August 22nd has come and gone in the Middle East and Jerusalem is still standing, and Iran, the Mullahs notwithstanding, didn’t unleash a light show to rival that of the “Night of the Sira’a and Miira’aj” — and that’s a good thing. I’ll miss the blog traffic, ’cause a lot of you readers have been coming in via Google searches for Iran and Aug. 22, but although not surprised that nothing happened, I’m certainly much relieved. Only the addled or insane wish for the Apocalypse — sorry about that Mahmoud.

Actually, August 22nd is a special day for me — my Mom’s birthday. Although she’s been gone for over three years now, I’ll never forget her 80th and 81st birthdays, her last two, as I made a special point to go back and spend them with her. That last one was the most special for me.

This day will be sadly remembered by a wonderful couple that are long-time clients/friends of my wife. They buried their 44 year old son today, after a particularly devastating and disfiguring bout with cancer. The only consolation in situations like this is that he had recently come to know the Lord, and when his body ran out of time, he was more than ready to go on to the next existence.

The service was held at a Baptist church located in South Central LA, deep in the ‘hood. It was my first time to attend a black worship service of any kind, and a funeral for someone saved by grace in this church is an absolute wonder to behold. It was packed to the walls with mourning, celebration, love and reveling in the joy of salvation. I’m still so moved that writing about it tears me up once again.

I didn’t know the man when I escorted my wife into the service, but two hours later I sure knew how much his life had mattered to those that raised or grew up with him. Although his was a troubled life with much self-destruction, do to how he treated others, he managed to mean a great deal to his family and friends. If he had never come to know Christ, this service would have been almost unbearable — instead, it was uplifting and an experience that I will cherish forever.

I wish for his mother, father, grandparents and cousins that their time of grieving will be short, and that their fondest memories of their loved one wash away those that are too difficult to remember.

Godspeed man — we’re all on our own way to joining you . . . (db)

Dennis Prager often comments on his show and in his writings about Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christians, calling them some of the best friends that Jews and Israel have in this world. Guess the ADL isn’t paying attention.

ADL Breaks With Pack On Church-State
Foxman signals shift in tactics with attack on Evangelical power in U.S.

Warning that the Evangelical right has made alarming gains in social and political influence, a leading Jewish church-state watchdog is calling for a tougher and more unified Jewish response.

Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, speaking to the group’s national leadership here last week, signaled a sharp shift in ADL policy by directly attacking several prominent religious right groups and challenging their motives, which he said include nothing less than “Christianizing America.”

Among the groups he cited were the powerful Focus on the Family ministry and the Family Research Council.

Foxman said as these groups seek to use the government to further their missionizing goal, Democrats and Republicans alike are “pandering” to the religious conservatives.

The ADL leader also called for a national Jewish summit to respond to the growing challenge.

Foxman may face stiff resistance, however, from colleagues in other organizations who believe a more confrontational strategy would be a big mistake for American Jews and for Israel.

In an interview this week, Foxman said the shift in ADL’s approach on the Evangelicals was necessitated by their growing political and social clout.

“What we’re seeing is a pervasive, intensive assault on the traditional balance between religion and state in this country,” he said. “They’re trying to bring Christianity to all aspects of American life. They’re not just talking just about God and religious values but about Jesus and about Christian values.”

As far as I can see, no one is trying to establish a theocracy here in the U.S., except maybe for radical Islam. Wonder how accepted our Mr. Foxman would be if that happens? (db)