Copious Cogitations: March 2009

You have to read this.....then read The Prophetic book of the Bible along with Revelation......

WORLD LEADERS CONSIDERING SINGLE CURRENCY AMIDST SEVERE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS * Will Barak join Netanyahu's government by Sunday?
By Joel C. Rosenberg (Washington, D.C., March 19, 2009) -- Amidst the global economic crisis in which upwards of 45% of the world's wealth has been lost in the last 18 months, talk of radically restructuring the global economic system is growing. In recent weeks, leaders in Europe, Africa and the Middle East have proposed scrapping the current economic order and going to a single common currency. A story in yesterday's Moscow Times is creating quite a stir in particular. At the April 2nd meeting of world leaders in London (the G20), the Kremlin is reportedly set to propose a new global common currency system to replace the U.S. dollar as the international currency of choice. The story notes that "the Kremlin's call for a common currency is not the first in recent days. Speaking at an economic conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, last week, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed a global currency called the 'acmetal' - a conflation of the words 'acme' and 'capital.' He also suggested that the Eurasian Economic Community, a loose group of five former Soviet republics including Kazakhstan and Russia, adopt a single noncash currency - the yevraz - to insulate itself from the global economic crisis…." "Nazarbayev's proposal...garner[ed] support from at least one prominent source -- Columbia University professor Robert Mundell, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1999 for his role in creating the euro. Speaking at the same conference with Nazarbayev, he said the idea had 'great promise.' The Kremlin document also called for national banks and international financial institutions to diversify their foreign currency reserves. It said the global financial system should be restructured to prevent future crises and proposed holding an international conference after the G20 summit to adopt conventions on a new global financial structure." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week called for a single regional currency for 400 million Muslims in the Middle East. "The process of obtaining one single currency in the trade and exchanges among members, and in the next stages with other countries and neighbors, should be designed," the Iranian leader said March 11th. Libyan leader Muammar Ghadafi, recently elected leader of the African Union of states, is calling for a single continental currency for all of Africa and has persuaded 200 tribal leaders to call him the "King of kings." The BBC reported in February that Ghadafi "envisages a single African military force, a single currency and a single passport for Africans to move freely around the continent." Now comes a new story on this morning on the Reuters news wire: "U.N. PANEL SAYS WORLD SHOULD DITCH DOLLAR." "A U.N. panel will next week recommend that the world ditch the dollar as its reserve currency in favor of a shared basket of currencies, a member of the panel said on Wednesday, adding to pressure on the dollar," the story noted. "Currency specialist Avinash Persaud, a member of the panel of experts, told a Reuters Funds Summit in Luxembourg that the proposal was to create something like the old Ecu, or European currency unit, that was a hard-traded, weighted basket. Persaud, chairman of consultants Intelligence Capital and a former currency chief at JPMorgan, said the recommendation would be one of a number delivered to the United Nations on March 25 by the U.N. Commission of Experts on International Financial Reform. 'It is a good moment to move to a shared reserve currency,' he said." The "Euro" is the model many are looking to, in part because 20% of the world's foreign exchange reserves are already held in euros. Last year, the EU celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the creation of the "euro." These are curious developments given that scholars of Bible prophecy have long noted that according to the Scriptures, in the "last days" the world will see the emergence of an entirely new international financial architecture, complete with a single common global currency created and mandated by the leaders of Europe. The Bible indicates that eventualoly no one on earth will be able to engage in commerce without "buying in" to the new cashless system. The prophecy is found in Revelation 13:16-17, which reads: "And he [the world leader that emerges from a revived Europe] causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one can buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name." Cynics and skeptics have long dismissed such talk as the province of "religious nuts" and "prophecy buffs." But the discussion is now being advanced by major world leaders. It's too soon to say where this will all lead, but these are certainly developments worth watching.
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PRAY FOR THE LEADERS OF ISRAEL The big question in Israel right now is this: Will Ehud Barak join Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu to form a government that can and will defend Israel from the apocalyptic ayatollahs in Iran? Netanyahu has said from the beginning that he wants a broad, "unity" government rather than a narrow, partisan one. He believes that he made a mistake in 1996 not asking Labor Party leader Shimon Peres not to join his government. So now he's going the extra mile to invite Labor's current leader onto the team. Privately, he has offered Barak the opportunity to stay on as Defense Minister, and has offered key positions to other members of Labor. Personally, I hope Barak says yes, not for partisan political reasons but to unify the country in the face of the threat of Radical Islam. I met Barak once at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem and I have come to like him. True, he was not an effective Prime Minister. In 2000, he made a serious error of judgment. He gave away southern Lebanon for nothing. In 2006, Israel paid for that error, receiving 4,000 rockets and missiles from Hezbollah as a "thank you" present. Political leadership has not been Barak's strong suit. Still, he was an amazing general - one of the most decorated in Israel's modern history. He helped rebuild the IDF after the 2006 debacle (which he was not in government for) and led a brilliant campaign into Gaza in January (which PM Olmert ended too quickly). Most importantly, Barak understands the Islamic revolution. He understands the existential threat Israel faces now from the ayatollahs in Iran who are feverishly trying to acquire or build nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them. Bibi could really use him at his side. The challenge: the Labor Party's rank and file membership - as well as some of its top officials - can't stand Netanyahu. The party is filled will "ABBs" - people who want "Anybody But Bibi" to lead Israel. So it's not clear by any means that Barak can persuade Labor to accept Netanyahu's generous offer. What has become clear in the last 24 hours that Barak wants to accept Bibi's offer. To his credit, I believe he sees it as his patriotic duty, not a matter of partisan politics. He knows the future of his country is on the line, and like the good soldier he has always been, Barak wants to suit up and help. Please pray faithfully for Messrs. Netanyahu, Barak and their advisors. Pray for wisdom. Pray for unity. Pray for clear vision and courage to do the right thing. The deadline to submit the final coalition is Sunday at 3pm local time. Netanyahu could ask for a two week extension, but he has indicated he does not want to. Let's pray he can finalize a broad, stable, "unity" government quickly and get on with the urgent business of governing right away. Time is short and the stakes are high. --------------- In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus praises His followers for feeding the hungry and caring for those who are suffering. For more than a year, the Joshua Fund has been financing the purchase of some 10 tons of food each month to care for the poor and needy in northern Israel through some of our trusted allies near the Lebanon border. This typically includes rice, flour, canned vegetables, cooking oil, and other staples. Because of your gracious donations, we have already purchased a total of more than 200 tons of food. This has blessed thousands of Israelis living under the poverty level. The cost of this project is $21,500 a month. At the same time, we are helping provide food for needy Israelis under the poverty level in the town of Sderot in southern Israel, just a few kilometers from Gaza. Like in the north, we work through trusted allies. Some are Israeli Jews. Others are evangelical Christians. It is an honor to work together with both and help them love their neighbors with unconditional love. The Sderot project requires a monthly budget of $10,000. Would you prayerfully consider making a $50, $100, or $500 donation to help us with these and similar projects? Thank you so much. At the same time, please also pray that we can finish raising about $134,000 to complete a new ministry training center in Iraq. As I mentioned in a recent Flash Traffic, in the course of my travels to Iraq, an exciting opportunity has presented itself. Christians leaders in Iraq want to complete the building of a ministry training center inside their country. For security reasons, I can't say too much about where it will be or who is involved in the project, but I can say we have known these leaders for years and have seen them bear much fruit. Part of the building is already complete and is being used. Finishing the rest will create urgently needed new classroom space for teaching the Scriptures and training current and future Christian leaders. There will also be facilities to accommodate guests coming from other parts of Iraq or from abroad to train or be trained. There will be office space, and communications facilities for staff and volunteers to correspond with believers and seekers from all over the country via phone, letter, emails and chat rooms. We would be deeply grateful if you would pray for us and those Iraqi Christian leaders we are working closely with. If you would like to help us financially meet this goal and complete this project, we would be deeply grateful as well. As always, we will do our best to keep you up-to-date on the kinds of projects we are doing, and brief you on how those projects are proceeding. We will also let you know about the kinds of projects we are developing for the future. In no way do we want to pressure anyone to give financially. We fully believe the Lord will provide for the needs of the people we seek to serve. But if you or others wish to help, we welcome your support, and all financial gifts are tax-deductible. If you would like to make a contribution to the on-going work of The Joshua Fund please make your check payable to "The Joshua Fund" and send to: The Joshua Fund 18950 Base Camp Road Monument, Colorado 80132-8009 Thanks so much and may the Lord richly bless you and your family as you bless Israel and Iraq in the name of Jesus -- especially at critical moment in history of the epicenter.

