The Kingdom Come

Congress seems increasingly reluctant to let taxes go up, even on wealthier Americans.

The Taliban is confronting a serious "cash flow" problem after losing some half of its annual drug trade money to a farming blight and government eradication efforts, a Marine two-star general said Thursday.

Christina Romer, the departing chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors said America's economic "turnaround" has been "insufficient." 

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told a panel investigating the financial crisis that regulators must be ready to shutter the largest institutions if they threaten to bring down the financial system.

An offshore oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, west of the site of the April blast that caused the massive oil spill.

The U.S. Justice Department sued Sheriff Joe Arpaio on Thursday, saying the Arizona lawman refused for more than a year to turn over records in an investigation into allegations his department discriminates against Hispanics.

On Jan. 22, 2009, two days after his inauguration, President Obama signed an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay prison within one year--despite a DIA report issued two weeks earlier that said 18 released Guantanamo detainees had been confirmed as returning to terrorism, including in Afghanistan.

In keeping with Obama administration policy, the $17 million will benefit 'diverse and vulnerable' populations that often are under-represented in medical research.

You all should be aware of hurricane preparations, but in case you need a refresher course:

We're about to enter the peak of the hurricane season. Any minute now, you're going

Civil-rights organization highlights universities that are 'unrepentant' violators

Islamic Americans release public-service announcement to calm fears

Worried attacks based on sexual orientation falling under state statutes

The executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says that the Tea Party and Republican Party have given the green light for people to defame and stereotype Muslims. 

Transit agency posts ads for 2nd Amendment conference

American officials are hopeful they can at least get the two sides to agree to a second round of talks, likely to be held in the second week of September.

Murderers upheld as 'model of willpower,' awarded for 'resoluteness and giving'

Interview scheduled day after Army hearing on evidence of president's eligibility

Where has the Christian influence in art gone? Is it proper to paint biblical themes? Does the second commandment prohibit images of any kind?

God's Judgment Is Fair
Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things. We know that God is right to judge everyone who behaves in this way. Do you really think God won't punish you, when you behave exactly like the people you accuse? You surely don't think much of God's wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don't you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?

But you are stubborn and refuse to turn to God. So you are making things even worse for yourselves on that day when he will show how angry he is and will judge the world with fairness. God will reward each of us for what we have done. He will give eternal life to everyone who has patiently done what is good in the hope of receiving glory, honor, and life that lasts forever. But he will show how angry and furious he can be with every selfish person who rejects the truth and wants to do evil. All who are wicked will be punished with trouble and suffering. It doesn't matter if they are Jews or Gentiles. But all who do right will be rewarded with glory, honor, and peace, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. God doesn't have any favorites!

Those people who don't know about God's Law will still be punished for what they do wrong. And the Law will be used to judge everyone who knows what it says. God accepts those who obey his Law, but not those who simply hear it.

Some people naturally obey the Law's commands, even though they don't have the Law. This proves that the conscience is like a law written in the human heart. And it will show whether we are forgiven or condemned, when God has Jesus Christ judge everyone's secret thoughts, just as my message says.

The Jews and the Law
Some of you call yourselves Jews. You trust in the Law and take pride in God. By reading the Scriptures you learn how God wants you to behave, and you discover what is right. You are sure that you are a guide for the blind and a light for all who are in the dark. And since there is knowledge and truth in God's Law, you think you can instruct fools and teach young people.

But how can you teach others when you refuse to learn? You preach that it is wrong to steal. But do you steal? You say people should be faithful in marriage. But are you faithful? You hate idols, yet you rob their temples. You take pride in the Law, but you disobey the Law and bring shame to God. It is just as the Scriptures tell us, "You have made foreigners say insulting things about God."

Being circumcised is worthwhile, if you obey the Law. But if you don't obey the Law, you are no better off than people who are not circumcised. In fact, if they obey the Law, they are as good as anyone who is circumcised. So everyone who obeys the Law, but has never been circumcised, will condemn you. Even though you are circumcised and have the Law, you still don't obey its teachings.

Just because you live like a Jew and are circumcised doesn't make you a real Jew. To be a real Jew you must obey the Law. True circumcision is something that happens deep in your heart, not something done to your body. And besides, you should want praise from God and not from humans.

The triple bombing of a religious procession in Pakistan adds to the strains on a government already struggling with devastating floods and shows that Islamist militants are back in business despite the natural disaster.