“A Fearful Thing”– deals with examples of being set apart by God for His special purpose.  Dave Harris will be speaking on this subject Friday night February 22nd at 8:30pm CT.  On the 23rd of February, Edwin Pope, will be speaking on “The Power of Prayer” at 2:30 p.m. CT
 
For the live Bible Study and/or the Sabbath Sermon, go to www.cognetservices.org or www.eternalgod.org , and “Connect to Live Stream”.

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

JOERG HAIDER’S TRIP TO IRAQ
After the news hit that Austria’s Joerg Haider had visited Iraq, he announced last Friday that he would withdraw from national politics. But only very few were willing to take this announcement seriously.
 
The Austrian “News” Magazine ran several articles on February 20, pointing out that Mr. Haider will stay as active in politics as ever. “I’m not going to be buried in Carinthia,” he said in an interview (Mr. Haider is presently governor of Carinthia, a southern province of Austria). He also pointed out that he will continue his travels to Iraq, after he promised his party last Friday that he would not do so, according to the “News Magazin.” After all, he said, his recent travel was just for humanitarian purposes. Saddam Hussein did receive Joerg Haider, however, as if he was the leader of another state. At the same time, Mr. Haider alleged that he negotiated with Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, about prisoners of war in Kuwait — a statement that has not been confirmed by the government of Iraq.
 
In the meantime, the United States and the United Nations are investigating Mr. Haider’s flight to Iraq.The U.S. openly criticized Mr. Haider’s handshake with Saddam Hussein and condemned it as “inappropriate and counter-productive.” The U.S. is waiting what action, if any, Austria is going to impose against Mr. Haider, stating at the same time that they are becoming impatient with Austria’s lack of action.
 
CATHOLIC EURO
The Vatican announced that 26,000 Vatican-Euros will be circulated. The coins portray Pope John Paul II. The delay was caused as the Euro version of the Italian government had to be circulated first. As “Der Stern” points out, the Catholic Euros will become very valuable, in time, for collectors. The Vatican is one of the smallest states in the world, with only 500 citizens.
 
CHANGES IN COPYRIGHT LAW CONSTITUTIONAL?
Stemming from a legal battle between Internet publisher Eric Eldred and the Disney Corporation, the United States Supreme Court has agreed to look into the constitutionality of recent changes of the U.S. copyright law. On October 27, 1998, the “Sonny Bono Copyright Act” extended copyright protection of all artworks that had been published since January 1, 1923, for another 23 years, to create a protection of “life plus 70,” rather than “life plus 50.” (In other words, the protection of art works presently lasts for 70 years, rather than 50 years, as before, after the author’s death).
 
CANADIAN WORK
There was a need to fill two vacancies left by the resignation of George Thiessen as Director and Secretary of the Church in Canada. Rene Messier has taken on the responsibility of Secretary, and we are pleased to add to our Directors in Canada Mr. Dan Strathern, a long time member of God’s Church from the Edmonton area. We welcome Dan as a Director and the experience he brings with him. We want to express our thanks to George Thiessen for the services he provided to the Church.
 

On February 16th Norbert Link will be addressing the question whether sinners are more happy and blessed in this life than righteous people.  For the live Sermon, go to www.cognetservices.org or www.eternalgod.org at 2:30 p.m. CT, and “Connect to Live Stream”.
 

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

CURRENT EVENTS IN LIGHT OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY
Austria’s Joerg Haider made news again this week when it became known that he had just visited Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. SPIEGEL ONLINE reported that Mr. Haider met with Mr. Saddam Hussein to assure him of Austria’s solidarity with the Iraqi people. Upon his return, Haider criticized the policy of the United States on Iraq.
 
YAHOO NEWS cited Haider as follows, “‘For the first time in my life I am in agreement with German Foreign Minister (Joschka) Fischer, which may surprise you… I share his view that you cannot portray any state as evil with unproven assertions in order to have a pretext for initiatives in arms policy.'”
 
SPIEGEL ONLINE confirmed that Mr. Joschka Fischer had indeed strongly criticized the United States in regard to their foreign policy on Iraq. But Fischer was not the only critic. During a meeting of the European foreign ministers, others, like the representative from France, shared Fischer’s criticism. Fischer specifically criticized the U.S. for pursuing their goals alone, against the wishes of the Europeans. (At the same time, the foreign ministers discussed a plan for the establishment of a Palestinian state as a “starting point of a negotiation process”).
 
