Brussels bans annual Christmas tree display – It may offend Muslims
Brussels replaced its popular Christmas tree exhibit this year at the city centre due to concerns that it may offend the local Muslim population. An ‘electronic winter tree,’ will take the place of the traditional Christmas Tree and Nativity scene at the city centre of Grand Place, reports Brussels News. The electronic sculpture will stand 25 metres (82 feet) tall and consists of a set of television screens, reports Brussels Expat. ‘During the daytime you can climb to the top of the tree where you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the city,’ the website explains. ‘As soon as it becomes dark the tree turns into a spectacle of light and sound. Every ten minutes an amazing show will unfold.’
Pray:against this over sensitivity by the authorities over the use of Christian symbolism during this season. Have they asked the Muslims and are they now offending Christians? (Jn.6:61b)
More:http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/11/brussels-bans-annual-christmas-tree-it-may-offend-muslims/
CAFOD challenges supermarkets and government on hunger
Catholic aid agency CAFOD has launched a new food campaign to hundreds of supporters at Westminster Cathedral in London. 250 campaigners from all over England and Wales met to launch a new initiative that aims to improve the food system. The campaign highlights the fact that a handful of supermarkets and food companies dominate the food system, making the rules that decide cost, price and standards. They often also control access to vital resources such as land, seeds and water. Yet 50 per cent of the world’s food is grown by small-scale farmers in developing countries. With little power in the global food supply chain, these farmers are often forced to agree to big companies’ demands regardless of how unfair they may be. The Hungry for Change campaign is calling for fundamental changes in the global food system so that power is more justly shared between rich and poor people, and more people can have access to enough food.
Pray: for the Hungry for Change Campaign to be well supported and have a very real impact in bringing about change to the global food food system.. (Pr.14:31 )
Mexico’s Drug Violence Ebbing!
Gradually the attitude of Mexicans about their nation’s security is brightening. There has been a “sharp reduction of bloodshed” along the border area and in the country at large according to a news report. The October murder rate in the city of Juarez which used to be known as “the murder capital of the world” was the lowest in five years. Grupo Reform, a newspaper consortium, said that the cartel-related murders have dropped 18% from last year in the nation at 8326 as of October 26. (Albuquerque Journal, Nov. 4, 2012)
God is answering our prayers! Under President Calderon, authorities have been successful is the nation’s struggle against the drug cartels, but there is still more to do. Let’s continue to pray for Mexico and the eradication of the drug cartels and their crime, whether the trafficking of drugs, weapons or human beings used in the sex trade. Pray that the new president and his administration will keep from corruption and accommodation with the cartels and continue this good fight.
Mexico’s Drug War: When Evil Tries to Look Good
The death of the Zeta's cartel leader Heriberto Lazcano marks another in a series of takedowns of Mexico's most wanted capos, otherwise known as the "kingpin strategy". This strategy implies that once the leader or kingpin of the cartel is taken arrested or killed, the cartel will crumble. However, this has not proven to be the case.
Of the 37 capos identified in 2009 as Mexico's most wanted men, 25 have now been captured or killed. Undoubtedly Lozcano was the biggest catch of them all, and of the Mexican criminals whose notoriety is comparable to Lazcano's, only four remain at large: Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, Servando " La Tuta" Gomez, Juan Jose " El Azul" Esparragoza, and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
While this is a tremendous triumph for Mexico, the violence and cartel influence continues to be strong. Even when the arrest of a capo does lead to a group's disintegration, this does not mean that its members decide to adopt law-abiding lifestyles. Many times they splinter into smaller organizations, all vying for power…
Is there hope that the grip of the cartels will be loosened and trafficking, drugs and violence will cease? God reminds us, the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land (Psalm 37:9).
PRAY:
• We praise you, Mighty God, that the cartels have been shaken. We thank you that so many kingpins have been captured; we thank you for hearing our cries for the people of Mexico.
• We ask you to continue to break the foundation of the cartels so that there will be a complete crumbling of their organizational structure. We call for the four main leaders to be captured and held accountable for their evil deeds.
• We implore of you, God of Hope, to bring light and encouragement to the people of Mexico. May they see your hand at work and stand firm in the knowledge that you have a plan for their future of good and prosperity. (Jer. 29:11).
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. - Proverbs 23:18
Iran: IMF sending ‘Currency Team’
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will send a team to Iran in 2013 for regular consultations regarding its crashing currency. However, an American advocacy group ‘United Against Nuclear Iran’ (UAN) said the UN and IMF should not undermine the will of the international community and the effects of sanctions imposed in direct response to the Iranian regime's illegal activities.’ The IMF's proposed work in Iran is designed to counter the effects of both the gross mismanagement of the Iranian economy by the regime, and the consequences of international sanctions. But UAN said, ‘The IMF's actions are more appropriate for a member state in good standing, not an illegal regime subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions. The IMF is directly counteracting the effects, and therefore the consequences, of international sanctions. The IMF's cooperation with Iran must end.’
Pray: for God to give Christine Lagarde and the International Monetary Fund wisdom in their dealings with Iran. (Ps.45:4-5)
More: http://www.cnbc.com/id/49812391
