Andrew 的个人资料lawndogslawn照片日志列表更多  |  工具 帮助 |
|
4月4日 The Abortion Holocaust in Canada
New information shows that each abortion costs taxpayers an average of $7000.00.
Free Pregnancy Counselling available at Birthright Montreal: 514-937-9324 or 24 hr Hotline: 1-800-550-4900 10月31日 A Day to RememberNovember 11
A Day of RemembranceIn Flanders FieldsIn Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago Take up our quarrel with the foe:
5月29日 Christians and Criticism
If this scenario is painfully familiar, then count yourself among the millions of recipients of harsh words each day. Though none of us seek out opportunities to criticize or be criticized, there is bound to be tension, conflict, and opposition when humans interact. There is a way to emerge victoriously, however, and it can be found God’s Word. Below are six guidelines to follow when you find yourself on the receiving end of hurtful words. Ask for God's Help In the Psalms, we find David’s cries to God for deliverance from his enemies. He wastes no time calling out to the Lord. "O Lord my God, in You I have taken refuge; save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me" (Psalm 7:1 ). From this verse, we can establish that when facing criticism or harsh words, our first action should be to reach out to God. If the situation does not allow you to step away for a moment of prayer, simply pray silently, "Lord, help me to react in a way that is pleasing to You." Learn to Control Your TongueAfter praying, you will most likely have to verbally respond to the criticizer. This must be done carefully to avoid interjecting your own fleshly thoughts. Most of the time, self-righteous, condemning words are the first to enter our minds. Our responsibility, however, is to not say them. Psalm 34:13 confirms this by advising, "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit." Respond in Love... and TruthIf you cannot speak your mind, then what should you say? The Bible says we are to respond in love. In one of Jesus’ most controversial yet powerful sermons He admonishes, "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44 ). You must sort through your thoughts until you can hear God’s gentle voice of guidance. An interesting point is made in William Backus’s book, Telling Each Other the Truth. Backus sites Matthew 18:15 , "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother" as he points out our responsibility to discuss the issue privately with the person who has offended us. Responding in love does not involve talking behind the person’s back, discussing the issue over and over with co-workers and friends, or internalizing our pain as if the incident never occurred. Instead, we should seek resolution as soon as possible in a Christlike manner. Do Not Seek RevengeThough it is often tempting to plot our revenge or plan retaliatory words, you must resist these urges. When your burden has been communicated to God in prayer, it must stay in His hands and His control. "For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people’" (Deuteronomy 32:35 ). Choose ForgivenessWhen a friend or stranger’s words cause you pain, you may or may not receive an apology from them. Even so, you must make a conscious decision to forgive their transgression. Why is this so important? Again, the Bible contains a clear answer: "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14 ). Examine your own heartNow that you have effectively worked through your reaction and forgiving the person who criticized you, there is one final, important step. You must stop and ask yourself, "Were any of the critical words or accusations true?" Ouch again! Though many times words of criticism are simply the product of anger or frustration, we must consider they are sometimes true. God could be using someone to bring a problem area in your life to your attention. For example, if one morning you arrive at work to your boss’s greeting, "Are you late again?!" it may be time to buy an alarm clock, or to get to bed earlier. Though these words may be unpleasant, they are no less true. As believers, we must always be willing to accept suggestions for improvement as we seek to offer our lives as witnesses for Christ. God understands the hurt that can result from critical words. Because He is with you constantly, He is witness to every emotion you feel throughout your day. Let His loving presence serve as your strength when you are the recipient of criticism. Instead of internalizing your pain, release it to God who is waiting to turn your sorrows into joy. 2月11日 Francis Cabrel - Répondez-moiRépondez-moi - Francis Cabrel 1981
Je vis dans une maison sans balcon, sans toiture Où y a même pas d'abeilles sur les pots de confiture Y a même pas d'oiseaux, même pas la nature C'est même pas une maison J'ai laissé en passant quelques mots sur le mur Du couloir qui descend au parking des voitures Quelques mots pour les grands Même pas des injures Si quelqu'un les entend Répondez-moi Répondez-moi Mon cœur a peur d'être emmuré entre vos tours de glace Condamné au bruit des camions qui passent Lui qui rêvait de champs d'étoiles, de colliers de jonquilles Pour accrocher aux épaules des filles Mais le matin vous entraîne en courant vers vos habitudes Et le soir, votre forêt d'antennes est branchée sur la solitude Et que brille la lune pleine Que souffle le vent du sud Vous, vous n'entendez pas Et moi, je vois passer vos chiens superbes aux yeux de glace Portés sur des coussins que les maîtres embrassent Pour s'effleurer la main, il faut des mots de passe Pour s'effleurer la main Répondez-moi Répondez-moi Mon cœur a peur de s'enliser dans aussi peu d'espace Condamné au bruit des camions qui passent Lui qui rêvait de champs d'étoiles et de pluies de jonquilles Pour s'abriter aux épaules des filles Mais la dernière des fées cherche sa baguette magique Mon ami, le ruisseau dort dans une bouteille en plastique Les saisons se sont arrêtées aux pieds des arbres synthétiques Il n'y a plus que moi Et moi, je vis dans ma maison sans balcon, sans toiture Où y a même pas d'abeilles sur les pots de confiture Y a même pas d'oiseaux, même pas la nature C'est même pas une maison 1月13日 SING A LITTLE LOUDERAfter a speech, Pro-Life activist Penny Lea was approached by an old man. Weeping, he told her the following story: "I lived in Germany during the Nazi holocaust. I considered myself a Christian. I attended church since I was a small boy. We had heard the stories of what was happening to the Jews, but like most people today in this country, we tried to distance