‘Tzohar Bill’ in Israel will relax stricter marriage rules.

This is all Yiddish to me and my Greek is not helping, but if I have it right this new bill about to pass in Israel means a relaxation of marriage requirements especially when it comes to intermarrying and converts, and children of converts, or children of those who were previously married outside Israel.

Clearly Israel is moving to a more sectarian approach to marriage as a whole, although perhaps more slowly than the rest of the world. Not exactly what God proposed. I'd love to hear the opinions of more knowledgeable scholars on this matter.  On the other hand, if the conservatives get more requests for marriage, that will say something too.

Take a look and decipher the article for yourself and then share your gleanings.

‘Tzohar Bill’ approved by ministerial pa... JPost - National News

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The Salvation Army's Position on Abortion

I support the Salvation Army.  It does a job around the world that so many of us would never think of doing around the corner.  I'm a big fan of theirs.  And neither do I expect them to be perfect.  After all, like all Christian denominations, they are man-made.

Recently, I came across the fact that some evangelicals and conservatives have taken issue with the Salvation Army's Positional Statement, approved November 2010, on Abortion.  The link below takes you to the entire document for your own reading.

On the whole, the position is one to be lauded by Christians.  It presents a very well-balanced and sensitive view, realistically facing the various difficult circumstances including rape and incest that many women have to deal with today.

But at the same time it brings to light some aspects of the Army's philosophy on abortion that many of us do not know about.  In particular, the Salvation Army believes that termination can occur only when

• Carrying the pregnancy further seriously threatens the life of the mother; or
• Reliable diagnostic procedures have identified a fetal abnormality considered incompatible with survival for more than a very brief post natal period.
  

Simply put, mother's health comes before baby's health.  And if baby will be abnormal, it's okay to abort it.

A number of the problems with this stance are evident.  Man now plays God as to who should live and who should die -- mother or child.  How accurate are the predictions that a mother's life will indeed be lost?  How abnormal is abnormal?  Who decides?  And so on.  The issue is really about God's role vs. man's (or woman's).  And then there's Tim Tebow -- the great NFL Quarterback -- well, doctors were wrong about him and his mom.  They both survived.

The other aspect of the position paper deals with rape and incest.  This is indeed a tough situation.  But again, who is man or woman to play God?  The bottom line is that if a child is conceived as a result of either rape or incest, and such a child is brought to term, it can be put up for adoption if necessary and someone can and will love that child.  And there's also the post-abortion emotional harm that is often felt by the women carrying such a baby.

I believe in the work of the Salvation Army and I hope you keep on supporting these good works.  But I also found it interesting to know the position of such a great organization on this topic.  I think they've erred on the side of accommodation.  On the one hand they say that God is sovereign and is the keeper of life, on the other hand they don't seem to trust Him when it comes to deciding who lives or dies in certain circumstances.  A number of evangelicals think this is the thin edge of the wedge and I am one of them.

Please read the position statement for yourself.  


International Social Justice Commission: Abortion:

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How Christian Can an NFL Pro be?

Here's the whole story of a man that's making sports headlines around the world, not just for his playing, but for his faith. And did you know, when his mom was pregnant with him, the doctors told her she should abort him. Take a look at this man's life in pictures.

TIM TEBOW: How He Became The Most Polarizing Athlete In Sports

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Obama is Now Not Listening to both Republicans and Democrats. Time to throw him out.

The people tell him, the opposition GOP that runs the House tells him, his own party that runs the Senate tells him. Still, the man won't listen. Maybe if Michelle told him, he'd listen. I think it's time to throw him out of the White House.

Obama pressured to decide on Keystone XL after Senate approves budget legislation - The Globe and Mail

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How 9 students motivated a principal to cancel a Christmas Concert

A good read on what's going on in our schools and how "the Christians lost Christmas". This is totally ridiculous that a principal can give in to needs of 9 students out of a whole school and simply decide that "there shall be no Christmas concert this year." What rubbish we allow. I think it's time to stand up for what we believe.

I now go to Holiday concerts and listen to music of what other cultures celebrate -- Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and no mention of Christ or Christmas.  Give me a break.  Enough is enough.   Parents stand up for what you believe in.  As a grandparent I have less of a say -- but they're children.

Canadian schools struggle with what to do about Christmas - The Globe and Mail

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What Union-Management Negotiations Are Really Like and How To View the City of Toronto - CUPE 416 Negotiations

I love reading about labor relations in the media. The linked article is a good example. In it Daniel Dale reports that the City of Toronto has asked for a Provincial Conciliator to join its negotiations with CUPE Local 416 (numbered after the city's original area code). And CUPE maintains the Mayor wants a lockout. The Mayor says he wants an agreement.

Based on my 35 years of being involved in union-management negotiations, let me share with you what is really going on here.

