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GREETINGS

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QUICKVIEW OF UPDATED INDEXES
http://cephas-updates.cephasministry.com

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:: GREETINGS to the newcomers to this list. We'd like to introduce ourselves. We were Mormons for 20 years and prayed about a ministry and six months later God led us to the truth: out of the cult. From there information about all the cults and the present development came to us and we have moved what we could find out to the public. We are fundamental Bible students and do not belong to any organization anymore. These newsletters prove why we had to leave the world system. We do not solicit for funds nor do we have a membership. We have an email group that gets information when we upload new information and a newsletter whenever it is possible time wise. We love the Lord with all our hearts and minds. Our Statement of Faith is at the top of the page on the http://www.cephasministry.com/index2.html

 

::We believe every word in the KJV Bible and believe it is the Word of God and that Jesus is the Christ, God Himself, who spilled His blood on the cross for our sins and rose again to prepare a place for those who accept 'His' righteousness as their righteousness. They are those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, Jews first and then Gentiles. We expect to be raptured in a pretribulation Rapture to live with God, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who are one God, forever.
We pray the Lord will bless you with a thirst for truth and a desire to serve Him exclusively, In Christ Jesus, Cephas Ministry / Cephas Library

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It is written "Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:43-51 KJV)

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Especially if you are a Believing Child of God join us for spiritual fellowship by signing up for our new

Nicholas Scrolls email group. Of course all are invited to come and read what Nicholas has to share about our present spiritual situation. http://www.cephasministry.com/subscribe.html

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666 WATCH - WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST?

Before we examine what the Word of God says about the mark of the beast, let us ever be mindful of Revelation 22:18-19: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

The MARK of the beast is mentioned eight times in the book of Revelation 13:16-18 "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a MARK in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the MARK, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

Revelation 14:9,11: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his MARK in his forehead, or in his hand.. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whatsoever receiveth the MARK of his name."

 

Rev. 20:4 "his mark"

Three times (Rev 14:9, 15:2, 20:4) it's called "HIS mark". Two times (Rev. 16:2, 19:20) it's called "the mark OF THE BEAST"

One time (Rev. 14:11) it's called "the mark of HIS Name"

Apparently the mark is symbolic, associated or representative of the beast and his name. This would seem to rule out micro-chip implants, biometrics, bar-codes, etc. as the mark of the beast. It's possible that microchip implants, or some similar techonological ID system will be utilized to control "no man might buy or sell-system," but they don't seem to fit the "mark of the beast." These seven verses, clearly indicate a mark personally symbolic of the beast and his name.

THE MARK, HIS NAME AND HIS NUMBER

The mark is associated or represents somehow to his name and his number (666).

Revelation 13:16-18 is, by far, the most quoted and misquoted, verse on the "mark of the beast." Most people limit the "And that no man might buy or sell" only to "the mark" but notice what verse 17 actually says: "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, OR the name of the beast, OR the number of his name."

Very important. The "buying and selling" is NOT just those that have the MARK, but ALSO those that have the NAME of the beast, or the NUMBER of his name.

Revelation 13:17 clearly teaches THREE ways a person can "buy or sell":

- And that no man might buy or sell, save he..

- that had the MARK,

- or the NAME of the beast,

So, if you do NOT have the MARK, but have the NAME or the NUMBER - you can "buy or sell."

Again, this would also lean away from micro-chip implants, bar codes, etc.

How do you "have" the name of the beast, or the number of his name?

Five times the Bible refers to "receiving" the mark (13:16, 14:9, 14:11, 19:20, 20:4)

Three times the Bible refers to "receiving" the mark specifically "in their right hand, or in their foreheads:" (13:16, 14:9, 20:4) But no where does the Bible mention "receiving " the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Could the mark, or the name of beast, or the number of his name, be one and the same? How does someone get "victory" over "the NUMBER of his name," unless they "receive" the number when they receive the mark. Does one also receive the name of the beast, or the number of his name "in their right hand, or in their foreheads? A lot of Bible teachers believe the mark is "666."

Mark Hitchock, in his book, The Complete Book of Bible Prophecy, makes an interesring "logical progression" concerning the mark of the Beast:

"This passage [Rev 13:16-18] provides five key clues as to the interpretation of the mark of the Beast.. The name of the beast.. The number representing his name.. The number of the Beast.. The number of a man.. The number is 666

When these five clues are followed through their logical progression, the number or mark of the Beast is the number of a man who is the Antichrist or final world ruler. This number is the number of the Antichrist's own name. (Mark Hitchock, The Complete Book of Bible Prophecy, p. 202)

"The 'mark' itself is at once a number and a name. The Apostle tells us what it is. As he gives it, it is made up of two Greek characters which stand for the name of Christ, with a third, the figure of a crooked serpent, put between them, the name of God's Messiah transformed into a Devil sacrament." (Joseph Seiss, The Apocalypse, 1865, p. 457)

WHAT IS THE MARK?

The Bible does NOT specifically identify the MARK. Many authors and Bible teachers have attempted to identify the mark. They've claimed everything from Judas' kiss; to going to church on Sunday; to the latest craze - micro-chip implants. At this time, no one can know for 100% certainty what is the make. The only exception is if the mark is the number of the beast - 666.

I believe the "mark" will be "loud and proud." The Bible refers to the Antichrist's "mark" and "HIS" mark, the mark "OF THE BEAST" and the mark of "HIS Name." The "mark" of the antichrist is "his mark" of worship and allegiance. He'll certainly want to "show it off."

WHAT ABOUT IMPLANTS?

According to the "authorities" a chip implant would contain your financial world, medical history. health care - it would be your life. In order for a chip to be security-effective, it would have to be located randomly in the body. If there were no longer cash; if the world's economy transactions were only chip oriented; - and the chip's location is know - there would be a huge "black-market" for chips! Since there is no cash, no other bartering sysem, criminals would be cutting off hands and heads, stealing "rich-folks" chips. Who would like to borrow Bill Gates chip for a few days?

COULD THE BARCODE BE THE MARK?

Reasons the barcode is not the mark: Besides some of the same reasons, given demonstrating the biochip doesn't match the Bible's description of the mark, the barcode also has these limitations. It would be hard to get the precision needed to scan a barcode on the skin. [Source: Today, The Bible & You - February 2002, p 6 ]

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NEWS FLASH: RED HEIFER BORN IN ISRAEL !

Today, The Bible & You, November 2002 p 3: April 8th, 2002 - It can now be revealed that a red heifer's owner contacted the Temple Institute, on Friday, April 5th, 2002, Rabbi Menachem Makover and Rabbi Chaim Richman traveled to the farm where the heifer is located, to inspect and validate her status. The rabbis found her to be kosher and were satisfied that this heifer could indeed be a candidate to be used in the process of purification descrived in the book of Numbers, chapter 19. This is an important development towards rebuilding of the Holy Temple.

