President Obama okays funding embryonic stem cell research (but removes adult stem cell funding)

What are the issues involved?

by Lita Cosner

Published: 19 March 2009(GMT+10)

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama reversed a Bush executive order which limited federal funds for embryonic stem cell research to lines created before 9 August 2001 (see US Senate passes embryonic stem cell bill; President vetoes). Under Obama’s new executive order, federal funding will be available for new embryonic stem cell lines, created by the destruction of human embryos. Some in the media have hailed this as a step forward for science. Others try to garner support for the decision by enlisting the support of family members of individuals who suffer from illnesses like ALS (Lou Gehrig s Syndrome) and diabetes, who hope that this form of stem-cell research might lead to cures of their conditions. But do the facts back up such hope? read more...

Constance Cumbey offer

Constance Cumbey has spent many years tracking New Age trends and its slow yet consistent infiltration of Christianity and society at large. She and her team of volunteers also supply cutting edge information on the UN, Europa and the Globalist agenda.

While I do not agree with absolutely everything Constance has to say, I think her work is invaluable.

Now she has generously offered her books for free download HERE.

Thank you, Constance.

Your prayers reveal the level of your maturity

Some of us struggle in prayer. Unfortunately, I confess that I do sometimes. Does it ever feel like an obligation to you?

In his devotional book “Drawing Near: Daily readings for a Deeper Faith” February 18, here’s what John MacArthur says:

“Your prayers reveal the level of your maturity.”

Typically, Paul’s prayers reflected his concern that his readers mature spiritually. That is impossible without prayer, because spiritual growth depends on the Holy Spirit’s power, which is tapped through prayer.

Prayer is so vital that Jesus instructed His disciples to pray “at all times” (Luke 18:1). Paul commands us to “pray without ceasing” (Thess 5:17). Peter said we should be “of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).

Now this is the interesting part:

Scripture gives many commands to pray, but the true test of your spirituality is your compulsion to pray, not simply your obedience to commands. As a Christian you exist in a spiritual realm in which prayer is as natural as breathing is in the natural realm. Just as atmospheric pressure exerts force on your lungs compelling you to breathe, so your spiritual environment compels you to pray. Resisting either brings devastating results.

The more you see life through God’s eyes, the more you are driven to pray. In that sense, your prayers reveal the level of your spiritual maturity. Paul prayed with urgency day and night because he shared God’s love for His people and His concern for their spiritual maturity.

Examine your own prayers. Do you pray from a sense of duty, or are you compelled to pray? Do you pray infrequently or briefly? Do your prayers center on your own needs or the needs of others? Do you pray for the spiritual maturity of others? Those important questions indicate the level of your spiritual maturity and give guidelines for making any needed changes in your pattern of prayer.

Dr MacArthur then suggests that we thank God for the privilege and power of prayer. If we have neglected our prayer or prayed selfishly, we should confess our sin and to ask God to give us a sense of holy urgency in prayers. Are there people we should be consistently praying for?

Dr MacArthur’s suggestion for further study is to read Daniel 6:1-28 in light of the following questions:

What was Daniel’s pattern of prayer?

What accusation did the political leaders bring against Daniel?

What was the king’s attitude toward Daniel?

How did God honor Daniel’s faith?