Union negotiating committees are usually made up of one business agent representative from the union local business office -- usually a non-employee of the organization or company whose collective agreement is being negotiated.  The rest are employees who have likely negotiated years earlier that their wages and benefits are covered while they negotiate a collective agreement.  Now think of that for a moment.  Management is paying for a whole team of union members to sit across the table and negotiate against them.  Meanwhile, in critical situations, they have to arrange for back-fill for some of these positions, pay over-time, change schedules, etc.  And that often includes "union team's planning meetings".

Clearly, it is to the union negotiating team member's advantage to take their sweet time in negotiations.  Short days, many days, free meals, as long as some minimum progress can be said to be made.

Most collective agreements though have a clause that says all this paying for union time stops when either a conciliator or mediator joins the process.  I'm not sure of what this collective agreement says, but if it's like most, one can now see why management wants the conciliator there -- it is saving the taxpayers money and will do so until the an agreement is reached.  If the union wants to take their sweet time about things, they can, but they're now paying for all the union members' time.  At worse, the paying for meetings policy stops once there's a clearance to proceed to a strike or lockout.

It is true that once a conciliator gets involved, if either side feels that no progress is made, it can ask for a "no board" report which basically says "there is currently no hope of a settlement, so there's no point of appointing a board to hear and try to settle the matter -- the parties need to cool off and if necessary they can do it soon with a lockout or a strike."   So to get that report does not mean that either a strike or a lockout must occur, but it gives the parties those options should it be necessary to use one of them.

Unions like to think that they are the only ones that can exercise a decision to call for a conciliator and its not fair game if management does it.  But the reality is that what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.  I experienced that recently with one of my clients during negotiations -- we, management, called for conciliation after just a few meetings where we believed the union was dragging its feet and we stopped paying for union members' negotiating time.  They got royally riled.  But we stuck by our guns.  A strike followed (not a lockout) to pay us back,  And the union finally settled after four bitter months of being out while supervisors proved they could run the plant as well.  No gains to speak of were made as a result of the strike.   The next agreement after that was settled very quickly.  Management had set a precedent that it wasn't afraid to use again.

So now you know the rest of the story.  Yes, Mr. Ford, is trying to save my tax dollars, and if you live in Toronto, yours too.  Many other municipalities should take note.

Toronto News: Ford-CUPE war of words escalates - thestar.com

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Manning, Military, Assange, & WikiLeaks

Julian Assange is running WikiLeaks from England. He is fighting in the courts to stop his extradition to Sweden to face trial over rape allegations. He claims that an American financial embargo is starving him of revenue.

Meanwhile the young private first class American Bradley Manning that gave Assange the documents from which he published his "WikiLeaks" is now undergoing a military pre-trial to see if there's enough evidence to try him. You can read the story in the attached link below.

But first, let me share with you my thoughts:

1. Should Manning be charged? Yes, he broke military confidentiality rules as a minimum.

2. We know the army has indicated they will not pursue the death penalty.  Good move.  You don't kill someone because he embarrasses you.  But should Manning get life sentence, spending the rest of his natural life in prison?  I don't think so.  After-all, what did he really do but break a rule or two?  Let's get real here.  And whatever was leaked didn't turn the world upside down now, did it?  Two to five years should be more than sufficient.  I mean come on, even first time drunk drivers who end up 'murdering' innocent people don't get more on average.

3.  In my opinion the heads that should roll are the "big wigs" who didn't have a secure system that included security from "inter-Leaks" -- from their own internal people.   Or the other wigs who were embarrassed by what Manning leaked and Assange published.

4.  And for Assange, I think the American's should pin a hero's badge on him for drawing all the short-comings of the system to their attention.  If they don't, there's millions that are prepared to do so.

Bottom line, Americans are picking on an "ant hill" to turn into a mountain.  I'm sure they have bigger fish to focus on and to fry these days.  They can start with Ahmadinejad and perhaps they need to do a little something with Putin these days as well.   Come on boys, stop picking on the weak that embarrass you -- like Manning, like the U.S. border guards you've charged for doing their job and yours and won't even allow to see their families, and most recently the tough sheriff of Arizona who is making you look sick.   You're country is going to hell in a jihadist terrorist hand-basket and you can't even see it.  For Christmas, please ask Santa for a new pair of glasses.


World News: Prosecution begins in military WikiLeaks trial - thestar.com

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Caregivers Finally Noticed Barely, But It's a Start

Okay, this is not earth-shaking but it's interesting. The Canadian Conservative government of Mr. Stephen Harper has made an inroad in a token way, of recognizing that our population is aging and that it is those who are one generation younger that end up take care of the elderly. And in the process, the breakthrough was applied to caregivers of children and spouses who need care as well.