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A NEW SPIRITUAL BOOK: "APOSTASY REVEALED"

The author is Nicholas A. Stivers, Treble Heart Books, 2003, 213 pages of exciting exhortations for believers. Nicholas writes that these works are dedicated to all the true followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who was is and will always be our only Salvation. To Him belong all the power, glory, honor and dominion, here now and ever after. To all who have died on account of Him, to all of you who will die on account of Him, to all who suffer for His namesake, may you receive your reward in full measure, Amen. Content: 1) To All Who Call Themselves Christian 2) Hear All Gentile Nations 3) Are You Saved? 4) Master Are You There? 5) The Appointed Ones 6) Those in the World And Those Of Whom The World Is Not Worthy 7) Revelation And Testimony 8) His Sovereign Government 9) Seek Not to Offend And Be Not Offended 10) Out Of Seven Churches 11) Apostasy Revealed 12) And Signs to Accompany Them 13) Another Witness Speaks 14) Drink and be Nourished. Eat and be Satisfied! 15) Love Your Neighbor and Your Brother 16) Ask and He Will Answer You 17) Witness to the Nations. Check out the special offer for free tape of your choice. http://nicholasscrolls.cephasministry.com/order.html

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CONTROVERSY STILL CLOUDS PEARSON'S MINISTRY

Charisma, October 2002 p.24 - People are leaving the Oklahoma pastor's church because of questions about his doctrines. In spite of this, the Azusa summer conference was led by Pearson's message. He said that "more appealing and attractive message of God's unconditional love is for all." His doctrine is a gospel of inclusion - a doctrine that teaches no declaration of belief in Christ as Savior is necessary for going to heaven. His preaching caused a split and four pastors left and founded other churches.

"The whole world is saved they just don't know it." "It's just like when [Word of Faith preacher Kenneth Hagin Sr.] says, "You're healed - you just don't know it." Pearson claims a paradigm shift. Other pastors, who call themselves "Universal Reconciliationists," also preach it, he said.

Where Pearson veers from orthodox doctrinal norms is in stating that human beings are neither required nor given a choice to determine their eternal destiny. The presumption is they will go to heaven. Only those who have tasted of the fruits of real intimacy with Christ and have "intentionally and consciously rejected" the grace of God will spend eternity separated from Him," Pearson maintains.

"We try to transform lives, and He never tells us to do that," Pearson said. "Jesus said, 'Pray for the harvest.' We are trying to convert, and we just need to convince. Scripture doesn't say to make decisions. It says to make disciples... Pearson believes that souls are already "regenerated".

Carlton Pearson was featured again in Charisma in April of 2003. It referred to the scandal he triggered last year when he admitted that he does not preach orthodox evangelical doctrine. The pastor of Tulsa's 'Higher Dimensions Family Church' says he will continue to preach universal reconciliation, despite the fact that many people have left his church and prominent Christian leaders have branded him a heretic. .. Those that have distanced themselves from me are as sincerely convinced of their opinions as I am of mine. I love and respect them all, especially Oral Roberts, my father in ministry.

Carlton was asked: "Do you believe that practicing homosexuals will go to heaven? His answer: "The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a demand for righteousness; it is a declaration of it. Homosexual sins or sinners are no more sinful than heterosexual sins or sinners. 2 Corinthians 5:19 says: "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them." Because of Calvary, God does not count men's sins against them; why do we?" [ ED NOTE: WHAT PEARSON IS DOING IS TAKING SCRIPTURE OUT OF CONTEXT WHICH IS WHAT ALL CULTS DO AND GET AWAY WITH. END OF NOTE.]

Another question was: "What effect has your teaching on Universalism had on your ministry?"

Carlton's answer: "For the first time in my 30 years of preaching , Jews, Hindus, Muslims and even atheists are listening to my message and considering it relevant and appealing to their hearts. The audience for the message of inclusion is huge. It is global and crosses ethnic, cultural and religious barriers. [ Source: Charisma, April 2003 ]

In the August issue of Charisma Magazine, Bishops Endorse Carlton Pearson at their annual meeting in May of 2003 at the International Communion of Charismatic Churches. They "affirmed and confirmed" that Bishop Carlton Peason of Tulsa, Okla., is a member in "good standing." Pearson has caused a firestorm for preaching universal reconciliation, which says NO CONFESSION IN JESUS AS SAVIOR IS NEEDED TO GO TO HEAVEN. "WE.. RECOGNIZE HIM AS A VALUABLE LEADER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST," said the ICCC statement, which was signed by Earl Paulk, the groups' presiding bishop. Bishop David Huskins, another signatory, said universal reconciliation was not discussed at the meeting, but that the statement is an endorsement of Pearson and not his doctrine. PEARSON RAISED CONCERNS RECENTLY WHEN HE SAID HE BELIEVES SATAN HIMSELF MAY GO TO HEAVEN. [ Source: Charisma August 2003 p.38 ]

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MIKE MURDOCK DISMISSES NEWSPAPER INVESTIGATION AS 'FALSEHOOD'

Charisma, May 2003, p 22 - A three -part examination questioned the 'lavish' lifestyle of the television evangelist and his fund-raising practices. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram stopped just short of accusing Murdock of wrongdoing in operating his Denton-based ministry. Mike is known for is teaching on biblical wisdom and "seed sowing."

The man who "says his mission is to rescue people from poverty is living lavishly, while the ministry he founded spend most of its money on overhead," the newspaper said, noting that Murdock drives fancy sports cars, owns Rolex watches and recently purchased a jet. "He tells his employees that they should sacrifice, but he doesn't," Anthony told the newspaper.

The newspaper also spent a day examining Murdock's alleged use of "love bonding" - a psychology term used by the University of California. Santa Cruz, social psychology.

Michael's response was, "False accusations is the last step before supernatural promotion," he said. "Adversity is always the golden link to divine relationships, time reveals truth, and those who attack you fear your potential.

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HUGE 'MARCH OF GLORY' RALLY REFLECTS PENTECOSTAL REVIVAL IN MEXICO.

Charisma, July 2003 - A jubilant 17-hour celebration drew a million people to the nation's capital over Easter weekend. Observers say the Mexico City gathering - which evangelicals deemed inconceivable just 12 years ago because of anti-Protestant laws in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation - reflects the growing revival that is sweeping through Latin America, where the great majority of believers are Pentecostals... Pastors, ministry leaders and lay people representing more than 20,000 churches of various denominations came together... "They are so hungry for the power and presence of God. It's amazing, " said pastor Reza of a Hispanic Southern Baptist Church in Moreno Valley, California.

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FUTURE OF CONTROVERSIAL INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN QUESTION

Charisma, July 2003 - The International Church of Christ (ICOC) is in a state of flux. Founded, also known as the Boston Church of Christ, is considered by many to be a cult. Claiming more than 100,000 members, the ICOC has been banned on at least 40 college campuses, Attention has been focused on the group's aggressive recruiting practices and its insistence that followers be baptized and discipled by the ICOC. Former members claim the group teaches they are the only ones going to heaven.

However, after the group's founder Kip McKean stepped down from his leadership position late last year to address self-described "character sins," a leader from one cult watchdog group described the ICOC as being in "a state of chaos." "They are like a ship without a rudder and are hemorrhaging people," said James Walker. Al Baird disagreed and claimed that ICOC is going through transition, not chaos, growing, not dwindling. They are trying to restore New Testament Christianity and overall changes have been positive. McKean left the ministry because his daughter left the church. His own words in 2000 were: "that when a teen falls away [from the church] .. there are some sinful dynamics in that family," the Globe said. Prior to McKean's resignation he had taken a one-year sabbatical, which according to a November 2001 statement was to address "serious shortcomings in our marriage and family."