It has Been Awhile

I haven’t written a blog in quite awhile. Why? I really have no clue.
So here is what is and what should never be……..(just a play on words that really makes no sense to this entry - also the title of a great song by Led Zeppelin - the song does make sense but is not related to this blog)

A lot has been happening since my last blog and then again not much has happened.

My Great Aunt Edna passed away. Her Funeral service was beautiful. When you know someone is “TRULY” in a better place, you celebrate their life. Aunt Edna was one of the best people I have known. She was a great person to everyone.

My Birthday came and went.
We went to a restaurant we’ve never been. Le Parvenu in Kenner. http://www.leparvenu.com/
It was awesome. It moved into my Top 5 (the only problem is – who would have to fall out of my top 5).

Another Tax time is here and yes, I am stressed again. I think it stinks for people who work hard and pay taxes just to pay more.....oh well, we shall overcome!

I was fortunate to be able to speak at Church. The title of the message was “God is Awful.” I enjoyed the research and all what I learned.
Do me a favor, look up the word AWFUL in your dictionary.

I forgot to do my blood work in February, but all is well.
I’ll probably forget again in April.

I am reading KISS by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy. It is mind boggling. I was reading the book during the commercials while Lost was on. My head was spinning big time.
After Kiss, I will be reading The Shack, the children’s book, The Little Prince.

We’ve been watching some ok movies lately. Nothing that “knocked our socks” off. So I won’t go into detail on the flicks.
But I will say we watched (for the second time) August Rush. If you haven’t seen this movie, you need to.

I am changing jobs. New opportunity and new challenge. I am happy to leave the company I am currently working for. I trust that the “NU” company will be the right step for us. I gave it all up to the Lord, so whatever happens is what is supposed to.
My last day is St. Patrick’s Day. Should I wear green? Is green a “happy” color?

Speaking of St. Patty’s Day, I went to see Flogging Molly http://www.floggingmolly.com/ on March 1 (it was a part of their Green 17 Tour). Just like last year, it was remarkable. I will say this, last years opening bands were great. This year: The Mighty Stef http://www.themightystef.com/ were great. The Aggrolites – not.

The Dodgers finally signed Manny.
Hallelujah!!!!!!!!

I will have more later. I will get better with more frequent and hopefully thought-provoking blogs.

One last thing: a cool quote: "Apt words have power to assuage the tumors of the troubled mind." - John Milton (English poet)

Copious Cogitations

Monday, March 23, 2009

The Future

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Bruises - What are the odds of that?

Friday, March 13, 2009

The Merry Old Land of OZ

Thursday, March 12, 2009

I'M Back

Blog Archive

the BOMBastic High School Book report

"Life with the dull parts cut out" Alfred Hitchcock : Movies and what I think about them.

to Broadway and Back

the Communal HEAD report

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