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TODAY'S ISSUE
"We need the Christians"
local ministers
heard over and over on trip to Israel
By
Dr. William L. Sheals
Senior Pastor
Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Norcross
NOV. 1, 2002 - - Beginning about two months ago the Ministry of
Tourism for Israel came to my office saying, "Israel needs
you." After much prayer and supplication, God revealed to me
that I must go to Israel. I declined the offer two times but accepted
on the third visit.
Rev.
Sheals |
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I was given the privilege of choosing two other godly men to accompany
me. I chose Dr. Bob Horner, senior pastor of Peachtree Corners Baptist
Church, and Dr. Howard Morgan of Howard Morgan `Ministries, a Messianic
Jewish minister.
We arrived in Israel on October 8 and immediately went to work.
Later that evening we sat down to dinner with Uri Dan, senior adviser
to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and Zion Ben David, head of North
American Operations within the Ministry of Tourism. Over dinner
we discussed for three hours everything from the current terrorism
within Israel to Israel's response to the terrorism of 9/11 to the
pending war with Iraq.
Mr. Dan was candid, believing that Saddam Hussein must be removed
from power because he represents a constant threat to peace in the
Middle East. Mr. Dan also looked intently into my eyes and proclaimed,
"Israel needs you. We need Christians to come back to Israel."
Wednesday we met with the national minister of Tourism, Rabbi Yitzhak
Levy. By now we had become aware of hearing "Israel needs you."
He also
Introduced us to a film crew who would follow us while there.
Sacred sites were eerily void of tourists, different from my previous
visits to Israel. We interacted with vendors and officials of these
sites, who all echoed the same theme "We need you, we need
the Christians."
The highlight of the visit for me happened on the shores of the
Mediterranean Sea at Caesarea. I faced the Mediterranean Sea (with
cameras rolling) and preached from Acts 10, recounting Peter's visit
to Cornelius' home.
During my sermon a group of Jewish high school students were in
the amphitheatre, and one girl drew close to me, only to be rejected
by the film crew. Later, I beckoned to the girl, Nadia, to come
and speak to America. She echoed "We need you to come back
to us," but she went further, saying "We love America,
come visit us. See, we students are here and we are safe."
Though two suicide bombings occurred in Gaza and Tel Aviv, we never
felt threatened. We moved by van from Jerusalem to Gaza to Galilee
without incident.
On Thursday, we visited Jerusalem. People were shopping where recently
a suicide bomber committed a crime against humanity. Even after
this horrific event, life had resumed, confirming that hope and
peace must never give way to fear and terrorism.
In Tel Aviv we met with the second highest-ranking man in the government,
the head of the Labor Party, Benjamin Ben Eliezer, defense minister.
A few blocks away a suicide bomber tried to enter a bus only to
be restrained. He was successful in killing himself and an elderly
woman shopper. Yet in the midst of this the Defense Minister still
took the time to receive three visitors.
My message to Israel is to remind them that our Messiah and their
Messiah are one in the same; the only difference is: we believe
He has come and they await His arrival.
I was most humbled by my appointment as Ambassador for Goodwill
by the Minister of Tourism. I have been charged by God to reach
out to Israel through prayer and moral and physical support. Therefore,
I am encouraged to lead pilgrims back to Israel so that we can fulfill
the national cry of Israel, "We need you! We need the Christians!"
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ELLIOTT
BRACK
Georgia
leads nation again in financial help
for students through the Hope scholarships
By
Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
NOV. 1, 2002 - - It should be clear to almost all candidates in
Georgia that our residents like the Hope Scholarship funding college
for top high school graduates.
Even politicians who previously voted against the Georgia Lottery,
which funds of the scholarships, now say they are all in favor of
the Hope Scholarships. (Read Sonny Perdue, among others.)
We've recently heard ordinary citizens who opposed the lottery,
say that they appreciate the State of Georgia paying for their children
or grandchildren's college tuition.
There are many reasons Georgians are behind the Hope scholars now.
The program is making sure that more top students of Georgia attend
college.
In addition, more high school graduates in Georgia are deciding
to seek higher education within the state because of the Hope program.
This opens the possibility that these high-quality students will
remain in the state, since many studies find students often settle
in states where they get their education. If these students had
gone out of state, Georgia may have lost them and their good minds
forever.
Statistics are beginning to come in showing just how great is the
impact of the Hope program. For the fifth straight year, Georgia
ranks tops in the amount of student financial aid it provides, a
whopping $311 million. Florida is a distant second, at $236 million,
and no other state provides more than $100 million in aid for their
students. It's because of Hope.
An even more startling figure is that, because of Hope, Georgia
ranks first in the nation by a whopping margin in the per cent of
high school graduates who get state financial aid----some 73.5 percent
of Georgia high school graduates. New Mexico is closest, way back
at 55 percent. It's because of Hope.
Georgia also ranks tops in the nation in aid per undergraduate,
at $1,385. New York is second at $951. Again, it's because of Hope.
(These figures come from the National Association of State Students
Grant and Aid Programs, in its 32nd annual survey, for the years
2000-2001. Georgia, before Hope, did not rank in the top of these
three categories.)