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EPISCOPAL PRIEST TO SERVE LIFE IN PRISON FOR RAPING 6-YEAR-OLD

Man, 74, pleads guilty to 30-year-old crime. Victim pressed charges because Pollard had access to another boy. Richard worked at St. Andrew's Church in Tampa and All Saints Church in Tarpon Springs during the 1970s, said nothing at the sentencing. "You stripped me of my youth, you stole my innocence, you destroyed my spirituality," Benton said and continued:. "Today I am finally through with you. Today I stand tall." .. Outside the courtroom, Benton explained that his father was also an Episcopal priest and that both his father and Pollard worked at St. Andrew's Church at the time he was first molested. (TTT* July 17, 2003)

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MOTHER TERESA ON FAST TRACK TO GODDESSHOOD

The Pope has approved the first of two miracles necessary to make Mother Teresa an official Roman Catholic "saint." The miracle, involved a young Indian woman who had a stomach tumor. She recovered after an image of Mother Teresa was placed on her stomach along with the administration of appropriate medicines. The pope accepted the testimony of one group of doctors that the recovery was without medical explanation and ignored other doctors who disputed the claim. Pope John Paul II waived the normal 5-year waiting period to begin the sainthood process putting Teresa on a fast track just one year after she died in 1997. In his 24 years as pope he has declared more than 460 dead people to be eligible for this special status.

Roman Catholicism teaches that once a minimum of two miracles can be attributed to the "intercession" of a deceased, that is sufficient proof that Catholics can pray to that "saint" for answers to their petitions.

The Roman Catholic doctrine of saints departs from the teachings of the Bible and introduces a pantheon of god-like beings who have special influence with God the Father and Jesus Christ. [ Source Battle Cry, March/April 2003 p.1 ]

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THE POPE WANTS TO MAKE POPE A SAINT!

John Paul II has canonized more saints during his pontificate than all the other Popes put together since the formal process was established. The founder of Opus Dei, Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, just 27 years after his death in 1975 ( a lightning quick period by previous church standards) was made a saint by Pope John Paul II, on October 6, 2002. However, Pius XII has not yet attained "sainthood." The present Pope hopes to change that soon! The Vatican has released Wartime documents showing Pius's "charity and assistance" for prisoners of war. [Nothing has come out yet, we are waiting.] (Read John Cornwell's book, Hitler's Pope - The secret History of Pius XII) and you will search in vain for his "charity and assistance."

Saints in Scripture are alive.. not dead! Sinners are "dead". "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;" (Ephesians 2:1) When a sinner repents and accepts forgiveness through Christ and cleansing though His precious Blood, that sinner passes from death unto Life. [The Conversion Center, Inc., Raleigh, N.C. 27622-1688 - April 2003]

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JIM BAKKER RESUMES HIS TV MINISTRY

Taping began on The New Jim Bakker Show 16 years to the day of the last PTL Club show. Just weeks after his release from prison in 1994, Jim Bakker looked at CNN talk-show host Larry King and told his audience of millions that he would never start another Christian TV ministry. Yet.. today the talk-show program is broadcast daily on more than 30 TV stations, 200 cable outlets and internationally through TCT Satellite Network of Worldwide Satellites... [We know the story, no sense repeating].. Bakker stated, "For years I set about to do a number of other things, but I could not get away from what I feel God called me to do, anointed me to do, and that's Christian television... The program opened with a drum roll that seemed like de'ja' vu for a former PTL staffer in the audience, and ended with the signature, "God loves you, He really does." .. The New Jim Bakker Show has been made possible largely due to the Crawfords, whose marriage was healed at Heritage USA years ago. Money is a struggle to stay on the air. "I have to die to the flesh," Bakker said. "That's what old Jim Bakker has to do on the air every day." [Source: Charisma July 2003]

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THE MONEY IS WHERE THE TEENS ARE - POOR PARENTS

Over 30 speakers including: McDowell, Colson, Graham Lotz, Hayford, Bright, Mayo, London a group named "Delirious? and Newsboys are advertising a CROSSCULTURE Youth Ministry Summit in November 6-8, 2003 at Indianapolis Convention Center at a price of $395@. It is deemed to be an event that will REDEFINE YOUTH ministry [ and the pocketbook. WHO CAN AFFORD THAT? ]

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RHEMA EXPELS 'DISOBEDIENT' PASTOR FOR PROTESTING ABORTION CLINIC.

The Tulsa, Okla.-based ministry revoked Mark Holick's ordination rather than risk lawsuits. A Wichita, Kansas pastor has been expelled from Rhema - a world-wide charismatic ministry renowned for its message of faith and biblical prosperity - because of his activism in the pro-life movement. "[RMAI leaders] informed me that my wife, any of our church leaders, and myself could not for any reason go to any abortion clinic ever, not even to pray," Holick, 41, said in a letter to Barry Ross, pastor of the 100 - member Word of Life Christian Church in Cologn, N.J. Ross has taken up Holick's plight. [ Source: Charisma August 2003]

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BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE MARKED BY HISTORIC SHOW OF UNITY IN SAN DIEGO

27 years ago was Graham previous visit and his crusade was nearly derailed due to racial and denominational divisions. . This time he drew 270,000 people with the cooperation of 650 area churches representing 66 denominations. Jim Garlow who co-ordinated the crusade said: "I asked the pastors to LAY DOWN THEIR EGOS AND THEIR LOGOS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. Rick Marshall, director of North American ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), said the SHOW OF UNITY IN SAN DIEGO THIS YEAR WAS HISTORIC. "In the 23 years I have never seen SO MANY CHURCHES DRAW TOGETHER ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD." [ Charisma - August 2003 p.34 ]

Jesus spoke of the end times in the following Scriptures and notice who is bundled up first, not the wheat but the tares. Putting the wheat into his barn

Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

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ELVIS HAS HIT THE RELIGIOUS MAGAZINE HIS 'CLONES' PERFORM IN FULL COSTUME IN CHURCH

It they only knew what Elvis pioneered they would not dare to put him in the ranks of pastors and evangelists. This is another indication of how lost representatives of churches have become. The reason Elvis is brought on is to attract new members? It reads: "Get an Elvis and you could find an evangelist. More than just an anagram, it's part of the package when you book the likes of Art Kistler for a tribute show honoring the singer widely known as the "King of Rock 'n' Roll." Apparently Art Kistler impersonates Elvis and calls himself a minister of the Gospel. "I believe in the biblical tenet that we are all ministers, whenever and wherever given the chance," says the rhinestoned impersonator. People perceive a depth beyond the apparent entertainment value in my shows."

Satan is busy connecting Elvis up with Jesus to besmudge God's only begotten Son which is blaspheme. The world is overrunning the church and it is high time for people to realize that they have to come out of her if they don't want to be gathered up with the rest of the weeds and burned. This whole article 'For the Love of Elvis,' in Charisma, August 2003 turned out to be a tribute to Elvis Presley. GIVE ME A BREAK. What will they dish up next in 'Christian' circles?

