Day: January 7, 2013

Post-America: What in the world will happen? – Re-blog Barry Rubin

AFTER THE FALL: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU CONCLUDE THAT AMERICA IS (Temporarily or Permanently) KAPUT?
By Barry Rubin | January 7, 2013

If we reach the following highly unpleasant conclusion, what are the implications?

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American Flag
Half Mast at Sunset

The United States has taken a political turn which, at least for the next four years, will guarantee that it does not play the role of a great power mindful of and willing to protect its own true interests, to support its allies, and to combat its real foes. On the contrary, through inaction or active effort the leadership of America will take counterproductive actions that achieve the opposite result. And there are certain factors — radical ideological hegemony, a weak economy and growing debt, structural social changes, the weakness and disorganization of the opposition — that may make this situation regarding America’s international behavior and policies a long-term, partly irreversible condition. In other words, we don’t know if America is finished as the world’s leading power, but we do know that it will not have leadership and certainly not leadership in a good direction for a while and perhaps will never fully recover.

So what do those outside the United States do to face this situation? Continue reading “Post-America: What in the world will happen? – Re-blog Barry Rubin” →

Re-Blog: The Adoption Commercial — Alternative To Abortion « Catholibertarian

The Adoption Commercial — Alternative To Abortion
By Teresa Rice, catholibertarian.com 2013, 01, 07

Bethany Christian Services
Bethany Christian Services
From Heroic Media:

“Heroic Media’s mission is to present women with hopeful alternatives to abortion – and adoption is a beautiful alternative!”

“Our new pro-adoption TV commercial shares the message that adoption is a loving choice that gives a birthmother the ability to choose a family for her baby and receive support throughout her pregnancy.”

Bethany Christian Services has already begun to experience the wonderful effects of the adoption commercial.

From Christian Newswire:

Heroic Media, with nearly 10 years of experience developing pro-life media messages, created its first TV spot focused on sharing the option of adoption with women facing unplanned pregnancies. During the campaign, 45 spots aired nationwide over a four week period. As a result of the campaign, hundreds of pregnant women unsure about their situation contacted Bethany Christian Services’ licensed pregnancy counselors for more information about their options.

According to Bethany, one such birthmother in Florida contacted the organization to discuss adoption as she had been considering leaving her baby at the hospital after giving birth, as allowed by state law. Ultimately, the birthmother decided to place her daughter with a pastor and his wife through Bethany Christian Services.

This is a wonderful ad campaign. May both the birthmothers and the adoption parents be blessed as they go through the adoption process. While Kevin and I are not financially able to adopt at this time I want to become an advocate for adoption. Plus, I think it’s a bit too soon since I just had my hysterectomy in September.

There are so many couples out there who are unable to conceive and I hope this adoption commercial campaign opens the eyes of women who are going through unplanned pregnancies so that instead of them choosing to kill their unborn children, God’s creation, that God will give them the grace to choose life and give couples the chance to adopt, care for and love the precious babies. Every living human being deserves a chance to live. The unborn have the God-given right to live.

Christmas in Egypt: “Exclusive: Coptic pope speaks to Al Jazeera” on YouTube

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Pope Tawadros II celebrated midnight Christmas Mass on January 6, 2013

Peanut Gallery: The Coptic Church is celebrating its 1st Christmas under the leadership of its new Pope – Tawadros II. Coptic Christmas is celebrated with midnight mass on January 6… Christmas Day falling on January 7 by the Julian calender.

The celebrations are marred by bombing threats to churches, street protests and clashes with Egyptian security forces.

In this environment, Pope Tawadros II was interviewed by Al Jazeera TV. Please pray for Egypt and its minority Coptic people.

Morning Reading: Luke 4:22-24, 28-30 NLT – familiarity

Reading: Luke 4:22-24, 28-30 NLT

Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

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Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown….”

When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – May each new day with you be filled with wonder and expectation. Drive away any spirit of familiarity that would lead to complacency and rob me of joy. And fill me with your Spirit, for your name’s sake. Amen.