This link from my friends Alison and Deb. Astronomers have reported that the sun has reached a record low in solar activity, when for the first time in roughly one hundred years, no sun spots have been detected on its surface for an entire month. Solar activity varies over an eleven year cycle, and we are presently in the low period of that cycle. But astronomers have been surprised by just how low the solar activity is at present. For the first seven months of this year, the number of detected sun spots averaged around three, while no spots have been detected for the entire month of August.  The last time solar activity reached a level similar to this was in the year 1913. While scientists believe that solar activity does not overtly affect the total solar irradiance which governs the overall temperature on earth, they believe the reduction on the solar magnetosphere which produces sun spots can affect cloud formation on earth. And some scientists are now predicting that Earth may be in for severe global cooling if the data from previous extreme solar minimums is anything to go by. With record snow falls recorded last year in China, the United States and South Africa, they could be right. 

Quote: "Meteorologist Anthony Watts, who runs a climate data auditing site, tells DailyTech the sunspot numbers are another indication the "sun's dynamo" is idling. According to Watts, the effect of sunspots on TSI (total solar irradiance) is negligible, but the reduction in the solar magnetosphere affects cloud formation here on Earth, which in turn modulates climate. This theory was originally proposed by physicist Henrik Svensmark, who has published a number of scientific papers on the subject. Last year Svensmark's "SKY" experiment claimed to have proven that galactic cosmic rays -- which the sun's magnetic field partially shields the Earth from -- increase the formation of molecular clusters that promote cloud growth. Svensmark, who recently published a book on the theory, says the relationship is a larger factor in climate change than greenhouse gases.

I don't know much about global warming or global cooling. But I do know that God is in complete control of our weather. And I would be more inclined to believe that the extreme weather conditions we are now experiencing are less to do with changes in the earth's atmosphere and more to do with changes in the hearts of men. Following the United Kingdom's record flooding, not this year's but last year's flooding, ministers of the Church of England called on the country to repent of their wickedness and turn to God. They declared that the floods were a judgement from God for the moral depravity of our nation. In May 2007 Britain had been afflicted with an anti-Semitic fever, after a large number of British universities, trade unions, charities and churches announced their intentions to boycott the Jewish state over its forty year 'occupation' of the Palestinian territories. In June and July 2007 the country suffered its worst flooding in over sixty years, causing around three billion pounds worth of damage. It turns out that the last flooding to occur on this scale was in England in March 1947, just a month after Britain deferred on its promise to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine, and passed the issue on its partition to the United Nations. So it seems that the British people have a short memory. And as the international community presses Israel into making peace with their enemies and giving up even more land, there is no doubt we will face even greater disasters in the coming days. But there is hope.

Isaiah 26:2
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.

Our nation may not be righteous, but through the precious blood of Christ, we can be made righteous and become citizens of the heavenly country (Philippians 3:20). For those who have trusted in Christ for salvation are like sojourners in a foreign land. They are citizens of another country, and though they are here on the King's business, they look forward to the day when they can go home. That day is coming. When you come to the end of life's journey, will you hear this welcome invitation from Christ? Or will these words be true of you...

Psalm 9:17
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today!

Source Daily Tech, BBC, Zionism Israel

A couple of days ago I commented on the fact that although the territory of the Golan Heights is at the centre of the peace negotiations between Israel and Syria, neither side is interested in who actually controls the territory at the end of the day. I said it was more a case of who is on who's side. Israel is seeking peace with Syria in order to drive a wedge between them and Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas. Syria is seeking peace only for the security of its own regime, and for expanding its own sphere of influence in the region. And it seems those remarks have been confirmed today, both by President Bashar Assad and by Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt. Israeli politicians are now mourning French President Nicholas Sarkozy's trip to Damascus, for although the prospects of peace between the two nations are now closer than ever, Syria is back in the political game while still holding all of its cards. Assad now knows the West needs Syria for their goal of establishing Middle East peace, because of its close relations to Iran and its influence in south Lebanon. Thus the issue of who actually controls the Golan Heights is insignificant in itself. Syria knows if it makes peace with Israel, it will be required to sever its ties with Hizbullah and Iran. And once Syria does that, its influence in over the Middle East through Iran and south Lebanon will crumble. It is actually in Syria's interests that Israel holds on to the Golan Heights, because as long as they do that, Syria will have an excuse to exert its influence over the region. And that may be what is behind Assad's latest comments on the Middle East peace process.

