by Martin Armstrong, Armstrong Economics: Germany is moving full speed ahead to reach their asinine climate targets. The citizens who are in essence the very carbon they wish to destroy must be punished for not sacrificing enough to uphold Angela Merkel’s Climate Protection Act. Transport Minister Volker Wissing is now threatening the German people with “an […]

May 10, 2024 The Courage To Let GoDR. AVRIL OCCILIEN-SIMILIEN, COMPEL Training Member Lee en español "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth." Psalm‬ 127:4 (NIV) Chubby cheeks, wobbly legs, drool-filled smile, and eyes that follow my face with wonder. This is my mental image of our firstborn daughter. While preparing for high school graduation, she spoke eight words I did not want to hear: "Mom, I want to take a gap year." Every conversation about college options and her passions had turned into discussions about her deep desire to reach the world for Jesus. In my mind, taking a gap year before college was out of the question. I had my daughter's life all planned out. High school, college, career, marriage, kids - in that order. (Can you tell I have control issues?) But this moment was the beginning of God taking me through a season of letting go - a season that freed me from the lie that I am in control. Still, I resisted. Refusing to let go of the plans I had already made, I lamented, Why, God? Why must You test me in this way? I sensed God's response in a way that felt very clear: Will you trust Me with her? Will you let Me do My work in her life? I have great plans for her that will take her places where you will not be able to help her or control the outcome. I want to do My work in her - but not as long as you hold on too tightly. I want you to let go. Then God placed this scripture on my heart: "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth" (Psalm 127:4). Can you imagine a trained warrior who has spent her entire life preparing for battle by sharpening her arrows and perfecting her aim? Imagine this trained warrior going into battle, retrieving her arrow from the quiver, placing it in the bow, pulling back, perfectly aiming, but then not letting go. This is what we do as parents when we spend years pouring God’s Truth into our children, sacrificing sleep, spending hours on our knees in prayer, preparing them for the future ... and then not letting go, not releasing them to fulfill their God-given purpose. My current season is a difficult but necessary one: learning to let go of my first arrow. As I prepare to send our firstborn on this new, unplanned journey, I see those chubby cheeks now chiseled with age. I see those wobbly legs now strengthened to bear the load of her path ahead. I see those drool-filled lips now armed with the Truth of God's Word. And I see those eyes that once followed me now firmly fixed on Jesus - the Author and the Finisher of her faith (Hebrews 12:2). Friend, as you raise your children, may God grant you the wisdom and strength to guide and mold them. May He also grant you the faith and courage to let go. Lord, I thank You for being a loving, omniscient God who has plans for me and the people in my life. May I always remember that Your ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:9) and that Your plans are always good. Grant me a heart of surrender. In Jesus' Name, Amen.  OUR FAVORITE THINGS We all have a story to tell, but knowing how to share what God has done in our lives in a way that will glorify Him and impact the hearts of others can be challenging. That's why we created "How To Share Your Story," a free resource to help you overcome your fear of being transparent and vulnerable - our five-step process can help you start writing about the transformation you've experienced in a way readers can relate to. Click here to download for free today! What do you want to be known for? That question can feel daunting and overwhelming to think about, but as followers of Jesus, we have an opportunity to leave a legacy that impacts the next generation. But how? Check out our latest podcast episode where our friend and author Bianca Olthoff teaches us how to live "poured out" for the sake of others. You'll learn how small steps of daily obedience really make all the difference. Click here to listen now! ENGAGE Today's devotion writer, Dr. Avril Occilien-Similien, is a member of COMPEL Writers Training. Receive writing tips on your social media feeds when you follow COMPEL Training on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! FOR DEEPER STUDY Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take" (NLT). What plans have you made that you are struggling to surrender to God? Pause and reflect, and then write those plans in a journal. Pray and ask God for a heart of surrender to His ways and His plans. We'd love to know your thoughts about today's devotion! Share with us in the comments. © 2024 by Dr. Avril Occilien-Similien. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post The Courage To Let Go – Encouragement for Today – May 10, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