ourselves from the reality of what was really taking place. What could anyone do to stop it? A railroad track ran behind our small church, and each Sunday morning we would hear the whistle from a distance and then the clacking of the wheels moving over the track. We became disturbed when one Sunday we noticed cries coming from the train as it passed by. We grimly realized that the train was carrying Jews. They were like cattle in those cars! Week after week that train whistle would blow. We would dread to hear the sound of those old wheels because we knew that the Jews would begin to cry out to us as they passed our church. It was so terribly disturbing! We could do nothing to help these poor miserable people, yet their screams tormented us. We knew exactly at what time that whistle would blow, and we decided the only way to keep from being so disturbed by the cries was to start singing our hymns. By the time that train came rumbling past the church yard, we were singing at the top of our voices. If some of the screams reached our ears, we'd just sing a little louder until we could hear them no more. Years have passed and no one talks about it much anymore, but I still hear that train whistle in my sleep. I can still hear them crying out for help. God forgive all of us who called ourselves Christians, yet did nothing to intervene. "Their screams tormented us . . . If some of their screams reached our ears we'd just sing a little louder." Now, so many years later, I see it happening all over again in America. God forgive you as Americans for you have blocked out the screams of millions of your own children. The holocaust is here. The response is the same as it was in my country - SILENCE!" Have you ever wondered HOW people could have stood by and let the holocaust just happen? Do you wonder why the Christians in this story chose to just sing their praise to God a little louder to drown out the victim's cries? The old man's story is in the past. The past cannot be changed. It is easy to think we would act differently now. But the old man's last words are haunting "It's happening all over again in America with abortion. The Holocaust is here." As American Christians, we have become so comfortable in our lovely buildings and padded pews. We have beautiful fellowship halls for our many banquets. We have the latest sound equipment for our praise and worship. We have computers to keep our records. We gather together each week and shut ourselves inside our buildings. We raise our voices as loud as we can, all in the name of God. And yet, in the heavenly realm, our voices raised in praise are drowned out by screams of agony from millions of babies who are being executed before they are born. We can't see them. We can't hear them. But it is happening right now! Babies are being aborted UP UNTIL THE DAY OF BIRTH in this country. Their organs and brains are "harvested" for use in medical experimentation. In Wichita, Kansas, the smoke stack from the furnace of Dr. Tiller's abortion clinic belches out black smoke and the sickening smell of burning flesh. These are the bodies of 7th, 8th and 9th month old babies being "disposed of". If the Christians in the old man's church had done something, they would have probably been killed. That is not the case with us. We don't even have that as an excuse for our silence. Years from now will you be like that old man trying to explain your apathy as millions were led away to slaughter in abortion clinics? Or will you raise your voice and cry out in protest for those who have no voice! The choice is YOURS!
Fact: In the United States it is legal to abort a baby up until the day of birth. Fact: In the D&X procedure babies are "partially aborted" so the head is still in the cervix but the body is out. While in this position the live baby is still considered an "abortion" therefore a non-person. The live baby's brains are sucked out and the other organs are harvested and sold to "researchers". The baby receives no anesthesia and is alive until the procedure kills him. Fact: Every day in America about 4,400 babies die painful deaths by dismemberment, chemical poisoning, lethal injections into the heart, being torn limb from limb and now, being partially delivered and having their brains sucked out and their organs sold. Fact: Abortion has two victims - the baby and the mother. Many women who have abortions suffer both physically and mentally. Depression, anxiety, grief, infection, sterility and even death are not uncommon as a result of the abortion. Fact: Only 1% of abortions are performed as a result of rape or incest. Most abortions are done as a form of birth control because the baby is "inconvenient", "too expensive", or a "burden". 12月28日 Playing by the rules
“Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.” --1 Corinthians 9:24 If you participate in an athletic event, you must play by the rules. You can’t make your own. You can’t say, “If I hit the ball eight feet, then that is a home run. These are my rules.” That is not the way it works. You must play by the rules. Even if you hit the ball out of the park, you still must cross and touch every single base. If you miss one base, that home run doesn’t count, and you are disqualified. For example, if you want to compete in track and field in the Olympics, then you must play by the rules. One rule is that athletes are prohibited from using drugs like steroids to enhance their performance. We remember the 1988 Olympic games in which Carl Lewis won the gold medal because Ben Johnson was disqualified for steroid use. Johnson didn’t play by the rules. In the same way, this race of life we are running has a rulebook. It is called the Bible. It is not for us to pick and choose what parts of the Bible we like. You can’t say, “I like certain truths in the Bible. I like the part about God’s love and forgiveness. But this part about denying yourself and taking up the cross… that must not be in the original language. I don’t believe it.” You can’t do that. If you are going to run this race, and run to win, then you must play the rules that God has given to you in Scripture. We must play by the rules, or we will be disqualified. Copyright © 2005 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. 12月18日 And who is my neighbor?The other day I was listening to a local radio station and heard this story from B.C. about this homeless man who was on fire in front of a Starbucks while people were too busy yakking away on their cellphones or just couldn't be otherwise bothered to help him.
