February 6 “It Happened in the Spring”

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1–5

Key Verse: Psalm 28:8

The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.

The following words remind us of the beginning to a beautiful novel: “It happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle …” However, the poetic beauty quickly erodes to tragedy when we read how David yielded to temptation.

The danger that shouts to us is in thinking we are above reproach and could never fall as David did. No one is immune to sin. Only by keeping our spiritual walk before God pure are we given the strength to say no to temptation.

David could have turned and walked the other way. Instead, he stopped and allowed his eyes to gaze at something that would lead to ruin. The very fact that he had remained in Jerusalem when other kings were off at war lets us know that David had become soft and lazy. He sent his field commander into battle in his place, never stopping to think that the enemy was crouched at his side, waiting for a chance to strike.

If you are battling certain temptation, make a note of how David gave himself to sin. Ask God to show you how to avoid becoming lazy in your spiritual walk by taking advantage of the good things He provides—His Word, Christian music, and books written by godly men and women. David had a sincere love for the Lord. Once he realized his sin, he turned from it and God restored him.

Precious Lord, I am not immune to sin. Help me keep my spiritual walk pure before You so that I have the strength to say no to temptation.^[1]

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^[1] Stanley, C. F. (1999). On holy ground (p. 39). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

February 6 Responding to God’s Word

Scripture reading: Nehemiah 9:1–3

Key verses: John 4:13–14

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

As Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the Book of the Law was found and brought out to be read. Those who resided in the city had experienced both war and captivity. God’s Word had been lost to them. Although they understood the significance of being descendants of Israel, they had not lived under the protective spiritual covenant of God.

When Ezra stepped out into the light and began reading God’s Word, the response of the people was overwhelming. They immediately confessed their sins. The Lord has not removed His love from Israel, but He has certainly allowed them to go their own way. Israel’s sin and rebellion against God had led to a spiritual, emotional, and physical wandering.

Not all the trouble that touches your life will occur as a result of sin. Some hardships come as the result of our fallen world. Don’t look at the accidents of life and think God is trying to harm you. His only goal in allowing adversity is to teach you to trust Him.

And while there are consequences to sin, there are also hope and forgiveness for all who return to the Lord and seek His face. Let His Word become a lamp to your path. Set the affections of your heart on Him, and know that whatever burden you are carrying, He will bear it for you the moment you turn to Him.

Dear Lord, help me respond to the truth of Your Word today in the midst of the adversities of my life.^[1]

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^[1] Stanley, C. F. (2000). Into His presence (p. 39). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Instead of Discussing Abortion, “Evangelicals for Life” Event Argued for Lighter Penalties for Criminals, Racial Justice — Pulpit & Pen

Thirteen months ago, Pulpit & Pen warned you that Russell Moore was intentionally changing the definition of what it means to be pro-life. Moore has broadened the term to fit in his entire progressive agenda under that term. Hosting a round-table at the Evangelicals for Life event several weeks ago, the “pro-life” theme was used to discuss criminal justice reform and racial justice instead of abortion.

The ERLC posted the video this morning.

Including race-baiting incendiary, Ron Burns (he goes by the name Thabiti Anyabwile, which he says he chose in order to identify with the Black Nationalist movement), the panel discussed the need for lighter sentences for criminals, a removal of bail bonding (they claim it puts the poor at a disadvantage) and spoke about how blacks are disproportionately affected by tough criminal penalities.

How any of the above deals with the topic of abortion is unknown, but again, Russell Moore has made it so that “pro-life” covers whatever momentary progressive soapbox you might currently want to stand upon.

You can watch the video below.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/313621144

It seems that whatever talking point seems to be most popular with the left is the topic that the Evangelical Intelligentsia seems to discuss most vocally.

Let us be clear: To be “pro-life” has no implication for criminal justice reform, spaying and neutering dogs, saving dolphins, or recycling. To be “pro-life” means you actively oppose doctors and parents being able to dissect children limb-from-limb in the womb and suck them out with a vacuum cleaner.

