State of the World, part 2

I have posted below the second portion of the "State of the World" series by George Friedman from STRATFOR.  It heavily focuses on the US foreign policy after 9/11.  It is a fascinating read.

Burning of the Quran

There was another news article regarding the demonstrator violence in Afghanistan today.  I can understand their anger.  As a religious person, I would be incredibly offended if someone burned the Bible, but I wouldn't go marching out in an armed gang to kill them.  This is the difference between Islam and Christianity.  Islam teaches hatred and death on their enemies, while Christianity teaches to "love your enemies, and do good to them."

Regardless of the motives for the violence though, we cannot simply excuse the actions of American military personnel in Afghanistan.  There is a certain amount of discretion that our military personnel need to use when operating in foreign lands.  Do your First Amendment rights still exist in Afghanistan?  Well, yes, but there is a certain amount of wisdom in a volitional act of your will not to exercise your right to free speech out of respect for other people.  Not only would it avoid inciting a barbaric and insane people group, but it would show love to them with the hope that they would one day see the error of their ways.

Twelve Killed in protests in Afghanistan

STRATFOR: State of the World

Stratfor periodically produces material of astounding insight.  As to the truth of these insights, we cannot really know for certain at this point, but it is fascinating to see how George Friedman views the world through the lens of geopolitics.

Regardless of the veracity of the article, it is brimming with curious ideas and is definitely worth the read.

A prayer to renounce fear

This is a prayer that I stand by.  Few things in this world are worth clinging to with all of your strength, but the hope that is found in Christ is one of those subjects.

DateFebruary 12, 2012

AuthorDr. Erwin W. Lutzer

Father, help me to agree with You that I am not subject to fear, but am a child of Your love.

I reject fear of the future, for I believe that the future is in Your Hands.

I reject fear of evildoers, for Your Word says, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident…For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.” 

I renounce fear of rejection, for David wrote in Your Holy Word, “For my father and mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.”

I renounce fear of witnessing about Christ, because as Your Word warns, “The fear of man brings a snare.”

Therefore, I choose to fear You more than I do any human being. I affirm, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

I renounce the fear of losing my property and possessions, for Your Word says, “I have learned in whatever situation I am, to be content…I know the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need; I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.”

I renounce fear of Satan, for Your Word says he has already been conquered “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.”

I renounce the fear of saying “goodbye” to a terminally ill loved one, for Jesus promised, “Let not your heart be troubled…In my Father’s house are many rooms; I go and prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be also.”

I renounce fear of death, for I affirm with the Apostle Paul, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Thank You for the promise, “Death is swallowed up in Victory.”

I renounce fear of martyrdom, for Your Word declares, “Do not fear those who are able to kill the body, but fear Him rather who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

I renounce fear of loneliness, for we are promised, “Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” And also, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  And again, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

I renounce fear of intimidation, for Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.”

I renounce fear of false accusations. I accept this promise, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  

I renounce the fear of being treated unjustly, for of Jesus we read that, “When He was reviled, He did not revile in return, when he suffered, He did not threaten but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.”

I renounce fear of radical Islam and its desire to intimidate us.

I renounce fear of political correctness.  

I declare that “The truth shall set me free,” and I choose to live as a free person in Christ Jesus.  I shall speak and not be silent.

I renounce fear of curses, either known or unknown, spoken against me and my family.  

I renounce fear of manipulation and control.

I renounce the fear of being involved in public or political activity.

I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.       

I submit to Jesus as Lord of every area of my life. Jesus Christ is Lord of my home. Jesus Christ is Lord of my relationships. Jesus Christ is Lord of my city. Jesus Christ is Lord of my nation. Jesus Christ is Lord, above all false gods and religions. Jesus Christ is Lord over all the nations of the earth.

I commit myself to be a living witness to Jesus Christ as Lord. I am not ashamed of His cross. “God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of Christ.”

I ask now that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and pour upon me all the blessings of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Grant me the grace to understand the truth of Your Word clearly, and to apply it in every area of my life. Give me words of hope and life, as You promised. Open and bless my lips so that I can speak to others with authority and power in Jesus’ name. Give me the boldness to be a faithful witness for Christ. Give me a love for all people, and a passion to share the love of Christ with them.

Grant that I shall carry Your cross as a badge of honor.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The War on Christians

Throughout the Middle East there is a brutal war on Christians going on.  Christians are beginning to be driven from their homes, kidnapped, attacked, and killed in ever greater numbers in Muslim-dominated nations.  Those of us who yet retain the freedom to pray to God, beseech him to grant greater faith and grace to the Christians who suffer at the hands of wicked men.  May God grant them a double portion of faith and grace, showing mercy to them in their suffering, and that they would have the courage to show love to those who persecute them.  May He reveal a way for each of us to help them in some fashion, for they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Voice of the Martyrs News
The Global War on Christians

Russian oligarchy, meet Russian people, Pt 2

The Russian people are still at it.  Protesting the government run gangsterocracy.  This short article from the Associated Press has a fascinating picture of a few of the protesters that braved the -4-deg F temperature to protest in Moscow.

I am still definitely rooting for them; Russia would be better off with a change of government.

Faces of Protest

One small step for Lego man

Yesterday, two Canadian high school students sent a Lego man carrying a Canadian flag into the stratosphere on a balloon and parachute system that they had created.  The balloon had a camera attached to the superstructure of the device, capturing some stunning images of the Lego man in space before the balloon burst sending him hurtling back to the Earth.

Teens Put Lego Man in Space

This is an awesome achievement, and something that I would love to try to do sometime in the future.  Kudos to Mathew Ho and Asad Muhammad for this technical achievement.

Peace in Afghanistan

Here is an incredibly insightful article regarding the future of the war in Afghanistan.

Reality Checking Obama on Afghanistan: Five Questions on Ending the War

A Victory for WE

The great WE have spoken, and WE say find another way to control piracy.

After protest, Congress puts off movie piracy bill.

A guide to the online browser-based game: Lord of Ultima

Introduction

For my non-Lord of Ultima readers, Lord of Ultima is a browser-based empire building game that steals a lot of the same dynamics from the real world of global strategy and politics and smashes it into a browser-based, empire-building, massively multiplayer, online, long-term, real time strategy game. I am playing through this game, as a leader of an alliance, as this grants me some valuable experience in leading large groups of people, and learning how to drive people towards a goal without dissolution of the team.

Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect Intellectual Property Act

Okay.  I understand, you are unhappy that people are jacking your the stuff that most people pay for.  Find another way to deal with it than censoring of the internet.  This will bring America down a dark and unpleasant path that we DO NOT want to go down.  The internet is what it is today because of the freedom that has been allowed.  Stifling this freedom is not going to advance any great cause, or champion any rights without sacrificing a lot more than you gain.

I hope Congress bats this down, or I will ensure that I vote to get everyone replaced in the next elections.

Iran and Pirates

I found an awesome article today, about the US Navy rescuing a group of Iranian fisherman who had their ship hijacked by Somali pirates.  This action speaks volumes about the character of the US navy and even the US as a whole.  We should always seek to be compassionate to people, whether they are members of a hostile and dangerous nation or not.  The meekness of the US Navy today heaps burning coals on the heads of Iranian leadership and reassures the people of Iran that we can distinguish between the tyrants in power and the innocent people who are trapped under their dictatorship.

US Navy rescues Iranian fishing boat from pirates