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NICHE MARKETING, AUDIENCE-DRIVEN, FULL SERVICE CHURCHES: HOW WE GOT HERE!

Orrel Steinkamp walks us through the history of the church and states in 1942 the National Association of Evangelicals emerged to break the isolated Christian churches. In 1947 Fuller was organized and Billy Graham began his nation-wide crusades which led to 1976 the "Year of the Evangelicals. The church growth program spawned the marketeers and they claim that any Christian ministry as essentially no different from growing a business. Don Matzat writes: "The postmodern expression of Christianity is NO LONGER HISTORICALLY BASED, but is merely built upon the spiritual whims of the populace. The Christian church has not impacted the secular culture with the Gospel. Instead the philosophy, method, and style of the secular culture have invaded the Christian church.. Many pastors are CEOs. The worship services offer entertainment. We have Christian television, Christian radio, Christian books, and Christian gift shops. We search the Christian "yellow pages" to find Christian lawyers, psychologists, and financial advisors. We cast our vote for the Christian politicians. Christian music is marketed the same way as secular music. We can do Christian weight-loss programs. A Christian ghetto has been produced. While Jesus told His church to be in the world but not of it, the culturally relevant evangelical is of it but not in it.

G.A.Pritchard said in his book: ".. Hybels [of Willowcreek] incorporates large chunks of the American psychological worldview into his basic teaching and teaches that fulfillment is a consequence of the Christian life... The gospel pitch is market-wise. Pritchard's conclusion is "To argue for Christianity primarily by pointing to its usefulness in satisfying felt needs is to ultimately undercut it. To teach Christianity as a means eventually teaches that it is superfluous. If someone is able to satisfy their felt needs without Christ, the message of Christianity can be discarded.. THE BOTTOM LINE WHY INDIVIDUALS SHOULD REPENT AND WORSHIP GOD IS BECAUSE HE DESERVES IT. fulfillment theology does not reflect the teaching of the Bible... The Lord did not promise fulfillment, or even relief. in this world, but only in the next.. (Pritchard, p. 254-256) [ The Plumbline Vol. 8 No 1 Jan/Feb ]

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TBN'S JAN CROUCH 'WELL' AFTER CANCER SURGERY

Jan had the operation on her colon on May 21, 2003 and the surgery went well, but the news on her lymphatic system was not so great. Two nodes showed signs of cancer and they are asking for prayer. She turned 65 this year on March 14. Cards and letters came by the thousands and she is reading everyone of them. We pray to heavenly Father for a complete recovery for Jan. [Charisma August 2003]

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PENSACOLA REVIVAL LEADERS RECONCILE AFTER SPLIT

Pastor Kilpatrick and associate Michael Brown once served together and the two men announced in December that they had repaired their relationship - ending a painful two-year separation that had dampened the fervor of the internationally known Pensacola revival. "It was like old times [after they forgave each other] and absolutely wonderful," the pastor said. "We didn't get into issues. I'm really relieved all of this is behind us now." [Charisma February 2003 p.16 ]

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WORD OF LIFE IN NEW YORK COMPROMISING

It is sad to see how that Word of Life in New York, an organization with such a wonderful name, is bringing together staunch New Evangelicals and professing fundamentalists into one happy, compromising pot. The organization's 2003 schedule of speakers includes the president of Dallas Theological Seminary, the senior pastor of Moody Church, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the chancellor emeritus of Moody Bible Institute. All of these are New Evangelicals who support Graham-style ecumenical evangelism (that involves turning one's converts over to Roman Catholic and liberal Protestant churches) and radically ecumenical organizations such as Promise Keepers.

 

The Bible commands us to mark those who cause divisions contrary to the doctrine which we have received (Rom. 16:17). That received doctrine strongly condemns mish-mash organizations like Promise Keepers, with its unscriptural ecumenical agenda of breaking down the walls between the denominations, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, with its positive-only ecumenical agenda, its unholy habit of yoking together with the Roman Catholic Church and modernistic, Christ-denying Protestantism that goes back a half century. http://www.wayoflife.org

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PLAIN TRUTH JOINED NAE, BUT DENIES HELL-The Plain Truth Ministries was formerly known as the Worldwide Church of God. Under its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong, it adhered to many heretical doctrines, including denial of the Triune God. After Armstrong's death, under the leadership of its new president, Joseph Tkach, the [cult] supposedly underwent a total transformation, converting to Trinitarian belief and to evangelical Christian doctrine. It was voted into the National Association of Evangelicals in 1997 and soon later adopted the name Plain Truth Ministries. But despite the evangelical affirmations and assertions, it continues to adhere to unbiblical heretical doctrines including the denial of an eternal hell [June-July Fund. Digest]. A 7/03 Chr. Today article shows leaders now debating what to do with the valuable, immaculate 55-acre Ambassador College campus. [The Calvary Contender July, 2003 ]

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CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER, NEW AGE MYSTICISM

A 2002 book A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen is a revealing account of a universal spirituality that has infiltrated much of the church today. This book exposes subtle strategies to compromise the gospel message with Eastern mystical concepts cloaked in the wrappings of contemplative prayer [from back cover]. The underlying premise of contemplative spirituality (promoted throughout evangelicalism) is that all paths lead to God, thus refuting the Cross of Jesus Christ. Richard Foster, Thomas Merton, Matthew Fox, and others' teachings are given close scrutiny. The author pulls no punches, and states that contemplative prayer is heretical and is connected to New Age occultism and Eastern mysticism. The subtlety of the contemplative spirituality is evident, e.g., on page 116: "…[I]nstead of opposing Christianity, the occult would capture [it] and then use it…for spreading New Age consciousness!" And, page 117: "This unity of spiritual thought would not be a single one-world denomination but would have a unity-in-diversity agenda." Merton says: "The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others…." Satan is clever! [To order this important book, call toll free: 866/876-3910.] [The Calvary Contender July, 2003 ]

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HAGEE SAYS IF MEMBERS AREN'T PROSPERING, IT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GIVING-Popular charismatic preacher Dr. John Hagee boldly condemns sin, but beware of certain of his teachings. In a recent interview with a San Antonio paper, he told his audience: "When you give, it qualifies you to receive God's abundance." He said: "If God gives to you before you give to him, God himself will become a liar. …If you're not prospering, it's because you're not giving." (7/7 Chr. News) This seems rather strong and presumptive language and, does giving automatically qualify us to receive "God's abundance"? We are unworthy and undeserving of the least of His favors. Dr. Jerry Falwell last year invited Hagee to bring a Patriotic Message at his Independence Day Celebration (July 3). A 1994 Falwell paper had featured an article suggesting Hagee is probably a heretic. (8/02 CC) [The Calvary Contender July, 2003 ]

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JOYCE MEYER, POPULAR CHARISMATIC MINISTER

Charisma magazine calls Joyce Meyer "America's most popular woman minister." Other cited sources in the July 7 Christian News say she "deviates widely from the Scripture in her teachings on demons and other matters." Her teaching is a "mass of contradictions and confusion." Her "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" came at age 36. She claims special ongoing messages, not from the Word…but from angels. Meyer is "mired in…mysticism." She, John Hagee, and other charismatic leaders are said to be living rather "high on the hog." [The Calvary Contender July, 2003 ]

