RYP Stories: Articles

Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Personal journaling and getting informed about the history and current events of terrorism so I can pray effectively about terrorism

Personal journaling and getting informed about the history and current events of terrorism so I can pray effectively about terrorism
/////
Personal journaling written on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
/////
I would love to do a great deal more personal journaling and learning about Islam and its holy text. However, I am finding it difficult to considering all of the news stories that keep coming out today. It seems a full time job just keeping up with them.
/////
Article/News/Current Events
Title: "Huckabee: Govt's #1 Goal Is Protecting Americans, Not the 'Image of Islam'"
Link: http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/11/17/huckabee-govts-1-goal-protecting-americans-not-image-islam
///
Article/News/Current Events
Title: "Bolton: U.S. Is 'Barely a Bystander' as Russia, France Strike Syria"
Link: http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/11/17/new-info-putin-orders-navy-work-france-against-isis
///
Article/News/Current Events
Title: "Under Attack: Israel Suffered 609 Attacks In October"
Link: http://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2015/11/17/under-attack-israel-suffered-609-attacks-in-october-n2081922?utm_source=thdailypm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl_pm&newsletterad=
///
Article/News/Current Events
Title: "'Speechless': John Kerry's statement on Charlie Hebdo attack is 'mindbendingly awful'"
Link: http://twitchy.com/2015/11/17/speechless-john-kerrys-statement-on-charlie-hebdo-attack-is-mindbendingly-awful/
Me/My Commentary: I cannot wait to hear the spin he and the administration put on this. Whenever someone in the Obama administration says something this extreme, they come out and try to explain it -- and usually the explanation makes things worse. I also cannot wait to hear what people say and the silence of people on this remark. How can a terror attack ever be legitimate? How can murder of one individual ever be legitimate? Let alone multiple people -- and because of a difference in belief? Kerry is acting as a representative of the American people and he says this. Another--pardon?
/////
252 p.m. I am wound up now. Between Kerry and the president, and what they did today, I am fired up and furious. They represent the American people. Shouldn't that mean something to them? Shouldn't that mean something to us -- the American people? Shouldn't that say something to us?
I know I am supposed to try to look at things from an unbiased perspective. But, I am having a difficult time of it at the moment when the facts show me that the Obama administration is a disgrace to the offices they hold, to the country--past and present, and to the American people.
/////
And it gets better. (Not.)
Article/News/Current Events:
Title: "A Man is so Disturbed by What TSA Lets Him Bring onto Plane…He Turns Himself In"
Link: http://www.ijreview.com/2015/11/473648-a-man-is-so-disturbed-by-what-tsa-lets-him-bring-onto-plane-he-turns-himself-in/?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=afternoon-newsletter&utm_medium=owned
Me: TSA is supposed to protect us. Right?
/////
I am realizing that in the past, I've read an article and have shaken my head, and quickly moved on. Isn't this the problem with our world? We need to stop just shaking out heads and moving on. We need to take a stand. Speaking out about these things, voting, and sending letters to our representatives is important. However, far more importantly, shouldn't we commit things, events, and people to prayer? Fierce prayer? Instead of shaking our heads and doing nothing? SHouldn't we commit to praying about that which we shake our heads--without ceasing--and make sure to commit these matters up with the Lord?
/////
Article/News/Current Events
Title: "CNN asks the questions we should all be asking about Islam"
Link and Source: http://www.glennbeck.com/2015/11/17/cnn-asks-the-questions-we-should-all-be-asking-about-islam?utm_source=glennbeck&utm_medium=contentcopy_link
Me: These are questions to think on and research.
/////
Prayer is the only answer given the mess of this world.
Prayer is the only thing that can truly change things.
Prayer is the only thing every single person can do to fight terror.
Therefore, the best prayers to pray are effective ones. Effective prayers are informed prayers that know the facts, the history, and how history shapes current events.
/////
Email I just sent my mom:
So... The prayer thing...
My stomach is so upset. The news has me wound up and fired up. That's when God told me the importance of prayer--prayer like I have never done before. And, to keep praying--and when all else fails--pray some more. When I am doing something, anything, I need to pray. When I am busy, I need to pray. As I read things and learn things, I need to pray. Pray is the only hope we have in this mixed up, twisted up, prideful, busy, lack of God-fearing world.
What else can we do?
And, what is more important than prayer?
///
So, how do we pray about current events and terror anyway?
What does that even look like?
And, what does ceaseless prayer look like in this world?
And, what does effective prayer look like? How do you pray effectively about terror and current events?
All questions I want to ponder and answer in my personal journaling.

