Fri, Feb 26 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Two U.S. missionaries will remain in jail in Haiti through at least Tuesday, while a judge takes testimony that is expected to clear them of child kidnapping charges, the judge hearing the case said on Friday.
Investigative judge Bernard Sainvil said that before freeing Laura Silsby and Charisa Coulter he wanted witnesses that he had already examined in the Dominican Republic to give their testimony in Haiti.
"The Americans will have to stay in jail while I hear those people ... the hearings will take place Monday and Tuesday, and they won't be released before I finish," Sainvil told Reuters.
"The people I met in the Dominican Republic all confirmed statements made previously ... by the Americans. The statements played in their favor," he added.
Sainvil said on Tuesday that Silsby and Coulter could be released this week.
They were among 10 Americans arrested on January 29 on charges that they tried to take 33 Haitian children out of the country without proper documentation after the devastating January 12 earthquake.
Eight were released last week, but Silsby, the group leader, and Coulter, her assistant, were held in detention for further questioning.
They have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying they only wanted to help orphans left destitute by the quake.
But they had no Haitian identity or exit papers for the children. Many of the children had living parents who acknowledged turning them over to the missionaries in the belief they would have better care in the hands of the Americans.
Haitian President Rene Preval estimates the magnitude 7 earthquake killed about 300,000 people.
(Reporting by Joseph Guyler Delva; editing by Tim Gaynor and Mohammad Zargham)
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2/26/10
Anyway Love
To love anyway is to love like God – and to learn about God's love for us.
by Gary Thomas
Note: Names have been changed.
On Valentine's Day, Meg* went all out, giving her husband, Peter,* his favorite candy and tickets to a hockey game. Later that night, she wrapped herself in a special outfit purchased just for the occasion.
Peter got her a card.
At the grocery store.
That he purchased on the way home from work.
He didn't add anything to it, either. He just signed it, "Peter."
A couple of days later, Meg tried to explain that she felt a little taken for granted. Apparently, Peter misunderstood her intent because two months later, when they celebrated their anniversary, Peter didn't get Meg anything.
"How could you not get me anything for our anniversary?" she asked Peter the next day. "Especially after our conversation about Valentine's Day."
"Well, I thought about getting you something, but it didn't work out," he replied. "And then I knew not to get you a card because you said you didn't like that last time."
"It's not that I didn't like the card. It's that the card alone seemed a little sparse. But even that is better than nothing ..."
Several months later, Meg had a birthday. This time, Peter got her a present – a kitchen tool set. Several weeks before, Meg had asked to borrow Peter's tape measure and screwdriver. Peter figured that Meg should have her own small set of kitchen tools so she didn't have to borrow his.
Meg recounted all this and then explained how she had tried to get her husband to read several how-to books on loving your spouse. He would read the first few pages, lose interest and never pick the book up again.
"I've realized this is never going to change," she confessed. "But I love him anyway."
Because ...
That last statement of Meg's, "but I love him anyway," is one of the most profound theological statements on marriage I've ever heard. Most of us base love on because, not on anyway. I love you because you're good to me. I love you because you're kind, because you're considerate, because you keep the romance alive.
But in Luke 6:32-36, Jesus says we shouldn't love because. We should love anyway. If we love someone because that person is good to us, or gives back to us, or is kind to us, we're acting no better than anyone else. In essence, Jesus is saying you don't need the Holy Spirit to love a man who remembers every anniversary – not just the anniversary of your marriage, but the anniversary of your first date and your first kiss. Any woman could love a man like that. Or if you love a wife who lavishes you with sports gifts, who goes out of her way to make you comfortable when you get home from work and who wants sex anytime you do – well, you're doing what any man would do. There's no special credit in that!
But if you love a spouse who disappoints you, who can be a little self-absorbed – now you're loving anyway. In doing that, you're following the model of the heavenly Father, who loves the ungrateful and the wicked.
... Or Anyway
Will you love only because? Or are you willing to love anyway? Will you love a man or woman who doesn't appreciate your sacrifice? Will you love a husband or wife who takes you for granted? Will you love a spouse who isn't nearly as kind to you as you are to him or her?
Just about every faithless marriage is based on because love. Christians are called to anyway love. That's what makes us different. That's what gives glory to God. That's what helps us appreciate God's love for us, because God loves us anyway. He gives and gives and gives – and we take Him for granted. He is eager to meet with us, and we get too busy to notice Him. He is good to us, and we accuse Him mercilessly when something doesn't go just the way we planned it.
But God loves us anyway. To love anyway is to love like God – and to learn about God's love for us.
That's love, the way God intended it.
This article first appeared in the Couples Edition of the January, 2007 issue of Focus on the Family magazine. Copyright © 2007, Gary Thomas. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.
by Gary Thomas
Note: Names have been changed.
On Valentine's Day, Meg* went all out, giving her husband, Peter,* his favorite candy and tickets to a hockey game. Later that night, she wrapped herself in a special outfit purchased just for the occasion.
Peter got her a card.
At the grocery store.
That he purchased on the way home from work.
He didn't add anything to it, either. He just signed it, "Peter."
A couple of days later, Meg tried to explain that she felt a little taken for granted. Apparently, Peter misunderstood her intent because two months later, when they celebrated their anniversary, Peter didn't get Meg anything.
"How could you not get me anything for our anniversary?" she asked Peter the next day. "Especially after our conversation about Valentine's Day."
"Well, I thought about getting you something, but it didn't work out," he replied. "And then I knew not to get you a card because you said you didn't like that last time."
"It's not that I didn't like the card. It's that the card alone seemed a little sparse. But even that is better than nothing ..."
