Assuming the brace position

Howard Feldman Howard Feldman is a lawyer, a physical commodity trader by industry and a writer by obsession.April 27, 2015 – Howard Feldman posting in The Times of Israel

On Thursday afternoon South African Jewry assumed the “Brace position.” Israel had denied Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, a visa to visit “Palestine.” The crash was inevitable and I for one put my head in my hands and waited for the impact.

As predicted, most South African news agencies led with the story. As predicted, Nzimande called the refusal “an attack on the South African Government” and as predicted the refusal has shown signs of cementing his obsessive focus on Israel and his ‘boycott protocol” that he has extolled for as long as we can remember.

What was not predicted was the response from government weary and disillusioned South Africans. I opened the comments on each article and waited for the deluge of hatred to wash over me. I hesitantly read comment by comment and to my shock could not find one that expressed sympathy for the honoured (or not so) Minister. Not one. Instead the support for Israel’s decision was overwhelming and positive, and although it says less about Israel and more about the state of this sorry nation, it was nonetheless amazing to see.

(more…)

Continue ReadingAssuming the brace position

George W. Bush Bashes Obama on Middle East

April 26, 2015 – by Josh Rogin

In a closed-door meeting with Jewish donors on Saturday night, former President George W. Bush delivered his harshest public criticisms to date against his successor on foreign policy, saying that President Barack Obama is being naïve about Iran and the pending nuclear deal and losing the war against the Islamic State.

One attendee at the Republican Jewish Coalition session, held at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas with owner Sheldon Adelson in attendance, transcribed large portions of Bush’s remarks. The former president, who rarely ever criticizes Obama in public, at first remarked that the idea of re-entering the political arena was something he didn’t want to do. He then proceeded to explain why Obama, in his view, was placing the U.S. in “retreat” around the world. He also said Obama was misreading Iran’s intentions while relaxing sanctions on Tehran too easily.

According to the attendee’s transcription, Bush noted that Iran has a new president, Hassan Rouhani. “He’s smooth,” Bush said. “And you’ve got to ask yourself, is there a new policy or did they just change the spokesman?”

Bush said that Obama’s plan to lift sanctions on Iran with a promise that they could snap back in place at any time was not plausible. He also said the deal would be bad for American national security in the long term: “You think the Middle East is chaotic now? Imagine what it looks like for our grandchildren. That’s how Americans should view the deal.”

(more…)

Continue ReadingGeorge W. Bush Bashes Obama on Middle East

A Century Later, Turkey Still Won’t Come to Terms with the Armenian Genocide

April 27, 2015 – The National Review – By David Pryce-Jones  

The Turks in 1915 destroyed the minority of Armenians in their midst, killing probably as many as a million and a half, and driving hundreds of thousands into exile. Such a nation-wide exhibition of human brutality takes its lasting place in the collective memory. Yet Turkish officials and spokesmen for the past hundred years have refused to accept responsibility for this great crime, much less apologize for it.

They contest the numbers of victims. A world war had opened, and bad things happen in war everywhere. Armenians, they like to say, were making common cause with the Russian enemy, and ethnic cleansing was therefore a security measure. Turks as Muslims were waging jihad, but Armenians as Christian infidels had brought it all on themselves. In “Minorities,” one of his most judicious essays, Elie Kedourie ascribes much of the blame to the handful of Armenians who had let nationalist ideology take possession of them, a malady or infection “eating up the fabric of settled society.” In his summary of their fate, “the Armenians were forced to be free.”

(more…)

Continue ReadingA Century Later, Turkey Still Won’t Come to Terms with the Armenian Genocide

The End Times According to Islam

The End Times According to Islam3/4/15 – by Robin Schumacher – The Confident Christian

Nine years ago, then president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated in an interview that he experienced a supernatural experience during a speech he gave at the United Nations the previous year. Ahmadinejad claimed that he was bathed in a light from heaven at the outset of his talk, with the light remaining on him for the full length of the speech.

Ahmadinejad made a number of references during that U.N. speech to the “mighty Lord” who will hasten the emergence of “the promised one,” the one who “will fill this world with justice and peace.”[1] Exactly who was Ahmadinejad referring to? According to another speech he gave that same year, he saw his main mission to “pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten his reappearance.”[2]

CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen points out that ISIS has similar hopes based on their belief in Islamic prophecy. Believing that their actions hasten a supposed final battle at a small, obscure Syrian town named Dabiq between “Rome” and Islam (where the forces of true Islam triumph), Bergan notes: “ISIS members devoutly believe that they are fighting in a cosmic war in which they are on the side of good, which allows them to kill anyone they perceive to be standing in their way with no compunction. This is, of course, a serious delusion, but serious it is.”[3]

(more…)

Continue ReadingThe End Times According to Islam

Deep Repentance & Healing as Holy Spirit touches hearts / Pastor’s healing testimony

Dear family and friends in Christ,

1) This past weekend Pastor Daniel and a team from CTFM ministered in Bendigo, VIC where there was much prayer and preparing for these meetings by the local church.  We praise God He did not let them down as the Holy Spirit moved most wonderfully touching many hearts.

Ps Daniel spoke on “Standing in the gap in Intercession” on Saturday night and “Who holds your Legal Right” on Sunday morning. At both meetings many people were healed from hurts, offences, anger and un-forgiveness, etc. as people responded to the word of God by coming to the altar, asking forgiveness and repenting publicly. Then people started going to each other and saying “I am sorry if I have offended you”. This was absolutely amazing as many were in tears hugging each other.

The first to come forward was the Pastor and his wife. We take our hats off to them both as they had the guts to stand up and say “I am sorry”. By the end of the day the Pastor of the church said, “several people in my congregation have told me that they feel so free and as if a big weight had been lifted off their shoulder.” Glory to God.

