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It has been a very busy day for me today, so I apologize for the late night posting, but before I went to bed I wanted to share with you this very encouraging story I found on CBN.com.
This story was from April but still relevant for today. Check it out, you will be inspired. I was.
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USA Today has an article titled Christian right's alliances bend political spectrum which is a very interesting read. Here are few snippets that mention how Christian conservatives are helping to fight religious persecution in the world today.
But in recent years, without much notice, conservative Christians also have helped force the State Department to place a higher priority on battling religious persecution, set the stage for a cease-fire in Sudan, enact legislation aimed at reducing prison rape in the USA and push for more funds to fight AIDS in Africa...
On other issues, however, evangelical Christians in recent years have played a crucial role in lobbying for laws that have reshaped U.S. policy, including diplomacy toward such key nations as China and Saudi Arabia. Among them:
Continue reading "USA Today - Christian right's alliances bend political spectrum " »
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Today I was thinking about how I received my first Bible. So I thought that I'd share my story with you because I wonder if my experience is similar to those who are desiring the Scriptures today and yet can't get them as readily as we can here in America.
I was 13 and had just started high school. I moved around a lot and was at a new high school so I figured the best way to meet new friends would be to join a club, so I joined choir. Well, as God would have it there was a girl in there named Gail who was a Christian who befriended me and started to tell me that God loved me and wanted to be my best friend. I was excited about this and just ate up everything she told me. Then one day she asked me if I had a bible and I said no. So I went home and asked my mom if she had one and she said no, and that I couldn't have one either.
Sadly, I returned to school and told Gail that my mom wouldn't get me a bible and that we didn't have one, so she told me that she would bring me one from her grandmother who she lived with. A few days later, we decided to meet in the school library so Gail could give me my bible. I was excited, and I remember that I couldn't sleep because I couldn't believe that she was going to be so nice as to give me her grandmother's extra bible.
The morning came and I got to school early, went to the library and anxiously awaited for Gail to show up...
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Did you know that Mike Tyson wants to become a missionary? I didn't either, but I saw this story today and thought it was very interesting - especially this part of the article:
"At one point I thought life was about acquiring things. But as life goes on we lose more things than we gain," Tyson said. "I have wealthy children. I don't have any money but they have a great life."
Tyson, who turns 39 on June 30, doubts he can ever escape his past while living in the United States.
"I'll never be successful in this country. I have to go somewhere abroad," Tyson said. "I don't think I'm going to do too well in this country because I'm stigmatised.
"I may be bizarre sometimes but I'm a natural. I understand my situation. I don't want to lose to myself. I just want to be a man who is aware of his situations and who is happy."
Tyson said that would come from missionary work, although he gave no clue about his destination once he leaves the US.
"I just want to do something that helps someone. I just want to help somebody," Tyson said. "I have to be contributing to something. If I don't I feel emotionally dead."
Asked about going to Sudan, Tyson said: "The reason African-Americans are slaves in this country is because the Arabs sold us to the Christians. It's a pretty horrific situation.
"I don't know if I'm capable of doing any missionary work without being killed."
What I find interesting is Tyson does not say what kind of missionary he would be. What do you think?
ADDENDUM: I just read this quote from another article about Mike.
“There is some Christian missionary work that was interested in letting me come to Bosnia, go to Rwanda, go to different countries to help with aid and food for people that are in dire need.”
Interesting huh?
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Today I read a very sad story called India to deport US missionaries . This was published by the BBC News website.
The article begins...
Four American missionaries have been asked to leave India for what police say is a violation of visa regulations.
The missionaries were attacked by a Hindu mob in India's western city Mumbai (Bombay) on Saturday evening during a Bible reading session.
Police said three of them were treated for bruises and cuts in a hospital.
One of the assailants was released on bail after allegedly abducting one of the missionaries who are accused of trying to convert local Hindus.
The article goes on to say...
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Christian Today is reporting that Christians in India are facing fierce persecution.
According to this article the good new is:
Authorities in Orissa have ceased the demolition of 108 Christian families' houses after intervention from the State's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The demolition of houses was ordered before the monsoon period.
Demolition was ordered seemingly as part of a beautification process in Jeypore; however, the Christian families involved are convinced that behind the decision is the Hindu nationalist paramilitary organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
On the other hand, the bad news continues to be:
The RSS are behind the building of training camp against Christians in the city, as reported previously by various watchdog groups. These conflicts are not sporadic cases in India. In other states and territories Christian communities face great disrespect and persecution from extremist groups.
Around 200 Hindu extremists attacked a church on 6th June in Durg District, Chattisgarh territory while a Sunday service was being held, Compass Direct reported.
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Randall Murphree writes a great article called When Persecution Persists: How American Christians Can Help . One of the most encouraging parts of the article is when Murphree describes how not all Christians are persecuted in China.
On the other hand, some believers in China say they enjoy relative freedom to live out their faith. During a recent visit to China, I met a number of Americans living there, some for as long as 15 years.
It was encouraging to find that, in their work at regular jobs – in business, entertainment and industry – they are able to practice their faith without much fear of persecution. Granted, freedom in China is not quite the same as freedom in the U.S. After Chairman Mao Zedong declared China the People's Republic of China in 1949, stringent government regulations – enforced in varying degrees in different places – were imposed on the church.
This does not mean that persecution isn't still happening, just that there is some hope.
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Today I would like to introduce you to VOM's Pastor Support Program.
Pastor Support is one of the most important ministries of VOM. In a nutshell, what the Pastor Support ministry does is support Pastors financially so they can continue to minister to people and spread the gospel.
What you can do to help these pastors and join the Pastor Support program is just send $25 a month. That's it!
If you are interested in learning more, please click here.
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I have a lifetime story for women type true confession to make - I'm a fanatic. Yup, it's totally true. I absolutely love God and I love to talk about Him and all the great things He has done in my life and the lives of those I know and love.
Sometimes when I feel down and blue, I just have to sit back and reflect on the great things He has done in my life. And then I remember how much of Him I don't really know and I also remember how much more of Him I really really desire.
But as you know, it can be hard on days like that. Honestly, today, for me is one of those days. But, the good news is that despite the fact that my feelings are being felt, reality is found in Christ. Remember that clever passage in Colossians?
Anyway, back to my point...
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Earlier today I shared some information on a recent crack down on Chinese church houses. I received an update from Todd Nettleton, of Voice of the Martyrs concerning this issue and would like to share with you some new numbers.
Earlier I reported that more than 500 people had been taken into custody, the new numbers are that more than 600 believers had been taken into custody, as a result of the raid, and approximately 100 leaders are still being held in various locations. This is up from the previous number of 40 leaders being held.
You may read the complete updated version of this most important and disturbing story here.
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