Almost immediately, I remembered the parable of the Good Samaritan that Jesus told in Luke 10. Here is first the parable and then in contrast, what happened in front of that Starbucks:
Luke 10:25 The Parable of the Good Samaritan:
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Bystanders ignore plight of burning homeless man Wednesday, December 14, 2005 by Maurice Bridge, CanWest News Service
VANCOUVER -- St. Paul's emergency nurse Christine Wellstead has seen some pretty rough things on the job, but nothing has shaken her as much as the callous indifference she witnessed Monday night as bystanders ignored an unconscious homeless man wrapped in a burning comforter. Wellstead was on her way home from work around 10:30 p.m. when she stopped at Starbucks at 19th and Cambie for a coffee. Smelling smoke, she walked outside to see what was burning, but all she could see was a woman sitting at an outside table, talking calmly on her phone as clouds of smoke rolled past her. "She's on her cellphone, having her coffee and she's sitting amongst this acrid smoke," she said. Looking further, Wellstead found a man slumped on a bench in a nearby alcove on the side street, wrapped in a comforter that was on fire. "It was smouldering, and it was by his face," she said. "It was all orange, and there was smoke. I threw the blanket on the ground and tried to wake him up, but he didn't wake up." She ran back into Starbucks for water to put out the fire, and that's when she got a real shock. She said another woman customer standing at the counter told her: "Just leave him alone, he's a homeless person," Wellstead recalled. "I looked at her and I said, 'What are you talking about?' "And she says, 'He's homeless, just forget it.' " Appalled, Wellstead rushed back out with water to douse the fire and still couldn't wake the man, so she ran inside again and asked a barista to call for help. "I said, 'You'd better call an ambulance, because I can't wake him up,' and the lady [customer] said, 'Don't call the hospital, they don't want him,' and I just looked at her, and I said, 'I work at the hospital and yeah, we want him.' " Wellstead finally woke the man and got him sitting up as they waited for the ambulance. He told her he was prone to seizures and believed he had one while he was smoking, wrapped in his comforter against the night chill. Wellstead said she didn't believe he suffered serious burns. The fire and ambulance crews who answered the call were great, she said, and treated him with respect as they took him away to St. Paul's Hospital. The ambulance service confirmed a man was taken to St. Paul's after the incident. CanWest News could not obtain information on his condition Tuesday. The well-dressed customer who made the callous remarks sat alone in her car at the curb, sipping her coffee and watching as the event unfolded. Wellstead went home, but she was still upset Tuesday morning. "I can't get my head around it," she said. "I'm so upset. I was almost in tears. "I know there are a lot of homeless people here and I know some of them can be annoying, but this was a human being. "His blanket was on fire."
We need to be concerned at the mounting indifference in our society. As Paul has said to the church in Corinth, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (2 Cor 7:10). We also need to repent of our own lack of action where we could have helped friends or people that were in need. What is more, since we are "Ambassadors in Christ" (2 Cor 5:20) and "Children of Light" (Eph 5:7-11) , how can we remain silent in the face of injustice in our society towards the poor and the oppressed?
Loving Father, please forgive me for not having loved my neighbor as myself. I pray that you would grant me boldness and fearlessness to be your ambassador of love towards those who are suffering and to speak out against injustice so that your name be glorified. Help me also to encourage others to do the good works that you have prepared for us! Amen.
Link to the article: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=dafc6cfc-c337-4bf7-adaa-dbe390786f4e 12月8日 Pray for the Christian Peacemakers in IraqJesus said: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5: 44 (NIV)
Please pray for Tom Fox, from Clearbrook, Virginia, Norman Kember, age 74, from London, England, James Loney, 41, from Toronto, Canada and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, from Montreal. All four men, who are affiliated with the humanitarian group Christian Peacemakers Teams, have been threatened with death by the kidnappers by Saturday unless the U.S. government agrees to release Iraqi detainees in both the United States and Iraq. Please pray for God's protection over them and their safe return. Pray also that God would comfort their families and for the people negotioating their release. Pray also for their captors that they would have a change of heart and that they would repent and turn to Jesus Christ for their salvation. 12月7日 My Utmost for His Highest - December 7
11月30日 Mind-Renewing Thought of the DayPsalm 91:1,2,4
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, 4 He will cover you with his feathers, 11月19日 International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Persecuted Church 2005International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Persecuted Church
Let’s consider the words of Christ as they appear in Luke’s Gospel. Speaking to a large crowd, Jesus questioned why it was that they could understand the signs in the sky, but they could not understand the signs of their times.
