Thursday, February 26, 2009

European Chiefs Propose Global Rules

Curt Here...

The article posted below details that the European leaders are proposing for the April G-20 economic summit, new global economic rules. They are also seeking a common European position to present at this summit.

Why are the Europeans pushing this so actively? I think this statement in the article sums it very nicely when it says " Even the global crisis and a change of Administration may not be enough to convince the US to hand over its autonomy. " I see the US as wary of giving away powers of oversight and regulation," said Robert Brusca of Fact And Opinion Economics in New York."

It is very clear what is going on and I have been saying this for awhile. The Europeans are seeking to politically profit from this economic crisis. It is a economic power grab plan and simple.

I also find it very interesting that 7 out of the 8 countries that are pushing for these new global economic rules are from the WEU. The 8th country is the Cech Republic and the only reason they are listed is because they hold the current EU presidency, but I can guarantee you they wouldn't be listed if they didn't hold this current position of power.

IMHO opinion this is a very important article and gives us a snapshot into what is going on in the push for a one world currency and a new global world order.

Stay Tuned.

Curt


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European chiefs propose global rules

European leaders mounted a united front against the global financial crisis yesterday, proposing sweeping new market regulations, but it remained unclear whether economic giants like the United States and China would go along.

Heads of government and finance ministers from Europe's largest economies joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin to lay the groundwork for a common European position on economic reforms before an April 2 summit of the Group of 20 nations in London.

"Europe will own up to its responsibility in the world," Merkel said.

Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic agreed to press for sanctions on tax havens, caps for managers' bonus payments and a stronger role and increased funding for the International Monetary Fund.

While the plans were based on an agenda adopted by the G-20 in November, the measures announced yesterday were more far-reaching and concrete, particularly on long-disputed issues such as hedge fund regulation....

....Even the global crisis and a change of Administration may not be enough to convince the US to hand over its autonomy.

"I see the US as wary of giving away powers of oversight and regulation," said Robert Brusca of Fact And Opinion Economics in New York.

For more click the link...http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10558318

Monday, February 23, 2009

Brown: World Needs 'Global New Deal'

Curt Here...

Thanks for the heads up to the anonymous poster in my last blog entry for this story.

According to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown the world needs a global new deal to get out of this worldwide economic crisis. He calls this global deal a "grand bargain" between all the countries based on the "best principles." My initial reaction to this was who's best principles? Who's principles are we going to model in this new global new deal?

My question was quickly answered by Nicolas Sarkozy when he added this gem on top of Brown's comment. He said "Europe wants to see an overhaul of the system. We all agree on that. We're not talking about superficial measures now or transitional measures -- we're talking about structural measure, which need to be taken."

It seems to me, from this response that the structural measures Sarkozy says need to be changed is of course the American free market capitalistic system, and in my humble opinion the system he is advocating that we adopt is the European more liberal/socialistic system.

It is also clear from the article that the Europeans politicians have all agreed that international financial markets must be regulated more thoroughly. So, let's be honest and I have said this before, this economic crisis will turn into a huge power grab for EU, and I believe it will eventually lead to the mark of the beast.

Stay Tuned.

Curt


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Brown: World needs 'global New Deal'

BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- The world needs a "global New Deal" to haul it out of the economic crisis it faces, Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom said Sunday.

"We need a global New Deal -- a grand bargain between the countries and continents of this world -- so that the world economy can not only recover but... so the banking system can be based on... best principles," he said, referring to the 1930s American plan to fight the Great Depression.

Brown was speaking as the leaders of Europe's biggest economies met to try to forge a common position on the global financial crisis ahead of a major summit in London in April.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the world's response to the global financial meltdown had to be profound and long-lasting, not just tinkering around the edges.

"Europe wants to see an overhaul of the system. We all agree on that. We're not talking about superficial measures now or transitional measures -- we're talking about structural measure, which need to be taken," he said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the host of the meeting, urged nations of the world to work together to fight the problem.

"Confidence can only be restored if people in our countries feel that we are pulling in the same direction and have understood that we really must learn lessons from this crisis," she said.

And she proposed that a new institution grow out of the crisis, "which will take on more responsibility for global [financial] mechanisms."

The Europeans say they have agreed international financial markets must be regulated more thoroughly. That also means stricter rules for hedge funds and credit-rating agencies.