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WCC POWERFUL COMMITTEE TO MEET IN GENEVA

American Council of Christian Churches Exec. Secretary Dr. Ralph Colas reports that the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches will meet at the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, Switzerland from Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2003. Among business the powerful committee will deal with is the matter of electing a new General Secretary. Dr. Konrad Raiser will end his time as General Secretary at the end of 2003. Some have suggested that someone from the USA will be chosen at this Central Committee Meeting. The theme for the next WCC Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2006 will be selected. "Caring For Life" will be the topic for the plenary sessions in Geneva. That in itself is an oxymoron since the WCC defends a woman's choice to have an abortion. If it cared for life, it would cry out against the murder of the unborn. The WCC continues to reach out to Pentecostals and Evangelicals to further broaden its ecumenical base. A full report of the Geneva meeting will be forthcoming from the ACCC. [The Calvary Contender July, 2003 ]

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HYBELS' WILLOW CREEK LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

More than 30,000 leaders and emerging leaders across North America will attend the annual Leadership Summit, a gathering of church and business leaders across the globe, August 7-9. It originates from Bill Hybels' Willow Creek Community Church (near Chicago) and is beamed by satellite to 60 locations in U.S. and Canada. Speakers include: Hybels, Karen Hughes (former presidential adviser to George W. Bush), Andy Stanley (pastor, North Point Community Church near Atlanta), Jim Collins, and A.R. Bernard. The Willow Creek Association is organizing Leadership Summit 2003. It is a multi-denominational worldwide network of over 9,500 churches (includes cults-see 12/1/96 & 6/1/00 CCs) and is currently growing at a rate of a thousand churches a year. Hybels is a perennial speaker for liberal Robert Schuller. [The Calvary Contender July, 2003 ]

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CHURCHES CAN'T AGREE ON PRICE FOR SANCTUARY
LAKELAND - JUNE 21 2003 - Bill Heery - Negotiations for the giant Without Walls International Church of Tampa to purchase the 10,000-seat sanctuary at Carpenter's Home Church in north Lakeland have failed.
``We just couldn't agree on a price,'' Shane Simmons, church administrator at Carpenter's Home, said Friday. He declined to comment on dollar figures.

In July the two churches entered into a rental agreement with an option to buy. Without Walls in August began holding services at Carpenter's Home on Saturday nights. Those concluded May 31 when negotiations broke down, Simmons said.

If the plan had been successful, it would have bailed Carpenter's Home out of a $5 million debt, and the church planned to build a smaller sanctuary on the same campus off of U.S. 98 [ TTT* 6.21.03 ]

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BILL BRIGHT DEAD AT 81 ( MCNS) -- William R. 'Bill' Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, the world’s largest Christian ministry, died Saturday from complications related to pulmonary fibrosis. He was 81.

In 1951, Bill Bright and his wife Vonette pursued their passion for ministry by starting Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of California at Los Angeles. What began with college students has since grown into the largest international Christian ministry in the world, reaching beyond students to serve inner cities, the military, athletes, political and business leaders, the entertainment industries, and families.

Dr. Bright spent more than five decades building and leading the Orlando, Florida-based Campus Crusade for Christ. As the world’s largest Christian ministry, Campus Crusade for Christ currently serves people in 191 countries through a staff of 26,000 full-time employees and more than 225,000 trained volunteers working in some 60 niche ministries and projects ranging from military ministry to inner city ministry.

In 1956, Bright wrote a booklet titled The Four Spiritual Laws, which has been printed in some 200 languages and distributed to more than 2.5 billion people, making it the most widely disseminated religious booklet in history.

In 1972, he organized a week-long stadium event in Dallas for 85,000 youths, officially known as EXPLO 72, but dubbed by the press as the “Religious Woodstock.” Campus Crusade's 1974 EXPLO 74 in Korea drew nightly crowds of up to 1.5 million persons. Six years later, crowds from 2 million to almost 3 million attended the Here's Life Korea World Evangelism Crusade. (Post date: July 20, 2003) For the full story go to: http://www.mcjonline.com/

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ACCEPTANCE OF NEW BAPTIST GROUP WIDENS THE DIVIDE

New York (ENI). The Baptist World Alliance, an international association of more than 200 Baptist unions and conventions, has approved membership for a group of US Baptists unhappy with the Southern Baptist Convention, the biggest Protestant denomination in the United States. The decision to accept the membership of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship widens the divide between the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which split off from the convention in September 2002. [ENI-07-22-03]

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LUTERHANS MAKE LAST-DITCH APPEAL ON VISA DENIALS FOR ASSEMBLY

Winnipeg, Canada (ENI). The 10th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) opened in Winnipeg, Canada, with as many as 60 of the more than 800 official participants denied visas by Canadian authorities. The leadership of the Lutheran body issued a last-ditch appeal to the Canadian government for visas the day before the assembly started in the western Canadian city. About 20 of the people denied visas were from India and five were from Madagascar, including one television journalist.[ENI-07-22-03]

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LUTHERAN WORLDWIDE ASSEMBLY OPENS IN CANADA ON ECUMENICAL NOTE

Winnipeg, Canada (ENI). A global gathering of Lutherans has opened in Winnipeg, with a service of worship that included Roman Catholic, Anglican and Reformed church leaders as well as senior Lutherans. The service was celebrated at the city's St Boniface Cathedral, launching the 10th assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), taking place in the western Canadian city until 31 July. [ENI-07-22-03]

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DIANA PRINCESS OF WHALES - WHAT MADE HER SO POPULAR

Remnant Magazine, October 1997 "Diana, Princess of Wales, was indeed a religious icon, a goddess-like figure who made the needy heart yearn for her to be larger than life. Diana represents the God, people don't know, yet want so much that their hearts are breaking wanting Him. If you have not got God, you can "invent" one, with the glorification which makes an earthly human appear grander than they are - palaces, fantastically expensive clothes, the worship of huge crowds, functions with heads of State, appearances all over the world - isn't that like the Pope? .. Diana was beating the British royals at their own game, she was more popular than the Queen and the Prince... Diana was an approachable "Jesus Christ", who didn't demand repentance or exhibit holiness, she wasn't remote..

Now that Diana is dead, what will be the result? Elvis was bad enough, with the devotion shown to this pseudo "god". his death made the adoration worse... God surely removed this woman, as she may have married a Muslim, become a Muslim, she who is the mother of the Prince who is the heir to the throne of Great Britain. Would she have brought the power of the Muslim society-conquering religion right to the top-levels of British rule? Would there have been pressure to teach William and Harry the Islamic religion?Diana stood for every New Age concept of these latter days. She was a champion for interfaith, New Age mediums and astrologers, New Age alternative medical treatments, she wanted until and "peace" in the a New Age world...

