GAFFS ARE NOT THE VP’S ONLY PROBLEM

Vice President Joe Biden recently wrote an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal in which he made some comments about Russia that set their leaders on edge. While the news reporters were quick to pick up on Biden’s remarks about Russia, they failed to mention how he took the Lord’s Name in vain. Said Biden, “I can see Putin sitting in Moscow saying, ‘Jesus Christ, Iran gets the nuclear weapon, who goes first? Moscow, not Washington.’”
Had Biden quipped “Holy Mohammed” instead of “Jesus Christ,” who supposedly is Biden’s Savior since he claims to be a Roman Catholic, the Islamic world and the press would have gone berserk! But, the fact that Biden chose to use Jesus Christ as a curse word, neither the press nor the general public raised a whimper of protest. Biden should read the 10 Commandments which are not only in his Bible but posted all over buildings in Washington D.C. He should also Psalm 138:2— “for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”

REBUILDING SACRIFICIAL ALTAR, IS IT ANOTHER SIGN OF THE TIMES?

The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has announced plans to begin construction of the sacrificial altar for the Temple. All of the stones for the altar have been gathered from the Dead Sea. Construction is due to get started tomorrow--Tisha B'av, a day when Jews lament the destruction of the Temple in the year 70.

The Temple Institue has already prepared numerous vessels to be used when the new Temple is constructed. These vessels include the seven-branch menorah are on display in Jerusalem.

"Unfortunately we cannot currently build the altar at its proper place, on the Temple Mount," said Yehudah Glick, the Institute's director. "We are building an altar of the minimum possible size so that we will be able to transport it to the Temple when it is rebuilt."

According to the Temple Institute, the stones will be cemented together with a mixture of sand, clay, tar, and asphalt. "The Torah says that no iron tools should be used on the altar's stones," said Glick.

Glick said that Tisha B'av, a day associated with mourning, is really the ideal time to begin to build the Temple. "People mistakenly think Tisha B'av is only a day to cry," he explained. "It is also a day of action. We have the ability in our era to begin the construction of the Temple."

The Temple Institute is searching for donations to help build the altar, which is expected to cost approximately $26,000. More information is available at http://www.templeinstitute.org/main.htm. Information from Arutz Sheva, Israelnationalnews.com.

WHEN YOU COME TO A FORK IN THE ROAD, TAKE IT!

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, is proposing the adoption of a "two-track" model for the Anglican Church that would accommodate members on both sides of the homosexual issue. Apparently avoiding a schism is more important than biblical truth.
The Archbishop's concerns stem from the action of the Episcopal Church (USA) at their recent convention in Anaheim, California, where they removed all sanctions that would prohibit the ordination of homosexual clergy, including bishops. This action came in defiance of directives from the Anglican Church at large.
At the most recent convention of the Episcopal Church (USA), clergy and lay representatives heard from their bishop, Dr. Katharine Jefferts Shori, that personal salvation in Jesus Christ "is the great Western heresy as well as a form of idolatry."
Perhaps the Archbishop should consider several more tracks for the Anglican Church, including one for those who believe the Bible and one for those who believe personal salvation in Jesus Christ is not a heresy. Of course they would need other tracks for those who do not! The only problem is that most of those "tracks" could be fast tracks to hell.
Before any such action is taken, however, all Anglicans, including Archbishop Williams and Bishop Shori, should listen to the words of St. Paul: "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! (Galatians 1:8).

Christianity Growing in Israel

Of all the nations in the Middle East, the only one where Christianity is growing is Israel. Followers of Christ are being persecuted in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia to name but a few. In the Gaza Strip and the West Bank the number of Christians is declining at an alarming rate. Yet in Israel, the Christian population is increasing.
Today there are an estimated 10,000 Jews in Israel who have embraced Jesus Christ as their Messiah, Savior and Lord. A recent story in the Jerusalem Post, 7/25/09, described how approximately 150 Messianic Jews will join the Israeli Defense Forces this year. The Messianic Jewish community has developed a special premilitary training program for young Israelis which they call "Netsor." Netsor is a Hebrew word that means "to guard" or "to stand vigilant."
As one travels about Israel, it is not uncommon to meet Jews in Israel who profess faith in Jesus Christ. Surely, this is another sign of Jesus' return!