May 10, 2024 The Courage To Let GoDR. AVRIL OCCILIEN-SIMILIEN, COMPEL Training Member Lee en español "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth." Psalm‬ 127:4 (NIV) Chubby cheeks, wobbly legs, drool-filled smile, and eyes that follow my face with wonder. This is my mental image of our firstborn daughter. While preparing for high school graduation, she spoke eight words I did not want to hear: "Mom, I want to take a gap year." Every conversation about college options and her passions had turned into discussions about her deep desire to reach the world for Jesus. In my mind, taking a gap year before college was out of the question. I had my daughter's life all planned out. High school, college, career, marriage, kids - in that order. (Can you tell I have control issues?) But this moment was the beginning of God taking me through a season of letting go - a season that freed me from the lie that I am in control. Still, I resisted. Refusing to let go of the plans I had already made, I lamented, Why, God? Why must You test me in this way? I sensed God's response in a way that felt very clear: Will you trust Me with her? Will you let Me do My work in her life? I have great plans for her that will take her places where you will not be able to help her or control the outcome. I want to do My work in her - but not as long as you hold on too tightly. I want you to let go. Then God placed this scripture on my heart: "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth" (Psalm 127:4). Can you imagine a trained warrior who has spent her entire life preparing for battle by sharpening her arrows and perfecting her aim? Imagine this trained warrior going into battle, retrieving her arrow from the quiver, placing it in the bow, pulling back, perfectly aiming, but then not letting go. This is what we do as parents when we spend years pouring God’s Truth into our children, sacrificing sleep, spending hours on our knees in prayer, preparing them for the future ... and then not letting go, not releasing them to fulfill their God-given purpose. My current season is a difficult but necessary one: learning to let go of my first arrow. As I prepare to send our firstborn on this new, unplanned journey, I see those chubby cheeks now chiseled with age. I see those wobbly legs now strengthened to bear the load of her path ahead. I see those drool-filled lips now armed with the Truth of God's Word. And I see those eyes that once followed me now firmly fixed on Jesus - the Author and the Finisher of her faith (Hebrews 12:2). Friend, as you raise your children, may God grant you the wisdom and strength to guide and mold them. May He also grant you the faith and courage to let go. Lord, I thank You for being a loving, omniscient God who has plans for me and the people in my life. May I always remember that Your ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:9) and that Your plans are always good. Grant me a heart of surrender. In Jesus' Name, Amen.  OUR FAVORITE THINGS We all have a story to tell, but knowing how to share what God has done in our lives in a way that will glorify Him and impact the hearts of others can be challenging. That's why we created "How To Share Your Story," a free resource to help you overcome your fear of being transparent and vulnerable - our five-step process can help you start writing about the transformation you've experienced in a way readers can relate to. Click here to download for free today! What do you want to be known for? That question can feel daunting and overwhelming to think about, but as followers of Jesus, we have an opportunity to leave a legacy that impacts the next generation. But how? Check out our latest podcast episode where our friend and author Bianca Olthoff teaches us how to live "poured out" for the sake of others. You'll learn how small steps of daily obedience really make all the difference. Click here to listen now! ENGAGE Today's devotion writer, Dr. Avril Occilien-Similien, is a member of COMPEL Writers Training. Receive writing tips on your social media feeds when you follow COMPEL Training on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! FOR DEEPER STUDY Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take" (NLT). What plans have you made that you are struggling to surrender to God? Pause and reflect, and then write those plans in a journal. Pray and ask God for a heart of surrender to His ways and His plans. We'd love to know your thoughts about today's devotion! Share with us in the comments. © 2024 by Dr. Avril Occilien-Similien. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post The Courage To Let Go – Encouragement for Today – May 10, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he will not use congressional funding power to defund special counsel Jack Smith’s effort against Donald Trump. “That’s not something you wave a wand and just eliminate the special counsel as a provision. There is a necessity for a function like that, because sometimes the Department of Justice — which is an executive branch agency — can’t necessarily, without a conflict of interest, investigate or prosecute the president who’s their boss, or the president’s family,” Johnson told POLITICO. “So are you prepared to write language eliminating Smith’s job into appropriations bills?” the outlet asked. “No,” he replied. Johnson’s comments follow the majority of Republicans and Democrats banding together to block Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) effort to oust him from the speakership. House Overwhelmingly Backs Mike Johnson In Effort To Remove Speaker, Donald Trump Issues Statement "I triggered my Motion to Vacate yesterday because Mike Johnson refused to commit to defunding Special Council Jack Smith. Now, he’s not just saying he won’t defund it, he’s promising to PROTECT it. If the Democrats saving Mike Johnson’s Speakership didn’t convince you he’s in fact their Speaker of the House, this should!" Greene said Thursday. I triggered my Motion to Vacate yesterday because Mike Johnson refused to commit to defunding Special Council Jack Smith. Now, he’s not just saying he won’t defund it, he’s promising to PROTECT it. If the Democrats saving Mike Johnson’s Speakership didn’t convince you he’s in… — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) May 9, 2024 Mike Johnson when asked if he will stop the witch hunt that aims to throw President Trump in jail FOR LIFE! pic.twitter.com/MyosP1FAMj — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) May 9, 2024 Breitbart reports: Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who partnered to pull the trigger Wednesday night forcing a vote to eject Johnson after weeks pressuring him to end his coalition government with Democrats, had been pressuring Johnson to put up a fight against Democrats with spending bills and other must-pass legislation, such as the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) reauthorization, currently being considered. Wednesday afternoon, Johnson, who had already surrendered leverage on the FAA bill to the Senate, unexpectedly scheduled a vote on a one-week FAA extension that would give Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) more time to finalize a package before the Friday night deadline. Johnson then canceled House votes for the remainder of the week, giving his members a long weekend while Schumer and his Senate continued preparations to once again jam the House. Greene and Massie forced a motion to vacate vote hours later to let voters know where their representatives stood. The tally was revealing. With a small but firm opposition to Johnson inside his own party, his speakership would be in jeopardy if Democrats revoked their support. Trump earlier in the week signaled his support for defunding Smith. He signed a printout of a Greene statement about her defund strategy, writing “Great!” in his iconic magic marker. I’m fighting for President Trump, our Republican majority, and every person who believes in our America First agenda. Proud to have the support of President Trump, and he has mine! pic.twitter.com/yOJdRyB7pe — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) May 8, 2024 In a 359-43 vote, the chamber tabled a motion to vacate the chair. 196 Republicans and 163 Democrats voted to block the effort to oust Johnson from the speakership. 11 Republicans and 32 Democrats voted to remove Johnson.