Altogether, at present there are some 169,399 Hope scholars. You
can bet that they and their parents (plus grandparents) are singing
the praises of Hope.
Next time you see a politician, tell them if they know what's good
for them, they will ensure that nobody monkeys with the Hope Scholarship
program.
* * * * *
On Tuesday's ballot in Gwinnett will be a question concerning the
county jail. Voters will be asked whether the county should expand
the jail with proceeds from a 20-year, $75 million bond program.
The current jail, built by sales tax dollars in 1988, has a capacity
of 1,270 inmates. But at present Gwinnett has a jail population
of 1,567 inmates. Because of this, today some 236 inmates are housed
in jails in Cook, Laurens, Appling and Gilmer counties and in the
city of Pelham. The proposal would fund a 10 story tower of 1,440
beds, which will take two years to build and cost the average $150,000
homeowner $15 per year.
Gwinnett's overcrowded jail must get relief. It's far cheaper,
in the short run to fund a new jail through a general obligation
bond than through major increases in the property tax. Think about
that when you vote on Tuesday.
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ABOUT
OUR SPONSORS
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today we welcome a new sponsor,
The
River Club. In the tradition of Sugarloaf Country Club, The
River Club, a premier gated community, is springing up in Suwanee,
offers the convenience of life in Gwinnett County with the beauty
of the Chattahoochee River. Residents of The River Club will enjoy
shaded walks by the Chattahoochee, as well as the full range of
amenities and community activities that have become Crescent Resources'
hallmark. When complete, The River Club will include an 18-hole
championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. Homesite sales
in The River Club began this fall. Homes are priced from the high
$700s. The average homesite in Phase 1 is nine-tenths of an acre.
To view the Internet site, go to:
http://www.crescent-resources.com/communit/atlanta/riverclub/default.asp
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm.
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FEEDBACK:
11/1: When we elect
someone, therein "lies the rub"
Editor, the Forum:
I would like to follow up on David Tyre's opinion of the political
ad's that run today. I agree with him 90 percent. I would not,
not vote because of the ad, but the quality and character of the
candidate is plainly evident.
The problem is that we elect one of these people and therein
"lies the rub." With all the finger pointing, naysaying
and whining about each other, we don't know who or what the devil
we have elected.
- - Paul Coyne, Norcross
ELECTION
ALERT
Web site offers insight
into computer voting
Georgia leads the nation in replacing antiquated voting machines
with new systems that are accurate, accessible and user friendly,
says "www.georgiacounts.com."
On Nov. 5th you'll cast your ballot on electronic voting units
that are:
-
Easy to Use: If you've ever used an ATM,
paid for gas at the pump, or even operated a microwave, you've
used the same simple touch screen technology Georgia's new voting
machines employ. Even if you're not computer savvy, you'll find
electronic voting simple and easy to understand.
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Secure: Your vote will be recorded in
three separate locations on the voting unit, insuring that your
choices can never be lost. Units have been thoroughly tested,
and battery back-up insures voting won't be interrupted even
if there is a power failure.
-
Accurate: The touch screen system gives
you a clear indication of what choices you have made and provides
a "summary screen" to let you review and, if necessary,
modify your ballot choices. And the units won't permit you to
cast an accidental duplicate vote, or "overvote."
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Accessible: For the first time, visually
impaired Georgians may cast votes independently. Every Georgia
precinct will have audio ballots that assure visually impaired
voters have an equal opportunity to make their voices heard.
To learn more information about the electronic voting system, go
to www.georgiacounts.com.
NEWS
ITEM
11/1: Gwinnett Force
forms volunteer ticket sales team
By Paige Havens
NOV. 1, 2002 - - For many years, Gwinnett has dreamed about having
a true hometown team. We've longed to have community tailgate
parties, after game celebrations, team colors and jerseys and
all the excitement and glory that comes with a hometown team.
Well, that time has come - The Georgia Force professional arena
football team is here! The first game - February 16, 2003 - will
be live on national television via NBC.
Gwinnett can show the world what residents already know - that
Gwinnett is Great! Over 200 community volunteers and leaders have
joined to kick-off Gwinnett's Community Season Ticket Sales Campaign!
Tickets are now on sale! Call 770-813-7610 or go to www.georgiaforce.com.
The least expensive seat in the house is closer to the field than
front row seats at Sanford Stadium! To join the Community Sales
Team contact me at 678-407-5002 or 678-938-4279.
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
Considerations before
going to vote
"Caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) isn't just good, ancient
advice for those who spend money. It's good advice for those who
vote.
"So before buying anybody's political pitch on TV, remember
that these candidates' records and positions aren't secrets. Your
review of their records and positions need not be confined to
absorbing attack-ad sound bites, slogans and smears accented by
ominous music and sound effects.
"You could watch debates. You could read position papers.
You could follow print and electronic coverage of candidates'
activities in and out of office. You might conclude that some
politicians aren't so bad (or good?) after all."
- - From the Oct. 27, 2002 of the Post and Courier, Charleston,
S.C.
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