Note: Those who are signed up to the mailing list, whether it be via Googlegroups or Facebook, received advance notice of the posting of this quiz, thus giving them the edge in the race to getting the correct answers in. A practice we’ll continue in the future. The point? Sign up for our mailing lists for advance notice of such special events :)!

Salaam Alaikum

Well, with the month of Ramadan officially over (may Allah accept our good deeds and allow us to witness many more!), we have the chance once again to reacquaint ourselves with the Book of Allah. Many of us heard it during tarawih, many others read it cover to cover, and those who were blessed by Allah did both!

So, in order to test how well we were paying attention, here’s a short ‘Quran quiz’ involving simple facts that anyone can look up (note: the tajwid questions are based upon the reading of Hafs).

And as part of MM’s goal of increased reader interactivity, the FIRST THREE people to e-mail us the correct response will get Dar-us-Salam gift certificates & Anwar Awlaki audiotapes.

Bismillah, let the games begin: (more…)

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM MONITOR-PAPER NO 456

Global Geopolitics Net Sites
Monday, October 13, 2008

Copyright © B. Raman - South Asia Analysis Group
www.southasiaanalysis.org

B.RAMAN

Adam Gadahn alias Azzam al-Amriki, an American convert to Islam who headed As Sahab, the propaganda wing of Al Qaeda and was missing since a missile attack by an unmanned US aircraft early in the morning of January 29, 2008, on a house at a village called Khushali Torikhel, 12 kilometres south of Mir Ali town, in North Waziristan, is back. The death of Abu Laith al-Libi, a Libyan national and an important Al Qaeda leader, in this missile attack was announced by a web site (ekhlas.org) associated with Al Qaeda, on January 31,2008. His so-called martyrdom was also confirmed by Ayman al-Zawahiri, the No.2 to bin Laden, in an audio message disseminated on February 27, 2008.

2. The “News” of Pakistan had reported that there was speculation in the tribal areas that Gadahn was also present in the house attacked by the missile and that there were rumours that he was also killed, but this was not confirmed. However,the disappearance of Gadahn after January 29,2008, and his non-appearance in any of the video and audio messages disseminated by As Sahab thereafter gave rise to speculation that he must have been either killed or incapacitated by the missile strike.

3. After an absence of a little over seven months, Gadahn gave sign of life again in a video message disseminated by As Sahab on October 4,2008, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting period. The message, which is mainly addressed to the Muslims of Pakistan, with some references to the Muslims of other countries of the South Asian region,including India and Afghanistan, refers to a number of incidents in the Pakistani tribal belt in September, the controversy over the ground attack by the US Special Forces in South Waziristan and the election of Asif Ali Zardari as the President, thus indicating that it must have been recorded in the second half of September. However, it does not refer to the explosion outside the Marriott Hotel of Islamabad on September 20,2008.

4. The message virulently criticises both political and military leaders of Pakistan for the operations undertaken by the Pakistan Army in the Bajaur and Swat areas and for their co-operation with the US. It seeks to question the sincerity of the criticism by Pakistani leaders of the US intrusions into Pakistani territory and air space and to project them as an eye-wash. He calls Gen.Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), as a “wolf in wolves’ clothing”.

5. The message contains no direct criticism of India nor of Indian leaders. It does not refer to the serial blasts in various Indian cities since November ,2007. It, however, criticises the Pakistani leaders and agencies, including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), for diverting attention away from the jihad in Jammu and Kashmir in order to carry out military operations in the tribal areas. It also calls for unity of action by the Mujahideen of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and other countries of the region.

6.The passing references of relevance to India are given below:

* “The Mujahideen and their supporters in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kashmir, India and the region must be on their guard against the plots and conspiracies being hatched against them in the corridors of ISI headquarters, Army House and other centres of Satanic scheming in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Kabul and must close ranks and must never allow the agents of America and the criminal regimes of the region’s capitals come between them and their brothers.”
* “It is the interference of the hypocrites from the ostensibly helpful Pakistani agencies which has delayed victory in Kashmir for all these long years. It is the liberation of the jihad there from this interference which will be the first step towards victory over the Hindu occupiers of that Muslim land.”