The sad part of this terrible tragedy is that this woman, Diana, could have had forgiveness and mercy from God Almighty, she could have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and she would now be in the arms of the Precious Lord in heaven. Instead she has entered into a Christ-less eternity. Her riches and exploits, her beauty and glamorous clothes, her superwealthy boyfriends and the adoration of millions mean absolutely nothing now. Yes, God loved her so much that He gave his only Begotten Son to die for her sin (John 3:16).. Did I love Diana Princess of Wales? Yes I did! She was a sad, lonely, confused young woman who had no light at all spiritually, and I prayed for her soul when she was alive. Diana had a soft heart for the under-dog, sadly soft hearts for the under-dog won't buy ones' way to heaven. How about you, are you saved? Life is so short. (W.B. Howard Christian Resource Center)

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DEMONIC VISION THAT WILL FULFILL PROPHECY PRECISELY

Albert Pike received the demonic vision, described below. On January 22, 1870, Pike and one of his international co-conspirators, Guiseppe Mazzini, published the Plan which would establish the New World Order. The Plan was kept very secret, kept only within Freemasonry circles since the time of its inception, known only to fellow occult Babylonian conspirators. The secret Pike Plan to control the world foresaw the need for three world wars.

WWI was designed to enable the Czarist Government in Russia to be finally and completely overthrown. The new Russian government was foreseen to be atheistic and militaristic. Further , Pike specified that this new Russian Government was to be Communistic.

History records that this First World War did, indeed, occur just as planned. The Western powers in Europe, in conjunction with the United States, financed Lenin's expedition into Russia, they financed his government consistently, and we have financed Russian Communism at least once per decade since then.

WWII was foreseen to originate between Great Britain and Germany. However, one of the planned results of this war was to strengthen the new Communist Russian government, so that it could weaken and destroy other governments and religions. History again records that the Second World War did indeed accomplish this objective. The war started when Germany invaded Poland, causing Great Britain to declare war on Germany.

The Pike's vision of the Second World War building Russian Communism into a super power was fulfilled to a startling degree. Historians have always been mystified as to how Churchill and Roosevelt could have given away all of Eastern Europe to the Soviets, when the preponderance of power was clearly against the Soviets. Clearly, when Roosevelt and Churchill ceded all of the Eastern Europe to Russia, the Communist Government of Russia, now known as the U.S.S.R. completed its transition to a super power, exactly as Pike's vision had foretold. And, let us not forget that the Second World War had given Russia capabilities it had not possessed before the War. Not only did we build up the Russian military to a frightful degree, but we had also built entire factories East of Moscow that gave Russia an instant manufacturing base. Even though Russia had paid dearly in human lives during the War, they came out of the conflict a superpower. Thanks to Mystery Babylon, Russia now has a kingdom to go along with its new military and industrial base.

Mystery Babylon gave this territory to Russia simply and only because they were being true to Pike's vision of 1870!

WWIII was foreseen to be between Judaism and Islam. This demonic prediction is incredible in many ways, beginning with the understanding that this demonic vision of a third world war occurred in 1870, a time when Israel did not exist as a nation, and when no one except Bible-believing Christians believed it would ever exist again. In 1870. the Turkish Ottoman Empire had held a very firm grip on the Middle East for over 300 years, and no one living at that time could ever have seen, with human insight, that Turkey's control would ever be wrested away.

ISRAEL WILL NEVER AGAIN BE MILITARILY DEFEATED

God promises Israel that, once she returns to her ancient land, which He gave to Abraham, that she will never be militarily defeated again. Note:

"And I will bring back the exiles of My people Israel... and they shall no more be torn up out of their land which I gave them, says the Lord God." [Amos 9:14-15]

Watch the events in Israel very carefully, because the final chapter is being written there. The demonic 'guiding spirits' of Mystery Babylon, and the leaders of the Mystery Babylon Political - Economical - Religious Plan, are planning a final, definitive Third World War, which will begin between Israel and her Arab neighbors and spread to the entire world. Literally, out of the smoke and destruction of this Third World War, Antichrist will come striding!

When you hear news that peace is nearly at hand, you know not to believe it. When you hear that a cease fire has been proclaimed, you know that it will not last! No Christian should allow their heart to be vexed as to whether or not peace will break out in the Middle East, or that war will be averted. We know from Scripture that the Time or this Age is, unfortunately, war and not peace, hatred spilling over into all-out global war, not love among men.

In fact, during the past 2,500 years of world history, mankind has known either unremitting war or slavery. We know that disagreements and wars will constantly be the norm, and not the exception. We in America since WWII, and especially since President Reagan, have known so much peace at home, no wars involving Americans abroad, and unprecedented material prosperity, that we cannot conceive that this all might be coming to an end really fast.

Jesus told us we would know the End of Age when we look out upon the world and see the signs the Bible gives that tell us the Antichrist's appearing is close. Listen to His words:

".. when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." [Matthew 24:33-34]

THE SIGNS OF THE END OF THE AGE ARE EVERYWHERE

For the first time in world history, we see that the nations of the world have been economically reorganized into exactly 10 super nations, with NAFTA as Nation # 1 and Western Europe as Nation #2. This prophecy in Daniel 7:8, provides us with the sequence of events by which Mystery Babylon and Antichrist would arise.

1. Daniel sees the world reorganizing into only 10 super nations; this occurred from 1992 - 1996.

2. Daniel sees Antichrist arising up along the 10 horns of Mystery Babylon. Each of the 10 kings will be just like Antichrist, worshipers of Mystery Babylon. Therefore, we can know that, since 1996, the next event on God's prophetic calendar is the appearance of Antichrist.

3. The Antichrist destroys, or causes to be destroyed, three of the original 10 super nations. We truly stand at the precipice of the greatest event of history since the time Jesus ascended back into Heaven nearly 2,000 years ago. I am utterly amazed at how Alexander Hislop, in his classic book, THE TWO BABYLONS, was able to make such fantastic projections long before all these signs were appearing. This is a true classic and should be part of the library of every serious student of Bible prophecy. http://a2zbookdepot.adelink.net/catholic_books_2.html

[ Source: Today, The Bible & You, Dr. John D. Barela letter dated July 2003 ]

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TEMPLETON FOUNDATION RESEARCHES SPIRITUAL REBIRTH

Born again, Reborn. Spiritually transformed. They're common, if imprecise, terms about intense personal change. Soon, an interdisciplinary team of researchers will embark on a scientific project here to understand the cause and nature of those changes across religions.

The "Spiritual Tranformation" project is a spin-off of the Templeton Foundation in Radnor, which is bankrolling it with $2.5 million. The foundation announced the program and is seeking the researchers, who will analyze the elusive topic via anthropology, sociology, psychology, pharmacology, biology and other disciplines.

The foundation has spent tens of millions to further what is calls "spiritual discoveries." Other projects have researched forgiveness, humility, and agape, or "unlimited" love. "We really don't know what underlies" spiritual transformation, said University of Pennsylvania anthropologist Solomon Katz, chief of the new project." ".. We can't reproduce the original phenomena. But we hope and expect to gain insights no one has understood before. [ Philadelphia Inquirer, 16 March 2002, P.A8 ]

Almost 2,000 years ago, a rabbi by the name of Nicodemus approached Jesus after recognizing His work to be of God: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Jesus spoke of the rebirth that comes through faith in Him and His accomplished work on Calvary's Cross which pays for the sin of the sinner. The Templeton Research Foundation seems eager to imitate this rebirth, but we know that such will not lead to freedom but only into deeper bondage of the father of lies. [ Midnight Call June 2002 ]

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FIRST LADY TO SPEARHEAD REBUILDING OF BUDDHAS

Afghan art objects also need attention.

