Worthy Brief - 6/10/2016
Friend, be sure to enjoy life!
John 10:10 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.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and University of California Los Angeles wanted to find out, "if you had to choose between more time and more money, what would it be?" While they found most respondents answered, "more money", they also found that those who preferred "more time" were generally happier! When I read this article, it reminded me of a story, that I'd like to share.
A wealthy businessman was shocked to see a fisherman sitting beside his boat, playing with a small child. So the businessman asked, "Why aren't you out fishing?" The fisherman replied, "Because I've caught enough fish for one day." "Why don't you catch some more?" the businessman further inquired.
"What would I do with them?" asked the fisherman. "You could earn more money," said the businessman. "Then with the extra money, you could buy a bigger boat, go into deeper waters, and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. With the nets, you could catch even more fish and make more money. With that money you could own two boats, maybe three boats. Eventually you could have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me."
"Then what would I do?" replied the fisherman. "Then you could really enjoy life," answered the businessman. The fisherman looked at the businessman quizzically and asked, "What do you think I'm doing now?"
Friend, let's not get so wrapped up in work, that we simply forget to enjoy life – the life that He wants to give us more abundantly! Take some time out this weekend and be sure to praise God for the life that He's provided. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
Iran Spends $1.7 Billion in U.S. Taxpayer Funds to Boost Its Military
The State Department is staying silent after Iranian officials disclosed that the Islamic Republic spent a recent payment by the United States of $1.7 billion in taxpayer funds to expand and build-up its military, according to comments provided to the Washington Free Beacon.
Bilderberg group meeting: What actually happens at the world's most secretive gathering of global elites?
No minutes will be taken. No reporters will be allowed in. There will be no opening press conference, no closing statement, and participants will be asked not to quote each other. Welcome to the 64th Bilderberg Conference.
French special forces on ground in Syria
France has deployed its special forces on the ground in northern Syria to advise rebels and help them fight Islamic State, a French Defense Ministry official has revealed to AFP.
Canada's Supreme Court Just Ruled Some Bestiality Is Legal
While bestiality is a criminal offence in Canada, the top court ruled the legal definition is much more limited than how it has been interpreted for decades. It all goes back to the 1800s Church of England trying to ban any sex acts that were seen as unnatural.
A Massive, Ancient Platform Discovered in Petra Has Been 'Hidden in Plain Sight'
Archaeologists have used satellite imagery and drone photography to discover an enormous ceremonial platform near the center of the ancient city of Petra.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF seizes gunmaking machinery, ammo in West Bank sweeps
Israeli security forces seized machinery used to make home-made guns in the West Bank on Thursday night, in a crackdown following a lethal terror attack in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, the army said.
Jerusalem on high alert for first Friday prayers of Ramadan
Jerusalem police were on high alert for the first Friday prayers of the month-long Muslim holiday of Ramadan, two days after four Israelis were shot dead by Palestinian terrorists at a Tel Aviv food market.
Inside the United States
Senators spar over expanding FBI's access to internet users' data
An email privacy bill that passed unanimously in the House has run into trouble in a Senate committee as a result of an amendment that would expand the FBI's warrantless access to internet users' browser history.
First right-to-die clinic opens in California
For the tidy sum of $2,000, terminally ill Californians can now pay a doctor to help them commit suicide.
House Passes Puerto Rico Debt Relief Bill
Following months of internal wrangling, the U.S. House of Representatives, on Thursday passed legislation creating a federal control board to help Puerto Rico cope with crippling debt that is wreaking havoc throughout the island's economy.
Goldman Sachs: Obamacare forcing hundreds of thousands into part-time work
Obamacare is forcing hundreds of thousands of people into part-time work, according to a new analysis from the bank Goldman Sachs.
California court: No concealed carry right in Second Amendment
A San Francisco-based appeals court dealt the gun rights movement a major setback Thursday by ruling there is no Second Amendment right that allows people to carry a concealed weapon.
U.S. Supreme Court finds Puerto Rico not sovereign
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Puerto Rico is not sovereign and not free to enforce its own criminal laws despite having its own constitution and elected leaders.
U.S. Politics
Obama endorses Clinton for president
President Barack Obama endorsed Hillary Clinton, his former rival turned secretary of state, in her quest to succeed him in the White House. The endorsement was made official with a video released online Thursday afternoon.
GOP, Trump split on foreign policy
Notably absent from the House Republicans' foreign policy agenda unveiled Thursday are two phrases: 'Donald Trump' and 'America First.'
Hillary Clinton: No American lives were lost in Libya intervention
Hillary Clinton, in a June 8 interview with PBS, claimed no American lives were lost in the U.S. intervention in Libya and hinted that 'pre-existing rivalries' were the primary cause of the chaos that followed.
Fox News Poll: Trump drops, now trails Clinton
Most voters feel the upcoming election matters more than ones in the past. At the same time, majorities dislike the presumptive nominees -- and think they lack the integrity to hold the nation's highest office.
Sanders pledges to press on with D.C. primary after Obama White House meeting
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said he will press on with his campaign through the District of Columbia primary and into the Democratic convention next month after a private meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday.
Christian News
Mel Gibson Planning 'Passion of the Christ' Sequel
Mel Gibson and writer Randall Wallace are working on a sequel to The Passion of the Christ that will tell the story of the resurrection of Jesus, Wallace tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Public Enemy? Evangelical Christians Feel Unwelcome in Their Own Country
The Associated Press reports that even in strongly religious areas like western Kentucky, 'conservative Christians feel under siege.' The AP spoke with evangelical Christians in Benton, Kentucky.
California Bill Would Strip Christian Colleges of Religious Freedom
A California bill designed to protect LGBT students from discrimination, could also violate freedom of speech and religion at Christian colleges and universities.