Not a big move, but one in the right direction. Haven't got all the details yet, but it appears you get a "tax-credit" if you qualify. And surprisingly enough, the more you make the better your credit. But let's wait for the details.

The important thing is that "caregivers" have made it on the map. As Carol Goar says, "For that, Harper deserves thanks."

Goar: Harper’s unlikely social breakthrough - thestar.com

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Rise in the number of Black Prisoners in Canada

According to the linked article, blacks represent about 10% of the federal prison inmates while they only represent about 2.5% of the general population. And the ombudsman says he's concerned about that and the quick rise over the last decade.

I would be too, but I'm not sure that it may be for the same reason. There are several reasons a concern with this kind of statistic may be in order. Here are some.

1. The courts may be biased. Certainly North Carolina's governor seems to think so and that's why she kept in place a law that tries to address it.  (see my blog at "Oh, What a Mess, What a Mess in America's Judicial System. Explaining and dissecting the N.C. death-row racial bias bill.")

2. More blacks may be involved in crime than non-blacks proportionally.  That's possible, as politically incorrect as it may be.

3. There may be good reasons why blacks may be more into crime than non-blacks.  Has anyone tried to do a correlation between this statistic and unemployment or average wages or education levels or years in the country, etc., as it relates to blacks and non-blacks?   Therein one may find some very interesting data as well as some potential cause and effect relationships.

4.  The reason for fear may also be due to the potential this kind of situation has for strong reaction in the black community (think of what happens periodically in Canada with militant First Nations youth when they feel frustrated and unfairly treated), not to mention, the negative image more whites may assume about all blacks.  None of this is good or desirable.

5.  The fear may be an economic one.  For example, people may say if the number of blacks in prison were equal to their representative share of the population, there would be 1,050 fewer blacks in federal prisons and that would reduce costs considerably.

So, there are many reasons for the ombudsman to be a little worried.  Many of us are.  But the problem may not be with blacks at all.  It may be with our economic and social and covert racist systems that we all operate in.  To me, Christmastime, now that we've turned it over to big business and commercial endeavors, seems to bring out the social injustices in our society best.  Unless some of us work hard to overcome that.

Here's the original article, for your perusal and thoughtful consideration.

Canada News: Black prison population climbing, says ombudsman - thestar.com

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Oh, What a Mess, What a Mess in America's Judicial System. Explaining and dissecting the N.C. death-row racial bias bill.

It seems to me that one measure of a country's success is the degree with which its justice system works well, for the good of the country, the majority, and the wrongly accused. However, when I read  what is going on in some American states, I wonder how successful the U.S. is on this criteria. Let's take the recent example of North Carolina.

Let me see if I can summarize the situation and then comment on the implications:

1.  Back in 2009 the current Governor of North Carolina signed into law a bill that requires judges (I assume on appeal) to amend a "death sentence" if they believe that that lower court sentence was based on racial prejudice.  They must amend it to "life in prison without parole" in such cases of belief.

2.  Two weeks ago, a number of N.C. legislators put forward a bill that would repeal that law, arguing two things:  first, that it can and does clogg up the system with appeals, and second, that it has the impact of imposing an indefinite moratorium on legalized death penalties in the state.

3.  Just today (Wed. Dec. 14, 2011), the Governor vetoed the appealing bill and the 2009 anti-racial-bias bill stands.  It's formal name is the 2009 Racial Justice Act.

4.  The 2009 bill was designed to offset the belief or concerns that race impacted on who was sentenced to death in the state and who might not be.  And the defense lawyers can use simple statistics as an argument.  Almost all executions have been stopped in the last five years as a result.  Almost all of the 158 prisoners now on death-row have filed for reconsideration under this Act -- both black and White inmates claim their sentence was an act of racism.

5. But this theatrical circumstance has at least one more scene to go -- by law, when a Governor issues a veto in N.C., they have a certain number of days (this time by Jan. 8th) to recall the legislature so that they could, if they were able to, override the veto.  Fat chance as Republicans who support the repeal of the bill don't have the necessary majority to do so.

6.  Apparently most N.C. citizens support the death penalty and are not too happy with the Democratic Governor's solitary decision.

7.  On the other hand, there is 2010 study by two law professors at Michigan State University that found a defendant in North Carolina is 2.6 times more likely to be sentenced to death if at least one of the victims was white, according to article in the link below.  But again that's just statistics and no statement is made on the merits of those cases.


Now, let's try to think about some of the finer points of this situation:

A. Racism is indeed a sin that our world, and in particular, our Western society is saddled with.  And we should do all we can to minimize its negative impact on people and society.  However, this Act seems to assume that if the judge is white, he/she will go for the jugular rather than an alternative sentencing based on racial prejudice; if the victim is white, the white judge is even more likely to do so; and if the jury is predominantly white, the accused who is black has little chance.   And the death-row prisoner can simply use statistics to get the relief he/she wants.   That is, there is no safe-proof way of looking at a case and determining (in this appeal) that the lower court's process was or was not racist on the merits of the case -- but rather, through statistics, just assume it to be so.