He also said to the crowds, 'When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, “A shower is coming.” And so it happens. 'And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat,” and it happens. As followers of Jesus we are called to understand the signs of our time and to pray accordingly. There are many signs, but let me mention just a few: globalisation, natural disasters, international political uncertainty, terrorism, conflicts, a growing gap between rich and poor, and – most significantly – there is a growing spirit of hate against Christians. As a result of that spirit of hate, more than 200 million Christians today do not have full human rights. The reason: they confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour! What’s more, because the Church is growing like never before in history, the number of Christians under attack is growing exponentially. Seventy thousand people enter the Kingdom every day, millions of new churches will be planted during the next ten years, and multitudes of these Christians will suffer simply because of their allegiance to Christ. My conclusion is this: While God is working at full speed, so too is the devil! This is the time in which we live – a time of amazing Church growth that is being challenged by violent persecution. So what should we do? We should open our eyes and see the signs. Most of all, we should see Jesus himself! And we must persist, against all opposition, in showing Jesus to the world. But to do that, we must stand together, we must pray together, uniting with the suffering Church, especially on the IDOP Sundays in November. The suffering Church is part of the body of Christ and as the scriptures say, ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.’ (1 Corinthians 12:26 ESV) Thank you for being part of this tremendous international prayer movement, proclaiming Jesus as the most important sign. "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Jesus is indeed the most important sign, not only of our time but of Eternity. In him we are one. With him we are one. In prayer to him we are one. This is what IDOP is all about. Johan Candelin (Goodwill Ambassador & 11月11日 A Day of RemembranceIn Flanders FieldsIn Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago Take up our quarrel with the foe:
Why Remember?
We must remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Canadian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Canada. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument.
We often take for granted our Canadian values and institutions, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice. The Canadians who went off to war in distant lands went in the belief that the values and beliefs enjoyed by Canadians were being threatened. They truly believed that "Without freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom." By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve. They believed that their actions in the present would make a significant difference for the future, but it is up to us to ensure that their dream of peace is realized. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve.
Please visit the photo gallery of The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/special/audio/remem.html
The story behind "Flanders Field": 11月9日 The Persecution & Prayer Alert - VOM CANADA1. Two Girls Shot in Poso, Indonesia Two high school girls are in critical condition after being shot point blank at 7:45 p.m. on November 8 near a Pentecostal church. Ivone (last name unknown) and (Yuli) Siti Nuraini, both 17 years old, were shot by men on a motorcycle in the Gatot Subroto area of Poso. Ivone was shot in the left jaw, while Yuli was wounded in the neck. They are presently in hospital in critical condition. This incident follows the shocking attack on four Christian girls in the same city on October 29 when three were beheaded (see http://www.persecution.net/news/indonesia54.html). Hundreds of troops have been dispatched to the area. There are reports that the attackers have been arrested but no names have yet been released. This recent shooting, however, demonstrates that the danger from militant Islamic groups has not abated.Pray that the Lord will miraculously intervene to quell the rise of violence against Christians around Poso. Pray that local Christians and their leaders, in particular, will have much wisdom as they look for godly ways to deal with the mounting tensions. Pray for God's peace to reign in the hearts of the families of those affected by the violence. Also, continue to pray for the complete healing of the girls who have been wounded in the last few days. Pray that this will serve to draw them into a closer walk with the Lord as they wait on Him for emotional and physical healing. For more details on this incident, along with information on persecution facing Christians in Indonesia, go to http://www.persecution.net/country/indonesia.htm. VOMC's multimedia website, www.persecution.tv also features a video feature on persecution in Indonesia, entitled "Island Jihad."*********************************** 2. Chinese Authorities Continue Oppression of Christians on Several Fronts Several incidents this week demonstrate the continued persecution against Christians by Chinese authorities. On October 27, two Catholic priests, Father Wang Xhow Fa and Father P. Paulus Shao Gu Min, were arrested shortly after celebrating Mass. The two priests have been under significant pressure from the authorities for many years and were recently interviewed by the Italian news service, L'Espresso. Police would not confirm whether the interview had anything to do with their arrest. While worshipping with approximately one hundred other Christians in a house church in the town of Wuquan in Henan Province, six church leaders were dragged from the service on November 6 by officials from the Public Security Bureau and Religious Affair Bureau of Wuyang County. Those arrested included Mr. Yuan Quansan, Mr. Zhang Xiaowu, Mr. He Zhanying, Mr. Wang Jinzhong and Mr. X Guangwei. All but Yuan Quansan and Guang Wei were released the next day. Police told them they would be released if they guaranteed that their house church would either stop meeting or join the official Three-Self Patriotic Church. On November 8, Pastor Cai Zhuohua, his wife Xiao Yunfei and her brother Mr. Xiao Gaowen were sentenced to prison for "illegal business practices." They were convicted of printing and distributing thousands of Bibles and other Christian literature. Cai was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 150,000 yuan ($22,000 CDN). Xiao Yunfei was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 120,000 yuan and Xiao Gaowen was sentenced to eighteen months and fined 100,000 yuan. On November 4, a leading Chinese law firm, Sheng Zhi Law Firm, was ordered to suspend all operations for one year. The law firm, directed by Gao Zhisheng, was actively involved in many human rights cases, including a case representing Pastor Cai Zhuohua. Gao Zhisheng was often outspoken in his defense of human rights in China. Reports suggest that this suspension follows Gao's refusal to renounce a letter he had sent to President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, as well as his refusal to withdraw from