Worthy Brief - 8/15/2016
Friend, do it with a smile!
Psalms 70:4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
I heard a story once, of a chaplain who was speaking to a loyal soldier in the hospital. "Bless you, son, you saved a fellow soldier’s life -- and lost an arm in the great cause doing it," the chaplain said. "No," said the soldier with a smile. "I didn't lose it … I gave it.
We have so much. The Lord has blessed many of us with good health, the use of our eyes, ears, mouths, hands, feet and minds. He’s given us various talents of sorts. He’s blessed many of us with homes, cars, and good paying jobs. Most importantly, He’s bestowed upon us the wonderful knowledge of His Son, Jesus.
We are all soldiers in God’s great army. In the same way, this young soldier gave his arm to save a life, we should be offering our gifts toward God’s great cause of salvation for the world.
Friend, let's make it a point to start giving consistently of the gifts God has given us, whatever they may be. After all, Yeshua (Jesus) did not lose His life -- He gave it purposefully for us, no strings attached.
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
Obama Admin Gives Green Light for Iran to Build Two New Nuclear Plants
Iran is permitted to pursue the construction of two newly announced nuclear plants under the parameters of last summer’s nuclear agreement, Obama administration officials informed the Washington Free Beacon, setting the stage for Tehran to move forward with construction following orders from President Hassan Rouhani.
US nukes at Turkey base at risk of seizure -- report
Dozens of US nuclear weapons stored at a Turkish air base near Syria are at risk of being captured by “terrorists or other hostile forces,” a Washington think tank warned Monday.
To curb radicalism, France targets foreign funding for mosques
After three major terrorist attacks in the last year and a half, public outrage has forced the French government to respond. But one particular proposal has generated significant controversy: the shutdown of certain mosques and the foreign funding behind them.
Heavy fighting in Aleppo as Syrian rebels renew their assault: monitor
Heavy fighting took place in different sectors of the Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday as rebels assaulted two government strongholds in the city's northwest and south, a monitor of the war said.
Officials: 1 in 4 people in Puerto Rico will have Zika by year's end
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has reported 1,914 new Zika cases over the past week.
Swiss train attack leaves six injured, including child; suspect in custody
Six passengers were injured Saturday in northeastern Switzerland after a man armed with a knife lit a train carriage on fire, officials said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Soros Hack Reveals Evidence of Systemic Anti-Israel Bias
The Open Society Foundations, the network of philanthropic organizations funded by billionaire George Soros, appears to have been hacked earlier this weekend, and its confidential reports made available on the website DC Leaks. These newly revealed documents provide a granular look into the extent of the network’s operations in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with millions of dollars designated annually to organizations highly critical of the Jewish state, some of whom deny its right to exist.
Evangelical Lutherans in US: Stop aid to Israel if settlements allowed to stay
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America approved a resolution calling on the US government to end all aid to Israel if Israel does not stop building settlements and 'enable an independent Palestinian state.'
Abbas to meet Erdogan by the end of the month
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by the end of the month for talks about the situation in the Gaza Strip and a French initiative for ending the conflict with Israel.
Muslims clash with police, Jewish visitors on Temple Mount
Several Muslim worshippers were removed from the Temple Mount complex and one held for questioning on Sunday after clashing with police and with Jews visiting the holy site on Tisha B'Av.
Inside the United States
After deadly Milwaukee police shooting, protests intensify
For a second night, protests in Milwaukee over the police shooting of an armed African-American man turned violent as demonstrators fired shots and hurled objects, injuring at least two people early Monday, police said.
Obama puts Congress on notice: Trans-Pacific Partnership is coming
The White House put Congress on notice Friday morning that it will be sending lawmakers a bill to implement President Barack Obama's landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement — a move intended to infuse new energy into efforts to ratify the flat-lining trade pact.
Milwaukee officials plead for calm after police shooting sparks violence
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker activated the National Guard on Sunday afternoon, hours after a gas station was set on fire and other businesses were torched by demonstrators protesting a controversial shooting by police.