7. There are two intriguing sentences in the message. It says: ” Someone wanted us to imagine that the same Pakistan Government, which is probably responsible for the death of more Muslims in Pakistan than the Americans are and the same Pakistan Army which is mercilessly bombing the Bajaur Agency to please its Crusader backers are both SUDDENLY PREPARED TO FIGHT KUFAR (INFIDELS) INSTEAD OF MUSLIMS. Someone wanted to imply to us that the same Pakistan Army which for seven years has left Pakistan’s borders wide open in front of the Crusaders and Hindus while it fights the Mujahideen and kills defenceless innocents to please its paymasters in Washington IS NOW INTERESTED IN PROTECTING THOSE BORDERS.” (Emphasis mine)

8. Who is that “someone”? Is the Pakistan Army making peace overtures to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) by suggesting that peace in the tribal areas was necessary to enable it to go back to the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir and resume assistance for the jihad in Kashmir? He seems to caution the TTP that this is a trap and that it should not fall into it. He describes this as a “classical Pakistani propaganda with no factul basis.”(12-10-08)

( The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )

Three UK animal rights extremists received jail sentences ranging from 15 months to four years their part in an illegal campaign against companies that had business relationships with Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Mark Taylor, 39; wife Suzanne, 35; and Teresa Portwine, 48, were the first to be charged under new UK laws designed to make it easier to crack down on animal rights extremists who skirted the law in their efforts to harass and intimidate animal research firms and nonprofits.

All three plead guilty to conspiracy to interfere with a contractual relationship. Portwine was sentenced to just 15 months, Suzanne Taylor received 2 1/2 years, and Mark Taylor was sentenced to four years in jail.

The judge in the case apparently took into account testimony from witnesses that Taylor had been a ring leader of the group’s activities in handing out the sentence. Taylor participated in numerous protests and drove others to said protests where groups of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty activists wearing masks would storm into the offices of the targeted companies.

Sources:

3 animal rights extremists
sentenced. D’arcy Doran, Associated Press, March 6, 2007.

Animal rights activists are jailed for ‘intimidation’. New Scotsman, March 6, 2007.

Animal rights activist jailed. Press Association, March 6, 2007.

Read Luke 2:22-40
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’” -Luke 2:28-32

Simeon recognized Jesus, praised God, and responded. How did he know? Who recognizes Jesus now? How do they/we respond to him and his call on our lives?

Family Security Matters recently published an article on Dutch politician Geert Wilders speech at the Four Seasons in New York. For me it was eye opening and sobering to read.

Yeah, I know, this is not a Politically Correct view to take. I am sick and tired of all the Political Correctness that is going on. Everyone is to scared to say what they mean or want because it may offend someone. Being P.C. will get people killed.

I stand for my country. I stand for freedom of speech and expression. I believe in making country’s strong by assimilation, not annihilation. I am an American Infidel.

Here are some quotes from the speech -

In some elementary schools in Amsterdam the farm can no longer be mentioned, because that would also mean mentioning the pig, and that would be an insult to Muslims. Many state schools in Belgium and Denmark serve only halal food(1) to all pupils. In once-tolerant Amsterdam, gays are beaten up almost exclusively by Muslims. Non-Muslim women routinely hear “whore, whore.”

In France school teachers are advised to avoid authors deemed offensive to Muslims, including Voltaire(2) and Diderot; the same is increasingly true of Darwin(3) The history of the Holocaust(4) can in many cases no longer be taught because of Muslim sensitivity. In England, Sharia courts(5) are now officially part of the British legal system. Many neighbourhoods in France are no-go areas for women without head scarves. Last week a man almost died after being beaten up by Muslims in Brussels(6) , because he was drinking during the Ramadan. Jews are fleeing France in record numbers, on the run for the worst wave of anti-Semitism since World War II.

The British Centre for Social Cohesion reported that one-third of British Muslim students are in favour of a worldwide caliphate(7)

The Koran calls for hatred, violence, submission, murder, and terrorism. The Koran calls for Muslims to kill non-Muslims, to terrorize non-Muslims and to fulfill their duty to wage war: violent jihad. Jihad is a duty for every Muslim, Islam is to rule the world - by the sword.

