Worthy Brief - 4/13/2018
Friend, stand on the wall!
Ecc. 1:5-6;9 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Tensions between the West and Russia and its allies have intensified leading one to wonder if we are on the cusp another major war breaking out in the Middle East. Over the past few weeks, diplomats from all over the world have been forced out of their respective embassies due to a former Russian spy being poisoned in the United Kingdom.
In the midst of accusations by Russia and the West, tensions escalated as chemical weapons were reportedly used in Syria last weekend which killed over 80 people and injured at least 300 others. President Trump threatened to launch missiles targetting Russian backed Syrian President Assad's regime. Within hours of Trump's tweeted threats, Russia accused Israel of launching airstrikes which hit an Iranian base operating inside of Syria. A few days ago, the Russian navy deployed eleven ships out of its naval base in Tartus, Syria, to counter U.S. and U.K. naval ships in the Mediterranean Sea. In Israel, soldiers were ordered back to their respective bases as weekend passes were curtailed in light of current events taking place in the region. It's safe to say, that the Middle East seems on the verge of exploding out of control -- and the timing of these events cannot be taken lightly!
The writer of Ecclesiastes was aware of cycles in nature, how they repeat themselves. Some have noticed another interesting historical cycle which awakens our awareness at this time of year. The dates April 15th-21th contain an interesting pattern. This is a time frame which has seen the birth of much havoc in the world. Historically this is when the birth of Rome and the Roman empire took place, the birth of Napoleon and more recently the birth of Hitler and Nazi Germany occurred.
This time frame is also key in American history as these dates mark times when wars have begun; among them, The Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, and the Spanish-American War.
Historically, this time frame also includes when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, the Titanic sank, America abandoned the gold standard, the Waco Branch Davidian debacle, the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Columbine High school massacre, the Virginia Tech shootings, the Boston Marathon bombing, and finally, the ecological disaster of BP Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Friend, anniversaries can be positive, and awaken joyful memories, or...they can recall difficult moments which cause us to brace inwardly and wonder if some kind of trouble will arrive once again. God is the Lord of history and His purposes stand for our good in any case, so we needn't fear the future under His care. During this season when much trouble has been seen in history, let us be watching and ready to stand in the gap and to unleash prayers as the need arises -- for truly it is the season for believers to standing on the wall.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Trump meets with national security team as Britain joins U.S., France in planning Syria strike
President Trump huddled with his national security team Thursday amid mounting speculation of a military attack in response to Syria’s suspected use of chemical weapons, while Britain’s Cabinet gave the green light to join the U.S. and France in planning a strike.
Macron says there is ‘proof’ of chemical weapons attack in Syria
France has proof the Syrian government carried out a chemical weapons attack last week and will decide whether to strike back when all the necessary information has been gathered, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.
Inspectors head to site of suspected gas attack in Syria
A team of inspectors from the international chemical weapons watchdog was on its way to Syria on Thursday to begin an investigation into a suspected chemical weapons attack near the capital that has brought the war-torn country to the brink of a wider conflict, amid Western threats of retaliation and Russian warnings of the potential for 'a dangerous escalation.'
US said planning to hit 8 sites in Syria after confirming chemical attack
The White House is considering eight potential Syrian targets in retaliation for a chemical weapons assault, a US official told CNBC Thursday.
Jim Mattis: Trump hasn't decided whether to strike Syria yet
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said no decision had been reached Thursday by President Trump about a strike on Syria and that the U.S. was still waiting to see the evidence of a chemical attack.
CIA chief confirms U.S. strike killed ‘hundreds’ of Russian mercenaries in Syria in February
CIA Director Mike Pompeo confirmed Thursday that U.S. forces killed 'a couple hundred' Russian mercenary troops in Syria in a strike earlier this year that he said sent a distinct signal to Moscow.
Trump weighs Syria options, Russia envoy says he 'cannot exclude' war
President Donald Trump and his national security aides on Thursday discussed U.S. options on Syria, where he has threatened missile strikes in response to a suspected poison gas attack, as a Russian envoy voiced fears of wider conflict between Washington and Moscow.
A massive, 'semi-infinite' trove of rare-earth metals has been found in Japan
Researchers have found hundreds of years' worth of critical rare-earth metals beneath Japanese waters -- enough to supply to the world on a 'semi-infinite basis,' according to a study published on Tuesday.
Trump orders aides to pursue reopening of Trans-Pacific Partnership
President Trump directed U.S. trade officials Thursday to explore rejoining the Obama administration’s free-trade deal with Pacific Rim nations, an agreement that Mr. Trump withdrew from last year, as he sought to ease farmers’ concerns about a tariff feud with China.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinians prepare to burn Israeli flags on third weekend of protests
The hashtags #RaisingFlag, referring to the Palestinian flag, and #BurningFlag, referring to the Israeli flag, have been prevalent in recent days among Palestinians on social media as they prepare for protests Friday near the Gaza border fence. Mass burning of Israeli flags is planned for Friday as the "Great March of Return" enters its third weekend.
Iran official threatens to destroy Israel if it continues ‘childish game’
Iran will destroy Israel if it doesn’t stop its 'childish game,' a senior military leader in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened Thursday.
Palestinian Authority FM says Arab states will block Israel Security Council bid
A campaign by Arab states to block Israel’s bid for a Security Council seat has gained support weeks ahead of a scheduled UN vote, the Palestinian Authority foreign minister said Thursday.
Inside the United States
Trump orders an evaluation of the Postal Service following his criticism of Amazon
President Donald Trump on Thursday issued an executive order to set up a task force to study the United States Postal Service and recommend reforms.
Media black out pro-life walkout after pushing anti-gun protests: Study
The media appear more than willing to cover student walkouts — unless, of course, the students are protesting abortion.
Suspect accused of killing Massachusetts cop had 111 prior offenses
The suspect accused of fatally shooting a Massachusetts police officer on Thursday while he was being served a warrant had 111 prior adult offenses and was on probation, authorities said.
CDC investigating E. coli outbreak now in 7 states
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak of a particularly nasty strain of E. coli that's sickened people in seven states. The illnesses from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 has landed six people in the hospital.
Speaker Paul Ryan’s retirement sparks GOP soul-searching
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Wednesday that he will retire from the House at the end of this year, closing out a two-decade career in Congress and igniting soul-searching in a party bracing for a rough election season.
Christian News
'We Never Fear Bombs or Death': Church in Egypt Grows Despite Jihadist Threats
It was a year ago this week that twin suicide bombings struck two churches in Egypt killing 45 people.
Former Muslim Who Hated Christians Plants First Church Town Has Seen in 700 Years
A man is helping take the gospel to the four corners of the earth by planting the first church a town in Kosovo has seen in 700 years.
Dozens of Megachurch Pastors Meet With Mike Pence, White House Staff During Retreat
Dozens of Southern Baptist megachurch pastors and their wives met with Vice President Mike Pence and senior White House officials on Wednesday to cap off the annual Southern Baptist Convention MegaMetro retreat.