B. Although the amended sentence would be "life without parole" -- we all know how that can be changed over time including pardons.  It would be better if the act read, "life sentence without the possibility of parole".

C. Many of us believe that justice delayed is justice denied.  But that works both ways -- both for the accused that is innocent and the accused that is guilty.  Denying the execution of the sentence a criminal has been given is justice denied for his/her victims and society.

D.  And then of course there is the fact that the provision for an over-ride is rendered useless when the opposition to the governor does not have the votes.  A flaw in the system in my opinion.  And add to that this sole governor is acting contrary to the majority of her constituents.  Another flaw.

E.  For my money, we, especially Christians, are obliged to take a much higher approach.  We need to arrive at the "more correct" answer to this dilemma (for there is no possible human answer that is perfectly correct, moral, etc.) by using a paired-comparison decision-tree of priorities by which we can assess pairs of competing variables and determining which has the 'higher' value to society as a whole and allowing the winners to float to the top until we arrive at our agreed to decision.  And always each consideration should be, at least for Christians, also assessed in light of what the Bible may say about it.  Variables in this case include: justice, delays, system clogging, death-sentences, racism, criminal penalties, and so on.

What then are we to make of all this?  Racism is caused by sin.  Sin screws everything up.  There is no right or wrong in the eyes of sinners.  Each man and woman does/thinks/demands whatever seems right in their own minds.  (Proverbs 12:15, 14:12, and 21:2.)   There are no absolutes to help them.  And the sinkhole of society gets deeper and deeper.   I don't believe in evolution, but if this keeps up someone will need to explain to me how it is that man today is evolving to be more like a four-footed animal in his behavior.

-- For Epistoli, I'm Ken Godevenos, and I invite to express a different point of view in the comment section below.  Here's the link to the original article. . . . 

The Associated Press: NC governor vetoes death-row racial bias bill

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Is the "Next Stage" a nonwhite majority, multiethnic American Christianity?

David Mays has done an excellent summary of Soong-Chan Rah's book entitled "The Next Evangelicalism". You don't have to agree with it all, but it appears to be a great read. And maybe, just maybe, there's something for all of us to learn in it. You may not like the start honesty.

The Next Evangelicalism by Soong-Chan Rah

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Tolerance - Yes. Forced gay-straight clubs - No.

It's not only gays that get bullied in our schools. Jews do. Many immigrants do. Christians do.

The answer to the problem is not forced "mixed" clubs such as the premier of Ontario suggests. It's something called "respect for all" as part of proper character formation.

The author of the link below suggests the premier is doing the bullying in this case.

Don Hutchinson: Yes to tolerance. No to mandatory gay-straight clubs | Full Comment | National Post


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The Stupidity of University Students and The Need for Heads to Roll

It is so hard to believe that in 2011, University students in America can be so blatantly stupid with a capital "S". These "kids" who don't likely deserve to be in an institution called a university must not read the papers or watch any serious TV -- or if they do, they must be under some influence which hinders their ability to comprehend what is going on in the world.

Any group on campus that thinks they can do what these guys did and get away with it, deserve to be tarred and feathered and dragged through the hollow halls of academia.

I'm expecting some heads to roll over this as it takes a life of its own. Take a look and marvel -- no, make that, gag -- with me.

UVM suspends fraternity after survey asks members who they want to rape | Burlington Free Press | burlingtonfreepress.com

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Did You Ever Think You'd See a Day When Jews & Christians Can't Go UP to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem?

Well, it's happening now -- but hopefully only temporarily. The background to this story is most complex. But the fact remains, not only is the main structure on top of the Temple Mount where the old Jewish Temple was now a Muslim Mosque, but for the first time in history, I believe, we now have a situation due to construction safety that Jews and Christians can't go up there at all. Or is it political safety? Radical Jews have been barred for years of going up, but now all Jews are barred and with them, Christians. Not wise at all.

If you think you're going to Jerusalem to climb the Temple Mount in the next little while, forget it.

'Mugrabi Bridge closure is religi... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics

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The Relating of the Promise Is Altered and Why God’s Exact Words Matter - Genesis 48:3-4 (part 2)

Then Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and He said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession.’

As we look closely at this section of scripture again, it is important that we stop and realize its significance in the big picture so far.  Jacob is now relating to Joseph his own personal experience at Luz, which is another name for Bethel, in the land of Canaan, where Jacob had his encounter with God.

