great describes how he set the Jews free from their captivity in Babylon and helped them to rebuild Jerusalem (as prophesied in Isaiah 45). Those who want to view the cylinder in the land of ancient Persia can do so until April 15th. After mid-April, the British Museum should be taking the cylinder back into possession. Those who would prefer to view this amazing piece of history in an English-speaking country far from the ayatollahs should be free to do so.
The British archeologist Hormuz Rassam discovered the Cyrus Cylinder in 1879 while excavating the foundations of the main temple of Babylon. The cylinder’s descriptions offer valuable corroborating evidence of the Biblical account of the return of the exiles from Babylon in the 6th century BC (Ezra 1:1-11).
Jesus’ Baptism: The traditional spot on the Jordan River where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ was officially opened to the public in a ceremony on January 18. Thousands of Christians went down the banks of the Jordan last Tuesday and submerged themselves in its waters in the same place it is believed that Jesus himself was baptized.
There has been concern over pilgrims visiting the site in the recent past, because the location is surrounded by hundreds of landmines. According to the Israeli military, though, the baptism site and associated churches are in a “completely mine-free zone,” and “no danger is posed to tourists or worshippers.”
“The (military) regularly clears away minefields in the Jordan River Valley, and in the last year alone approximately 8,000 mines have been removed from the area,” the military said in a statement.
We may not all get to hunt down the Ark of the Covenant like Indiana Jones, but we do have the freedom to walk up the Mount of Olives where Jesus himself taught the disciples. We are able to visit Egypt and see the land of the Pharaohs, where the children of Israel were held in bondage until God delivered them through Moses. We can travel to Iran – or to the British Museum – and see for ourselves the precious piece of written history in the Cyrus Cylinder, one that corresponds to one of the most obviously specific prophecies of the Old Testament (Isaiah 44:28-45:6, 13). There’s still a great deal of the ancient world around to explore, and a visual understanding of that world adds a tremendous sense of the reality of the human history found in the Bible.
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Egyptian Internet traffic — surging, and then stopped. (credit: National Review Online)