Mohammed was a warlord, a mass murderer, a pedophile, and had several marriages - at the same time. Islamic tradition tells us how he fought in battles, how he had his enemies murdered and even had prisoners of war executed. Mohammed himself slaughtered the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza. He advised on matters of slavery, but never advised to liberate slaves. Islam has no other morality than the advancement of Islam.

Islam is not compatible with freedom and democracy, because what it strives for is sharia(8) .

So-called journalists volunteer to label any and all critics of Islamization as a ‘right-wing extremists’ or ‘racists’. The entire establishment has sided with our enemy. Leftists, liberals and Christian-Democrats are now all in bed with Islam.

the Netherlands, 60% of the population now sees the mass immigration of Muslims as the number one policy mistake since World War II. And another 60 percent sees Islam as the biggest threat to our national identity. I don’t think the public opinion in Holland is very different from other European countries.

Islam is a direct threat to the “Western” world. Its very ideology is to spread Islam to the world by any means.

And, like the UK Sharia Courts, our own laws are being used against us. Not only in the United States but all over the world.

Muslims try to get alcohol banned at Tesco

How about those “Tollerant” Islamic Nations, how do they fare when it comes to being “Compassionate Muslims”?

Iran’s parliament has passed the death penalty for apostasy, which is viewed in that country as converting to any other faith than Islam.

Thousands of Iranians have been converting to Christianity, and the underground church is thriving, according to reports. But other Iranians are returning to Zoroastrianism, which was the dominant religion in Iran at one time. Jonathan Rocho, with International Christian Concern (ICC), explains.(9)

I know, not fare to pick on Iran. How about Malaysia?

Constitutionally, all Malays are Muslim, and they and converts are ruled by sharia and cannot leave Islam. Malay woman Lina Joy attempted for 10 years to revoke her Muslim status but even the Federal Court refused to grant her wish stating that only sharia courts could do so (reference 30/5/07). This has horrendous social and legal repercussions denying Malays the right/freedom to leave a ‘religion’ forced on them at birth.

There are many ‘human tragedy’ tales- A Hindu woman with a Muslim ID card, has been jailed for 6+ months in an ‘Islamic re-education Camp’, and told her marriage to a Hindu man is not recognised. She is forbidden from meeting her husband and denied guardianship of her new-born baby (reference 13/8/07)! A Chinese boy incorrectly brought up as a Malay/Muslim wants to be Buddhist (reference). Chinese and Hindus are buried as Muslims (reference1) (reference2)(10)

Maybe we need to see whats happening in Amman Jordan?

There are strange happenings in the world of international jurisprudence that do not bode well for the future of free speech. In an unprecedented case, a Jordanian court is prosecuting 12 Europeans in an extraterritorial attempt to silence the debate on radical Islam.

The prosecutor general in Amman charged the 12 with blasphemy, demeaning Islam and Muslim feelings, and slandering and insulting the prophet Muhammad in violation of the Jordanian Penal Code. The charges are especially unusual because the alleged violations were not committed on Jordanian soil.(11)

Now that free speech has been brought up, lets trek to Europe.

Armin Laschet, minister for minorities (at $300,000 per year, according to his Wikipedia entry) in North Rhine-Westphalia state, who is also a Christian-Democrat was described as jubilant yesterday over the successful takeover of Cologne by mobs who prevented an anti-Islamization political rally from taking place. It was the first time, he said, an entire German city “stood up to protect its Muslims.”(12)

A few quotes for the Koran -

Sura 8, Verse 60
YUSUFALI: Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.

Sura 4 Verse 56
YUSUFALI: Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

Sura 47 Verse 4
YUSUFALI: Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah’s Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.

Sura 4. Verse 89
YUSUFALI: They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks;-

Sura 8 Verse 39
YUSUFALI: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.

