RyaninZion

What is also forgotten in these arms deals with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, et al, is that even if you could claim the current regimes are "moderate" you have to keep in mind that this is the Middle East. The current regimes could be overthrown 2, 5 or 10 years down the road and be replaced by open Islamofascists like Hamas and Ahmadinejad. There is just no guarantee that Hosni Mubarak when he dies will not be replaced by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Yeah - my initial reaction was to think of Gen. 3:19, upon which the burial rite "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" is based. If we are formed from the dust and will return to the dust as a natural process, I fail to see the "sin" in speeding up the process through cremation. But, again, I have never really studied the issue, so wanted to get the views of those who may be more knowledgeable than myself on this topic.

There was an incident in Israel this week where religious Jews allegedly burned down Israel's first and only crematorium. While he likely had nothing to do with the fire, the religious director of a major rescue and recovery service here praised those who set the fire. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3440873,00.html Cremation is a violation of Jewish law because of the future promised resurrection, and because the Jews attribute great importance to respecting the bodies of their dead. I have never really looked into the issue from a biblical point of view, so was curious what are the traditional Christian views of cremation?

Further to the news this week that Ron and Carol Cantrell are being evicted from Israel after 20 years of service in the Land, I just want to give my thoughts on why this happened and why it does not surprise me. To me, the Cantrells are a perfect example of those spoken of in Isaiah 14:1: The Cantrells bound themselves to Israel as Ruth did. They are among the foreign allies God promised He Himself would provide Israel with. And that is why the enemy wants them gone. It is no coincidence that a whole range of New Age groups are allowed to brainwash Israeli children with messages contrary to the Bible, while people like the Cantrells are booted for alleged missionary activity. Satan wants Israel to be brainwashed with these humanist messages, while sidelining the very people God has put in place to prevent such a disaster by their witness to faithfulness of the Lord God of Israel. Pray that God will uphold the Cantrells as He prepares them for whatever mission He has for them next, and pray that the Lord will put His shield around those of us Gentiles He has planted in this Land. For more on this, you can read my full commentary here: http://www.zionist.com/2007/08/21/why-some...ted-from-israel

A report in the Hebrew-language Omedia news site last week quoted a senior Hamas leader telling a Lebanese newspaper that the group plans to declare independence in Gaza. The threat was seen by most analysts as an effort to pressure PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas, who rumors have it will soon hold early parliamentary elections in the so-called "West Bank" in an attempt to reverse Hamas' landslide electoral victory last year. Hoewever, if indeed Abbas goes ahead with early elections, there is a very real possibility Hamas will go through with declaring independence. Most likely, the world would squawk and squirm, but do nothing. The Hebrew reports can be found here (for anyone who reads Hebrew): http://www.omedia.co.il/Show_Article.asp?D...hreadID=1014010 An English summary of the report is at Israel Today: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?...8&nid=13808

The anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists that are convinced the Jews are trying to clandestinely take over the world are going to have a field day with today's news that Israeli scientists have found a way to erase long-term memory! You can read more about it here: http://www.zionist.com/2007/08/19/the-jews-have-mind-control

Olmert seems to be intent on setting the stage for Israel's demise. Why? Here is my take: http://www.zionist.com/2007/07/31/olmert-o...-israels-demise

Originally posted at Zionist.com The indoctrination of Palestinian Arab children to hate and seek to destroy the Jews living in this area is, again, nothing new. It is an ongoing violation of Israel

Posted at Zionist.com Israel

Finally someone with some position had the guts to point it out - the Left is using Rabin's murder to whitewash the debacle that was/is "Oslo": http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=861

Rice said a Palestinian state will bring increased security to Israel. I for one would really love to hear what evidence she bases that assessment on: http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=857

Wonder if this was a slip of the tongue: http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=858

Abbas promised Rice Monday that just as soon as the PA elections are over he will get right on that thing about combating anti-Jewish "Palestinian" terrorism: http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=859 That gives the terrorists just over 10 weeks to plan and execute a few more atrocities.

Israeli leftists gathered in an orgy of surrender in Tel Aviv last week to remember Yitzhak Rabin. But what of the 1300 Israeli victims whose deaths his policies made possible? Where is their memorial? http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=855

Bush told US troops one of the possible consequences of a perceived American loss in the war on terror would be Israel's demise. Of course, Israel would not fall, regardless of what America does or doesn't do. It has a Bigger ally on its side. But it is nice to see Bush here and there recognize Israel and America are standing together against a common foe. http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=834

Israel and the US Do you betray me with a kiss? Washington's laundry list of betrayals against Israel at key moments in the Jewish state's history belies the fact most administrations have used America's friendship with Israel as leverage to further their own policies. How will this kind of behavior bode for America's future? Can American Christians turn it around? http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=835

Bush was pretty enthusiastic yesterday about the realization of his vision of seeing the Land of Israel divided and Palestine born being "closer than ever." American Christians need to wake up and use their enormous numbers to influence their fellow Bible-believing brother to get off this path to destruction. http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=812

Egypt has basically regained control of the Gaza Strip, returning that area to the situation that existed prior to 1967 - a land of squalor from which Cairo directs and oversees terrorism and aggression against Israel. http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=794

Washington is pressing Israel to AGAIN make gestures to bolster the rule of Mahmoud Abbas. The Palestinians say they won't meet with Sharon until Israel agrees to some pretty serious concessions. Why is it no one sees the need for the Palestinians to make confidence-building gestures towards the Israelis and regain their trust after decades of terrorist violence? http://www.jnewswire.com/library/ar...p?articleid=792

It may seem a long way off still, but recent reports signal preparation for what could be the beginning of THE final assault on Israel's northern border. The Bible indicates that invasion will come at a time when everyone thinks Israel is dwelling in peace and safety - precisely as the IDF's chief of staff assessed last week. http://www.jnewswire.com/library/article.php?articleid=788