Worthy Brief - 6/22/2016
Friend, see heaven, change your world!
2 Corinthians 4:17, 18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
As believers, we are all called to transform the little world around us. C.S. Lewis offered a thoughtful perspective on remaining heavenly minded while continuing to make an impact in this present world. In Mere Christianity, he said. "Hope...means...a continual looking forward to the eternal world...it does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next...It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth 'thrown in': aim at earth and you will get neither."
Friend, being heavenly minded is not natural. It happens when we focus and meditate on the reality and wonderful hope of the world to come. When we do, we can bring a taste of heaven to the little world around us. So let's not become complacent -- but stay focused there, so we can be effective here... and soon enough we will hear the Lord saying, "Well, done thou good and faithful servant!"
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?
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
With two days to go, Britain's EU referendum vote will determine the future of Europe
Opinion polls on Tuesday suggested growing support amongst Britons for staying in the European Union but the vote in two days time which will have far-reaching consequences for Britain and Europe remains on a knife edge.
Iranian navy announces 20 military drills over coming months
The Iranian Navy announced this week that it will conduct 20 military drills over the next nine months.
North Korea Test-Fires Two Mid-Range Missiles
North Korea has launched two mid-range missiles off its eastern coast, even though such attempts are banned by the UN.
E.U. agrees to extend Russia sanctions until January
European Union nations agreed Tuesday to extend sanctions against Russia until January, E.U. diplomats said, a show of unity despite growing dissent in Europe about whether to continue the measures much longer.
Europe worries Brexit vote could trigger a stampede of exits
Days ahead of Thursday's British referendum on whether to break free from the European Union, many here fear the decision could lead to the destruction of one of the most ambitious political projects since the Holy Roman Empire.
Architect: Demolish Churches, Replace With Mosques To Integrate Migrants
A prominent German architect has said that in order to better integrate migrants, churches should be demolished and very 'visible' mosques be built in their place.
Refugees at highest ever level, reaching 65 million, says UN
The number of people displaced by conflict is at the highest level ever recorded, the UN refugee agency says.
U.S., NATO allies plan to give corruption-plagued Afghanistan $15B without reform benchmarks
Afghanistan is primed to receive roughly $15 billion from the U.S. and its NATO allies through 2020 despite an extensive track record of fraud, waste and abuse.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US-Israel Sign Cyber Defense Declaration
Israel and the United States signed a cyber defense declaration Tuesday calling for real-time operational connectivity through respective Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTS) of both nations.
NATO chief says upping cooperation with Israel 'essential'
The head of NATO called for ramped up ties with Israel Tuesday, as President Rueven Rivlin visited the alliance's headquarters ahead of the creation of a mission for the Jewish state there.
Israel slams EU backing of international peace conference
The foreign ministers of the 28-member EU threw their support Monday behind the convening of an international peace conference at the end of the year, triggering an irritated response from Israel.
First F-35 fighter jet to be given to Israel today
The IDF will become the first country outside of the United States to possess the groundbreaking F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, which it will call the Adir.
Israeli military to investigate 'mistaken' killing of Palestinian teen
Israeli troops killed a Palestinian teenager Tuesday after apparently mistaking his group for stone-throwers as they returned from a swim, sparking anger and debate about the security forces' use of firearms.
Inside the United States
Senate will vote on gun control compromise bill
Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday they'll soon bring a compromise gun control bill to the floor, after lawmakers defeated four partisan gun measures in response to the latest in a string of mass shootings.
Two California men convicted of trying to aid Islamic State
Two Southern California men were convicted Tuesday of trying to become fighters for the Islamic State terrorist group.
Supreme Court ruling on police powers draws scathing dissents from justices
A divided Supreme Court bolstered police powers on Monday, ruling that evidence of a crime in some cases may be used against a defendant even if the police did something wrong or illegal in obtaining it.
Columnist fails gun check, blames store owners
A newspaper columnist is crying foul after a gun store rejected his application to purchase a firearm following a background check that uncovered his 'admitted history of alcohol abuse, and a charge for domestic battery involving his wife.'
Harry Reid: 'It's true' that GOP wants to sell guns to ISIS
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid stood by his colleagues who have accused Republicans of 'decid[ing] to sell weapons to ISIS' by opposing Democratic gun control policies.
