Fox News Reporters Released

By now, everyone knows that the two reporters from Fox News were released to Palestinian officials today. Both are fine and in good health...Thank God!

A video produced prior to the release showed reporters Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig giving a statement, converting to the religion of Islam. Centanni said,"We were forced to convert to Islam at gun point". Wiig, a New Zealand citizen, gave an anti-Western speech.
One Israeli security official said "It is easier to save face within the terror community if you can claim your captives convert to Islam, so therefore you couldn't harm them"".

Abu Muhammed, member of the Dugmash Family, based in Gaza City blasted Fox News claiming the media outlet is "controlled by Zionest lobby and Jews". The Dugmash clan is considered to be one of the groups behind the kidnappings.

For the last month or so, I've notice the advertisements of an organization known as the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews on the Fox News Channel. This is an non-profit organization founded in 1983 by rabbi Yechiel Eckstien. It's main mission is to unite Christian and Jews world wide. They assist in immigration, providing food, clothing, and medical assistance for orphans in the Soviet Union and around the world. And they help victims of terrorist attacks. Rabbi Eckstien works closely with American churches in encouraging support for the Jewish people around the world.

I believe that the Fox News Channel was targeted by this terrorist group because of its outward support for Israel's existence and it's fight against terrorism. Remember, Fox was not the only news outlet reporting from Gaza City at the time of the kidnappings.

Actors against Terrorism

Nicole Kidman and Host of Other Hollywood Actors and Directors Make public Stand against Terrorism

Australia's Harald-Sun reports that actress Nicole Kidman has made a public stand against Terrorism.

Breaking Christian News.com
According to the article, the actress joined by 84 other high-profile Hollywood stars, directors, studio bosses and media moguls, has taken out a powerfully worded full page advertisement in today's Los Angeles Times newspaper, specifically targeting "terrorist Organizations," such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Palestine.

"If we do not succeed in stopping terrorism around the world, chaos will rule and innocent people will continue to die. We need to support democratic societies and stop terrorism at all costs," the ad reads.

Some of the actors and directors sponsoring the ad include: Michael Douglas, Dennis Hopper, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Danny De Vito, Don Johnson, James Woods, Kelly Preston, Patricia Heaton, William Hurt, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Michael Mann, Dick Donner and Sam Raimi.

84, I'm surprised the number is that high! Now if we could just persuade as many countries, or even "federal judges" with this mind set, we would see more progress in this fight against terrorism. ;)

Cease-Fire

All parties have agreed to a cease-fire and Hezbollah, Lebanon,Iran, Syria, Israel, America and the rest of the world have all claimed victory.

So what happens next? Well if history is any indication, we will probably see more of the same. The only real difference we will see is more of a UN presence which means more UN lookout post to hide behind. Don't be fooled, the added UN forces will do nothing to keep the influx of weapons and troops from entering Lebanon through Syria. Remember, the northern Lebanon border is still unprotected. The UN troops being sent will be stationed on the southern border of Lebanon so there is nothing keeping Syria from shipping in more hardware...Unbelievable.

I do understand Israel's hesitancy in moving further north into Lebanon. They fear losing huge numbers of troops. Plus they don't want to bring Syria and Iran into a conventional war without international assistance, if they can help it. But Israel backing off and agreeing to a cease-fire will only give Hezbollah and their supporters more confidence in their objective which is to destroy Israel. I've recently read where Hamas has been taking notice of how well Hezbollah has been conducting their attacks. Just yesterday a reporter was kidnapped in Gaza, a Hamas stronghold.

This cease-fire is nothing more than a pause, it is NOT a victory. Hezbollah and Israel can claim victory all they want. The bottom line is that the fighting is over only temporarily. Both sides will now have time to regroup and assess the damages, then unfortunately the next round begins.

Israel must show resolve in this fight. They have no choice.