The Pastor testified, “I was having severe back pains, but praise God over night the pain has just disappeared. I thank God for my healing.”

Two weekends ago Ps Daniel ministered in Townsville & Ingham, QLD. Here too the Lord Jesus powerfully touched many lives.

2) Pr Daniel will be speaking at CTFM in Hallam at the 9:30am & 6:30pm services this Sunday 17th May.

Please note that this service will be live webcast at www.reformationharvestfire.com beginning at 10.30am (AEDT).

(more…)

Continue ReadingDeep Repentance & Healing as Holy Spirit touches hearts / Pastor’s healing testimony

Special End-Times Seminar at CTFM on Monday 11th, 18th May & June 1st with Ps Kameel Majdali from Teach All Nations

Dear friends & family in Christ, We're very pleased to announce that at CTFM in Hallam at 7:30pm tonight Monday 11th & 18th May, also 1st June, Ps Kameel Majdali…

Continue ReadingSpecial End-Times Seminar at CTFM on Monday 11th, 18th May & June 1st with Ps Kameel Majdali from Teach All Nations

Political Commentator Glenn Beck Wonders Why ‘No One’ in U.S. Cares for Christians’ Plight in Middle East

By Isaiah Narciso (news@gospelherald.com) Apr 21, 2015

Conservative political commentator Glenn Beck brought up a controversial issue on Monday, asking why Christians in the United States haven’t done more to help their fellow brethren, who are being persecuted in the Middle East.

In a report filed by Erica Ritz of The Blaze, Beck looked at how American Christians reacted when they defended the “religious freedom” rights a pizza parlor in Indiana. He then noticed how little attention was paid in the U.S. to Christians being persecuted across the Middle East.

“Why does no one care?” Beck said. “When we talked about a Christian pizza parlor just the other day, Christians responded in large numbers. … Here people are getting executed. Shouldn’t the response be exponentially greater when Christians are literally being beheaded and crucified, children being raped and killed every single day?”

Beck then shared a graphic video released by the terror group known as ISIS murdering Christian captives in Libya. (more…)

Continue ReadingPolitical Commentator Glenn Beck Wonders Why ‘No One’ in U.S. Cares for Christians’ Plight in Middle East

Guest Speaker Pastor Wally from USA at CTFM this Mother’s Day

Dear friends & family in Christ, Pastor Wally Magnangal from Christians in Crisis, based in the USA, will be ministering God’s prophetic Word and praying for people at CTFM in…

Continue ReadingGuest Speaker Pastor Wally from USA at CTFM this Mother’s Day

Pakistani Christians Commemorate Victims Of Terror Attack, Say Jihadists Will Never ‘Push Back’ Their Faith

By Leah Marieann Klett (news@gospelherald.com) Mar 18, 2015

Hundreds of Pakistani Christians on Tuesday held prayer services to commemorate the victims of two Taliban suicide bombs in the city of Lahore, refusing to let terrorism silence their faith.

On March 16, suicide bombers affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban launched attacks against two churches conducting Sunday morning services in the predominantly Christian city of Lahore, killing at least 14 people and injuring 70 others. Although police said that the bombers were stopped by either worshippers or security personnel, the attackers still managed to detonate their explosives.

Christian leaders from across Pakistan  country attended the funeral for the victims following two days of violent protests by the community members against the blasts. According to Reuters, the Pakistani government had called in 5,000 police and paramilitary rangers to control the law and order situation in the region, where violent clashes between Christians and Muslims erupted. Several protesters were killed and about a dozen wounded in the clashes.

Speaking on Tuesday, Manual Mani, a pastor attending the funerals, said the act of terrorism would not stop Christians from practicing their faith within the country. “I would like to tell these terrorists if they think that they can push us back from our faith, they are deadly, entirely, very much at fault,” he said.

(more…)

Continue ReadingPakistani Christians Commemorate Victims Of Terror Attack, Say Jihadists Will Never ‘Push Back’ Their Faith

Egyptian TV Personality Tells Israel’s Netanyahu to ‘Put Your Trust In God and Bomb Iran’

April 15, 2015 - CNS News Michael Morris Amid the Iranian nuclear talks, Egyptian TV personality Tawfik Okasha, called on “our dear friend” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bomb…

Continue ReadingEgyptian TV Personality Tells Israel’s Netanyahu to ‘Put Your Trust In God and Bomb Iran’

Bangladesh Muslims attack Christians, stabs priest during Easter Mass

April 19, 2015  By Robert Spencer – Jihad Watch

“After assaulting the faithful, the group stole items worth 33,900 taka (4,134 EUR); destroyed Bibles, crosses, holy pictures, musical instruments and homes; killed goats and chickens.” Time to step up the “dialogue,” bishops! That will fix this right up in a jiffy!

The U.S. Catholic establishment, with its refusal to discuss, much less do anything about, the Muslim persecution of Christians in any honest manner, is failing its brethren in Bangladesh and all across the Islamic world.

“Bishop of Sylhet: Protection for tribal Catholics, victims of expropriation and threats,” by Sumon Corraya, Asia News, April 17, 2015 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):

Sylhet (AsiaNews) – “We want justice and security for our priests and our faithful. We hope that the government will find a peaceful solution and that our people can live free from tensions. ” This is the appeal that Msgr. Bejoy N. D’Cruze OMI, Bishop of Syleht, launches through AsiaNews after the recent attacks against the tribal Khasia living in his diocese. “They are a very peaceful community – the prelate said – but often fall victims of the Bengali majority “.

(more…)

Continue ReadingBangladesh Muslims attack Christians, stabs priest during Easter Mass