Prayer and Terror: Part B: Personal journaling and getting informed about the history and current events of terrorism (November 17-18, 2015)

Prayer and Terror: Part B: Personal journaling and getting informed about the history and current events of terrorism (November 17-18, 2015)
/////
There are so many important articles to read today that I am posting this personal journaling immediately and am not waiting until tomorrow. art of being informed is being informed immediately--not after the fact. This is particularly true when it comes to terrorism in the present after the Paris Terror Attacks and the world's response.
/////
I just bought a new book today and I think this will be the book I read first and foremost right now. It looks like the best one for me to read as an introduction of sorts and it will certainly help me to pray effectively about terrorism. (12:35 p.m.)
The book is:
"What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Qur'an" by James R. White. 2013. Bethany House Publishers. Bloomington, Minnesota.
Publisher Website: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse.
Here is the link for the book:
http://smile.amazon.com/Every-Christian-Needs-About-Quran/dp/0764209760/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1447789167&sr=1-1
I will read this book and then look at my other books I have bought for my studies (resources), along with different resources on the internet, and other books I have not found and/or bought yet.
/////
Article 6)
Title: Anonymous Cyber-Hacking Group Warns ISIS: "Your Jihad is Coming to an Abrupt End" [VIDEO]
Link and Read more at: https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/54075/watch-anonymous-cyber-hackers-declare-war-isis-following-paris-attacks-terror-watch/#equ9MQvsFeFReXfr.99
Article 7)
Title: "Another disaster averted? German soccer stadium evacuated after bomb plot uncovered"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/17/german-soccer-stadium-evacuated-security-concerns-cited/
Article 8)
Title: "France, Russia pummel ISIS stronghold as critics blast US rules of engagement"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/17/france-russia-pummel-isis-stronghold-as-critics-blast-us-rules-engagement/
Article 9)
Title: "World Leaders Hold 'Moment of Silence' for Paris Victims. But One Nation's President is Late…"
Link: http://www.ijreview.com/2015/11/473645-world-leaders-hold-moment-of-silence-for-paris-victims-but-one-nations-president-is-late/?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=afternoon-newsletter&utm_medium=owned
Me: Why am I not surprised? However, I cannot help but react and add a scathing commentary now. Pardon me while I vent. How pompous and disrespectful. This is the man that represents the United States of American, and our people, past and present. What an embarrassment. This is how he shows his true opinion of the victims in France -- and, France, our greatest ally that helped us fight and win the War of Independence. Pardon me? I was raised to show respect to the position, if you cannot show respect to the people. I was also raised to stand in support for anyone who mourns -- to be there and offer them my condolances and a shoulder if needed. I was in elementary school when I learned these values--and how old is our President? What a disgrace. Rude. Inconsiderate.
My prayer: Father, speak to him. Guide him. Convict him. Show him Your way.
Article 10)
Title: "We're not Islamophobic, Mr. Obama, we just don't want to get blown up"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/11/17/were-not-islamophobic-mr-obama-just-dont-want-to-get-blown-up.html?cmpid=NL_tadspth
Article 11)
Title: "Radical Islam is our enemy: It's time for us to leave political correctness at the door"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/11/17/radical-islam-is-our-enemy-its-time-for-us-to-leave-political-correctness-at-door.html?intcmp=trending
Article 12)
Title: Goodwin: It's time for Obama to make a choice: Lead us or resign
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/11/16/goodwin-its-time-for-obama-to-make-choice-lead-us-or-resign.html?intcmp=trending
Article 13)
Title: "6 Times the Obama Administration Downplayed the Threat ISIS Posed to the World"
Link: http://www.ijreview.com/2015/11/472955-6-times-the-obama-administration-downplayed-the-threat-isis-posed-to-the-world/?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=afternoon-newsletter&utm_medium=owned
/////
Prayers and Blessings,
Stacy Duplease
Blogs:
RYP Stories http://rypstories.blogspot.com/
Prayer and Terror http://prayerandterror.blogspot.com/
A Journaling Odyssey http://ajournalingodyssey.blogspot.com/

Prayer and Terror: Personal journaling and getting informed about the history and current events of terrorism (November 17-18, 2015)