Lynch to LGBT: 'We stand with you'
Attorney General Loretta Lynch told gay, bisexual and transgender people in Florida on Tuesday that the federal government supports them after the attack at a gay nightclub, not only in spirit, but with federal funds.
Fed's Yellen: US economy faces 'considerable uncertainty'
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen warned Tuesday that the US economy faces 'considerable uncertainty' from slower domestic activity and from a possible British vote to break with the European Union.
Goodbye, Password. Banks Opt to Scan Fingers and Faces Instead.
The banking password may be about to expire -- forever. Some of the nation's largest banks, acknowledging that traditional passwords are either too cumbersome or no longer secure, are increasingly using fingerprints, facial scans and other types of biometrics to safeguard accounts.
Man who went to the same mosque as Omar Mateen reported him to the FBI in 2014, but didn't believe he 'fit the profile'
A Muslim man who attended the same mosque as Omar Mateen reported him to the FBI two years before he would commit the worst mass shooting in America.
U.S. Politics
Hillary Clinton 'threw Bible at Secret Service agent's head'
Hillary Clinton threw a Bible at a Secret Service agent's head, it has been claimed.
Evangelical Leader: Trump Campaign Broken from the Inside
The Trump campaign is coming apart from the inside, according to Regent University's Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riano, and only the days ahead will show whether the candidate can bring people together, not only in his inner circle, but in the Republican Party.
After DNC attack, hacker Guccifer 2.0 claims Hillary Clinton 'dossier' leak
A hacker who goes by the name 'Guccifer 2.0' claims to have published a dossier of Hillary Clinton-related documents accessed during the recent attack on the Democratic National Committee's computers.
Bachmann, Dobson, Reed headline Trump evangelical advisory board
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump rolled out his evangelical advisory board Tuesday as he looks to assuage conservatives and supporters of Sen. Ted Cruz to unify the GOP ahead of November.
Trump's Dead Broke Campaign Has Been Paying Trump's Companies (And Trump's Family) A Lot Of Money
Trump's campaign is ridiculously, embarrasingly, and humiliatingly broke. This much has been well-covered. Trump cannot raise money, the RNC cannot raise it on his behalf, and accordingly he has a paltry $1.2M cash on hand heading into the general. This is due largely to the fact that he was only able to raise an embarrassing $3.1M in the whole month of May... barely more than Ted Cruz raised in the first three days of May.
Christian News
Dawn of a New Friendship? Evangelicals Talk Trump after Big Meeting
Trump tried building trust with faith leaders Tuesday by focusing on issues that are of key importance of evangelical voters, like religious liberty. However, it is yet to be seen if he can get evangelical voters to unite around him in November.
Around the World
With two days to go, Britain's EU referendum vote will determine the future of Europe
Opinion polls on Tuesday suggested growing support amongst Britons for staying in the European Union but the vote in two days time which will have far-reaching consequences for Britain and Europe remains on a knife edge.
Iranian navy announces 20 military drills over coming months
The Iranian Navy announced this week that it will conduct 20 military drills over the next nine months.
North Korea Test-Fires Two Mid-Range Missiles
North Korea has launched two mid-range missiles off its eastern coast, even though such attempts are banned by the UN.
E.U. agrees to extend Russia sanctions until January
European Union nations agreed Tuesday to extend sanctions against Russia until January, E.U. diplomats said, a show of unity despite growing dissent in Europe about whether to continue the measures much longer.
Europe worries Brexit vote could trigger a stampede of exits
Days ahead of Thursday's British referendum on whether to break free from the European Union, many here fear the decision could lead to the destruction of one of the most ambitious political projects since the Holy Roman Empire.
Architect: Demolish Churches, Replace With Mosques To Integrate Migrants
A prominent German architect has said that in order to better integrate migrants, churches should be demolished and very 'visible' mosques be built in their place.
Refugees at highest ever level, reaching 65 million, says UN
The number of people displaced by conflict is at the highest level ever recorded, the UN refugee agency says.
U.S., NATO allies plan to give corruption-plagued Afghanistan $15B without reform benchmarks
Afghanistan is primed to receive roughly $15 billion from the U.S. and its NATO allies through 2020 despite an extensive track record of fraud, waste and abuse.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US-Israel Sign Cyber Defense Declaration
Israel and the United States signed a cyber defense declaration Tuesday calling for real-time operational connectivity through respective Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTS) of both nations.