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may those who love you be secure". Psalms 122:6

I'm Getting Old

As some of you know, I'm a assistant coach for one of my nephew's youth tackle football team. I recently found out out the hard way that I don't have the "moves" I used to have when I was a young buck. I'm sure some of you guys can relate. We men tend to think that even though we may be getting old and fat, we still think that we possess the ability to do the things we used to do back when we were young and in shape...Wrong!

Two days ago, while I was running through some defensive back drills with the kids, I felt and heard a "POP" in the middle of my left calf muscle. David, the teams head coach even heard it and he was more than fifteen yards away from me! It felt like somebody hit me in the leg with a baseball. I thought,"Unbelievable, now what do I do"? Thankfully, my sister Shelly was there watching from the side lines so she volunteered to drive my "Fred Sanford" walking self to a nearby med clinic.

Well three days later, I'm on crutches. I have an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor on Monday. My calf muscle is a little swollen but not discolored, and I also can put some pressure on it. I'm hoping and praying that this is not too serious because Ole' Ron needs two healthy legs to work. Plus, who in this day and age can afford to miss work?

So what's the lesson learned here guys? Stretch, Stretch, and Stretch!! You really have to take the time to stretch your body before you do ANY kind of exercise. Aging is a painful reality.

UPDATE
My leg will be fine. Some muscle tear but nothing serious...Thank God!

Joel Rosenberg, Novelist or Prophet

Anyone familiar with bible prophecy, knows or has heard of best selling author Joel C Rosenberg. Joel's best selling 'novels' include, The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option (I'm in the middle of reading this one), and The Copper Scroll. His books are so much in relation to current events that he has been dub by some in the media as a "modern day Nostradamus".

Here is a portion of his profile; "Joel previously served as a senior advisor to several U.S. and Israeli leaders, including Steve Forbes, Rush Limbaugh, former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky, and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has been interviewed on more than 300 radio and TV shows including ABC's "Nightline", CNN, CNN Headline News, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, The History Channel ..."

Needless to say, Joel has been a very busy man lately. Last year he was invited to a White House bible study group where he talked about current events and bible prophecy. He has stayed in touch with White House officials ever since. When asked about the discussions with WH officials, Joel was quoted as saying "I can't tell you that the people that I spoke with agree with me, or believe that prophecy can really help you understand what will happen next in the Middle East, but I'm not surprised that they're intrigued".

Now, I realize that there are those of you who get really nervous when the discussions about the crisis in the Middle East are seen through the eyes of bible prophecy. But let me just say for now that life "as we know it" will change. We Christians need to be on alert, guarding are hearts and minds from fears and doubts of the future.

I may post more on bible prophecy in the following weeks.
http://joelrosenberg.blogspot.com/

Gibson and Graham, anti-Jew?

So Mel Gibson (actor) gets pulled over for drunk driving. The police officers say that during his arrest, Gibson began to make remarks blaming the Jews for causing all the wars in the world.

Since then, Gibson has continually asked for forgiveness for making the statement, and the Jewish community for the most part has forgiven him. He has also admitted himself into a detox center in order to deal with his addiction to alcohol. To be honest, after all the persecution he received while producing the movie Passion of the Christ, I'm surprised he hasn't tried to commit suicide!

I remember a few years ago, listening to a recording of Rev.Billy Graham confessing the exact same thing Mel did on the infamous Nixon Tapes. And he was sober when he said it! I also remember afterwards Billy asking for forgiveness from the Jewish people, and the Jewish people in turn, forgiving him.

Look, I'm not going to make excuses for Mel's actions. What he has said is ridiculous and absurd. To me, they both have confessed their mistakes and have dealt with it appropriately. Both men have made their marks in life when it comes to doing something great for God.

I'm hoping and praying that Mel will make it through this ordeal, closer to his Savior than ever before.

CORRECTION: I went back to look up 'exactly' what Rev. Graham said about the Jews on the Nixon Tapes.
Graham stated to Nixon that the Jews were "taking over the media in America," and that they needed to be "stopped before they bring the country down the drain." Graham has said that he does not remember making those statements but he quickly issued an apology just the same.

Either way, both comments were viewed as anti-Semitic and both men have issued apologies.