Even in the best of circumstances, motherhood is not for the faint of heart.

Even in the best of circumstances, motherhood is not for the faint of heart.

Read the original post "Classic Meatball Recipe" on A Modern Homestead. Learn how to make homemade meatballs from scratch with this simple recipe! This recipe is gluten-free and can be made with beef, pork, or Italian sausage. No matter what, these meatballs are a winner! Batch-cooking food and having it on hand in the freezer is one of the ways that I save money on our... Read More The post "Classic Meatball Recipe" appeared first on A Modern Homestead.

In what appears to be a desperate attempt to shield President Joe Biden from the fallout of his decision to block munitions shipments to Israel, ABC Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce has crafted a strange new “antisemitic trope” with which to smear former President Donald Trump. Watch as Bruce uncorks this so-called trope during her coverage of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza: MARY BRUCE: Tonight, many Republicans now accusing Biden of abandoning a critical ally, including Donald Trump, who today repeated an anti-semitic trope questioning Jewish voters who stand by the president. REPORTER: Mr. President, any comment? DONALD TRUMP: If any Jewish person voted for Joe Biden, they should be ashamed of themselves. He's totally abandoned Israel. Irrespective of one’s feelings over Trump’s statements, they do not rise to anything more than an opinion. Black and Hispanic conservatives get excoriated by the left all the time for “voting against their self-interest”, and no one ever accuses those leftists of being anti-Black or anti-Hispanic, nor do such statements ever draw any media scrutiny. Reasonable individuals are left to won(D)er why that is.  Bruce’s fabrication of an anti-semitism where there is none smacks of media firefighting, intended to protect President Biden not just from the fallout of the munitions block, but from his own recent “very fine people” moment, as well as appearing weak on Israel.  Efforts to smear Trump’s callouts as antisemitic are no different than trying to smear as antisemites those who are critical of George Soros’ funding of radical left causes and domestic destabilization. Far from being rooted in any desire to protect Jews from discrimination or worse, they seek to shield leftists from scrutiny in the public square. Mary Bruce shamefully crossed over into White House crisis comms, far beyond her usual Biden sycophancies.  Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned interview as aired on ABC World News Tonight on Wednesday, May 9th, 2024: DAVID MUIR: Tonight, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defiant, saying, “we will stand alone”, after President Biden's threat to withhold U.S. weapons if there's a full-scale invasion of Rafah. And these tense talks over a cease-fire halted amid fury over Rafah, with so many hostages still being held by Hamas. Mary Bruce at The White House tonight. MARY BRUCE: Tonight, as President Biden threatens to further withhold U.S. weapons from Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu defiant. "If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone," he said today. Firing back after Biden, in his most direct warning yet, said the U.S. would not provide Israel with weapons to attack Rafah. JOE BIDEN:  I've made it clear to Bibi and the war cabinet, they're not going to get our support, if in fact they go in these population centers. BRUCE: It comes after the president has warned Netanyahu for weeks not to invade Rafah, where more than a million civilians are seeking refuge. But those warnings have been ignored. Netanyahu already launching what he says are limited operations inside Rafah, choking critical humanitarian aid. Biden already halting the shipment of 3,500 U.S. bombs, fearing American weapons could be used to kill more innocent Palestinians. Tonight, many Republicans now accusing Biden of abandoning a critical ally, including Donald Trump, who today repeated an anti-semitic trope questioning Jewish voters who stand by the president. REPORTER: Mr. President, any comment? DONALD TRUMP: If any Jewish person voted for Joe Biden, they should be ashamed of themselves. He's totally abandoned Israel. BRUCE: The Biden campaign quick to condemn those comments, as the president insists U.S. support for Israel's defense remains ironclad. Now, the president says the U.S. will continue to provide for Israel's defense, even as he threatens to halt sending offensive weapons to them. And tonight, those cease-fire talks are now stalled. The sticking point, we’re told, is Rafah. Israel insisting that any temporary ceasefire deal exclude their operations in what they say is a Hamas stronghold. David. MUIR: All right, Mary. Mary Bruce again tonight, thank you.