Moore has thusfar been totally silent on Donald Trump’s anti-abortion comments during the State of the Union last evening. Perhaps if Trump had advocated that bail be reduced for rapists and murderers Moore would have given some kind of applause.

via Instead of Discussing Abortion, “Evangelicals for Life” Event Argued for Lighter Penalties for Criminals, Racial Justice — Pulpit & Pen

‘Republicans Are Brainwashed,’ Democrats Dutifully Chant While Clad In Identical White Uniforms — The Babylon Bee

‘Republicans Are Brainwashed,’ Democrats Dutifully Chant While Clad In Identical White Uniforms

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In remarks leading up to the State of the Union address Tuesday evening, Democratic lawmakers accused Republicans of being brainwashed and following Trump no matter what he does, all while wearing matching white uniforms and only clapping when their party leaders signaled it was OK to do so.

“Republicans are all brainwashed to agree with whatever Trump says,” one congresswoman said after the address as she stood in solidarity with her fellow Democrats all in matching, identical uniforms. “It’s really sad that half our nation can’t think for themselves and only do whatever the Republican Party tells them to do.”

“When we can’t think for ourselves, we’ve lost what made this nation great,” she added, reading off a script prepared for her by party leaders.

At publishing time, Democrats had revealed they were slightly disappointed that the mothership didn’t come to take them away during the speech, but they’re confident it will be coming to take them back to their home planet any day now.

via ‘Republicans Are Brainwashed,’ Democrats Dutifully Chant While Clad In Identical White Uniforms — The Babylon Bee

Russell Moore Silent on Trump’s Defense of the Unborn — Pulpit & Pen

Russell Moore attacked Donald Trump so vehemently and relentlessly during the presidential primary (Moore had the entire ERLC turned into a shameless Rubio PAC), that Trump referred to him as a “very nasty guy with no heart.” Perhaps Trump knew that Moore, even then, was a financial partner of George Soros. Regardless, it seems that Moore will do whatever it takes not to affirm President Trump, even when he makes the most pro-life comments in any State of the Union speech in history.

Moore, a former Democratic staffer, serves on the Evangelical Immigration Table, which is an organization bought, paid for, and founded by George Soros and is an invention of Soros’ National Immigration Forum. Both are a part of Soros’ Open Societies Foundation, a globalist organization run by the billionaire whose ambition it is to dismantle the American sovereignty and the nation-state.

Moore’s official job, other than leftist provocateur, is being the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention. Since his tenure there, he has had the ERLC sign an animal rights declaration with the Humane Society, signed an amicus brief with Muslims to help get a Mosque built in New Jersey, hosted the MLK50 social justice conference named in honor of the bi-sexual sex trafficker, and spent years attacking the POTUS. Most importantly, Moore has spent his time at the ERLC advocating for open borders, which would erase American national sovereignty and put all of our dearest civil liberties (including the freedom of religion) in great jeopardy.

The SBC needs a whole other ERLC just to protect it from the encroachments of liberty and advance of progressivism caused by the current ERLC.

The POTUS gave comments last night that are among the strongest ever recorded in defense of the unborn, at least from a State of the Union speech. Moore has stood with Nancy Pelosi twice in recent weeks in calling for open borders and an end to the government shutdown, and it seems he stands with her again, unwilling to congratulate the president for his defense of unborn children.

In fact, Russell Moore’s comments about Trump’s defense of the unborn has been captured on camera and is pictured below.

HT Cody Libolt

I jest.

Moore has been uncharacterstically silent. While evangelicals across the country are applauding Trump’s words, Trump has not tweeted, blogged, or made any kind of post in relation to the president’s incredible comments.

Instead, the ERLC took the time to post an article covering a talk at “Evangelicals for Life.” The talk didn’t have anything to do with abortion, however, and included words from Thabiti Anyabwile about criminal justice reform. As we’ve demonstrated in previous posts, Russell Moore is using the term “pro-life” to refer to topics like penal reform and illegal immigration instead of abortion.

If Russel Moore can’t bring himself to speak positive words about the POTUS when he’s able, it should be clear that Moore is an opposition to Trump’s agenda. And Trump’s agenda is very, very good for evangelicalism.