Prayer and Terror: Personal journaling and getting informed about the history and current events of terrorism (November 17-18, 2015)
/////
NOVEMBER 17, 2015, TUESDAY
/////
Current events to know about on November 17, 2015:
Article 1)
Title: "ISIS Attacks in Paris: The West's Failure to Comprehend Evil"
Link: http://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/breakpoint/isis-attacks-in-paris-the-west-s-failure-to-comprehend-evil.html
Article 2)
Title: "President Obama's false choice against the Islamic Stat"
Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/president-obamas-false-choice-against-the-islamic-state/2015/11/16/1c75a984-8c8b-11e5-acff-673ae92ddd2b_story.html
Article 3)
Title: "Russia says Metrojet flight 9268 brought down by bomb; Putin: 'retribution is unavoidable.'"
Link: http://twitchy.com/2015/11/17/russia-says-metrojet-flight-9268-brought-down-by-bomb-putin-retribution-is-unavoidable/
/////
My Personal Journaling
I've been reading about the Koran and have founded yet another book to add to my resources.
I must admit, this is quite the undertaking and I am beyond intimidated. Is it possible for a staunch Christian, American patriot, conservative to be able to look at Islam, their sacred text, terrorism, and the conflict in the Middle East--through the lens of history as I look at current events--and be open-minded? The truth is, I think that terrorists cannot be reasoned with, because they have 1,400 years of tradition and belief--unshaped by time. They look at the history while we look at both modern day and history (or should). This creates some tension, to say the least.
So, can I be objective? I am trying. I keep telling myself, "Just the facts." As I want to learn the facts of history and their beliefs.
I also want to learn as much as I can. I really would want to be a subject matter expert. For, then, my prayers against terrorism can be as effective as possible. This is my drive. This is my purpose. This is why I am daring to try to learn about all of this.
I want to be informed. I do not want to have to quote what others say. What people say can be wrong. I would rather learn the facts for myself.
Right now, I do have to look at what others say in order for me to understand the facts and history. Then, I will embark a journey of looking at primary resources. I will take what people say, though, with the proverbial grain of salt and will form my own opinions based off of the facts I learn from them. I will sift through their commentary and find the facts. Then, once I understand the tenants of Islam, and their holy text, then I will look at primary resources. I will also look at several different historians and what they say about this rich history.
As a Christian, I find this task quite interesting. Just last night, I read the introduction to the book of Galatians, which I am doing with a Bible study group, and I learned how the book of Galatians is older than Islam and the Koran. This makes it rather difficult for me to look at just the facts, I must admit. If an New Testament book, which is the younger part of the Bible, is older than what I am studying, it and it is, then I am forced to pause and remind myself how people believe with their whole hearts in Islam and the Koran, though, they are younger than the Bible. People believe in this and will die for it. They believe this is the sacred. Granted, this makes me wonder, though. Do they define the sacred as I do? Who do they say their god is?
I must admit that I also find it difficult to think of worshipping a god that needs defending. Is this my misunderstanding? Do they not believe in this way? The terrorists. I am under the impression that they believe the one they worship needs them to kill others who do not believe for him. Is this correct? Or, is this my Western, Christian bias coming through? The One I worship can smite out anyone He wants, any time He wants, and does not need me to defend Him.
Am I incorrect? Am I highly biased? Or, am I ignorant of their belief?
I will begin with the facts. I will learn the facts. I cannot be biased with facts. And, the truth is, what fact do I really know about Islam, their holy text, and terrorism? Not much at all. Not even a smidgen. I am illiterate with the text and...
/////
BREAKING NEWS: Passenger tried to enter a cockpit of an airplane heading to Boston. 1144 a.m.
My commentary: Oh, Lord! Thank You for stopping it. I will keep checking the news to find out more information. This sounds like an act of terrorism.
Article 4)
Title: "Passenger reportedly restrained after trying to enter cockpit on British Airways flight"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/17/passenger-reportedly-restrained-after-trying-to-enter-cockpit-on-british/
Me: Was this a female terrorist--or someone that is not quite right in their head today?
/////
On to better news regarding health and coffee:
Article 5)
Title: "Moderate coffee drinking may be tied to lower risk of death"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/11/17/moderate-coffee-drinking-may-be-tied-to-lower-risk-death.html?intcmp=latestnews
/////
At any rate... I have learned of Islam and the Koran in the past and remember what I learned. But, I didn't study either thoroughly. So, is my knowledge inaccurate or is it accurate? This is why I want to study the facts for myself. I want to try to realize all of my opinions and knowledge might be false. I want to learn the facts so I can make sure my opinions and knowledge are correct and accurate. I want to do my best to be unbiased. I want to learn the facts and the facts will speak for themselves. I will not need to do so.
Isn't that how you can tell truth? Or, should I say Truth with a capital 'T?' Truth is fact. It needs nothing and no one to defend it.
/////
1212 p.m.
The truth of the matter is, I sit down with my now six resources and I stare at them for a moment with big eyes. Which should I open first? And, when I do, will it make sense?
/////
Prayers and Blessings,
Stacy Duplease
Blogs:
RYP Stories http://rypstories.blogspot.com/
Prayer and Terror http://prayerandterror.blogspot.com/
A Journaling Odyssey http://ajournalingodyssey.blogspot.com/

Personal journaling and getting informed about the history and current events of terrorism (November 16-17, 2015)