several politically sensitive cases that he was representing. Speaking to the Washington Post on November 5, Gao said, "We're very angry. By doing this, the Chinese Communist Party is demonstrating it defies all laws, human and divine. They are saying that anyone who believes in law, who criticizes the political system, who exposes crimes against the people, will be targeted." As the Chinese government does all it can to stop the work of the Lord, pray that Christian leaders will have the strength to remain faithful to the call of God on their lives. Pray that those who have been arrested will be protected from torture and that the Lord will bring them to freedom. Pray that the Lord will comfort them with His Word as they remain in prison. Pray that those who have been seeking to defend the rights of all citizens in China will have increased freedom to do so. Pray that through all of this, the testimony of God's people will influence many more to come to Christ. Pray that the oppressive government will be replaced with one that allows freedom of worship. For more details on these incidents, as well as information on the persecution of Chinese Christians, go to http://www.persecution.net/country/china.htm.*********************************** 3. Mobs Attack Christians in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, India In the past week, Compass Direct released two reports of mob attacks against Christians in India. On November 3, villagers in Bhoomas in Gujarat state gathered for a cultural event to celebrate the Hindu New Year. Since the event was public, twelve low-caste Dalit Christians decided to attend. However, when Hindu villagers from a higher caste saw them there, they became furious. Approximately 150 Hindu villagers attacked the Christians. Five were injured and two, Babubhai Jethabhai and Kashiben Ramanbhai, were admitted to hospital. Police are investigating the attack, although no one has been taken into custody at last report. Christians meeting for prayer in a home in Pratapgarh in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh were attacked by Hindu militants on Sunday, November 6. The mob accused the owner of the house, Pastor Tarun Khosle and his wife, Asha Khosle, of converting Hindus to Christianity. The attackers prevented the two hundred believers from leaving the house for several hours. They also threatened to kill the family members if any "Hindus" were seen at future prayer meetings. The militants then interviewed each person in attendance to ensure that no conversions were taking place. The Christians were warned to not return to the weekly prayer meeting. Pray that the Indian government will deal with these attacks with equity and true justice. At the same time, pray that the criminals will see the love of Christ in His people and respond in faith. Pray that Babubhai and Kashiben will find healing and that, in the end, they will be filled with praise for the Lord's faithfulness. Pray that those attacked at the prayer meeting will continue to see friends and neighbors come to Christ in spite of the threats they have received. Pray that the very people who would threaten their lives would be drawn to Christ. Pray that Christians in India will continue to be bold in their witness. Pray especially for the Khosle family. Pray that the plans of those who oppose the work of the Lord will be confused, and that His Word will continue to go forth. More details on these incidents, as well as information on persecution in India is available at http://www.persecution.net/country/india.htm.*********************************** 4. Update on Imprisoned Iranian Lay Pastor Fourteen months ago, an Iranian army colonel, Hamid Pourmand, was jailed for converting to Christianity. He was acquitted of charges of apostasy, which could have resulted in a death sentence. He was sentenced, however, to three years in prison for allegedly deceiving the military about his Christian faith. According to a November 8 report from Compass Direct, Pourmand has developed a good rapport with the guards and prisoners at the Evin Prison and has been allowed a three-day leave for a home visit each month. Despite this good rapport, Pourmand has been subject to psychological torture, including several threats that he would be imminently hanged, as well as being forced to listen to the screams of children. Pourmand's lawyer has decided to drop any appeal of his sentence, since an appeal could possibly be perpetually delayed, giving authorities an excuse to keep Pourmand in prison. Additionally, as Human Rights Watch stated in a June 2004 report on the Iranian judiciary, "Many political prisoners ... are told that if they appeal, they will be sent back to prison or additional charges will be brought against them." Pray for a continued good rapport with those that the Lord has seen fit to place in Hamid's life. Pray that they would see Christ in him. As he visits home each month, pray that it will be a time of rest and spiritual renewal. Ask God to work in the hearts of prison officials to end the psychological torture. Also pray for wisdom for Pourmand's lawyer as he works within a legal system that makes little or no provision for religious freedom. Pray that our brother will be released sooner than hoped. To read the full report on Colonel Pourmand, as well as more details on persecution facing Christians in Iran, go to http://www.persecution.net/country/iran.htm.*********************************** 5. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP): November 20, 2005 Each November, churches around the world gather to remember their brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith in Christ. In Canada, the date for this special event is November 20, 2005. The featured countries for 2005 are Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma) and Somalia. For more information on IDOP; how you can get involved and how as to order a resource kit for your church, go to http://www.idop.ca.*********************************** 6. Calgary Prayer Rally for the Persecuted Church: November 19, 2005 On November 19, VOMC's Klaas Brobbel, Glenn Penner, Greg Musselman and special guest, Wagdi Iskander from Sudan, will be sharing at a special one day prayer rally in Calgary. We invite you to join us in discovering more about the Persecuted Church around the world and how you can pray more effectively for our suffering family members. For more information, including the location, go to http://www.persecution.net/conf_calgary.html.*********************************** The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 4L5) Tel. (905) 670.9721. Fax: (905) 670.7642 Website: http://www.persecution.net*********************************** Contact Person: Glenn Penner, Communications Director. 11月3日 Tsunami and Repentance - By John PiperTsunami and Repentance
From pulpits to news programs, from the New York Times to the Wall Street Journal, the message of the tsunami was missed. It is a double grief when lives are lost and lessons are not learned. Every deadly calamity is a merciful call from God for the living to repent. “Weep with those who weep,” the Bible says. Yes, but let us also weep for our own rebellion against the living God. Lesson one: weep for the dead. Lesson two: weep for yourselves.