Whose side is Moore on? Apparently it’s not the side of the unborn for this former Democratic staffer.

via Russell Moore Silent on Trump’s Defense of the Unborn — Pulpit & Pen

February 6, 2019 Afternoon Verse Of The Day

8. Taste and see that Jehovah is good. In this verse the Psalmist indirectly reproves men for their dulness in not perceiving the goodness of God, which ought to be to them more than matter of simple knowledge. By the word taste he at once shows that they are without taste; and at the same time he assigns the reason of this to be, that they devour the gifts of God without relishing them, or through a vitiated loathing ungratefully conceal them. He, therefore, calls upon them to stir up their senses, and to bring a palate endued with some capacity of tasting, that God’s goodness may become known to them, or rather, be made manifest to them. The words literally rendered are, Taste and see, for the Lord is good; but the particle כי, ki, for, is taken exegetically. David’s meaning, therefore, is, that there is nothing on the part of God to prevent the godly, to whom he particularly speaks in this place, from arriving at the knowledge of his goodness by actual experience. From this it follows, that they also are infected with the common malady of dulness. This doctrine is confirmed by the promise immediately added, Blessed is the man who trusteth in him; for God never disappoints the expectations of those who seek his favour. Our own unbelief is the only impediment which prevents him from satisfying us largely and bountifully with abundance of all good things.^[1]

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O taste (v. 8)

We associate taste with pleasure and satisfaction. The psalmist here calls for his readers to taste the goodness of God. Matthew Henry says: ‘Let God’s goodness be rolled under the tongue as a sweet morsel.’^[2]

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34:8 Experiencing God’s goodness anticipates the experience of goodness in Christ (1 Pet. 2:3).^[3]

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34:8 Taste and see Describes the act of trusting, fearing, and seeking Yahweh (compare note on v. 9).^[4]

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34:8 taste. The psalmist describes his personal experience of God’s goodness. After tasting God’s goodness in Christ, Peter alludes to this passage (1 Pet. 2:3).^[5]

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34:8 Taste can mean “judge” in the sense of determine for oneself (Pr 31:18). See most likely carries the same sense in order to reinforce the concept.^[6]

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^[1] Calvin, J., & Anderson, J. (2010). Commentary on the Book of Psalms (Vol. 1, pp. 563–564). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

^[2] Ellsworth, R. (2006). Opening up Psalms (p. 102). Leominster: Day One Publications.

^[3] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 978). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[4] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ps 34:8). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

^[5] Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2005). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (p. 765). Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries.

^[6] Warstler, K. R. (2017). Psalms. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 847). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Half of Evangelical Millennials Say “Evangelism is Wrong” — Pulpit & Pen

Recent polling data demonstrates that half of evangelical millennials claim it is wrong to share the Gospel with others.

An evangelical is someone who wants to share the evangel, or the Good News. The term is a Middle English word transliterated from Latin and French and ultimately the Greek word, εὐαγγέλιον, or Good News. The term was first applied to Lutherans whose opponents thought they talked about the Gospel too much. In the 1960s, George Marsden claimed an evangelical was “anyone who likes Billy Graham.” Sharing the Gospel is always part and parcel of what it means to be an evangelical.

George Barna’s new report, Reviving Evangelism, shows the findings in statistical detail. This study evaluates evangelism encounters between various demographic groups. Among other findings in the study is the discovery that nearly half of millennials who identify as evangelicals believe it’s wrong to share the Gospel.

Nearly half of Millennials – at 47% – it is wrong to share their personal beliefs with someone of a different faith for the purpose of converting them. Only one-quarter of Gen X (27%) believes that and only one in five Boomers (19%) and Elders (20%) believe that.

This probably corresponds to previous research from Barna in Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age that 3 in 5 Christian Millennials believe that people today are more likely than in the past to take offense if they share their faith. In short, society is more sensitive and each generation seems more and more inclined to find offense in the Gospel.

Essentially, what this seems to indicate is you can take all the polling data that demonstrates the percentage of the American millennial population that claims to be evangelical and roughly cut it in half. Without evangelism, there’s not such thing as evangelicalism.

