Posted on 04/04/2002 5:18:27 PM PST by rintense
Today, President Bush issued his strongest statement to date regarding the crisis in the Middle East. In a speech that won praise from both Israeli and Palestinian officials, Bush also announced that Secretary of State Colin Powell will be headed to the region next week. Later in the day, Bush urged the Senate to Pass Trade Promotion Authority. The President and First Lady Laura departed this afternoon for a weekend visit to their ranch in Crawford, Texas, where they will be hosting Prime Minister Tony Blair. Enjoy your daily dose of Dubya!
Then we must all pray that Mr. Blair has the strength to do what's right. The WTC bombing didn't happen in England, making his and their decision to be supportive (except for some obvious economic reasons) a correct, but tough one. I would imagine that given their perception of what's going on, and their being slightly removed from the situation, out there in England, it has to be super difficult for Mr. Blair to do what's right, rather than what's popular with his people right now.
Just like George, before he does anything on behalf of his country, he has to lay the groundwork, and "sell" his people on the idea. Let's pray for them both to do some serious "stra-tee-ger-ee," for all our benefits, in Texas this weekend!
God grant them both all they need to help the world.
In just the past ten minutes, I've read posts that insinuated that President Bush is the anti-Christ, that he's responsible for Israeli deaths by the hands of suicide bombers, and that Peggy Noonan is a noted leftist.
I don't know what President Bush can do about the crisis over there, but he and Secretary Powell have my prayers. I thought the speech today had just the right tone of ire behind it, and I thought it sounded like it carried a "last chance" threat for Arafat, although none of the news people must have thought that, as I've seen no news about it. If it had sent that signal, I suspect we'd have read about it.
I'll take a stab at this. Just as America was chosen in the divine plan of things to be the birthplace of a nation of free men and republican government, and then providence took that light and spread it to candles previously laboring in darkness and oppression around the world, so providence has chosen America to lead the way as protector of individual and national liberties in the Middle East. The relationship the US has with Israel is unique among our foreign relations, and it carries a blessing beyond all our understanding, as defined in Numbers 24:9-b, "Blessed is he that blesses you [Israel], and cursed is he that curses you."
Further, God wants Israel to turn to His Son, the Lord Christ, and is allowing all these events to happen toward that end. In Old Testament times, He allowed Israel to be mighty in victory through many generations before the Messiah came, but when she turned to idolatry, God humbled her and sold her into captivity, a cycle that was repeated for a very long time, until finally, it was broken and Israel never again turned to idol worship, which prepared the way for her to receive her Lord and King, the Messiah. Since she did not recognize the day of her visitation, Jesus spoke what would happen to her. (Luke 19:37-44) "When he [Jesus] came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"... Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace -- but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. ... because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD was a literal fulfillment of this, but Israel still labors heavily for not having recognized the visitation of her Messiah.
The severity of these anguishes can be ameliorated by prayer, even as Jesus foretold.
To sum up, I believe the leaders of the nations are turning to America because it is evidence of the moving of the Holy Spirit upon them, whether they understand it or not, to do the will of God on earth as it is done in heaven, for the sake of all the nations of the world, and especially, for Israel. Probably more words than you anticipated, but I got on a roll there. ;-)
I was thinking the same thing, TontoKowalski! I'm floatin' around FR and checking out some threads and posts, and drew that same conclusion.
Remember when some of you said that you thought some of George's staff reads this thread? I seriously hope you are right, and that these messages of hope, and support, and prayer get over to him fast! You dah MAN, George!
rintense - EXCELLENT job, again this evening! You are a tribute to your country!!!
George, sleep well, read this thread if you get a chance, and know that you can always come HERE for a virtual hug and lots of respect and prayers!
Nite All ;-)
Gretchen, you go, girl! ANYTIME you want to write something regarding this situation, it's more than welcome. Needed. All of that!
May 2 is the National Day of Prayer. If you go to Shirley Dobson's web site http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org you can pull off a prayer that's going to be said, collectively, as a nation at 12:00 noon on that day. I'd say we ALL need to do that!