Every deadly calamity is a merciful call from God for the living to repent. That was Jesus’ stunning statement to those who brought him news of calamity. The tower of Siloam had fallen, and 18 people were crushed. What about this, Jesus? they asked. He answered, “Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4-5). The point of every deadly calamity is this: Repent. Let our hearts be broken that God means so little to us. Grieve that he is a whipping boy to be blamed for pain, but not praised for pleasure. Lament that he makes headlines only when man mocks his power, but no headlines for ten thousand days of wrath withheld. Let us rend our hearts that we love life more than we love Jesus Christ. Let us cast ourselves on the mercy of our Maker. He offers it through the death and resurrection of his Son. This is the point of all pleasure and all pain. Pleasure says: “God is like this, only better; don’t make an idol out of me. I only point.” Pain says: “What sin deserves is like this, only worse; don’t take offense at me. I am a merciful warning.” But the topless sunbathers amid the tsunami aftermath in Phuket, Thailand did not get the message. Neither did the man who barely escaped the mighty wave with the help of a jungle gym and palm-leaf roof. He concluded, “I am left with an immense respect for the power of nature.” He missed it. The point is: reverence for the Creator, not respect for creation. [Ed. note: John Piper’s theological point remains the same, but please note that the quote was erroneously truncated by the Associated Press. Mr. Green really did see and say the truth, and was incompletely quoted by John Piper’s source. For John Piper’s apology to Patrick Green, read "A Letter from John Piper."] Writing in the New York Times, David Brooks rightly scorns the celebration of nature’s might: “When Thoreau [celebrates] savage wildness of nature, he sounds, this week, like a boy who has seen a war movie and thinks he has experienced the glory of combat.” But Brooks sees no message in the calamity: “This is a moment to feel deeply bad, for the dead and for those of us who have no explanation.” David Hart, writing in the Wall Street Journal, goes beyond Brooks and pronounces: “No Christian is licensed to utter odious banalities about God’s inscrutable counsels or blasphemous suggestions that all this mysteriously serves God’s good ends.” These responses are foreseen in Scripture: “I killed your young men with the sword . . . yet you did not return to me, declares the Lord” (Amos 4:10). “They cursedthe name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory” (Revelation 16:9). Contrary to Hart’s pronouncement, the Christian Scriptures do indeed license us to speak of God’s “inscrutable counsels” and how he works in all things for mysterious good ends. To call this banal and blasphemous is like a bird calling the wind under its wing wicked. Jesus said that the minutest event in nature is under the control of God. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father” (Matthew 10:29). He said this to give hope to those who would be killed for his name. He himself stood on the sea and stopped the waves with a single word (Mark 4:39). Even if Nature or Satan unleashed the deadly tidal wave, one word from Jesus would have stopped it. He did not speak it. This means there is design in this suffering. And all his designs are wise and just and good. One of his designs is my repentance. Therefore I will not put God on trial. I am on trial. Only because of Christ will the waves that one day carry me away bring me safely to his side. Come. Repentance is a good place to be. 11月1日 VOM NEWS - October 21, 2005Nearly 50 Chinese House Church Leaders Arrested at Retreat and Released
October 21, 2005 The Voice of the Martyrs - Michael F. Haverluck In a major Chinese central government crackdown on Christians at a house church leader’s retreat in Gougezhuang Village, Laishui County, Hebei Province on October 20, police arrested nearly 50 key leaders of different independent underground fellowships representing over 20 provinces at 4:00 p.m. Beijing time. Some were beaten and interrogated while in custody. Because of increasing international pressure, they were all set free after more than 25 hours of house arrest. This is to the exclusion of renowned evangelist, Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, who was released after his interrogation three hours later at 7:30 p.m. on October 21st. China Aid Association’s president Bob Fu was given an eyewitness report that the independent house church leaders from over 20 provinces organized the retreat to discuss how best to help the poor, orphaned and migrant urban populations. The Public Security Bureau (PSB) of the City of Baoding and the city’s officials of religious affairs raided this Christian fellowship and arrested nearly 50 of them in the late afternoon. Many of the leaders taken into custody saw the event as an open door to share the Word of God. Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, the first Chinese to have the title “evangelist” printed on a business card, preached the gospel to interrogators without ceasing. At the end of the questioning, one of Zhang’s exhausted interrogators was quoted telling him, “Man, you preach too hard!” This pastor was previously detained for his faith prior to President Bush’s February 2002 trip to China. Zhang ran a nursing home in Beijing with two other Christians earlier in his ministry. While in custody, all leaders were forced to be fingerprinted, sign their names and provide their ID numbers. Police confiscated a digital camera, cell phone and cash from the arrested party without giving receipts for the items. One church leader, 35-year-old law school graduate Ms. Dai Hong, was taken to a room on the second floor and beaten by two male policemen because she demanded that they show her their identification before divulging hers. Even though her request was consistent with Chinese law, she was struck by Officer Tang, whose badge number is either 042824 or 042829, as well as by his fellow officer. It is also believed that Pastor Gong Shangliang’s sister and a number of leaders of the South China Church were among those seized in Gougezhang. Pastor Gong has been in prison since May 2001, when he was the active leader of the 50,000-member SCC. Nearly 60 PSB/Religious Affairs Bureau officials, along with their hired local guards and 30 police vehicles, reluctantly and shamefully left the scene after releasing the pastors. The bold Christian witnesses joyfully said farewell to the guards with songs of praise and worship to the Lord! They had plenty to be thankful for. After CAA’s October 20 press release on the arrests, one of U.S. Congressman Chris Smith’s aids from the House International Relations Committee contacted the State Department and urged them to take action in releasing the church leaders. This incident comes just before President George W. Bush’s scheduled November 19 visit to China. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has just met with the Chinese government in Beijing to examine its massive military buildup and consider the international threat that it could pose. U.S. Treasury Secretary John W. Snow was there at the time of this press release. Appeals made to the White House and State Department to put pressure on Chinese officials for the Christians’ release, along with many prayers, have truly paid off. In lieu of the recent persecution taking place in China, we urge the international community and President Bush to insist that the Chinese government protect its people’s freedom of religion and other human rights. Please consider writing letters, calling or faxing the Chinese Embassy in appreciation for its role in the quick release of these bold leaders of China’s underground church. You can contact the embassy by using the information provided below:
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong Embassy of the People’s Republic of China 2300 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 328-2500 Fax: (202) 588-0032 Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512 Voice of the Martyrs - October 11th, 2005EGYPT
 (ASSIST News Service)Three people died during a riot outside a Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt. The riot was in protest of a play accused of offending Islam. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports police used sticks and tear gas to hold back a crowd of around 5,000 protesters, who marched on St. George's church. Dozens of people were injured in the crush. Police report one man inhaled tear gas, was trampled and later died. October 19th, a nun was stabbed by a Muslim, who protested the sale of a DVD of the play, staged at the church in 2003. The demonstration was the latest in a series of incidents at the church related to the 2003 performance of the play entitled, "I Once Was Blind But Now I See." The drama tells the story of a poor young Copt who is drawn to Islamist militants who then try to kill him. Coptic Christian leaders report the play depicts the dangers of extremism, not of Islam. The church's director, Rev. Augustinous, denied the play was offensive to Islam because its Christian hero is ultimately saved by a Muslim friend. Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 70 million people. Egypt's majority is Muslim. Pray the publicity surrounding this event will lead many Muslims to view the DVD and question the tenets of their faith. Pray Coptic Christians will be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit as they deal with fanatic Muslims. Pray the Lord will surround Coptic Christians with His love and mercy and protect them from harm. NIGERIA (Compass Direct)Christians in the rural areas of Kano are afraid to send their children to public schools, fearing they will be forced to convert to Islam. Students are being forced to study Arabic, Islam, and say Islamic prayers. Moreover, Christian leaders report the government refuses to grant churches permission to establish schools in rural areas. "The strategy is to force Christians to send their children to public schools so they can be forced to become Muslims," said Rev. Murtala Marti Dangora, secretary of the Kano district of the Evangelical Church of West Africa. Rev. Dangora, a former Muslim, said there are still numerous cases of persecution in the state; in one case, 15 Christians were forced to flee Banda village because of Muslim antagonism. Another Christian leader noted that Christians in Kano state have lost religious liberty and are seen as second-class citizens. Pray Christians worldwide will lift these members of the Body of Christ before His Throne. Pray God will hear their cry and work a miracle of His grace to allow believers in Nigeria to worship freely. Pray many Muslim authorities will seek the true God who loves them and grieves for their lost souls.  TURKEY (VOM sources)VOM has received word that a high-ranking U.S. official has solidified an agreement for the freedom of the Iranian widow and her children who had been ordered to be deported to Iran where they faced imprisonment and possible execution. The agreement states they "cannot be" deported to Iran. An arrangement is being processed for the necessary paperwork to allow them to leave Turkey very soon. Join with this family, their friends and intercessors worldwide in praising God for His divine intervention. Pray they will find a good home, Christian friends and suitable employment in the place God has prepared for them. Continue to pray God will move in love and mercy to free Christians suffering from the violent oppression of Islam.  INDIA (Gospel for Asia)In another delay, the Indian Supreme Court has withheld its decision on the Dalit civil rights case until November. This delay is a positive development, allowing the Court to take seriously this case of discrimination against Dalit Christians and not rush in judgment. It also allows Christians to have more time to intercede with prayer, asking God to guide the thoughts and decisions of the judges. Under the current law, Dalits lose some of their basic constitutional rights when they become Christians; they are no longer eligible for affirmative action placements in education, employment, government and many other areas-rights granted to Dalits who are Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist. According to a government census, some 20 million Dalits have become Christians. Equally important, there are many Dalits whose only hesitation to becoming Christians is fear of this legalized discrimination. Pray our merciful Father will lead the Supreme Court of India to correct these injustices. Pray fervently on behalf of these millions of Dalit men, women and children who suffer unjust discrimination. Pray the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of Hindus to see every person is of value and precious in the sight of God.  UZBEKISTAN (Compass Direct)Christians in a remote village of Uzbekistan are being beaten, publicly humiliated and chased out of their homes and jobs for converting to Christianity. A local strongman is orchestrating harsh opposition to the small congregation in Janbashkala village, near Turtkul in southwestern Uzbekistan. Tokhtabay Sadikov has pressured local police and civic officials, the prosecutor's office, the secret police and Muslim clerics to impose punishing measures against every villager known to have "abandoned the Muslim faith of their parents." The water supply to Christian homes in the village has been cut off, and the church of nearly 100 has dwindled to 20. Pray God will give Christians in Janbashkala supernatural courage, boldness in their faith and love for their Muslim neighbors. Pray the Lord will honor the commitment of faithful believers with His presence and guidance. Pray this overcoming remnant will lead many to Christ. Halloween - Origins of HalloweenOrigins of Halloween
History traces Halloween back to the ancient religion of the Celtics. The Celtic people were very conscious of the spiritual world and had their own ideas of how they could gain access to it - such as by helping their over 300 gods to defeat their enemies in battle, or by imitating the gods in showing cleverness and cunning.