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory – Luke 9:26

via Half of Evangelical Millennials Say “Evangelism is Wrong” — Pulpit & Pen

Wednesday Briefing Feb. 6, 2019 – AlbertMohler.com

The pageantry of democracy: As President Trump delivers State of the Union address, drama fills the chamber

“Made in the holy image of God”—The one specific moment in last night’s State of the Union that highlights our culture’s vast worldview divide

One of the most respected scientists in the world won’t stop talking about aliens. What does this tell us about modern science?

• Washington Post (Avi Selk) — Harvard’s top astronomer says an alien ship may be among us — and he doesn’t care what his colleagues think

The post Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 appeared first on AlbertMohler.com.

Download MP3

— Read on albertmohler.com/2019/02/06/briefing-2-6-19/

February 6, 2019 Truth2Freedom Briefing Report (US•World•Christian)

REUTERS

President Donald Trump told Americans on Tuesday his administration had accelerated talks for a political settlement in Afghanistan and would be able to reduce U.S. troops there as negotiations advance to end America’s longest war.

Democrats vying to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump in the 2020 election moved quickly to attack his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, saying it lacked substance and did nothing to unite the country.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would hold his second meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam on Feb. 27-28, while giving himself credit for averting a major war on the Korean peninsula.

France and Germany will on Wednesday announce a $74 million contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint program to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source and two other sources familiar with the matter said.

The board of an ancient Hindu hill temple in southern India said on Wednesday it now favored allowing female worshippers of menstruating age to enter, reversing its previous support for a centuries-old ban.

A Russian court on Wednesday found a Danish adherent of the Jehovah’s Witnesses guilty of organizing a banned extremist group and jailed him for six years in a case critics condemn as crushing religious freedom.

AP Top Stories

President Ashraf Ghani is being pushed to the sidelines as the Taliban ignore his overtures for peace and negotiate instead with his friends, and enemies, over the future of Afghanistan.

The Taliban began an extraordinary meeting with high-ranking Afghan politicians — including women — on Tuesday in Moscow, where rivals of President Ashraf Ghani called for an interim government as they negotiated without him.

Pope Francis said on Tuesday he had found “good will” to start peace processes to end the conflict in Yemen, during private meetings with leaders of the United Arab Emirates, which is playing a leading role in a Saudi-led coalition against Houthis in Yemen.

Latvia’s foreign minister called Tuesday for long-term diplomacy to reach a new international agreement on intermediate-range missiles after the collapse of a landmark treaty between Russia and the United States.

Venezuelan military officers blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge to President Nicolas Maduro’s authority.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted to require President Donald Trump to impose new sanctions on Syria, in a rebuke delivered just hours before the president is expected to defend his policies during his State of the Union address.

An Arizona nurse pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to raping a severely disabled woman in a crime that only came to light when the victim unexpectedly gave birth in the long-term care facility where she had been a patient for about two decades.

The White House’s closest Persian Gulf allies have been handing out sophisticated American weapons to al Qaeda and dangerous groups in Yemen in violation of US an export rules, an investigation by CNN has revealed.

Iran warned Israel on Tuesday of a “firm and appropriate” response if it continued attacking targets in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces in their nearly eight-year war against rebels and militants.

Japan announced Tuesday it has canceled a port call in South Korea by its main warship during a multilateral naval exercise as relations between the two Asian neighbors fall to their lowest level in recent years.

Russia has approved a 43.27 million loan for Cuba’s defense sector.

BBC

Venezuelan soldiers have blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of a shipment of humanitarian aid, the opposition says. The aid is being arranged by opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who declared himself interim president last month. But it is not clear how the aid will be distributed. President Nicolás Maduro, who has the support of the army, has rejected letting it into the country.

Pope Francis has admitted that clerics have sexually abused nuns, and in one case they were kept as sex slaves. He said in that case his predecessor, Pope Benedict, was forced to shut down an entire congregation of nuns who were being abused by priests.

Scientists are trying to find out why some 20,000 guillemots have died in recent weeks along the Dutch coast. The birds were all emaciated and there are fears they may have been victims of a spill from the container ship, from which some 345 containers fell in the sea during a storm.