European and world leaders have been holding frequent summits as they struggle to cope with a financial crisis that has affected banks, homeowners, businesses and employees around the world.

London will host a meeting of the Group of 20 nations in April. The G-20 includes the G-7 leading industrialized nations -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States -- as well as the world's largest developing economies: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey, plus the European Union.

The managing director of the International Monetary Fund and the president of the World Bank, plus the chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and Development Committee of the IMF and World Bank, also participate in G-20 meetings.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/22/germany.financial.summit/index.html

Monday, February 16, 2009

G7 States Call for ‘New World Economic Order’

Curt Here...

It looks as if the push towards a so called new world economic order continues. Today from the crisis summit in Rome, finance leaders from the seven leading economies released a joint statement calling for "urgent reforms" to the global financial system.

The statement went on to say that "The stabilisation of the global economy and financial markets remains our highest priority." The United States new Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said "We need to begin the process of comprehensive reform of our financial system and the international financial system, so the world never again faces a crisis this severe."

If you have been following this blog and the current economic crisis than you will remember that I blogged on this push for a new world economic order back in October of 08 when it first broke as a solution to the global economic crisis. You can view that post here... http://the70thweek.blogspot.com/2008/10/european-leaders-are-lobbying-bush-to.html. At the time the EU leaders were pressuring President Bush to hold an economic summit where one of the proposed items on the agenda was a one world currency.

The summit happened but it obviously didn't go anywhere, especially with Bush about to leave office. But with a new administration in Washington and with the appeareance that the Obama administration is much more friendly to the global ideas of Europe, it is going to get very interesting, and fast.

As the economy continues to crumble around us, watch as the the push for a new world economic order gets louder. In my humble opinion it will not be long and we will be having serious international discussions on a one world currency and I have a bad feeling that our President may already be seriously considering this idea. I truly hope I am wrong.

Stay Tuned.

Curt

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ROME. THE world’s richest nations called on Saturday for urgent reform of global finance to save the world from the economic devastation that is dragging more and more countries into recession.

Italy’s Finance Minister called for a "new world economic order" as he wrapped up the crisis summit of finance leaders from the Group of Seven leading economies here.

In a joint declaration, the G7 called for "urgent reforms" of the international financial system, after talks on forging a way out of the world economic crisis.

"A new world economic order might seem rhetorical," Tremonti told reporters.

"But it is a true goal we should be aiming towards."

The G7 delegates in a joint statement vowed to avoid protectionism as they seek to stabilise the tottering world economy and financial markets and said stabilisation of the world economy was their top priority.

"The global crisis "has highlighted fundamental weaknesses in the international financial system and that urgent reforms are needed," the statement said.

"The stabilisation of the global economy and financial markets remains our highest priority."

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner vowed that his country, the biggest economy in the world and the source of much of the financial drama in recent months, would work with other nations for a consensus on reforms.

"We need to begin the process of comprehensive reform of our financial system and the international financial system, so the world never again faces a crisis this severe," Geithner said in a statement released after the talks.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of the International Monetary Fund — the body coming to the rescue of some crisis-hit countries — said restructuring banks damaged by the credit crunch was the main problem facing governments. — AFP.

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=588&cat=8

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Huge Israeli Gas Find Even More Massive Than Expected

Curt Here.....

Just a quick update. It appears that the natural gas find that was discovered in Israel a few weeks is actually 60 percent larger than originally estimated. It was originally predicted to fuel Israel for 15 years, but obviously it will last much longer.

Several companies that were involved in the find have seen their stock soar since the day of the discovery. It sounds like they are going to continue to drill in the area as they search for more.

Is it enough to entice Russia and the rest of the Islamic countries in the Gog/Magog alliance to consider the idea of attacking Israel to capture spoil and to seize plunder as it states in Ezekiel 38 vs 12-13?

Stay Tuned

Curt
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Huge Israeli Gas Find Even More Massive Than Expected

(IsraelNN.com) A massive natural gas find off the coast of Haifa which was lauded as capable of fueling all of Israel for 15 years is actually more than 60 percent larger than originally estimated, according to the American partner in the drill, Noble Energy Inc.

Israeli companies Isramco Negev 2, Delek Drilling, Avner Oil Exploration, and Dor Gas Exploration had the majority of the stake on the dig – named Tamar-1 – which is estimated at a potential of 5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. That estimate is up from January, at which time the partners believed the well contained 3 trillion cubic feet of gas.