Paris - 5.16.2002 - First lady Laura Bush said that she would hit up wealthy friends in Texas for money to help restore Afghanistan's two towering Buddhas blasted to rubble by the Taliban last year. "I know a number of philanthropists in Houston who probably would be very generous in donating to a restoration of the Buddhas, and I think that's very important." Laura was at an art exhibit in Paris when this conversation took place. [ TTT* 5.16.02 ]

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BUSH FUND-RAISING TRIP NETS $41.4 MILLION
AP by Deb Riechmann - HOUSTON - Since President Bush launched his bid for re-election on May 16, his campaign has raised at least $41.4 million, including $7 million on a two-day Texas swing that wound up with a Saturday evening reception.
That's more than $635,000 a day and counting since the effort started...

Corporate scandals, the Sept. 11 attacks and weak economic growth have challenged his administration, Bush said. But he cited the deep tax cuts and economic stimulus legislation he signed into law as the key to future good times for the nation.

"With all these actions we are laying the foundation for greater prosperity and more jobs across America so that every single person in this country can realize the American dream," Bush said Saturday. [Ed note

 

 

 

 

I saved a flyer we received to vote for Jeb Bush and the word "vote!" was inside of large pentagram pointing down with the elongated point, like Brigham Young's on the portal of his domain. That is the reason I added this picture with President Bush. Pentagrams must help get the votes. End of note ]

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WHITE HOUSE ADMITS BEING WARNED ABOUT BIN LADEN HIJACKINGS

Planes as missiles were not discussed. Washington - In the weeks before the September 11 attacks, President Bush was told by U.S. intelligence that Osama bin Laden's terrorist network might hijack American airplanes, prompting the administration to issue a private warning to federal agencies, the White House acknowledged Wednesday.

But officials said the president and his advisers had no way of knowing that suicide hijackers would use the planes as missiles, as they did against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "There has been longstanding speculation, shared with the president, about the potential of hijackings in the traditional sense," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said. "We had general threats involving Osama bin Laden around the world and including in the United States." (TTT* 5.16.03)

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SAUDI INVESTORS PULL BILLIONS OUT OF THE U.S.

Disgruntled Saudis have pulled tens of billions of dollars out of the US, signaling a deep alienation from America. US-Saudi alliance was put under severe strain after September 11, when 15 of teh 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals. [ Midnight Calls, November 2002 ]

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ISRAELI COURT BROADENS THE DEFINITON OF 'JEW'

Reform, conservative conversions qualify. Jerusalem - Judaism's Reform and Conservative movements won a landmark legal victory Wednesday, as the Supreme Court ruled that the government must register as Jews those Israeli citizens converted here by non-Orthodox rabbis.

Reform and Conservative Jews hailed the decision, handed down by an extended panel of 11 justices. Orthodox rabbis bitterly denounced it. Both sides agreed that the ruling would shape the destiny of the Jewish people.

"This is huge," said Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, a Jerusalem spokesman for North American Reform Jewry. "Now, finally, Israeli citizens living in Israel who have undergone Reform conversions will enjoy the same rights and standing as all other Israeli Jews."

But Zevulun Orlev, a parliamentarian with the National Religious Party, likened the court's decision to "a terrorist attack on the [Jewish] people's unity." The court, Orlev said, "won big-time today. The Jewish people lost big-time."

Seven years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that Orthodox Judaism could not monopolize conversions in Israel. It said then that non-Orthodox converts who enter Israel under the Law of Return may be registered by the state as Jews. But successive governments ignored the court's decision, refusing to register as a Jew anyone converted by a Reform or Conservative rabbi.

Non-Orthodox converts will still have to prove they are Jewish according to Halakha, or Jewish law, in order to be married in Israel. (TTT* 2.21.2002)

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BUSH PRESSED TO LIMIT ROLE OF EU, UN IN 'ROAD MAP' WASHINGTON

(Reuters) - Amid lingering bitterness over European opposition to the war in Iraq, the Bush administration is under mounting pressure to relegate the European Union, the United Nations and Russia to the sidelines of the Israeli-Palestinian "road map" they helped craft.

A majority in Congress has signed onto a lobbying campaign to limit the oversight role of Washington's three Quartet peace plan partners, seen by many of Israel's supporters as biased in favor of the Palestinians.

It may be hard for President Bush to resist the pressure from the Jewish-American lobby in the run-up to next year's election since his main Democratic presidential rivals are already on board.

"It's not a collective knock at the Quartet. But there is growing disdain for those other parties based on Iraq," one senior congressional aide said.

Bush plans to unveil the plan, with its goal of creating a Palestinian state by 2005, following the confirmation of a new Palestinian cabinet.

But already 83 senators and 278 members of the House of Representatives have signed letters objecting to efforts to pressure Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to make concessions until the Palestinians do more to fight terrorism, according to the powerful pro-Israel lobby group, AIPAC.

The lawmakers are also warning Bush against giving the United Nations, the EU and Russia a "meaningful role" in monitoring the peace plan, which envisions a raft of measures including a halt to Palestinian violence and an end to Jewish settlement building in the West Bank and Gaza.

"The United States has developed a level of credibility and trust with all parties in the region which no other country shares," according to the House letter, which will be sent to Bush after he releases the plan.

"We are concerned that certain nations or groups, if given a meaningful role in monitoring progress made on the ground, might only lessen the chances of moving forward on a realistic path toward peace," the letter added.

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EVEN-HANDED?

Championed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush's closest ally in the war in Iraq, the road map's release could help blunt Arab and European charges that the United States was too preoccupied with the war in Iraq to make a solid commitment to the Middle East peace process.

Eager to be seen as even-handed, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer insisted on Wednesday that the road map envisioned "a series of actions that need to be taken by all parties."

Soon after its release, the administration is expected to step up pressure on Israel to ease its crackdown on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

"As the Palestinians implement more and more reforms and progress is made on their side, more will be expected of the Israelis," a U.S. official said.

But the road map is already under fire from some of Bush's closest conservative allies, including House Republican leader Tom DeLay of Texas.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, an adviser to the Pentagon, blasted the Quartet earlier this week as "a deliberate and systematic effort to undermine the president's policies procedurally by ensuring that they will consistently be watered down and distorted by the other three members."

Many of Israel's U.S. backers see the EU and the United Nations as too biased toward the Palestinians to win a role in the process.

"Europeans have a long history of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, and the United Nations has consistently demonstrated its bias against Israel, and neither party will serve the interest of peace," one pro-Israel lobbyist said.

The White House has not spelled out what role its Quartet partners would play going forward, but has suggested it would be limited. "The Quartet was helpful ... in producing the road map," Fleischer told reporters.