I want to thank -

• Islam Watch
• 1389 Blog
• Townhall.com
• Dianna West
• akaJaneDoe.us
• Jihad Watch

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Copyright © 2007
This RSS item is Copyright. See here for specific details. Licensed under the Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States license.
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All footnotes are for reference only. These have no bearing on the information presented above and may include: side thoughts, more links or just more scattered information. Read at your own risk.

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1. See Blog Post here.
2. “In France, Muslims are asking that a reading of a 1714 play by Voltaire be cancelled. ” See Article here.
3. “According to sources in Sudan and Britain, Farouk Mohamed Ibrahim, professor of biology at the University of Khartoum, is being detained and tortured because his lessons about evolution offended the Islamic zeal of his captors.” Read Full Article here.
4. “In England, four Muslim-staffed committees appointed to advise Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Cabinet on issues related to Islam have come up with a recommendation: Get rid of an official event viewed as offensive to Muslims. What event would that be? A celebration of the Crusades, perhaps? No, Holocaust Memorial Day.” Read Full Article here.
5. See Full Article here.
6. See Translated Report here.
7. Caliphate or Khalifate is “Genuine Islamic Rule.” See interesting blog article here.
8. See good article here on what Sharia is.
9. Full Article here.
10. See full Post here.
11. See Full Article here. Wall Street Journal.
12. See articles here and here.

End Footnotes

My last post asked readers several questions relating to the threat of jihadist terrorism.

As promised, I’d like to present my take on the current threat picture by answering the question I posed and elaborating further.

How do you breakdown the jihadist threat?

What was clear, from the Spiegel article I mentioned citing seven different experts, the mainstream media and government, is that there is little to no agreement on describing the jihadist threat. The phrase al-Qaeda is widely used, especially for jihadists, threats, disrupted plots and successful attacks that have little to no connection to al-Qaeda. Thus, I will breakdown the threat into the following categories.

National jihadist terrorism: Islamist groups focusing on the “near enemy” defined as local ‘apostate’ regimes such as Mubarak in Egypt, Assad in Syria or Zadari in Pakistan. Their primary goals are national, i.e. local. They may hate the West but their goal is regime change at home. Examples of these groups are Lebanese Hizbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, Egyptian Islamic Jihad etc.

Transnational jihadist terrorism (Global Jihad Movement or GJM): These groups and individuals focus on the “far enemy” which is the West. Their priorities are the United States, Israel, UK and others. They believe that the West would not allow an Islamic state anywhere (see: Algeria, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran) and thus even if local groups overthrew the regime in say Egypt, foreign powers would not allow an Islamist takeover. Their central argument is that the ummah is under direct attack by the West who wants to destroy Islam, and therefore a defensive jihad must be waged against the infidels. Al Qaeda is the largest example of such a group.

However, within the GJM there are three different types of terrorism. Firstly, core/remnant al-Qaeda (AQ). I say remnant because the U.S. destroyed much of the pre 9/11 AQ. AQ is centralized and hierarchical, classic command and control terrorism so to say. Second, you have affiliate groups (sometimes called franchises) which include AQ in Iraq, AQ in the Maghreb and others. They can have some or no direct links to AQ although they subscribe to the same ideology and have the same goals. Thirdly, you have leaderless terrorism which is carried out by individuals or small groups with no connections to terror groups. Richard Reid (the shoebomber) or the attackers in the Madrid subway bombings are examples.

Is al-Qaeda more dangerous today than it was before 9/11?

Using the definition I gave above, no. AQ has been severely damaged since 9/11, however there are indications that it is reconstituting itself in the tribal areas of Pakistan. At the moment, it is unclear whether they are regaining strength or not. I believe that AQ, as defined above, is not a major threat to the US homeland. The bigger threats are affiliate groups which carry out more frequent attacks and have better capabilities and leaderless terrorism. Affiliate groups are more prevalent in the Gap (see PNM theory), specifically North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. They pose little to no threat to the U.S. homeland. Leaderless terrorism is a bigger threat in Europe and poses a small threat in the U.S.

What type of threat is al-Qaeda and jihadist terrorism? A strategic threat? An annoyance?