Prayer and Terror: Personal journaling and getting informed about the history and current events of terrorism (November 16-17, 2015)
/////
The purpose of my personal journaling is to get informed about the history and current events of terrorism, so I can pray effectively. That's it in a nutshell.
I am sharing this with you via blog form so that you can learn from the research that I do. I will give you the original sources so you can research it further and fact check what I say. I will share my opinions and what I think based off of what I learn. It is my goal to do the research so you don't have to, if you don't want to or have the time to do so for yourself.
The truth is I am biased. I am starting with the opinion that terrorism is wrong and that over one thousand four hundred years of ideology cannot be changed overnight. However, I want to know what they believe and why and the facts of the history and current events regarding terrorism.
/////
I am a journal keeper of 33+ years and I journal all day and night long. Therefore, I journal multiple times each day. Rather than put each journal entry as a separate blog post, I will include all of them in a daily blog post.
/////
Current events articles for November 17, 2015
I'm going to include current event articles each day to help us stay informed. I will put them in the order in which I receive them.
Article 1)
Title: "Obama: The Current [Failing] Strategy We're Putting Forward Against ISIS Is Ultimately The One That Will Work"
Katie Pavlich | Nov 16, 2015
Link: http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2015/11/16/obama-the-current-strategy-were-putting-forward-against-isis-is-ultimately-the-one-that-will-work-n2081404
My thoughts: If what we were already doing was working, why did a Russian jetliner get taken down by ISIS? And, why did the Paris Terror Attacks happen? If we were effective in our strategy, these things would have been known about in advance and stopped.
Article 2)
Title: " Obama: Paris terror rampage a 'setback'"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/16/obama-facing-criticism-for-push-to-contain-isis/?intcmp=hpbt1
My thoughts: Saying that a terror attack is a setback is heinous. It minimizes the deaths and those wounded. It allows the people who died to die in vain. It is absolutely sickening that the President of the United States would use such a phrase. He is supposed to be a leader. I am, frankly, shocked at how callous he is in using this phrase. If he sees this as a mere 'setback,' how can he effectively fight terrorism?
/////
In order to understand terrorism, it's important to learn about the history of Islam and the Koran (Quran). In order to learn the most I can about Islam, the Koran, and terrorism, it's important for me to learn about the founder, Muhammad.
Timeline
570 Muhammad was born.
610 Muhammad's revelation of the Koran began in 610 in a cave near Mecca. The cave was called the Cave of Hira.
610 Then, the same year, at the age of 40, Muhammad's prophethood began when the Angel Jebreel (Gabriel) appeared to him and called him the Prophet of Allah.
632 Muhammad died.
From these facts, we can do some math. 2015 - 610 = 1,405.
Islam began 1,405 years ago or thereabouts.
/////
418 p.m.
Article 3)
Title: " Sadly, Glenn's prediction about Paris comes true"
Link: http://www.glennbeck.com/2015/11/15/sadly-glenns-prediction-about-paris-comes-true/
Article 4)
Title: "The Strategy Continues As Is: Breaking Down Obama's 'Striking' Remarks on Paris Terror"
Link: http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/11/16/obama-refers-paris-terror-setback-hemmer-baier-break-down-striking-remarks
/////
NOVEMBER 17, 2015, TUESDAY
Article 5)
Title: "How One Unlikely Man Stopped the Stealing of Thanksgiving" by Ann Voskamp
Link: http://www.incourage.me/2015/11/a-story-how-one-unlikely-man-stopped-the-stealing-of-thanksgiving.html
Article 6)
Title: "Russia joins France striking ISIS stronghold in Syria"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/17/france-carries-out-fresh-isis-airstrikes-as-report-claims-allies-targeted-paris/
Article 7)
Title: "#F**kParis' — 'Black Lives' Show True Colors On Twitter"
Link: Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2015/11/16/fkparis-black-lives-show-true-colors-on-twitter/#ixzz3rlDcRgMw
Prayers and Blessings,
Stacy Duplease
Blogs:
RYP Stories http://rypstories.blogspot.com/
Prayer and Terror http://prayerandterror.blogspot.com/
A Journaling Odyssey http://ajournalingodyssey.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 20, 2015

ISIS' army of 7-footers? Experts say video of Copt beheadings manipulated

I thought you might be interested in this article:

Video of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians being marched along a Libyan beach before being beheaded by black-clad members of ISIS is hard for any civilized person to watch, but two experts who made it through the sickening, five-minute clip told FoxNews.com Friday they came to the same conclusion: The footage was faked.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/20/isis-army-7-footers-experts-say-video-copt-beheadings-manipulated/

Sent via the Fox News app for Android. Download the app here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foxnews.android

~ Stacy Duplease
LG cell
http://RYPStories.blogspot.com