WND

Officials in the Mexican state of Coahuila are helping transport more than 1,700 migrants from Honduras to an unsecured part of the Texas border.

Catholics in China already are perplexed by a secret deal the Vatican has made with Beijing, and now Pope Francis has told Chinese bishops they should show “loyalty” to the communist regime.

North is on the move, and that’s a problem for your smartphone’s maps. Earth’s geographic North Pole is fixed. But the planet’s magnetic North Pole – the north that your compass points toward – wanders in the direction of Siberia at a rate of more than 34 miles per year.

The National Institutes of Health is spending over $200,000 to figure out why obese black lesbians binge eat.

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Mid-Day Snapshot

The Foundation “The ingredients which constitute energy in the Executive are, first, unity…” —Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 70

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The 2019 SOTU Review: A Trump Administration Triumph Trump’s remarks strongly contrasted the difference in Republican optimism and Democrat pessimism.

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President Donald Trump’s Second State of the Union Full video and transcript of the address.

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Dems SOTU Rebuttal Offers Only Socialism Stacey Adams speech played more like a campaign ad than a rebuttal to Trump’s record.

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Trump Critics Admit Success of Association Health Plans Despite early warnings that deregulation would lead to disaster, the truth is the opposite.

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Warren Attempts to Whitewash Her Not-So-White Lie Caught red-handed, the Demo presidential hopeful finally apologizes for phony ancestry claims.

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New York’s Budget Rendezvous With SALT Deductions Cuomo revealed that New York has a revenue shortfall of $2.3 billion.

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Social ‘Justice’ Is Unforgiving The Left’s “morality” accepts no apologies, only unending groveling and kowtowing to its agenda.

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Humor Video: A Brief History of Socialism If only we try socialism one more time, they keep telling us…

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Today’s Opinion Star Parker Response to the State of the Union Byron York Can Moderate Dems Talk Pelosi Out of Extreme Border Position? Tony Perkins Killer Party: Dems Stand Alone on Infanticide James Shott Democrats’ Move Toward Socialism Isn’t Sitting Well With Their Base Walter E. Williams Is Reality Optional? For more of today’s columns, visit Right Opinion.

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Wednesday Top Headline Summary SOTU reviews and reactions, economic investment, border wall progress, and culture hot buttons.

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Wednesday Short Cuts “I guess I’m supposed to well up with tears of pride because a bunch of women were elected to Congress. Sorry, no.” —Matt Walsh

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Today’s Meme For more of today’s memes, visit the Memesters Union.

Today’s Cartoon For more of today’s cartoons, visit the Cartoons archive.

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News – 2/6/2019

Oceans Turning Bluer, Indicative of Greater Sense of Godly Revelation
Scientists predict the oceans will grow warmer and turn a deeper blue, which rabbis say more closely resembles the Throne of Glory. According to the research, more than 50 percent of the world’s oceans will shift in color. Open-ocean regions are more barren and have fewer of the phytoplankton and currently appear blue. The researchers predicted that in the future, these regions will become bluer. Colder regions of the ocean, generally those near the poles, currently appear green but will, in the future appear even more vibrantly green.

Is Encouraged Euthanasia the Future of Socialized Medicine?
As the political discussion concerning the future of American healthcare grows more intense, the implicit issue of euthanasia stands in the wings. One rabbi noted that the issues of abortion and euthanasia are two sides of the same coin, both destroying the relationship between parent and child. “The danger of socialized medicine is that everything is under someone else’s control, not necessarily the patient or their family,” the physician, who prefers to remain anonymous, told Breaking Israel News.“The chief motivation is economic and not health. Euthanasia fits into that mindset.”

The Worst Mayors in America are Running for President
Newark is the most dangerous city in New Jersey, Tallahassee is the most dangerous city in Florida, and South Bend is the most dangerous city in Indiana. But instead of fixing their failed cities, the current mayor of South Bend, and the former mayors of Newark and Tallahassee want to run for president.

