Worthy Brief - 5/10/2018
Friend, aoooooo!
Phillipians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
A friend sent us the following story.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on in every person. He said, "My son, the battle is between two 'wolves'. One is evil -- it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good -- it is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." Need I say anymore?
Friend, let's start feeding ourselves with those thoughts which edify our spirit, our soul and our minds, that we might flourish for the Lord and do great things for Him -- and the God of peace shall be with you till the end of the age!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Around the World
Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen fire missiles at Saudi capital
Yemen's Houthis fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia's capital on Wednesday - an attack Saudi authorities said they intercepted in the skies over Riyadh.
Trump: Secretary of State Pompeo heading back from North Korea with 3 released prisoners
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that three American prisoners released from North Korea were headed home, a sign of potential good will ahead of Trump's planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Saudi Arabia warns it will develop nukes if Iran does
Saudi Arabia will seek to develop its own nuclear weapons if Iran does, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told CNN on Wednesday, amid spiraling tension between the regional rivals.
Mattis: Trump Admin. Already Working with Allies to Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nukes
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday the Trump administration is working with U.S. allies on a measure to prevent Iran from procuring a nuclear weapon, less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump torpedoed the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal.
Moscow says it’s still mulling advanced air defense supply to Syria
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said Wednesday that a decision has not yet been made on supplying Syria with advanced air defense systems, a development that Israel fears could hamper its efforts to prevent Iranian military entrenchment in Syrian territory and transfers of arms supplies to the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.
After shocking election result, Malaysia may be headed for market volatility, economic change
A historic win at Malaysia's general election by the opposition alliance led by the country's former leader, Mahathir Mohamad, will likely send markets on a wild ride, although analysts said long-term prospects appeared encouraging.
Freed North Korea detainees thank Trump, Mike Pompeo, American people ‘for bringing us home’
The three American detainees freed by North Korea say they would like to express their 'deep appreciation' to the United States government, President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the American people 'for bringing us home.'
Regime change in Iran is goal of Trump’s sanctions, tough U.S. terms, analysts say
President Trump says he hopes 'maximum pressure' sanctions will coerce Iran into accepting a better and stronger nuclear deal, but with Tehran unlikely to accept concessions being demanded by the White House, many are beginning to suggest that the administration’s actual goal is regime change.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Liberman: Israel destroyed ‘nearly all’ Iranian military sites in Syria
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said Thursday morning that the IDF had destroyed 'nearly all' of Iran’s military infrastructure sites in Syria overnight in response to a rocket barrage on Israel’s north, and warned Tehran that attacks on Israeli territory will be met with 'the strongest possible force.'
After Putin meet, Netanyahu indicates Moscow won’t curtail Israeli strikes in Syria
Wrapping up a day-long visit to Moscow, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening said he has no reason to believe the Kremlin will attempt to limit Israel’s freedom of operation in the region, an apparent reference to alleged Israeli airstrikes in Syria.
After alleged Iranian barrage, Israel launches massive counterattack in Syria
Some 20 rockets were fired at Israeli military bases by Iranian forces from southern Syria just after midnight on Thursday, sparking the largest ever direct clash between Jerusalem and Tehran, with Israeli jets targeting numerous Iranian-controlled sites across Syria.
Palestinians announce embassy move date to be ‘day of rage’
Senior PLO official Ahmad Majdalani said Tuesday that May 14, the day the US is expected to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, will be 'a day of rage.'
Inside the United States
Trump suggests revoking credentials over ‘negative’ reporting
President Donald Trump is suggesting that reporters have their credentials revoked for reporting negative news about him.
Trump says he’ll rebuild border wall in California despite Gov. Brown
President Trump said Wednesday he will push ahead with upgrading sections of the border wall in California, apparently reversing his early vow not to do any more wall construction in the state until Congress approved his full border barrier.
Scientists: Kilauea volcano may have explosive eruption
Geologists warned Wednesday that Hawaii's Kilauea volcano could erupt explosively and send boulders, rocks and ash into the air around its summit in the coming weeks.
CDC: 28 more sickened from E. coli in romaine lettuce, total up to 149 in 29 states
The romaine lettuce multi-state E. coli outbreak has now sickened 28 more people in four more states, the Centers for Disease Control said Wednesday.
Christian News
House church pastor tried for leaking state secrets in China
A pastor of a now-closed house church in the capital of China’s inland Guizhou province was found guilty of 'intentionally disclosing state secrets' at a trial on April 26, but the announcement of the verdict was delayed.
YouTube Bans Pro-Life Channel, Labels It ‘Harmful’ And ‘Dangerous’
A pro-life organization says YouTube suspended one of its channels for being 'harmful or dangerous' because its videos told women how to reverse their medical abortions.
Sam Rodriguez, Johnnie Moore Launch New 'Congress of Christian Leaders' to Unite Global Church
American evangelical leaders Samuel Rodriguez and Johnnie Moore have announced the founding of a new interdenominational body called the Congress of Christian Leaders, which they say will seek to foster unity and serve growing Christian movements across the globe.
Pastor Unseats Sitting US Congressman: Could This Be a New Trend?
In a stunning upset, Mark Harris defeated Rep. Robert Pittenger Tuesday night in North Carolina's 9th District primary.