I've had the same thought -- that Britain knew things about how they were also targeted, and decided without hesitation that they better buddy up or suffer severely.
In the olden days of Rome, when a general returned from conquest, flush with victory, he would be paraded on a chariot through the streets of the city. As the crowds showered him with adulation, a slave would be standing by his side, and into his ear whispering incessantly...
"Thus passes the glory of the world." Or more accurately, "worldly fame is transitory." It was a reminder to the general that the honor and fame were fleeting... were nothing, in fact. That the approval of the crowds was ultimately meaningless.
"Sic transit gloria mundi" is also spoken aloud by a cardinal at the coronation of a new pope, for the same reasons: the man is temporary, the office is, in Catholic terms, eternal. The man should not think so highly of himself. Nor should those he serves set himself on so great a pedestal.
"Sic transit gloria mundi": fame, power, glory, honor, position, celebrity... these things are meaningless! What good are the cheering crowds to that Roman general, who now lies sleeping in the dust? What is a well-known name for one who is even at the center of society's awareness... though he also goes to the same fate in the end?
I have watched there become a cabal of sorts that has grown up, on FR and elsewhere. A "cult of personality" devoted to a mere man. I will not attempt to hypothesize why this has happened, apart from the suspicion that some, lacking a foundation for their own identity, attempt to make the fame of another their identity entire. And if the identity of that host is weak of character or lacking in sound judgement, then there is little to stop that person from gaining power over those dependent upon him. Or her.
I've tried, with a clear voice, to give warning about what is happening. My efforts (and prayerfully, my words) have been countered with empty rhetoric, blind ideology, and intellectual insipidity by those who either will not or can not shed the illusions of power that this world has ensnared them with and look for some higher meaning than this temporal abode.
I've only tried to speak aloud what God has put on my heart to share. In humility... though I admit at times to having failed in that regard. Invariably, it has been because I rashly chose the same tactics as those who have hurled insults at me the most.
So in regard to threads such as this, that perpetuate this kind of idolatry, I have chosen not to enter into debate. But simply, like the mere slave to the glorious Roman conqueror, to whisper softly...
Your concerns have been expressed by others in this forum, usually not so subtly. I admire your heartfelt desire and deep, prayerful conviction that our president be considered in the hearts of the people as a mortal, fallible, not to be in any way worshiped. Yet, we are not given the job of governing the hearts of our fellow citizens or given the responsibility of leading them away from the pleasure they find in the national repose this president, as he trusts in God, gives us. So if you were to ask my opinion, which you have not, but I hope you will consider nonetheless, I would urge you to keep praying as you are praying, for the Holy Spirit to show people where the line is between very appropriate admiration (and relief that we don't have a corrupt president any more) and idolatry, or improper hero worship; and when you do raise a flag, let the banner unfurl with a few words that explain your cause.
I don't know if you realize how much above the ccrowd (I include myself) you are in your understanding. It is something I have often wondered regarding you. I trust you utterly not to take that idea and get puffed up with it, but to use it to help shape your commentary for the people who are still very bright but either not as widely read or possessing the understanding you have. The thumbnail version of my thoughts: please add a few words to explain what you mean, and leave the governing of hearts to God, while praying for that government to reach to every heart. Amen?
I love ya, Darth. I am grateful for your cautions, and your diligent heart to keep prayerful watch.
I've observed President Bush carefully, and read or listened to him speak at every opportunity ... so the critics responses seem laughable: President Bush is so intelligent and aware, and has so much GRAVITAS, I don't think there are many who can decipher what he says and does.
President Bushs' speech today was magnificant!!! But then W is magnificant ..... as is our First Lady.
I understand what your family is going through very well! I pray for your strength and a complete recovery for that little child you all love so much. Hopefully one day very soon he will also be home running around with his brother! :)
Rintense, the pictures you so faithfully post each night not only keep us informed but also give us all the mantle of hope so sorely needed now.
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