You will remember that God, first to Abraham, then to Isaac, and then to Jacob, personally spoke the covenant He made to the Israelites.  In reality God’s promise only needed to be made once, as He did to Abraham.  He is God and does not need to repeat Himself especially when making a promise.  He may do so for our benefit, but not out of necessity.  His speaking to Isaac and Jacob after that was mere confirmation of that original promise.  But nevertheless God spoke to directly to all three generations.

Now Jacob’s son, Joseph, is hearing of the promise – not from God, but from his earthly father.  And Jacob is very careful to use the same words that God used with him so that the promise is clearly understood exactly as God meant it.  God used similar words that He had used with Isaac before that, and then with Abraham before him.  The exact words of God are very important.  They are important in passing on divine teaching.  They are not to be added to or subtracted from.  Doing so, leads us, and those that we teach, into errant doctrine.

The exact words of God are also important as we try to interpret and match what we see unfolding before us in world history to what the Bible says.  This is especially true both with respect to the minds and evils of man in the end times before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as in the matter of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians today.  As the hired vendors say at major events often held in sports stadiums or in large theatres these days, “you can’t tell the players without a program”.  We are fortunate enough to have the program written by the Master Manager and Playwright Himself.  He’s got it right and He shares it with us.  Many world leaders would do well to merely recognize His existence.  Many would do much better to heed His words when it comes to these matters.

Finally, the exact words of God matter when we, as mere humans will ultimately do, come up against matters on which we disagree.  We need to get back to the exact words of God.  If it is critical to life, God has addressed it in His word.  If it is not in His word, or can be clearly traced and attached without doubt to something He has spoken on, then it should not be cause for division.  We should agree to disagree and for the sake of the Gospel being shared with others, stop pushing our own perspective exclusively.  When will Christians, especially those in a local church, learn that people do not want to join a divisive group?  They have enough strife in their personal lives.  They are looking for peace and solace as they seek to adopt a faith that gives them comfort and hope.

And if God has addressed a matter in His word, we need to agree to what is there, not what we want it to say, hope it means, interpret to mean, and so on.  With our God-given ability to think and reason, we should be able to agree on what is clear and adhere to those principles, promises, and instructions.  Failure to do so is not the fault of God or His word.  It is clearly our human stubbornness and dare I say pride, either which can be interpreted as sin.

Jacob was sharing this promise of God with his son Joseph so that the younger man may be encouraged in his life.  Jacob’s two grandsons, perhaps hearing this promise for the first time, may well have been perplexed, depending on their ages.  Here they were living in Egypt, with an Egyptian mother, and their father second in command in all of Egypt, and now they hear their grandfather talking about a promise God made to their father’s people, the Israelites, about a land in Canaan.  I am sure Joseph had some explaining to do before they all returned home.  And can you imagine the surprise of Joseph’s wife when she heard the account from her sons later?

Jacob’s intent here was clear.  As the commentator Robert Jamieson puts it, Jacob wanted “to engage Joseph’s interest and preserve his continued connection with the people of God, rather than with the Egyptians.”  Any immigrant, who has moved his or her family to a new land, knows that challenge that Jacob faced.  As I grew up in Canada, I could always sense the daily challenges we faced as to whether or not we would do something the Canadian way, or the way my parents did it back in Greece.  Would we associate with more Canadians, or try to find the other Greeks that immigrated to Canada like us?  We spoke Greek in the home so that I would not forget it (for which I am thankful) and left the English-speaking for school and the playground.  In my particular case, the challenge was complicated as we were clearly a Protestant family while all our Greek friends were Greek Orthodox and at all social events it was assumed we were too.  Jacob was trying to make it clear to his son and his grandsons that their true heritage was that of the people of God.  And perhaps that is the lesson for us as well.  It is not so much about where we live, but it is more about ‘to Whom we belong’.  I trust understanding that and living by it ourselves as models and examples will be our true legacy to the generations that follow us.

Relaying this promise of God to his son Joseph, Jacob commenced a very critical tradition and necessary practice for the Jewish people which, if followed, would enable them to survive all they had to go through for thousands of years before the promise could be fulfilled in its entirely.  Without it, the Israelites would have disappeared over time.

It would also be remiss of me not to mention that all do not interpret this promise the same way.  For some, these words are to be considered in a limited sense, that is, applying only to the immediate few centuries that followed when the Jews did occupy the Holy Land.  Others attribute an understanding to this promise as speaking ultimately about all the Jews of the diaspora (the scattered tribes) being reinstated in the land God promised them as an “everlasting possession”.  Some within this latter group accept the formation of the accepted State of Israel in 1948 as the fulfillment of that promise and that all the conflict since then is simply one of maintaining that land as their own.  Still others within this second group hold to the view that the “everlasting” aspect of the possession promise is yet to be fulfilled when Israel regains full control of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and re-establishes a holy temple on the site.  All we can do is wait with anticipation to see how God intended to fully seal the delivery of His promise.  In the meantime, we read the “program” and try to follow it as closely as possible.  But for starters, we know the words do say, “everlasting possession”.  Politicians, who claim as many do during election years that they are ‘God-believing’, never mind ‘God-fearing’, should remember that.