Jihadist terrorism is a security threat but by far not a strategic one. Islamists won’t be overthrowing our government, taking over our territory or invading the United States. Past strategic threats were Germany, Japan and the USSR. In perspective, jihadists are small potatoes. John Kerry was correct that terrorism is, in the bigger picture, an annoyance.

Based on the answers to the previous three, are we winning the battle against jihadist terrorism?

I would first of all disagree with the concept of a war on terror. The jihadi threat is very diverse consisting of many groups with differing, at times opposing goals and many methods of terror. To roll them all into one is not only intellectually lazy, but dangerous as it severely limits our understanding and policy options for dealing with the different threats.

If any answer regarding “winning” can be given, I would say the West is indeed winning but has been slow to realize the importance of the war of ideas (especially the United States). Jihadist terrorism will not be elimiated, it will suffer defeats, setbacks and achieve occasional success but nevertheless fade away over time as it loses its appeal and legitimacy among its constituency and incurs long term international attack.

By NAHAL TOOSI, Associated Press Writer

A suspected U.S. missile strike targeted two areas in a Pakistani tribal region near the Afghanistan border on Thursday, killing at least nine people, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Also Thursday, bombings targeting police killed 10 people and wounded 14 in Pakistan’s volatile northwest and the capital - reminders of the challenge facing the country as its lawmakers pursue a national anti-terror consensus.

The alleged missile strikes appeared to be part of a surge in U.S. cross border assaults from Afghanistan on alleged militant targets in Pakistan, which have strained ties between the two anti-terror allies.

One missile strike occurred at a house in Tappi village in North Waziristan tribal region. Some of those killed were believed to be foreigners, said two local Pakistani intelligence officials, citing reports from informants and agents.

A local tribesman, Shoaib Dawar, said Taliban militants surrounded the house. He said drones were heard in the area before the strike.

A second alleged strike was reported at a house in the village of Dande Darpa Khel. The site was near a seminary of veteran Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani, considered an archenemy of the U.S. No casualties were immediately reported.

The intelligence officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. The army could not immediately be reached for comment.

Al-Qaida and Taliban militants have used Pakistan’s tribal areas as bases from which to attack U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, spurring U.S. frustration with Pakistan. The tribal regions also are considered potential hiding places for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri.

Pakistani officials have protested that such strikes violate the nation’s sovereignty. The U.S. rarely acknowledges such missile strikes. Some of the strikes are believed to be carried out by the CIA, which is said to use Predator drones.

In the bombings Thursday, one attack, an apparent suicide car bombing, occurred in a police complex in Islamabad. It wrecked an anti-terror squad building and wounded at least four police.

Meanwhile, a roadside bomb struck a prisoners’ vehicle in the Dir region near Afghanistan and killed two police, four inmates and four children. Ten people were wounded, said Sher Bahadur Khan, a senior government official.

Pakistan’s northwest region bears the brunt of the violence in the country. But in recent weeks, the militants have repeatedly demonstrated their reach extends farther.

In September, a suicide truck bombing of an Islamabad hotel killed 54 people. Security has been beefed up since in the capital, and it was especially high Thursday for a parliament session on finding a national anti-terror strategy.

State media reported that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari insisted attacks like those Thursday would not deter Pakistan from battling extremists.

But many citizens believe Pakistan’s support of the U.S.-led war on terror is what’s spurring the violence. The fledgling civilian government has urged Pakistanis to take ownership of the war on terror.

After the parliament session adjourned Thursday, some politicians said they wanted more details on social, economic and other aspects of the extremist threat, not just military operations.

Some complained that much of the data shared had already been released in the media.

The session was set to resume Monday.
see original

Jewish modesty police are the loose in Israel. A Muslim cleric in Saudi Arabia has decided that the niqab isn’t modest enough. A woman priest in England, the target of a hate campaign last year, recently received a death threat.

Any questions?

Related Posts

• PETA attacks women & children over cows
• Quote of the Day: Rebecca West on Feminism
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• There must be violence against women
• Religious bigots over in Katy?

