Palestinians Finally Agree to Talks with Israel
Israeli and American officials welcomed an Arab League decision reached in Cairo on Wednesday approving indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks for four months as a means of getting the peace process on track. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that it appeared �conditions were now ripe� for renewing negotiations.In a speech to the Knesset, he said that as a result of Israel both expressing a willingness to return to talks and taking concrete measures on the ground to make them happen, fewer countries were willing to agree to Palestinian preconditions to the talks. Abbas has said for months that he will not talk with Israel unless there is first a complete halt to Jewish construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. The green light given Abbas by the Arab League to the Arab peace initiative to enter into indirect talks for four months is widely seen as the �ladder� he needed to come down from his demands and accede to repeated requests by the US, EU, Egypt and Jordan to return to talks.
Pray for the safety of our soldiers fighting for freedom in Afghanistan. Pray for courage of the families that support them.
Pray for peace in Israel. Pray for protection from the nuclear ambitions of the state of Iran.
Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
Along with the author of A Musician Looks At the Psalms, I find comfort in order and design. (You wouldn't know it if you looked at my "study.") As he says, "I find security in knowing that God has a specific plan for the universe--and one for my life, too."
As this Psalm seems to indicate, only the Lord's plans stand firm. What he commands will take place and will not be shaken.
Wouldn't it be great if "all the inhabitants of the world" stood in awe before God?
"You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for word
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depths of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majest enthroned above
And I stand in awe of you..."
Grace and peace, friends.