Oakland, California - United Church of God
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Occupy Wall Street: Considering the Real Crisis
by Austin Breidenthal
The moment my eyes witnessed the loaded word, “OCCUPY,” boldly carved into the rolling hills of what I thought was my small, conservative home town, the once distant crisis became very real, very fast. I had seen it mentioned before in the news revolving around bigger cities, but it was now right in my back yard. I needed to know more about this growing movement and what, if anything, God had to say about it.
(AP Photo/The Reporter, Joel Rosenbaum)
Abortion, New Fetal Research, and the Bible”
by John Eugene Reese
Many pro-abortionists have claimed that a human fetus is just a piece of tissue. They say the fetus is not a human being until it is born, completely free from the mother’s womb. This thinking helps to insulate those involved in abortions from feelings of guilt. As long as a fetus is not considered a human, it doesn’t matter if it is disposed of or used as tissue for scientific research --- or so goes their reasoning.
However, as technology advances, growing scientific evidence demonstrates that the human fetus possesses certain human behavioral characteristics, and is not a non-feeling, expendable “piece of tissue” in the womb. This article cites just one example of this growing evidence --- and how these findings are in harmony with scriptures in the Bible.
God Wants YOU in His Kingdom!
By Austin Breidenthal
Suspended in time for the briefest moment, the two men locked eyes, one, a young and capable man, slowly gaining way through the busy streets en route home, the other, an iconic elder, gazing intently, pointing ever so precisely, shouting to the eyes a simple call to action, seeming to defy the dimensions of his patriotic wall poster.
The young man continued on his way, conflicting thoughts quickly flooding his mind. Uncle Sam’s plea was soon drowned out by the commotion of the common, yet the yearning echo remained within the chambers of the young man’s conscience.
He heard the call, and knew that a choice needed to be made. There remained in this moment of deliberation a decision to be made that could change his life forever.
Prophetic Times - August 27, 2011
FORMER US FINANCE CHIEF SAYS EURO IS 'BREAKING DOWN'
August 24, 2011 The EU Observer reported: “Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the US federal reserve, has said the eurozone is breaking apart due to variations between economies in the north and south of Europe. Speaking during a question-and-answer session at the Innovation Nation Forum in Washington on Tuesday (23 August), the 85-year-old economist said: "The euro is breaking down and the process of its breaking down is creating very considerable difficulties in the European banking system."
He added: "That stuff [eurozone country bonds held by banks] has always been thought of as the ideal collateral and now it's getting highly questionable."
Greenspan explained that northern countries, such as Germany and Finland, have a culture of budgetary discipline while southern nations, such as Greece, historically consume more than they produce and build up debt.
Prophetic Times - August 6, 2011
GLOBAL STOCK SELL-OFF CONTINUES
August 5, 2011 FT.co m reported: “Asian stock markets tumbled at the open with reverberations continuing around the world as global investors shun risk after central bankers failed to stem fears of rapidly slowing growth.
Following the biggest decline since the financial crisis for both the S&P 500 index and US Treasury yields, the Nikkei opened down by down 3.4 per cent in Tokyo, with the South Korean Kospi index down by about the same margin and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 down by 3.8 per cent in early trading. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index sank 4.8 per cent while in China the Shanghai Composite index fell 2.3 per cent.
The turmoil was kicked off by a steep fall in the yen after Tokyo intervened on Thursday to weaken the currency in the latest move by a central bank to combat the impact of market turmoil.
Prophetic Times - July 30, 2011
AHMADINEJAD: IRANIAN, IRAQI NATIONS HAVE COMMON ENEMIES
July 28, 2011 The Fars News Agency reports: “Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a meeting with Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Kareem Luaibi reiterated that Tehran and Baghdad have the same interests and common enemies, and they should, thus, further develop their cooperation. “The Iranian and Iraqi nations have common interests and enemies, based on which they should expand their cooperation,' Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday.
He also reiterated that expanding cooperation between Iran and Iraq will benefit both nations and will help the region's progress. The Iranian president said if Iran and Iraq use their high cultural and economic capacities in line with mutual and regional interests, 'no enemy can threaten them and impose its will on regional nations.'
Prophetic Times - July 16, 2011
DOLLAR IN FULL RETREAT, NZD STORMS 30-YEAR PEAK
July 13, 2011 Reuters reported: “The U.S. dollar was on the run in Asia on Thursday after a ratings warning from Moody's and a hint of further policy easing from the Federal Reserve unleashed a wave of panic selling, much to the relief of the hard-pressed euro.
The New Zealand dollar was a stand out performer, soaring to 30-year highs after data showed the economy grew far faster than expected in the first quarter. The kiwi flew to $0.8491, a rise of 3.7 percent in just two sessions, as the upbeat news revived the chance of a rate hike before year-end.
That stood in stark contrast to the United States, where Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke had canvassed the idea of further quantitative easing should the economy stall
Prophetic Times - July 2, 2011
CHINA EYES CANADA OIL, US'S ENERGY NEST EGG
June 26, 2011 The Associated Press reported: “In the northern reaches of Alberta lies a vast reserve of oil that the U.S. views as a pillar of its future energy needs. China, with a growing appetite for oil that may one day surpass that of the U.S., is ready to spend the dollars for a big piece of it.
The oil sands of this Canadian province are so big that they will be able to serve both of the world's largest economies as production expands in the coming years. But that will mean building at least two pipelines, one south to the Texas Gulf Coast and another west toward the Pacific, and that in turn means fresh environmental battles on top of those already raging over the costly and energy-intensive method of extracting oil from sand.
Resisting "The God of This World"
By Mike Waters
There are many organizations in which people get involved. Many of these organizations are harmless, even beneficial. They are social in nature, and can have positive affects on the psyche. They can give people social stability.
Unfortunately, some people look in the wrong places. Some join dangerous cults. How could those people be so misled? Today people feel lost and without focus. They really yearn for identification --- belonging to something where they feel a sense of purpose. Some are willing to join just about any organization (with or without a charismatic leader) that will give them a sense of purpose or belonging.