 Their two main feasts were Beltane at the beginning of summer (May 1), and Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween) at the end of summer (Nov. 1). They believed Samhain was a time when the division between the two worlds became very thin, when hostile supernatural forces were active and ghosts and spirits were free to wander as they wished. "During this interval the normal order of the universe is suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the sidh lies open and all divine beings and the spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere sometimes violently, in their affairs" (Celtic Mythology, p. 127).The Celtic priests who carried out the rituals in the open air were called Druids, members of pagan orders in Britain, Ireland and Gaul, who generally performed their rituals by offering sacrifices, usually of animals, but sometimes of humans, in order to placate the gods; ensuring that the sun would return after the winter; and frightening away evil spirits. To the Celtics, the bonfire represented the sun and was used to aid the Druid in his fight with dark powers. The term bonfire comes from the words "bone fire," literally meaning the bones of sacrificed animals, sometimes human, were piled in a field with timber and set ablaze. All fires except those of the Druids were extinguished on Samhain and householders were levied a fee to relight their holy fire which burned at their altars. During the Festival of Samhain, fires would be lit which would burn all through the winter and sacrifices would be offered to the gods on the fires. This practice of burning humans was stopped around 1600, and an effigy was sometimes burned instead. Trick or treat?
Some trace the origins of present day "trick-or-treat" to Samhain, which was the supreme night of demonic jubilation. Spirits of the dead would rise out of their graves and wander the countryside, trying to return to the homes where they formerly lived. Frightened villagers tried to appease these wandering spirits by offering them gifts of fruit and nuts. They began the tradition of placing plates of the finest food and bits of treats that the household had to offer on their doorsteps, as gifts, to appease the hunger of the ghostly wanderers. If not placated, villagers feared that the spirits would kill their flocks or destroy their property.
The problem was... if the souls of dead loved ones could return that night, so could anything else,human or not, nice or not-so-nice. The only thing the superstitious people knew to do to protect themselves on such an occasion was to masquerade as one of the demonic hoard, and hopefully blend in unnoticed among them. Wearing masks and other disguises and blackening the face with soot were originally ways of hiding oneself from the spirits of the dead who might be roaming around. This is the origin of Halloween masquerading as devils, imps, ogres, and other demonic creatures.Others trace "trick-or-treat" to a European custom called "souling". Beggars would go from village to village begging for "soul cakes" made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers could guarantee a soul's passage to heaven. In many parts of Britain and Ireland this night used to be known as 'Mischief Night', which meant that people were free to go around the village playing pranks and getting up to any kind of mischief without fear of being punished. Many of the different customs were taken to the United States by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the nineteenth century, and they developed into 'trick or treat'. Should Christians adopt such practices?Can we borrow the pagan customs and superstitions of ancient peoples and "Christianize" them?
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2] "For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" [2 Corinthians 6:14, 15]
What's wrong with Halloween?
It does not have even one single redeeming virtue. It is custom born out of pagan superstition. It is a demon-inspired, devil-glorifying, occult festival. It is an evening holy unto evil, death, and divination. The Scriptures tells us to "Abstain from all appearance of evil." [1Thess. 5:22]
Wake up Christian! This is the night of evil and those who love the Lord Jesus Christ should have nothing to do with it.
8月16日 Romans 12:11-12Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:11-12 7月15日 Pastor Humphrey at People's ChurchPlease pray for Pastor Humphrey at People's Church. He has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease.Pray that the God of Comfort would comfort him, his family and his congregation.Pray for the healing power of the Lord Jesus who is the same today as yesterday. Verse of the day: Isaiah 58:7-9Isaiah 58:7-9 7 "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. " |
Unexpected critical words can often be as painful to the spirit as physical wounds are to the flesh.|
|