Earth’s north magnetic pole sprints toward Siberia
According to NOAA, the WMM was scheduled to be updated at the end of 2019 and released as WMM2020, but the magnetic pole has shifted so far in the direction of Siberia so quickly that it reached a speed of over 34 mi (55 km) per year. Therefore, an unusual early update was required to ensure safe navigation – especially in the polar regions where magnetic compasses become unreliable.

Implant brings increased dexterity and sense of touch to hand prosthesis
A collaboration working under the EU-funded DeTOP project has developed a new hand prosthesis that reads signals direct from nerves and muscles via electrodes implanted in the patient’s arm. As well as making more refined hand movements possible, the technique is reported to provide sensory feedback to the patient from the prosthesis itself, in the form of tactile sensations, which should help the user determine how much force to apply when grasping an object – something that’s not easy to do when relying on visual cues only.

Gantz: Israel should not control Palestinians, praises disengagement model
Israel Resilience Party chairman and former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz said Israel must find a solution to the settlement crisis. “We are not looking to control anyone else,” Gantz said in his first interview since announcing his candidacy for prime minister. Speaking with the Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot in an article published Wednesday, Gantz said, “We must find a way that does not require us to exercise control over other people.”

Brexit risk for UK aid as Swiss cut off from EU funding
Some of the UK’s major aid agencies may be facing a funding shortfall once Britain leaves the European Union. Many had hoped that funding might continue after Brexit, especially if a deal is agreed. Aid agencies in non-EU member Switzerland have regularly received EU funding, based on the strong bilateral ties Switzerland has with the bloc.

Egypt MPs to vote on extending presidential term limits
An Egyptian parliamentary committee has given initial approval to a proposal to amend the constitution in a way that would extend President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s time in office, state media say. Mr Sisi is due to stand down in 2022, when his second four-year term ends. But a proposal from the majority bloc in parliament would lengthen future presidential terms to six years and let Mr Sisi stand for another two terms.

Valley Fever cases in California continue to increase
A potentially deadly illness found in the soil and dusty winds of California’s Central Valley is on the rise, state health officials say. Documented cases of Valley Fever rose 11 percent in 2018 — a preliminary total of 7,886 cases compared to 7,090 cases for the same period in 2017, according to the California Department of Public Health. Health officials said final data for 2018 will be available in March.

Loud booms in downtown L.A.? That was a U.S. Army training exercise
A series of loud booms that rocked downtown Los Angeles on Monday night startled some people who complained on social media. But Los Angeles police said there’s no reason to be alarmed. The noises were part of a U.S. Army training exercise involving aircraft and weapon simulations in urban settings. The training is set to run through Saturday in Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Putin taunts Trump: 400 Russian military contractors sent to Venezuela in support of Maduro
Russia is playing a high-stakes game in the mounting crisis in Venezuela, where socialist President Nicolas Maduro has been mortgaging part of the country’s oil resources in exchange for financial and military support from Moscow. Latin America is far from Russia, and Venezuela is impoverished, surrounded by hostile neighbors and squarely in the crosshairs of the Trump administration.

US Senate passes bill censuring supporters of Israel boycott
The US Senate passed a Mideast policy bill on Tuesday including a measure that would allow states to penalize businesses that take part in boycotts of Israel and an amendment that breaks with President Donald Trump by opposing any plans for an abrupt withdrawal of troops from Syria. The Senate backed the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act by a lopsided 77-23 on Tuesday…

Iran’s Rulers Shocked As Israel And The US Successfully Tests Massive Anti-ballistic Missile System
Israel Successfully Tests Arrow 3 Anti-Missile Test, Sending Strong Warning to Iran.

Radical Muslim Democratic Congresswoman actually defends an Islamic terror attack- and it’s not the first time
Video shows lawmaker saying of terror acts, ‘These are byproducts of … our involvement in other people’s affairs’

Is It Beginning? 10 Significant Quakes Rock Cali Coastline As Mount St. Helens Rumbles Back To Life
Could it be possible that we are a lot closer to ‘the big one’ than many had anticipated? 

Nancy Pelosi Tells Adopted Woman: Your Mom Should Have Had the “Choice” to Abort You
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has made some pretty outrageous statements about abortion in the past.