NATO chief says upping cooperation with Israel 'essential'
The head of NATO called for ramped up ties with Israel Tuesday, as President Rueven Rivlin visited the alliance's headquarters ahead of the creation of a mission for the Jewish state there.
Israel slams EU backing of international peace conference
The foreign ministers of the 28-member EU threw their support Monday behind the convening of an international peace conference at the end of the year, triggering an irritated response from Israel.
First F-35 fighter jet to be given to Israel today
The IDF will become the first country outside of the United States to possess the groundbreaking F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, which it will call the Adir.
Israeli military to investigate 'mistaken' killing of Palestinian teen
Israeli troops killed a Palestinian teenager Tuesday after apparently mistaking his group for stone-throwers as they returned from a swim, sparking anger and debate about the security forces' use of firearms.
Inside the United States
Senate will vote on gun control compromise bill
Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday they'll soon bring a compromise gun control bill to the floor, after lawmakers defeated four partisan gun measures in response to the latest in a string of mass shootings.
Two California men convicted of trying to aid Islamic State
Two Southern California men were convicted Tuesday of trying to become fighters for the Islamic State terrorist group.
Supreme Court ruling on police powers draws scathing dissents from justices
A divided Supreme Court bolstered police powers on Monday, ruling that evidence of a crime in some cases may be used against a defendant even if the police did something wrong or illegal in obtaining it.
Columnist fails gun check, blames store owners
A newspaper columnist is crying foul after a gun store rejected his application to purchase a firearm following a background check that uncovered his 'admitted history of alcohol abuse, and a charge for domestic battery involving his wife.'
Harry Reid: 'It's true' that GOP wants to sell guns to ISIS
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid stood by his colleagues who have accused Republicans of 'decid[ing] to sell weapons to ISIS' by opposing Democratic gun control policies.
Lynch to LGBT: 'We stand with you'
Attorney General Loretta Lynch told gay, bisexual and transgender people in Florida on Tuesday that the federal government supports them after the attack at a gay nightclub, not only in spirit, but with federal funds.
Fed's Yellen: US economy faces 'considerable uncertainty'
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen warned Tuesday that the US economy faces 'considerable uncertainty' from slower domestic activity and from a possible British vote to break with the European Union.
Goodbye, Password. Banks Opt to Scan Fingers and Faces Instead.
The banking password may be about to expire -- forever. Some of the nation's largest banks, acknowledging that traditional passwords are either too cumbersome or no longer secure, are increasingly using fingerprints, facial scans and other types of biometrics to safeguard accounts.
Man who went to the same mosque as Omar Mateen reported him to the FBI in 2014, but didn't believe he 'fit the profile'
A Muslim man who attended the same mosque as Omar Mateen reported him to the FBI two years before he would commit the worst mass shooting in America.
U.S. Politics
Hillary Clinton 'threw Bible at Secret Service agent's head'
Hillary Clinton threw a Bible at a Secret Service agent's head, it has been claimed.
Evangelical Leader: Trump Campaign Broken from the Inside
The Trump campaign is coming apart from the inside, according to Regent University's Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riano, and only the days ahead will show whether the candidate can bring people together, not only in his inner circle, but in the Republican Party.
After DNC attack, hacker Guccifer 2.0 claims Hillary Clinton 'dossier' leak
A hacker who goes by the name 'Guccifer 2.0' claims to have published a dossier of Hillary Clinton-related documents accessed during the recent attack on the Democratic National Committee's computers.
Bachmann, Dobson, Reed headline Trump evangelical advisory board
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump rolled out his evangelical advisory board Tuesday as he looks to assuage conservatives and supporters of Sen. Ted Cruz to unify the GOP ahead of November.
Trump's Dead Broke Campaign Has Been Paying Trump's Companies (And Trump's Family) A Lot Of Money
Trump's campaign is ridiculously, embarrasingly, and humiliatingly broke. This much has been well-covered. Trump cannot raise money, the RNC cannot raise it on his behalf, and accordingly he has a paltry $1.2M cash on hand heading into the general. This is due largely to the fact that he was only able to raise an embarrassing $3.1M in the whole month of May... barely more than Ted Cruz raised in the first three days of May.
Christian News
Dawn of a New Friendship? Evangelicals Talk Trump after Big Meeting
Trump tried building trust with faith leaders Tuesday by focusing on issues that are of key importance of evangelical voters, like religious liberty. However, it is yet to be seen if he can get evangelical voters to unite around him in November.