'This Place is So Special': Secret Hiding Place for Ancient Christians Discovered in Syria
Archaeologists have found a secret passageway where early Christians used to hide to escape Roman persecution.
Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen fire missiles at Saudi capital
Yemen's Houthis fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia's capital on Wednesday - an attack Saudi authorities said they intercepted in the skies over Riyadh.
Trump: Secretary of State Pompeo heading back from North Korea with 3 released prisoners
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that three American prisoners released from North Korea were headed home, a sign of potential good will ahead of Trump's planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Saudi Arabia warns it will develop nukes if Iran does
Saudi Arabia will seek to develop its own nuclear weapons if Iran does, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told CNN on Wednesday, amid spiraling tension between the regional rivals.
Mattis: Trump Admin. Already Working with Allies to Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nukes
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday the Trump administration is working with U.S. allies on a measure to prevent Iran from procuring a nuclear weapon, less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump torpedoed the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal.
Moscow says it’s still mulling advanced air defense supply to Syria
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said Wednesday that a decision has not yet been made on supplying Syria with advanced air defense systems, a development that Israel fears could hamper its efforts to prevent Iranian military entrenchment in Syrian territory and transfers of arms supplies to the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.
After shocking election result, Malaysia may be headed for market volatility, economic change
A historic win at Malaysia's general election by the opposition alliance led by the country's former leader, Mahathir Mohamad, will likely send markets on a wild ride, although analysts said long-term prospects appeared encouraging.
Freed North Korea detainees thank Trump, Mike Pompeo, American people ‘for bringing us home’
The three American detainees freed by North Korea say they would like to express their 'deep appreciation' to the United States government, President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the American people 'for bringing us home.'
Regime change in Iran is goal of Trump’s sanctions, tough U.S. terms, analysts say
President Trump says he hopes 'maximum pressure' sanctions will coerce Iran into accepting a better and stronger nuclear deal, but with Tehran unlikely to accept concessions being demanded by the White House, many are beginning to suggest that the administration’s actual goal is regime change.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Liberman: Israel destroyed ‘nearly all’ Iranian military sites in Syria
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said Thursday morning that the IDF had destroyed 'nearly all' of Iran’s military infrastructure sites in Syria overnight in response to a rocket barrage on Israel’s north, and warned Tehran that attacks on Israeli territory will be met with 'the strongest possible force.'
After Putin meet, Netanyahu indicates Moscow won’t curtail Israeli strikes in Syria
Wrapping up a day-long visit to Moscow, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening said he has no reason to believe the Kremlin will attempt to limit Israel’s freedom of operation in the region, an apparent reference to alleged Israeli airstrikes in Syria.
After alleged Iranian barrage, Israel launches massive counterattack in Syria
Some 20 rockets were fired at Israeli military bases by Iranian forces from southern Syria just after midnight on Thursday, sparking the largest ever direct clash between Jerusalem and Tehran, with Israeli jets targeting numerous Iranian-controlled sites across Syria.
Palestinians announce embassy move date to be ‘day of rage’
Senior PLO official Ahmad Majdalani said Tuesday that May 14, the day the US is expected to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, will be 'a day of rage.'
Inside the United States
Trump suggests revoking credentials over ‘negative’ reporting
President Donald Trump is suggesting that reporters have their credentials revoked for reporting negative news about him.
Trump says he’ll rebuild border wall in California despite Gov. Brown
President Trump said Wednesday he will push ahead with upgrading sections of the border wall in California, apparently reversing his early vow not to do any more wall construction in the state until Congress approved his full border barrier.
Scientists: Kilauea volcano may have explosive eruption
Geologists warned Wednesday that Hawaii's Kilauea volcano could erupt explosively and send boulders, rocks and ash into the air around its summit in the coming weeks.
CDC: 28 more sickened from E. coli in romaine lettuce, total up to 149 in 29 states
The romaine lettuce multi-state E. coli outbreak has now sickened 28 more people in four more states, the Centers for Disease Control said Wednesday.
Christian News
House church pastor tried for leaking state secrets in China
A pastor of a now-closed house church in the capital of China’s inland Guizhou province was found guilty of 'intentionally disclosing state secrets' at a trial on April 26, but the announcement of the verdict was delayed.
YouTube Bans Pro-Life Channel, Labels It ‘Harmful’ And ‘Dangerous’
A pro-life organization says YouTube suspended one of its channels for being 'harmful or dangerous' because its videos told women how to reverse their medical abortions.
Sam Rodriguez, Johnnie Moore Launch New 'Congress of Christian Leaders' to Unite Global Church
American evangelical leaders Samuel Rodriguez and Johnnie Moore have announced the founding of a new interdenominational body called the Congress of Christian Leaders, which they say will seek to foster unity and serve growing Christian movements across the globe.
Pastor Unseats Sitting US Congressman: Could This Be a New Trend?
In a stunning upset, Mark Harris defeated Rep. Robert Pittenger Tuesday night in North Carolina's 9th District primary.
'This Place is So Special': Secret Hiding Place for Ancient Christians Discovered in Syria
Archaeologists have found a secret passageway where early Christians used to hide to escape Roman persecution.