YAHOO NEWS reported that President Bush has decided to oust Saddam Hussein. Quoting the Philadelphia Inquirer, the article pointed out that the White House “was determined to act even if U.S. allies do not help… Escalating U.S. rhetoric on Iraq has alarmed Russia and America’s European allies in recent weeks, while causing concern among experts about the political and human costs of a lengthy U.S. military campaign in the Middle East.”
 
USA TODAY reported that a military action against the Iraq is unlikely before May. “Likely military options range from a limited intervention to help rebel groups to ‘Desert Storm lite,’ a reprise of the 1991 Gulf War that could involve as many as 200,000 U.S. troops, Iraq experts say.”
 
JERUSALEM POST Summary:  The past few weeks have witnessed unparalleled world involvement in the explosive Israeli and Palestinian quagmire.  Several ministers from Europe have traveled into the area–not the least being German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.  His call for “a shared international position” flies in the face of France’s recent call for a separate Palestinian State in spite of the ongoing terrorism of the various Palestinian factions.
 
At present, there is no unified European foreign policy as regards the region.  However, events will continue to funnel the national interests of Europe toward more and more entanglement in this area.  Most striking is the international power and prestige that is emerging from European nations that act as a check on what has, in recent years, been an American domain.

On February 9th Messrs Rene Messier and Dave Harris will give the Split Sermons.  For the live Sermon, go to www.cognetservices.org or www.eternalgod.org at 2:30 p.m. CT, and “Connect to Live Stream”.
 

On February 2nd, the Sabbath Sermon on NetServices will be given by Edwin Pope.  For the live Sermon, go to www.cognetservices.org or www.eternalgod.org  at 2:30 p.m. CT, and “Connect to Live Stream”.
 

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

MIDDLE-EAST
Jerusalem, in a way disproportionate to its world role, is becoming the spotlight for a global audience.  It is now commonplace for CNN or other news outlets to feature major reports and time slots to the Israeli and Palestinian enigma.  Even the State of the Union message from President Bush reflected the dynamic emergence of this part of the Middle East.
 
Although Mr. Arafat has survived several attempts to either kill him or remove his influence in the politics of the region, he is now being labeled in a way that leaves him in the company of Usama Ben Laden–a TERRORIST.  What is most remarkable is the stunning change in Washington.  Now the official American position is such that Prime Minister Sharon may move in startling ways to secure the safety of his nation, Israel.
 
We must be watching these unfolding events that will lead to international issues of such epic importance that a unified Europe and an empowered Catholic leadership will find it in their best interest to occupy this region.  In the meantime, the people of God must stay attentive, we must be about our Father’s business–reaching out with the GOOD NEWS of God’s message of world peace!
 
PHILIPPINES
(Excerpted from The Philippine Star 01/28/2002)
Militants may protest and opposition leaders gripe but most Filipinos, including the business community, are cheering the arrival of US troops to take part in operations against the Abu Sayyaf Muslim kidnapping group who have links to the al-Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden.

Despite almost daily protests by leftists, Mrs. Arroyo has obtained a consensus from congressional leaders in favor of letting some 660 US soldiers into the southern Philippines. As a result, the stock market and the peso have strengthened in the past week as the Americans started arriving to help train and advise local soldiers in the hunt for the Abu Sayyaf.
 
The Abu Sayyaf have been attacking and kidnapping Christians and foreigners for years. The headline-grabbing crimes have given the country an image of lawlessness and danger, scaring away foreign investment and tourists.  US military assistance was offered to the Philippines as part of the worldwide campaign against terror in the wake of the deadly Sept. 11th attacks in the United States. 
 
Der Stern reported on Jan. 31 that the Minister President of the temporary Afghan government announced that Tony Blair of Great Britain rejected the request for additional British military help in Afghanistan.

AFGHANISTAN
Der Stern reported on Jan. 31 that the Minister President of the temporary Afghan government announced that Tony Blair of Great Britain rejected the request for additional British military help in Afghanistan.

AUSTRIA
The Austrian press reported on Jan. 31 that there is a growing desire in Austria for new elections. This, so the Austrian News Magazine, would coincide with Joerg Haider’s wishes. Format speculated that Joerg Haider might return to Vienna. Although 83% of the Austrians do presently not anticipate that Mr. Haider will ever become Austrian Chancellor, only time will tell.

WAR ON DRUGS
Bild Online also made some biting comments on Jan. 31 regarding President Bush’s Union speech, stating, “Now he wants to fight premarital sex and use of drugs and alcohol by teens… Insofar as drugs and alcohol is concerned, he might want to start at home,” referring thereby to his two twin daughters and his niece in Florida.