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The Words That Drive The Middle East Conflict Today - Genesis 48:3-4

Then Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and He said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession.’

Jacob is on his deathbed.  Joseph, his most successful son as far as we know is now by his side.  Joseph’s two sons who were born to him in Egypt are also present.  And Jacob commences to relate how God appeared to him and blessed him with a promise that his people would multiply and be given the land of Canaan as “an everlasting possession”.

It is this phrase, this idea, that Israel and his descendants have been given a land promised by God and that they would get to keep it forever that is indeed at the crux of the issues between the opposing sides on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis even today as we approach 2012, some thousands of years later.

To me it is a very simple ‘decision-tree’ that we need to follow in order to determine what side of the political ledger we are on with respect to this issue:

1.     Do I accept there is a God? (yes)

2.     Do I accept that He is the God of Scripture? (yes)

3.     Do I accept that Scripture is His Divine Word? (yes)

4.     Do I accept that Scripture has been correctly and divinely protected with respect to its general meaning and content over time? (yes)

5.     If so, then I have to accept that God has given the present land of what was Canaan to the Jewish people.

6.     And they are to keep it forever – all of it.  It may be that they choose to give some of it away, although I believe they would be doing so out of weakness and lack of dependence on God to help them keep it.

7.     The Jewish people have a responsibility to allow others to live there as citizens of the land, but not necessarily as Jews.

8.     The Jewish people have a responsibility to protect the minority rights of all citizens living in their land as long as those rights do not contravene the word of God.

9.     No other entity, local or global, has the right to take that land away from the Jewish people or to assist others in taking that land away.  If they try, they are subject to the wrath of God.

10.  No other entity will ever succeed in doing so definitively.

I really believe that and that drives my thinking.  And as Charles Stanley says, echoing Proverbs 23:7, “What you think makes a huge difference in what you say and do.”

This does not make those who hold this view pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian or Arabs, or vice-versa.  It makes us pro-God, pro- His word, and pro- the fact that God will have His way regardless of what we mere humans, governments, and alliance of nations may or may not do.  It is that knowledge and the confidence that goes with it that gives us hope, strength, peace, and joy, along with a purpose and framework for living life in the meantime.

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Kenyan doctors reject offer; many are dying in hospitals

More on the story we are following. Doctors, a third world country, the right to strike, courts, deaths, hospitals, money, poverty, progress. There's lots here to consider.

They mention a good number dying in Nakuru -- a place we've been to and taught at. Clearly there the need is great as it elsewhere in Kenya.

Kenyan doctors reject Sh7bn pay offer �- News�|nation.co.ke

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END the KILLING -- viewer discretion advised

There's a new movement starting up across the country. And I believe they're well worth be aware of and helping. Take a look.

END the KILLING - YouTube

Let me know if you'd like to know more.

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Jacob Realizes His Death Is Imminent - Genesis 48:2

When it was told to Jacob, “Behold, your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed.

“Your child is coming now.  Your child is coming now.”  Those are most welcomed and satisfying words.  Be it a young expectant father whose wife is about to give birth, a young parent who eagerly awaits to see their boy or girl in the school play or on the sports field, a middle-aged parent whose child is returning from an overseas tour of military duty, an older parent whose city-slicker daughter is coming home for Christmas, or an aged patriarch on his dying bed, these words stir the soul and heart of those that hear them.

Jacob was no different as he lay in bed wondering how much longer he would live, wondering what Joseph might be up to in the big city, remembering his days with Rachel and Leah, and all that he had seen and gone through.  Then he heard these words that one of the servants or a member of his family must have shared with him and all of a sudden, he got the strengthen he needed to sit up and await Joseph.

I remember my father who resided alone for a number of years before his death early in his tenth decade of life.  Whenever he knew we were visiting, he wanted to look good.  He wanted to know when we were coming so he could prepare himself and perhaps a meal or a treat for all of us.  Nothing brought more joy to his heart than seeing my wife and I, and especially the children, and later on his grandchildren.

That is the lot of man, and woman -- that each of us may live long and be blessed in the way He has blessed us.  Some of us are blessed with children and grandchildren; others with great friends, or a wonderful spouse to share our last days.

But here’s the necessary ingredient.  Each of us must realize two things: First that our time on earth will come to an end.  Secondly, each of us, unless we die suddenly by accident or heart attack, must be able to realize and beware of the situation when that time actually gets here.  We are not to fight it.  We are to redeem the time wisely to give glory and praise to our God for all He has allowed us to experience and pass through with His protection and love.