A few nights ago I held a little mini bible study with the kids in regards to something that is very close to my heart right now: spiritual warfare and battling in the spirit. If you are not a Christian what I am about to share might not have any meaning to you. If you are a Christian then this is, I believe, the type of thing you should be doing everyday. I say this as someone who does this, not your all too typical Christian that says you should do one thing and turns around and does something else (of which I am guilty but not in the area of spiritual warfare).

A great place to start is the 12th chapter of the book of Revelation. This chapter describes John’s vision of the birth of Christ and the battle that was raging as Mary delivered Jesus. It also describes the fall of Satan, his subsequent casting to the Earth and his rage with those that choose to follow Christ:

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:17

It is my belief that Christians face a very real enemy. Yes, I believe we are the product of a Creator and that we, each person ever born, is part of His plan for glory. I also believe in angels, the warriors that battle on your behalf and intercede for you daily. No, I do not believe that angels are cute little fat babes with wings and red cheeks. Nor do I believe that angels are female in form. No, I believe angels are huge beings that bring fear and astonishment with them where ever they go. Why else would the first words out of their mouths always be “Fear not.”?

To that end I also believe our enemy, satan, has a plan as well. When he was cast to the Earth a third of those big scary warrior angels went with him and seek after the same thing he seeks:

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

Christians then are embroiled in a way every day as satan tries to look for ways to attack and best us. Demons, fallen angels, are dispatched according to his plan and take their jobs very seriously. But God also has a plan for use. One that involves victory, glory and success. To that end God ha made us a few promises that we can live our lives out daily in:

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.

Isaiah 54:17

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

In addition to our supply and our overall stability Jesus gives us authority in His name to do the things He can do (I also believe this stems from us being created in the image and likeness of God) through the use of our mouths:

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:17

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Mark 11:23

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

Matthew 21:21

So putting this all together you can come up with the notion that if you are a Christian there is an enemy that will attack you on the regular and he will come after you with everything he has. But he will not be successful in his attempts to snafu you because he has no authority over you. In fact, you have authority over him. And you can exercise that authority just by opening your mouth and commanding him to be bound. We have that ability because demons and even satan himself are subject to us. They must do as they are commanded.

So my lesson concluded with me teaching my kids that when we are at battle, every day we are at battle, that we speak to our enemy directly and with purpose, not mincing words or feelings, and commanding the enemy to return what he has stolen from use and to keep his hands off of anything that he might think adequate to touch. We speak to our mountains, broken cars, broken TVs, bare bank accounts, collection calls and tell them to recover. We speak to our physical bodies, our minds, our feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, wrath, contention, discontent and we command those feelings to be bound.

Rebuking the enemy is the fastest, easiest spiritual battle you can fight. “if you say to this”… It sometimes requires more than just that to work your enemy over, but we must keep trying and keep fighting. We have been given authority so that we might use it to the glory of God. The enemy is trying to take that authority from you or at least make you believe you have none. Because he comes to kill, steal and destroy.

But if I am reading my God right I know he has come so that not only will I not lose what I have I would have more and plenty of it. This is very reassuring, especially in this time when it seems like the enemy is consuming me and my possessions. I think, no, I know he needs to be stopped and I know I have to the equipment to do it.

“if you say to this”… I just pray that I continue to fight the good fight everyday and that in all things God gets the Glory. And I will continue to speak to these mountains.

Compass Direct News reports that:

A longstanding effort to replace a church with a mosque in Kenya’s northern town of Garissa culminated in an attack by 50 Muslim youths this month that left the worship building in ruins.

The gang stormed the building of Redeemed Gospel Church on Sept. 14 and pelted the congregation with stones, sending many Christians fleeing while others became embroiled in fistfights. Ten Christians received hospital treatment for minor injuries and were released.

Church leaders said the Muslim mob also destroyed pews, damaged the church building’s walls of corrugated iron, smashed the glass-mounted pulpit and burned the church banner with its stand.

“We had just started the Sunday service when, without warning, a rowdy group of about 50 Muslim youths invaded the church, pelting stones at us and destroying our structures,” said the church youth chairman, identified only as Surma.

Read the full story at Compass Direct News.