Muslim migrant burglar who broke into funeral and had sex with corpse jailed in the UK, in case that has country reeling
A burglar who had sex with a corpse after breaking into a funeral parlor has been jailed for six years, BBC News reports.

Pope: Nuns sexually abused, forced abortions
Pope Francis on Tuesday disclosed that nuns have been sexually abused by priests and bishops, and even now are being held as sex slaves.

Pentagon: Islamic State Could Resurge in Syria in 6-12 Months
“Battled-hardened” Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) remnants in Syria “could likely” mount a resurgence in “six to 12 months” absent “sustained counterterrorism pressure” by American and local troops, the Pentagon’s inspector general (IG) warned in a report released Monday.

More Than 1,500 Migrants Arrive At Barrierless U.S.-Mexico Border Along Texas
More than 1,500 migrants have recently arrived at a section of the U.S.-Mexico border along Texas that does not have any barriers.

Scientists: ‘No evidence’ climate change causing cold from polar vortex dips
Numerous media outlets cited last week’s polar vortex as an example of extreme weather caused by climate change, but it turns out such cold snaps are actually on the decline.

Congress’s Vote To Keep War In Afghanistan Sells Out American Soldiers
The U.S. Senate cannot agree on anything. They are so mired in partisan gridlock, a resolution declaring the sky to be officially the color blue would fail along party lines. But there is one thing and one thing only they agree on: 17 years of our troops dying in Afghanistan isn’t long enough.

Israeli Gov. Releases Report Alleging Terrorists Have Infiltrated NGOs That Push BDS Movement
Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy released a report Sunday detailing alleged connections between non-governmental organizations that support and call for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanction (BDS) Movement and terrorist organizations.

OPEC Proposes Formal Oil-Production Alliance With Russia
If adopted, the new arrangement would help OPEC and the 10-member bloc led by Russia counter the US’s growing clout in global oil markets.

San Francisco Launches App To Track Homeless People
“We’re trying to build what I think of as an air traffic control system.”

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Headlines – 2/6/2019

As it readies peace plan, US says it sees no need to balance pro-Israel slant

Abbas asks Europeans to recognize Palestinian state

West Bank settlers report surge in population growth

Members of the Ultra-Orthodox community hurl stones in Jerusalem, wounding 2 policemen

High stakes Likud vote opens primary season, with Netanyahu’s future in balance

UNHRC set to blast Israel 7 times, but mum on China’s Muslim imprisonment

US Senate passes anti-BDS bills, sending them to House

Senate passes pro-Israel bill, measure also rebukes Trump

Dutch Soccer Fans Arrested for Chanting ‘Jews Burn Best’ on Int’l Holocaust Remembrance Day

Vowing to confront Iran, Trump scolds ‘the vile poison of anti-Semitism’

Iran threatens to ‘teach Israel a lesson’ if strikes on Syria continue

Iran warns Israel of ‘firm response’ if attacks on Iranian facilities in Syria recur

Netanyahu to meet Putin for first formal talks since Syria downed Russian plane

Top US general says Trump didn’t consult him on Syria pullout

On Syria buffer zone, Turkey’s Erdogan slams US over delays

Report: Satellite Images Show Three Russian S-300 Launchers Deployed at Syrian Base

Images show S-300 air defense batteries in Syria likely turning operational

How Russia Hid Death Toll From Disastrous Syria Battle Until After Putin’s Reelection

Heeding U.S. Call, Lebanon’s New Government Says Will Stay Out of Syria

With eye on Afghanistan talks, Trump vows to stop ‘endless wars’

Iran says Trump remarks on Iraq reveal American ‘lies’

U.S. supports ‘dictators, butchers and extremists’ in Middle East, says Iran

Iran criticizes Greece, Italy for not buying its oil despite US waivers

Russia Develops New Weapon to Make Enemy Soldiers Hallucinate and Vomit, Report Says

‘Russia must develop new missiles to counter US before 2021’

Russian media threatens US with 100-megaton nuclear doomsday device after key arms treaty fails

Trump to Meet With North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam on February 27, 28