Those two dates are very different for each of us.  The first realization, that indeed one day may time on earth would come to an end, came for me, after the death of my father (my mother had died many years previously and I was still young).  My father died when he was almost 91 and I was 59 years old.  With all my ‘elders’ gone, I knew I was now at the head of the line for ‘moving on’.   Not an easy realization to arrive at, but one that becomes so much easier when one knows God’s plan of salvation for mankind through His Son Jesus Christ.

The second realization has not arrived yet, although there are mornings I sure feel it’s on its way.  Only God knows when that time will be and whether or not I’ll get an actual opportunity to realize it has arrived.  Who knows, I may still get to hear my wife say to me, “Ken, your son is here; your daughters are here; your grandchildren are here.”  In the meantime, my joy is in knowing that He has it all under control.  I hope you have that same comfort

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An Interesting Observation About Poverty In Canada as observed while listening to the CBC.

Yesterday while driving, I had the opportunity to listen to a CBC program that wasn't somehow linked to the station's open support and promotion of the GLBT agenda.  It was a nice change.

Instead, I listened to a national call-in show about "what it is like to be poor in Canada".   I found it fascinating.  As someone that is involved with trying to address some small portion of poverty in a third world country in sub-Saharan Africa, I was very effectively awakened to the real poverty right here at home.  Something that clearly needs to be addressed by all of us at the national, provincial, municipal, neighbourhood, family, and individual level.  We need to do our part not just at this Christmas season but consistently throughout the year.  Local food banks are a good place to start -- find out where they are, call them and see how you can help.

But here's what I found most interesting.  Perhaps it was the segment of the show I listened to, but all three of the callers I had occasion to hear that were sharing "what it was like to be poor in Canada today" were once well off.  So, what happened?

Well, it's true that one of them lost his job right out of the blue and was thrown for a loop.  Two of them including this one who had lost his job were single parents.  One of them had two luxury cars in her driveway one day, then woke up to a 'divorce', and went on to become broke fighting her husband in the courts for support.  To boot, one of the single parents was now thinking about going back to school (perhaps something they should have done as a priority beforehand).

What was common to all three of these situations -- the only ones I heard that day (and admittedly, we should be careful not to paint every poor person with a broad brush here) -- but at least all of the ones I heard had one thing in common and that was "a broken marriage".

In the case of the woman who lost her two luxury cars, it was a matter of going broke fighting in the court systems.  In the cases of the single parents, it was a matter that when one of them lost his job, there was no life partner there to help soften the blow and assist the partner in getting back on his feet.  His social safety net was gone.  The same was likely true of the third individual.

What can I draw from this?  Well, is it possible, that sometimes our circumstances of life are a result of our bad choices especially when it comes to priorities, marriage and divorce?  I think so.  I am not suggesting that individuals now in these circumstances do not deserve our help -- they still do.  But I am suggesting that more of us need to think about what being married to the wrong person and/or the pursuit of divorce due to our own selfishness can do, both to us and to our children.

It would be interesting to know what percentage of those visiting food banks are single parents?  I would hazard to guess, it's the largest category.

What am I really saying?  Simply this: We must not ignore the impacts of a life outside the will of God for us as individuals, as families, as communities and as a nation if we are to address successfully some of today's social woes.

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Meanwhile Back at Carleton University, the Administration tries again to Strike down Pro-Life Lawsuit.

We've been following this story together. Here's the latest on it. Bottom line, the University failed to strike down the pro-lifers' lawsuit against them. Now they're breaking their arguments down into pieces and trying again. Their goal is to keep this topic out of the courts. Please pray for all those involved.

Carleton Lifeline | Making Abortion Unthinkable

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New Ohio bill, known as the "Heartbeat" Bill. Worth following.

This new anti-abortion bill is worth watching. If Ohio passes it, some (pro-abortionists) will challenge it, others (pro-lifers) intend to challenge Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. Contrary to what the media would have you believe, Americans haven't rolled over and played dead on the abortion issue yet. You can pray for them.

Ohio senators hear 'heartbeat' abortion bill - Boston.com

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Presidential Memorandum -- Why Obama's too busy to fix the Economy.

I could not believe what I was reading on the official White House website. If this is what Obama focuses on and spends his time doing -- then no wonder the U.S. is in the mess it is in.

The Toronto Star reported on December 7th that "The United States will begin using foreign aid to promote gay rights abroad. . . . The move could irritate relations with allies that ban homosexuality, such as Saudi Arabia."

Admittedly, the move comes on the heels of Uganda reopened debate on a bill that outlaws homosexuality in Uganda. But seriously, folks, surely to goodness the Pot-US has bigger fish to fry right now -- or does he? Take a look.

Presidential Memorandum -- International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons | The White House

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So Hard To Believe That Developing Countries Have Strikes Like This.

