Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Today's Daily Brief

1. Court Records Show Killer Ruled a Danger in 2005 - AP

Court documents show that on Dec. 13, 2005, a Montgomery County District Court judge ordered Cho undergo mental evaluation at Carilion St. Albans Hospital. The judge issued a temporary detention order on the grounds that Cho was "mentally ill and in need of hospitalization, and presents an imminent danger to self or others as mental illness, or is seriously mentally ill as to be substantially unable to care for self, and is incapable of volunteering or unwilling to volunteer for treatment."

· This is not the time to cast blame, but rather the time to reassess what went wrong in this entire matter. Pray that as the authorities continue to trace the history of the "ticking bomb" inside this deranged young man, they will find the wisdom to change policies and, with pray, prevent further "ticking bombs" from going off elsewhere. · "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

2. "Be Not Overcome By Evil" - Washington Times

In remarks at yesterday's Convocation at Virginia Tech University, President Bush comforted the mourners, invoking the 12th Chapter of St. Paul's letter to the early Christian church at Rome: "Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

· Stand in agreement with this word, and praise God with us that our earthly "king" cites the teachings of our heavenly King in his words. · "Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

3. Court Backs Ban on Partial-Birth Abortions - Washington Times

The Supreme Court upheld the nationwide ban on a controversial abortion procedure today, handing abortion opponents the long-awaited victory they expected from a more conservative bench.

· Offer a great chorus of praise for this 5-4 ruling today in the Supreme Court. As our nation's laws once again honor the life of the unborn, we shall move from darkness to light . . . one step at a time. · "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (I Corinthians 15:58)

4. New Study Re-Ignites Debate Over Abstinence- Only Programs - CNSNews.com

The results of a 10-year study of four abstinence-only- until-marriage programs has drawn sharp comments from both sides of the sex education issue. A liberal group called the programs "an ideological boondoggle" while a medical non-profit organization said the research does not support calls to de-fund them.

· Lord, we can never go wrong by choosing Your righteousness. We pray that the Abstinence-Only Programs will be strengthened, made better, taught and accepted by all young people, their parents, administrators, and teachers. · "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." (Deut. 30:19)

5. Trial Begins for "Dirty Bomb" Suspect - Reuters

Jose Padilla, a U.S. citizen accused of plotting to set off a "dirty bomb," went on trial Monday on a lesser charge of supporting terrorism. Padilla and his co- defendants, Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi, are accused of providing money and recruits to Islamist extremists and conspiring to murder, kidnap and maim people in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia and other foreign nations. They face life in prison if convicted.

· We thank You Lord that You opened our eyes to find out about these terrorists' plots before they were carried out. We pray that You will continue to thwart and unravel all terrorists' plots against our nation, giving Your wisdom to those in authority who can do so. Amen! · " My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." (Psalms 121:2)

6. Ministers Loyal to Muqtada Al-Sadr Quit Iraqi Government - Fox News

Cabinet ministers loyal to the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr resigned on Monday to protest the prime minister's refusal to set a timetable for an American withdrawal, raising the prospect that the Mahdi Army militia could return to the streets of Baghdad. The number of bodies found dumped in Baghdad increased sharply on Sunday to 30 - from as low as five in recent days - in a possible sign of the militia's resurgence, even ahead of the six resignations.

· Lord, in Jesus' name we come against those who would stir up strife and violence in Iraq and we loose a great hunger upon the Iraqi people to work with American soldiers to bring peace to their country! · "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him." (2 Chronicles 32:7,8)

7. U.S. Shuts Consulate in Casablanca After Bombings - Fox News

The U.S. closed its consulate in Casablanca indefinitely on Sunday to review security a day after a suicide bombing beside the building, the U.S. Embassy said.

· We pray Lord that these radical Islamists who are members of Al Qaeda will be stopped before they are able to carry out their wicked deeds. Pray for laborers to bring the gospel to them and to their children! · "Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul." (Ezekiel 33:9)