Marijuana initiatives on ballot in record 9 states despite feds' firm stand
At least nine states will charge ahead with marijuana initiatives on ballots in November -- a record number -- despite the federal government's decision not to loosen restrictions on the drug, underscoring the precariousness of any type of legal recognition.
Central California fire has burned 4,000 acres and destroyed 20 structures
A fire in central California has torched more than 4,000 acres and destroyed 20 structures, Cal Fire said late Sunday.
At Least 2 Dead in Louisiana Flooding; Evacuations and Rescues Ongoing as Rivers Rise Toward Record Crests
Two people have died and one remains missing as torrential rains continue to inundate both Louisiana and southern Mississippi, flooding homes and forcing evacuations and water rescues.
Hacker Releases Personal Phone Numbers of House Dems
The personal cell phone numbers of House Democrats were released on the internet on Friday, according to The Hill.
Nearly 100 people shot in Chicago in less than a week
Nearly 100 people have been shot in Chicago in less than a week, pushing the number of shooting victims so far this year to more than 2,500 -- about 800 more than this time last year, according to data kept by the Tribune.
U.S. Politics
How We Killed the Tea Party
As we watch the Republican Party tear itself to shreds over Donald Trump, perhaps it’s time to take note of another conservative political phenomenon that the GOP nominee has utterly eclipsed: the Tea Party. The Tea Party movement is pretty much dead now, but it didn’t die a natural death. It was murdered—and it was an inside job.
Trump pushes back against demands he change his approach
Donald Trump Sunday evening tweeted out his frustration with demands he straighten up his political act, lashing out at media criticism that he needs to change and asserting he will remain true to himself.
Trump to propose political tests for immigrants
Donald Trump will declare an end to nation building if elected president, replacing it with what aides described as 'foreign policy realism' focused on destroying the Islamic State group and other terrorist organizations.
Christian News
Missionary Family Takes Gospel to Red Light District in Thailand
Thailand is home to one of the worst sex trafficking industries in the world, but the Anasco family is looking to change that by shares God's unconditional love.
Germany turns blind eye as Christian migrants forced to hide Bibles amid death threats from Muslims
Christian asylum seekers who are residing in Germany's migrant housing facilities regularly receive death threats from Muslim refugees in the camps.
Sudan Church Leaders Face Execution For Faith And Dissent
Sudanese authorities have charged two church leaders with crimes that carry the death penalty as part of a wider crackdown on Christians and political dissent in Sudan, rights activists confirmed to BosNewsLife Thursday, August 11.
Around the World
Obama Admin Gives Green Light for Iran to Build Two New Nuclear Plants
Iran is permitted to pursue the construction of two newly announced nuclear plants under the parameters of last summer’s nuclear agreement, Obama administration officials informed the Washington Free Beacon, setting the stage for Tehran to move forward with construction following orders from President Hassan Rouhani.
US nukes at Turkey base at risk of seizure -- report
Dozens of US nuclear weapons stored at a Turkish air base near Syria are at risk of being captured by “terrorists or other hostile forces,” a Washington think tank warned Monday.
To curb radicalism, France targets foreign funding for mosques
After three major terrorist attacks in the last year and a half, public outrage has forced the French government to respond. But one particular proposal has generated significant controversy: the shutdown of certain mosques and the foreign funding behind them.
Heavy fighting in Aleppo as Syrian rebels renew their assault: monitor
Heavy fighting took place in different sectors of the Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday as rebels assaulted two government strongholds in the city's northwest and south, a monitor of the war said.
Officials: 1 in 4 people in Puerto Rico will have Zika by year's end
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has reported 1,914 new Zika cases over the past week.
Swiss train attack leaves six injured, including child; suspect in custody
Six passengers were injured Saturday in northeastern Switzerland after a man armed with a knife lit a train carriage on fire, officials said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Soros Hack Reveals Evidence of Systemic Anti-Israel Bias
The Open Society Foundations, the network of philanthropic organizations funded by billionaire George Soros, appears to have been hacked earlier this weekend, and its confidential reports made available on the website DC Leaks. These newly revealed documents provide a granular look into the extent of the network’s operations in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with millions of dollars designated annually to organizations highly critical of the Jewish state, some of whom deny its right to exist.
