Worthy Brief - 11/1/2016
Friend, it's not really that scary!
John 10:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
All Hallows Eve, October 31, otherwise known as Halloween, is celebrated throughout most of the world -- however, that doesn't take place here in Israel.
Still I do remember the days of haunted houses in amusement parks when I was growing up. These "attractions", houses created to inspire fear, anxiety, and a sense of danger in those who dare to pass through them, with their creaky floors and canned screams and hoots, were really silly to me. The various inhabitants, "monsters" would jump out, crazy strobe lights disorient your vision, hands unexpectedly touching you, and gut wrenching noises designed to freak you out ... all of it, was just a manufactured distortion of reality; and I always just knew it was a show, that no real ghosts or ghouls, whether they existed or not, actually lived there.
Doesn't it seem though, in this life, sometimes we feel as though we're walking through a haunted house -- with different threats, problems, dangers, and fears designed to knock the wind out of us, shock us with paralyzing fear, disarm us with terrors, and change our perception of reality? Which reality? The reality that our life is completely in His hands! Even the scariest situations, and the worst, most terrifying of our problems, in the light of Eternity, simply pale, and will evaporate in the world to come.
Friend, the Lord is good, His goodness is absolute, and His power to work all things together for your good (if you are among those who love Him) is the promise that surrounds every scary threat in your life. So, while it may seem at times like you're walking through a wild and crazy "haunted house" -- in reality, it's the devil's show to make you forget -- your life is safely in His hands!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
Editor's Note: We are hoping to come to the United States this upcoming January-March for a cross country speaking/music tour. If you want to hear timely word from Worthy News Founder and Director, George Whitten and powerful Israeli Worship Music from Baht Rivka Whitten, Lazman Hazeh Music, as well as testimony of life and ministry in the Land, make sure to book soon for your Congregation, Conference, Church, Home Fellowship or Israel focused Event. We hope to hug you! Please send an email to george [ @ ] worthyemail.com for more information.
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
Syria-bound Russian subs tracked through the English channel
The British Royal Navy and NATO tracked three Russian submarines through the English channel that were en route to the Mediterranean to join forces with an aircraft carrier group.
Iraqi forces prepare to break into Mosul in battle against Islamic State
Iraqi forces said they reached the eastern outskirts of Mosul on Monday and were preparing to make the first break into the city, which has been held by Islamic State militants for more than two years.
Russia preparing for final assault on Aleppo, Western officials warn
Western intelligence officials believe Russia could launch a final assault on eastern Aleppo as early as this week.
Iran-trained militias join U.S-backed campaign on Mosul, flying Shi'ite flags
Gun trucks and humvees streamed north on a highway heading to Mosul on Sunday flying the banners of Shi'ite militias along with Iraqi flags while blaring religious songs.
China to show new weapons, stealth fighter jet at biennial air show
China is kicking off its biennial Airshow China expo on Tuesday in the southern city of Zhuhai, and several Chinese-made weapons are expected to be on sale for interested clientele from Asia and Africa.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel to build new settler homes in Shiloh, despite US objections
Israel intends to move ahead with plans to construct 98 new homes in the West Bank settlement of Shiloh, despite harsh United States objections to the plan.
EU declares Israel boycott protected as free speech
The European Union's foreign policy chief recently affirmed the right of EU citizens to boycott Israel, citing freedom of expression and rebuffing claims by Jerusalem that such measures amount to banned anti-Semitic activity.
Inside the United States
2 high-profile police shooting cases at trial this week in Ohio, S.C.
Court trials will be under way this week for two white police officers accused of killing black motorists during separate traffic stops in 2015 – videotaped incidents that have helped fuel a firestorm of racial tension across the U.S.
Sen. Jeff Sessions: Over 800,000 Illegal Border Crossings Last Year
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R- Ala., issued a 'critical alert' about a possibly historic amount of illegal border crossings over the past year.
Hackers Say They're Revealing More From Trove of NSA Data
A group calling itself 'Shadow Brokers' says it has released another gem from its trove of high-level hacking tools stolen from the U.S.'s National Security Agency, potentially offering added insight into how America's spies operate online.
Nearly 20 'micro-quakes' hit near the Salton Sea
A series of small earthquakes struck near the Salton Sea area overnight.
John Podesta's Best Friend At The DOJ Will Be In Charge Of The DOJ's Probe Into Huma Abedin Emails
Now that the FBI has obtained the needed warrant to start poring over the 650,000 or so emails uncovered in Anthony Weiner's notebook, among which thousands of emails sent from Huma Abedin using Hillary Clinton's personal server, moments ago the US Justice Department announced it is also joining the probe, and as AP reported moments ago, vowed to dedicate all needed resources to quickly review the over half a million emails in the Clinton case.
U.S. Politics
With one week to go, does Trump have a chance?
Donald Trump has seized the momentum with one week to go before Election Day. But is it enough?
Inside the FBI's Internal Feud Over Hillary Clinton Probe
The surprise disclosure that agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation are taking a new look at Hillary Clinton's email use lays bare, just days before the election, tensions inside the bureau and the Justice Department over how to investigate the Democratic presidential nominee.
Carville Melts Down: Asserts FBI, GOP, and KGB in Cahoots
Famed Democratic strategist James Carville may be the first Clinton surrogate to have officially lost his mind over the FBI's decision to reopen its investigation into Clinton's private email server.
Poll: 71% say 2016 election more important than previous ones
Seven in 10 voters say the outcome of the 2016 presidential election matters more to them than previous elections, a percentage that hasn't changed much in the past three elections, a new Gallup poll indicates.
Donna Brazile out at CNN as network bristles over Clinton debate collusion claims
When political commentator Donna Brazile assumed interim leadership of the Democratic National Committee in July, she went from full-time to part-time contributor on CNN. Now, she won't work for the network at all.
New email shows DNC boss giving Clinton camp debate question in advance
Another leaked email has emerged showing Democratic National Committee boss and former CNN contributor Donna Brazile sharing a debate question in advance with the Hillary Clinton campaign -- despite Brazile's persistent claims to the contrary.
Christian News
Churches in Liberated Iraqi Christian Town Now in Ruins After 2 Years of ISIS Rule
A once-tranquil town in Iraq populated mostly by Christians is now in ruins after almost two years of occupation by the Islamic State (ISIS).
What Researchers Found in the Tomb of Jesus
When Emperor Constantine built the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the fourth century, he could not have imagined that researchers more than 1,700 years later would be uncovering the tomb where he believed Joseph of Arimathea placed the body of Jesus.
25 Black Church Leaders Concerned About Hillary Clinton's Positions on Abortion, Religious Freedom
A group of 25 African-American religious leaders and activists, made up largely of Democrats, has sent a letter to Hillary Clinton expressing frustration and concern over her staunch support of the abortion industry and the LGBT community's quest to restrict religious liberty.