Having been to Kenya twice and visited their district or community hospitals, I can tell you that a strike like this will be greatly felt by the people. Let's hope and pray it does not last long. Elections in Kenya are still a year away.

Hospitals crippled as doctors go on strike �- News�|nation.co.ke

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Oh What A Mess We're in. I may soon not be allowed to say anything more.

I have to let this article speak for me.   Let's just say it's time for this administration to say good-bye.

Free Speech Concerns Ahead Of Meeting With Muslim Nations On Religious Tolerance | Fox News

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Russia has a solution for Iran. It Won't Work.

The Russia ambassador to the UN is saying that "sanctions have been exhausted" both in regard to Iran and in regard to Syria. They want the U.S. and Europe to get involved in "negotiations" with Iran and Syria. Pursuing sanctions they say would be not at all helpful and possibly dangerous. Oh, oh, is that a threat or a warning or what?  Stay tuned.

But, wait, let's get something straight here -- if I'm reading this correctly the Russians want us to go from sanctions to negotiations. Sorry Mr. Putin and company, that's not the natural order of things. We tried negotiations and genteel persuasion but that didn't work. Now, the west is trying sanctions, and by the Russians' own admission, that won't work and certainly is not working these days.

What makes the Russians think negotiations will work when sanctions won't? Nothing. It's just plain stupidity to think that is the case. Yes, you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar, but that's assuming the flies are dumb enough to get caught or even want to. Neither the Iranians nor the Syrians are dumb, nor do they care about being caught or stopped.

They want it their way, and they'll go to any extent to get it their way. After all, it's just a simple gamble. Will the West attack militarily or won't it? They're prepared to push as far as they need to, just to find out. And martyrdom looks good on any Muslim's resume. But they won't stop doing what they're doing -- not with sanctions or negotiations. They'll need to be stopped physically and forcibly. If they're going to be stopped at all.

What I'm not sure about is whether the West has the guts or the inclination. Certainly, for the next couple of years, they'll have the edge on the capability.  But tempus fugit for sure, so I don't know what they're waiting for.   Everyone agrees they do not want Iran to have nuclear weapons, because that would make the world a very dangerous place.   And they'll say that right up to the day Iran has nuclear weapons.  Go figure.

Alternatively, as far as Iran is concerned, Israel could go it alone. But once things start heading that way, you can be sure it won't be long before the others all come to the party (for lack of a more fitting word.)

I still believe things will unfold as the Creator intends them to.  All we mere mortals do is try to figure out His plan.  Our time might be better used to simply wait and see.  Here are the details of the Russian declaration.

In the meantime, I wouldn't trust the Russians at all in this.  The Russians are Cunning, the Russians are Cunning.

'UN sanctions on Iran have been ... JPost - Iranian Threat - News

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Add Me To the Mayor's Side When It Comes to the Toronto Star.

If you don't like the man and report on him in such a way that hurts him, then don't expect him to treat you nicely and share with you what he is not obligated by law to do. Period. End of statement. And I support Mayor Ford in this 100%

Toronto News: Mayor Rob Ford to Toronto: Don’t read the Star - thestar.com

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Can a Politician Freeze Out a Newspaper? Yes, Yes, Yes, and Here's Why

The big story in Toronto today is that The Toronto Star (city's biggest newspaper) has been "frozen out" by Mayor Rob Ford.  And the Star does not like it.

I think the Mayor has every right to refuse to talk to whatever paper he wants and not talk to ones he does not want to.   The Star agrees with that, but they draw the line when they get cut off from press releases.

Hold on a minute -- why not?  What divine automatic right does a newspaper (especially one that continuously attacks someone) to demand that they get access to all the press releases in the same manner that papers that are more supportive or perhaps fairer in their reporting of the news about what the mayor is doing?   I don't know of any such right.

Especially not, when they think nothing of "locking" me out from access to commenting on their on-line articles and when I've written to them to ask 'why' -- they ignore my requests.

Especially not, when it feels like they represent a more left-wing, liberal, GBLT agenda than Mayors like Ford may support, or readers like myself.

Especially not, if they can chose what to report and what not to report on local, national, or international.

Especially not, when they chose to fight the mayor on everything he does and everything he does not do.  And this baloney about the people have a right to get the news -- garbage.  The people get the news from all sorts of sources that present in a much more balanced way.  


Why, the Mayor is just using some of their own tactics and they don't like it.  Grow up Toronto Star.  And take it like a real journal!   Sour grapes is not a good colour for your front page.

Or, maybe, just maybe, you need to become a little more humble and apologize to the mayor if he feels you printed lies about him.   But no, I guess, you want to stick to your guns.   Well, I think he should too.

To our readers -- feel free to share this blog -- pass it on.  Enough is enough from these liberal cry babies.  Treat the mayor with respect and he'll do likewise.

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