But he insisted: "The future of the road map is up to Israel and the Palestinians. Those are the parties that will determine the acceptance of the road map." [ Source:www.imra.org.il ]

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=2622091

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NEW U.S. FOCUS ON DETAILS IN MIDEAST PLAN
Washington, July 5 — by Steven R. Weisman - While meeting with Palestinian leaders a week ago, Condoleezza Rice, the national security adviser, listened intently to complaints about the Israeli fence walling off Palestinians in the West Bank. The next day, she raised objections to the fence with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

American and Israeli officials say Mr. Sharon politely rebuffed Ms. Rice, at least for now.

The exchange, administration officials say, illustrates their new willingness to prod Israel and to get involved in the minutiae of the negotiations.

A senior official said that in fact more pressure on Israel to stop construction of the fence is certain in coming weeks. "The very fact that Condi Rice raised the issue of the fence with Sharon is significant," said an administration official. "We will be back on this issue if things don't improve."

The exchange between Ms. Rice and Mr. Sharon also shows, administration officials say, a decision to direct pressure from both the White House and the State Department, which had long been warring over Middle East policy.

The week before Ms. Rice's visit, for example, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell was there pressing for an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, even to the point of discussing individual checkpoints on maps of the area.

Diplomats on all sides took note of the careful one-two punch delivered by the two top aides to President Bush. "This is the World Wrestling Federation, and we have a tag team on the Middle East," said a senior State Department official. "For a long time, we've been undercut by the perception that State, the Pentagon and the White House were not aligned. We've worked hard to change that perception."

There was a time in the first months of 2001 when Mr. Bush, Ms. Rice and Mr. Powell all disdained what they said was the obsessive entanglement of the Clinton administration in Middle East negotiations. Administration officials all refused appeals from countries in the region to get more involved.

Now administration officials say their new muscular approach has paid off with the first sign of progress in years — not simply the Israeli withdrawals from Gaza and Bethlehem, but the first tentative cooperation in a long time on security issues and what steps to take next.

American, European and Middle Eastern diplomats all say that the American pressure has been cautious so far, and will have to become more assertive in coming weeks.

The next test, they say, will be over the administration's willingness to take further steps: stopping installation of the barrier fence, pulling back more forces in the West Bank and dismantling, or at least freezing, settlements there and in Gaza.

Israel is considered unlikely even to consider such steps without seeing the Palestinians crack down first on Hamas and other militant groups — steps that Washington, too, is demanding. The problem is how to arrange further reciprocal steps, and in what sequence — and whether the United States is willing to mediate or orchestrate each new move.

The latest phase of the Middle East peace efforts began in mid-March, with Mr. Bush's formal adoption of the peace plan known as the "road map."

That plan, negotiated with Europe, the United Nations and Russia, calls for reciprocal concessions by Israel and the Palestinians, leading to a Palestinian state in three years. Mr. Bush resisted adopting it until pressure mounted from Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain on the eve of the Iraq war.

"I saw Bush on TV in the Rose Garden and he looked like someone was holding a gun to his head," said a diplomat in the Middle East, recalling the announcement on March 14 on adopting the plan. "Now he's looking like a seasoned negotiator."

To longtime observers of the Middle East negotiations, the most intriguing aspect of the new internal alignment in the Bush administration is that Mr. Bush has enlisted the White House in a swerve toward a greater willingness to be tough toward Israel, as Ms. Rice was on the Israeli security fence. How much that toughness will be sustained is a matter of conjecture right now.

Until recently, it was the State Department — responding to the views of European and Arab allies whose support was needed for the war with Iraq — that favored seeking concessions from Israel even as the Palestinians were pressed to stop their uprising and attacks.

After Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. Bush plunged into the volatile politics of the Islamic world. Despite engaging with its leaders — whether in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, or among the Palestinians — he was said to ally himself more with Mr. Sharon and his supporters, including many at the Pentagon and the office of Vice President Dick Cheney, who emphasize cracking down on terrorism.

By mid-2002, in his most important speech on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mr. Bush declared himself in favor of a Palestinian state. But he said the administration would no longer deal with Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, which delighted Mr. Sharon and his conservative supporters in Israel and the United States.

Throughout this period, administration officials say, Secretary Powell contended that while tough measures were needed on terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian crisis was political in nature and ultimately needed a political solution.

This view did not prevail until the Iraqi war and its aftermath, many officials say, when Arab and European supporters of the war took the same view and the installation of Mahmoud Abbas as prime minister made it possible for the United States to resume its contacts with Palestinian leaders.

Along with the evolution of Mr. Bush's thinking has been the evolution of the role played by Elliott Abrams, a conservative former Reagan administration official recruited by Ms. Rice last year to direct Middle East affairs at the National Security Council staff.

At first, the Abrams appointment stirred consternation at the State Department. Mr. Abrams, a combative advocate of Israel's interests, had after all opposed the Oslo peace efforts in the early 1990's, warning that Mr. Arafat could not be trusted.

Mr. Abrams is still said to take Israel's side on such issues as the need for a hard line on Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups, and tough demands on the Palestinian leadership to stop the incitement of violence.

But earlier this year, Mr. Abrams was among those around Mr. Bush advocating that Israel accept the road map peace plan, in the face of Israeli objections and opposition by many American conservatives, including Tom DeLay, the House majority leader, and several Jewish and evangelical Christian groups.

Mr. Abrams has also recently questioned the Israeli policy of proceeding with the fence, officials and diplomats say, on the ground that it is provocative to Palestinians.

A top official said Mr. Abrams now advocates direct economic aid to the Palestinian Authority to shore up Mr. Abbas and Salam Fayyad, the Palestinian finance minister.

Among other things, this change has dismayed some hard-line supporters of Israel in the United States. A group of 25 Jewish leaders met with Ms. Rice last Wednesday, and, while many were supportive, some of the conservatives questioned her skeptically about the latest policies, in particular the decision to provide more aid to the Palestinians.

Aides to Mr. Sharon in Israel say that, although Israel disagrees with some recent American suggestions, such as the one to stop construction of the fence, relations remain cordial.

Mr. Sharon has been described in the past as disdainful of the peace plan, declaring it to be a product of the State Department and its thinking.

He and his aides raised nearly 100 objections to it, then reduced these to 14 and then accepted the document with the vague promise that Israel's concerns would be taken into account as the plan was carried out.

Early in the Bush administration, Mr. Sharon made a point of trying to forge ties with Mr. Bush's conservative inner circle, particularly Lewis I. Libby, Vice President Cheney's chief of staff.

In an unusual step, he circumvented the State Department by sending a private emissary, Arie Genger, a former business partner, to the White House but not the State Department, said several officials knowledgeable about the subject. Now, they say, Mr. Genger has slipped into the background but is still involved as a "back channel" to the administration, they say.

Israelis assert that, despite a difference of views on some matters, the Bush administration and Mr. Sharon's team have close ties. "We don't agree on everything, that's for sure," said an Israeli official. "But if we disagree, we disagree, and we don't feel pressure on issues of our security."

As for the administration's micro-managing of the process, few experts are surprised at such a turn of events.

"Guess what?" said Dennis Ross, the former Middle East negotiator in the Clinton years. "Once you're into it, you have to get into the details. You can't deal with the Middle East at the level of a slogan. You deal with it in ways that reflect the reality on the ground."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/06/international/middleeast/06DIPL.html?th

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