Ousting Maduro from Venezuela without violence appears unlikely, experts say

Putin taunts Trump: 400 Russian military contractors sent to Venezuela in support of Maduro

Donald Trump Promises ‘Human Wall’ of Troops to Block Migrant Caravans

Trump Orders More Troops To U.S.-Mexico Border Amid Fight For Wall During SOTU

New Mexico pulls most national guard troops from border in rebuke to Trump

GOP senators think Trump would win vote on emergency declaration

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Is the Bible True? The Value (and Limits) of the Early Church Fathers — Cold Case Christianity

I had the great pleasure and privilege several years ago to speak to students (and visitors) at Rutgers University. Ratio Christi hosted the three hour event. Julie Miller (RC’s Chapter Director at Rutgers) and her husband Buzz did an amazing job organizing and hosting the event. I was asked to defend the reliability of the New Testament Gospels, and afterward we opened the floor for a one hour question and answer session. As part of my case for the reliable transmission of the key claims of the Gospel authors, I retraced the New Testament Chain of Custody for the audience. This sequence of early believers links the eyewitness authors with their immediate students in an effort to examine the content of the original claims of the Gospels. Early Church Fathers like Ignatius, Polycarp and Clement play an important role in this chain of Gospel stewards; the writings of these students of John and Paul help us verify the content of the 1^st Century teaching related to Jesus. The ancient letters of these three Church Fathers have great value for this reason. Is the Bible true? These letters are an important piece of evidence.

During the Q and A session, a young man asked an important question, echoing concerns I’ve addressed on other campuses around the country. Here’s the paraphrase: “The Church Fathers wrote about more than what John or Paul taught them about the historical activities and claims of Jesus; they also wrote about theological issues, and many of their theological positions are rejected by non-Catholics. If we reject the theology of some of these men, how can we trust anything else they said? How do we know where to draw the line, and are we just ‘cherry-picking’ as we use what happens to serve our cause (while rejecting the stuff we don’t like)?”

Once again, the best analogy here is a courtroom analogy. There are many times when a witness is asked to describe what he (or she) saw or heard, but there are important limits. I might ask a witness, “What did the suspect say to you?” This kind of question is appropriate and the witness’ response will be allowed in the trial. But if I step beyond this and ask, “Why do you think the suspect said that?” the defense attorneys will likely object to my question before the witness even gets a chance to respond: “Your honor, that’s an inappropriate question, the witness is being asked to offer an opinion, and it’s irrelevant what the witness thinks in this regard. This witness can’t read the mind of the suspect.” It’s one thing to ask a witness to strictly recall what he or she heard, another to offer an opinion about what this means or what may have motivated the statement in the first place.

When there are multiple eyewitnesses used in a criminal trial, there’s a good chance these witnesses will come from a variety of worldviews and lifestyles. They will probably hold a divergent set of beliefs, attitudes and opinions. In fact, they may even have varying opinions about the guilt of the defendant in the case. None of these varying views will be apparent to the jury, however, because our questions on the stand will be limited to the actions or statements of the defendant. In a similar way, the Early Church Fathers provide us with key information related to the statements of the gospel authors. That’s the limit of their testimony and the evidential boundary for which they have value. They may disagree with each other (or later theologians) about what they think we ought to interpret from the life and teaching of Jesus, but that’s outside the scope of their testimony. We simply want to know what John and Paul said about Jesus so we can make sure the Gospels and New Testament letters we have today contain the same information as the originals. I’m not interested in the political, social or theological inclinations of these men; I simply want to know, “What did John and Paul say about Jesus?”

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The content confirmation of the Early Church Fathers is yet another way to verify the trustworthy nature of the New Testament
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The work of the Early Church Fathers has great value for us as we reconstruct the New Testament Chain of Custody. I’ve written about this Chain of Custody in detail in Cold-Case Christianity. Is the Bible true? The content confirmation of the Early Church Fathers is yet another way to verify the trustworthy nature of the New Testament, even if there are important limits we must respect.

J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Apologetics at Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids.

via Is the Bible True? The Value (and Limits) of the Early Church Fathers — Cold Case Christianity