Quote: "In an interview with Al-Manar, Hizbullah's official news network, the Syrian president was asked whether his country would consider relinquishing relations with the "resistance" in Lebanon and Palestine. "This issue has not come up," he answered. "I believe this issue is very clear to many countries. We are not a country that bestows gifts, we are a country that discusses interests. We tell other countries this, and ask them to present us with their interests, in order to see where the two coincide." He added, "We don't see any interest in abandoning the resistance. Our position has always been clear. Our position toward the resistance against any occupation in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine is firm and has not changed. I don't believe it will change until the occupation changes."

And regarding President Bashar Assad's interests, Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt had this to say...

Quote: "According to Jumblatt, Assad "only wants to enhance ties with the US at the expense of Syria's special relationship with Qatar and Turkey. He is not seeking an agreement on the Golan, but a far more extensive deal." Al-Sharq al-Awsat has recently reported that Syria does not intend to significantly soften its position vis-à-vis the peace negotiations with Israel. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem told the daily that a return to the June 4, 1967 borders was a prerequisite and was not even up for negotiation.

If all Syria and Israel were interested in was the land, peace would have been made between these two nations long ago. But Israel is seeking an end to Syria's support for terrorism, and Syria is seeking a way to retain its influence over the Middle East. Until their interests coincide, peace will not be found. The same thing can be said for the Saviour and the sinner. The Bible declares that it is in God's interests that none should perish, but all should come to repentance (2nd Peter 3:9). But until your interests coincide with God's interests, there is no hope that you should be saved. You need to agree with God. First you need to agree that you are a sinner. The Bible says all have sinned and come short of God's righteous standard (Romans 3:23), and if we die in our sins, where He is we cannot come (John 8:21).  Second, you need to come to that place of repentance for your sins. The Bible says God is near those who are of broken heart, and saves those who have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18). And thirdly, we need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me", John 14:6. Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Source YNet News, YNet News

French President Nicholas Sarkozy is due to arrive in Damascus today  for a meeting to discuss the recent progress made in the in direct talks between Israel and Syria. He will take part in a four-way summit tomorrow that will include the leaders of the states of Syria, Turkey and Qatar. Sarkozy's visit to Syria will be the first for a Western leader in five years, and follows the visit of President Bashar Assad to Paris for the inauguration of the Union for the Mediterranean on July 13th of this year. Tomorrow's talks are to focus on what the demarcation of the Syrian border will be following Israel's withdrawal from the territory, whether it will follow the 1948 armistice line or the original 1923 partition, which leaves Israel in control of both sides of lake Kinneret. According to a French source quoted by the London paper, Al Hayat, Sarkozy has expressed his interests in mediating between Israel and Syria, and France will be involved in direct negotiations between the two countries once they commence. He is also said to have told President Assad at the Paris summit that the path of peace in the Middle East runs through France and Syria. 

Quote: "The source told al-Hayat that Sarkozy is very interested in playing a role in future direct negotiations between Israel and Syria. The London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported that Paris received the green light from Washington and Jerusalem to mediate between Israel and Syria when the talks become direct. According to the report, Israel and the United States agreed to have France sponsor the talks alongside the US, and guarantee that the security-related side of the agreement is implemented.

Just as the Bible predicted, the European Union - of which France holds the presidency, is right at the forefront of peace in the Middle East. For the book of Daniel predicted that it would be the leader of a revived Roman Empire who would strengthen a covenant between Israel and many nations for a period of seven years (Daniel 9:26-27). Not only is the EU at the forefront of peace in the Middle East, but the man who currently represents the EU is of Jewish descent. Daniel again states that this leader who strengthens a covenant between Israel and many nations would not regard the God of his fathers (Daniel 11:37), and many students of Bible prophesy interpret that to mean that this man will be of Jewish descent. Not only that, but this same man has expressed a desire to bring about the reunification of the Middle East and Europe under the auspices of the Union for the Mediterranean, thus re-establishing the old world order of the Roman Empire. And not only, that but Sarkozy himself is interested in brokering peace between Israel and any of its neighbours, including Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians.

It is definitely interesting days we are living in. We won't know if Sarkozy is the man or not. But we do know that Bible prophecy is coming to pass. For God has put the desire into the hearts of men to fulfill His will until it shall be accomplished (Isaiah 45:1, Revelation 17:17). This God, Who has written down history for us in advance (Revelation 1:8), is also acquainted with every minute detail of your life. He created you. He loves you. He proved His love by sending His Son into the world to die for you upon a cross, so that your sins may be forgiven and you could have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Trust in Him for salvation today.

Job 22:21
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace

Source YNet News, AFP