Evangelical Lutherans in US: Stop aid to Israel if settlements allowed to stay
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America approved a resolution calling on the US government to end all aid to Israel if Israel does not stop building settlements and 'enable an independent Palestinian state.'
Abbas to meet Erdogan by the end of the month
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by the end of the month for talks about the situation in the Gaza Strip and a French initiative for ending the conflict with Israel.
Muslims clash with police, Jewish visitors on Temple Mount
Several Muslim worshippers were removed from the Temple Mount complex and one held for questioning on Sunday after clashing with police and with Jews visiting the holy site on Tisha B'Av.
Inside the United States
After deadly Milwaukee police shooting, protests intensify
For a second night, protests in Milwaukee over the police shooting of an armed African-American man turned violent as demonstrators fired shots and hurled objects, injuring at least two people early Monday, police said.
Obama puts Congress on notice: Trans-Pacific Partnership is coming
The White House put Congress on notice Friday morning that it will be sending lawmakers a bill to implement President Barack Obama's landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement — a move intended to infuse new energy into efforts to ratify the flat-lining trade pact.
Milwaukee officials plead for calm after police shooting sparks violence
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker activated the National Guard on Sunday afternoon, hours after a gas station was set on fire and other businesses were torched by demonstrators protesting a controversial shooting by police.
Marijuana initiatives on ballot in record 9 states despite feds' firm stand
At least nine states will charge ahead with marijuana initiatives on ballots in November -- a record number -- despite the federal government's decision not to loosen restrictions on the drug, underscoring the precariousness of any type of legal recognition.
Central California fire has burned 4,000 acres and destroyed 20 structures
A fire in central California has torched more than 4,000 acres and destroyed 20 structures, Cal Fire said late Sunday.
At Least 2 Dead in Louisiana Flooding; Evacuations and Rescues Ongoing as Rivers Rise Toward Record Crests
Two people have died and one remains missing as torrential rains continue to inundate both Louisiana and southern Mississippi, flooding homes and forcing evacuations and water rescues.
Hacker Releases Personal Phone Numbers of House Dems
The personal cell phone numbers of House Democrats were released on the internet on Friday, according to The Hill.
Nearly 100 people shot in Chicago in less than a week
Nearly 100 people have been shot in Chicago in less than a week, pushing the number of shooting victims so far this year to more than 2,500 -- about 800 more than this time last year, according to data kept by the Tribune.
U.S. Politics
How We Killed the Tea Party
As we watch the Republican Party tear itself to shreds over Donald Trump, perhaps it’s time to take note of another conservative political phenomenon that the GOP nominee has utterly eclipsed: the Tea Party. The Tea Party movement is pretty much dead now, but it didn’t die a natural death. It was murdered—and it was an inside job.
Trump pushes back against demands he change his approach
Donald Trump Sunday evening tweeted out his frustration with demands he straighten up his political act, lashing out at media criticism that he needs to change and asserting he will remain true to himself.
Trump to propose political tests for immigrants
Donald Trump will declare an end to nation building if elected president, replacing it with what aides described as 'foreign policy realism' focused on destroying the Islamic State group and other terrorist organizations.
Christian News
Missionary Family Takes Gospel to Red Light District in Thailand
Thailand is home to one of the worst sex trafficking industries in the world, but the Anasco family is looking to change that by shares God's unconditional love.
Germany turns blind eye as Christian migrants forced to hide Bibles amid death threats from Muslims
Christian asylum seekers who are residing in Germany's migrant housing facilities regularly receive death threats from Muslim refugees in the camps.
Sudan Church Leaders Face Execution For Faith And Dissent
Sudanese authorities have charged two church leaders with crimes that carry the death penalty as part of a wider crackdown on Christians and political dissent in Sudan, rights activists confirmed to BosNewsLife Thursday, August 11.