The political scene is heating up with the debate season in full swing. Last week's first presidential debate showed that there is a substantial difference between the two presidential candidates. I was amazed at how Romney was able to process his thoughts. I have had experiences in that type of setting over my years of preaching and teaching and I can assure you that it is difficult to listen to thoughts being expressed by someone else, then organize those thoughts within your own mind, and then to articulate not only those thoughts but your comments. I believe it is a gift. (I remember a time when I was in Poland ministering to a conference of missionaries who were working in Eastern Europe. I had the privilege of working with a young Polish lady as my interpreter. Now I had worked with several interpreters in previous trips to Hungary and the Czech Republic, so I asked Monika how she wanted me to proceed, knowing that each interpreter has a different style. She said, "Pastor Max, you just talk and I will interpret." And it was incredible to see her repeat in Polish as quickly as I was saying it in English. I asked her how she did it and her reply, "It is easy!") Romney certainly made it look easy last Wednesday night.
Tomorrow night is the only vice presidential debate. Both candidates are no strangers to this type of forum. It will be interesting to see who comes across as being most ready to be president, remembering that the vice-president is only a heartbeat away from that office.
Speaking of elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that he was moving the date for general elections in Israel from the Fall of 2013 to late January or early February 2013. It was be very interesting to follow the election bantering that will take place among the many political parties within Israel. The Prime Minister leads one party - Likud; the Foreign Minister leads another - Israel Beitenu; the Defense Minister leads still another - Labor; and the leading minister without portfolio leads another - Kadima. (I think I got those right?) Anyway, as you can see, there probably will be lots of fireworks in Israel over the next few months. And center stage will be that nagging question, "What to do about Iran?"
Speaking of Iran, the American media gave very little attention to the downing of a foreign drone over the skies above Bethsheba over the weekend. This unmanned drone was shot down by IDF fighter planes. The drone had no missiles or weapons and was probably on some type of reconnaissance mission, possibly to take pictures of Israel's nuclear facility near Dimona. IDF experts believe that the drone was sent by Hezbollah, Iran's proxy in Lebanon. You will say, why is this so important? I trust you have been reading about the use of drones by US Forces over Pakistan. Armed with missiles they have proven to be a deadly weapon in the war on terror, but at times with the risk of civilian casualties as well. One drone equipped with one missile has the potential of creating much damage in Israel.
Tensions are mounting on the borders of Turkey and Syria with both militaries exchanging fire over the weekend. NATO has said that it will come to Turkey's aid should Syria cross its borders. But one wonders how Syrian President Assad could justify a war with Turkey in the light of the continued civil war within his own nation, a civil war that seems to have no end in sight; yet the slaughter of innocents continues almost unabated. And always lingering in the backs of everyone's minds are those questions of where are the biological and chemical weapons that Assad's forces have.
Finally I would like to share the sad story we just have come to know about the 14-year old girl in Pakistan who was brutally hunted down and shot by Taliban terrorists yesterday. What type of crime had this young girl perpetrated that caused her to become the object of an assassination attempt in broad daylight? She had become a strong advocate for Pakistani girls going to school to learn to become something more than what the Taliban states is the role of women. She had been involved in interviews that were aired not only on Pakistani television but throughout the world via the Internet. This morning she remained in critical condition with reports that a bullet is lodged near her brain. This story speaks volume about the character of those whom we are fighting in Afghanistan, Libya, and around the globe.
Where can a person find hope today? Certainly not by looking at Wall Street. Certainly not by focusing upon government. Hope is only found in having a relationship with the Prince of Peace - Jesus Christ. If you have such a relationship, then you know that hope. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, I invite you to get to know Him as you accept His gift of salvation. Then, no matter what happens in the world, you have a hope that cannot be shaken.
I want to close with a quote of encouragement: God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
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