The team will keep their drilling rig in the area for two more wells they believe may be present as well.

"The implications of this discovery to Israel cannot be overstated," said Noble Energy Chief Executive Officer Charles Davidson, in a statement issued after following the revision of the estimate.

Isramco shares, which have skyrocketed 736 percent since the start of the year, were 7.2 percent higher on Wednesday morning compared with declines of over 2 percent in the broader market.

Delek Drilling is up 6.4 percent as of Wednesday morning, with Avner up 4.8 percent. Conglomerate Delek Group (DELKG.TA), the parent of Delek Drilling and Avner, is up 5.9 percent.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129893

Monday, February 9, 2009

Revelation 2

In Revelation 2 we read about Christ's analysis of 4 of the 7 churches in Asia. While all of the commentary I have read agrees that these were actual churches, I also believe that all of us can learn from these evaluations and the challenges Christ gives.

I'll focus on the first church in the chapter, the church in Ephusus.

What I find interesting is that this first church is given major credit for enduring in holding on to the truth of Christ's teaching yet in verse 4 we find that they are judged to have lost their first love. Ephesus was a city that had great commercial trading, wonderful architecture, and clearly valued education.

In verse 5 they are directed to humbly recall where they have come from. A great piece of advice for all of us. For those of us who are believers our first love has to be Jesus. I'm also reminded of the joy of my salvation when as an adult I truly understood God's grace, forgiveness and love for me.

As we search the scriptures for understanding and discuss the possible implications of this prophecy or that verse lets keep in mind that we have one primary goal, to be transparent about our love for Christ and be ready to share our testimony, in season and out of season.

As Curt and I have often reflected on the prophetic scriptures and the current events that certainly appear to match many of them, the question of what now often comes to the surface. After y ears of praying, pondering, discussing it is clear to me what to do... HOLD ON TO OUR FIRST LOVE AND BE WILLING TO MAKE PERSONAL SACRIFICES TO SHARE THE GOSPEL. Now, if you are reading our blog and are not a Christian... welcome, some of this may be hard to comprehend.

My own conclusion to how the end times unfold is one more attempt by God to pull out all the stops, if you will, to stir believers out of their comfort zones and into sharing the truth in love with those around us. It is a natural response to our first love and the reality that we are running out of time to reach those who haven't been presented with the Gospel.

As we read the scriptures and see the "birth pangs" it is not hard to imagine people searching for understanding. Lets make sure those of us who know Jesus personally are ready and willing to tell our story of our first love.

God Bless,

Mike

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Revelation 1

Mike here...

A couple of friends and I decided to read through Revelation together, so I thought I'd blog along the way with observations and thoughts from each week's reading.

So, here is the first installment.

I had two major thoughts on the first chapter of Revelation. Lets start with v. 3

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. NASB

What a great promise. Those who read, hear and heed these prophecies will be blessed! In my "American Christian Experience" so many believers, including pastors and teachers tend to avoid or not be interested in discussing this book and the concept of end times prophecy. Of course Curt and I don't quite "roll like that". Bring on the blessings! I'm not completely sure of the type of blessings coming our way but that is a topic for another day. Having said that, the last 5 words can certainly be a bit of a stumbling block. Naysayers may comment that this book was written in 95 AD so how near are these end times. A fair question for sure. Most of what I have read indicates that these first 3 chapters were actual "warnings" to the seven churches found in Asia. So, in context that phrase certainly fits and sets the stage for specific critiques and compliments of these seven churches.

The next verse that I found to be pivotal is the end of 17 and 18.

17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. NASB

It is important that we don't forget we believe in and serve the LIVING GOD, who is holding the keys of death and of Hades. All the frustrations, temptations and evil in this world can't change what Christ has done for each of us. We simply can never forget how the entire book ends, in victory for those of us who believe and are obedient to the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

If you ever need a "pep-talk" or encouraging word, strangely enough Revelation is a good place to turn.

Please feel free to post comments, thoughts, questions. We would love to hear from you and have the opportunity to interact. We all have much to learn and it often happens as we work our way through the scriptures, even if it is a clumsy path it is worthwhile.

God Bless.... or should I say..... "Read, listen, and heed the warnings found in Revelation so that God can fulfill his promise of blessings".

I kind of like that.

Mike