Several months later, Meg had a birthday. This time, Peter got her a present – a kitchen tool set. Several weeks before, Meg had asked to borrow Peter's tape measure and screwdriver. Peter figured that Meg should have her own small set of kitchen tools so she didn't have to borrow his.
Meg recounted all this and then explained how she had tried to get her husband to read several how-to books on loving your spouse. He would read the first few pages, lose interest and never pick the book up again.
"I've realized this is never going to change," she confessed. "But I love him anyway."
Because ...
That last statement of Meg's, "but I love him anyway," is one of the most profound theological statements on marriage I've ever heard. Most of us base love on because, not on anyway. I love you because you're good to me. I love you because you're kind, because you're considerate, because you keep the romance alive.
But in Luke 6:32-36, Jesus says we shouldn't love because. We should love anyway. If we love someone because that person is good to us, or gives back to us, or is kind to us, we're acting no better than anyone else. In essence, Jesus is saying you don't need the Holy Spirit to love a man who remembers every anniversary – not just the anniversary of your marriage, but the anniversary of your first date and your first kiss. Any woman could love a man like that. Or if you love a wife who lavishes you with sports gifts, who goes out of her way to make you comfortable when you get home from work and who wants sex anytime you do – well, you're doing what any man would do. There's no special credit in that!
But if you love a spouse who disappoints you, who can be a little self-absorbed – now you're loving anyway. In doing that, you're following the model of the heavenly Father, who loves the ungrateful and the wicked.
... Or Anyway
Will you love only because? Or are you willing to love anyway? Will you love a man or woman who doesn't appreciate your sacrifice? Will you love a husband or wife who takes you for granted? Will you love a spouse who isn't nearly as kind to you as you are to him or her?
Just about every faithless marriage is based on because love. Christians are called to anyway love. That's what makes us different. That's what gives glory to God. That's what helps us appreciate God's love for us, because God loves us anyway. He gives and gives and gives – and we take Him for granted. He is eager to meet with us, and we get too busy to notice Him. He is good to us, and we accuse Him mercilessly when something doesn't go just the way we planned it.
But God loves us anyway. To love anyway is to love like God – and to learn about God's love for us.
That's love, the way God intended it.
This article first appeared in the Couples Edition of the January, 2007 issue of Focus on the Family magazine. Copyright © 2007, Gary Thomas. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.
VOM–USA Prayer Update for February 26, 2010
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
“Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin cursed earth have been men and women of prayer. You will find that prayer has been the mighty power that has moved not only God, but man.” D L Moody
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18
IRAQ — Christians Martyred — Agence France-Presse
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD Forever.
Three Christians have been killed in Mosul recently, and community leaders warn that violence will increase leading to the March 7 parliamentary election, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). On Feb. 16, unidentified gunmen shot two Christian students with an automatic weapon. Police told AFP that Zia Toma, a 21-year-old engineering student, was killed in the shooting and Ramsin Shmael, a 22-year-old pharmacy student, was wounded. Both men were Assyrian Christians, according to police. The violence is thought to be related to the upcoming parliamentary election, in which the vote of minority Christians could be a factor between Arab-Kurd rivals. “We don’t want elections, we don’t want representatives, we don’t want our rights, we just want to be alive,” said Baasil Abdul Noor, a priest at Mar Behnam church in Al-Arabi neighborhood, where the shooting occurred. The student’s murder occurred one day after gunmen killed shop owner Fatukhi Munir, an Assyrian Catholic, in his business. On Feb. 14, another shop owner, Rayan Salem Elias, was shot to death outside his home; Elias was a Chaldean Christian. Pray for those who mourn these murdered believers. Pray that the killers might come to know Christ as their savior. Ask God to embolden the Christian community in Mosul to proclaim the gospel even while being persecuted, and pray that they will be filled with Christ’s peace during these difficult times.
IRAN — Arrests Continue — Middle East Concern / VOM Canada
Philippians 3:7–10
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
On Jan. 11, seven Christians were detained in the city of Shiraz, Iran. A court reportedly set bail for each of the believers at the US equivalent of $25,000. Six of the Christians are converts from Islam. Meanwhile, three Iranian Christians remain in detention after their arrest by security forces in Pakdasht on Dec. 24. A sister of one of the three detained Christians was arrested in the city of Isfahan a few days later, along with another Christian convert from Islam. All of those detained are reportedly being denied family visits and access to legal representation. Pray for the release of these Christians. Pray that they will grow into a deeper relationship with Christ as they embrace the fellowship of his sufferings. Pray that the Lord will give strength and encouragement to their families.
INDIA — Church Burned — VOM Contacts
Psalm 91:1-5
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[a] And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
On Feb. 18, a church in Chittor district, Andhra Pradesh, was burned by an unknown arson, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Damage to the church is so extensive that a new church will have to be built in its place. The incident occurred at dawn, when a person or group of people broke into the church, doused it with kerosene and set it on fire, burning the thatched-roof church to the ground. The incident is under investigation. Pray for peace in Andhra Pradesh. Ask God to encourage the pastor and members of this church. Pray that God will provide a way for this church to be rebuilt.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin cursed earth have been men and women of prayer. You will find that prayer has been the mighty power that has moved not only God, but man.” D L Moody
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18
IRAQ — Christians Martyred — Agence France-Presse
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD Forever.
Three Christians have been killed in Mosul recently, and community leaders warn that violence will increase leading to the March 7 parliamentary election, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). On Feb. 16, unidentified gunmen shot two Christian students with an automatic weapon. Police told AFP that Zia Toma, a 21-year-old engineering student, was killed in the shooting and Ramsin Shmael, a 22-year-old pharmacy student, was wounded. Both men were Assyrian Christians, according to police. The violence is thought to be related to the upcoming parliamentary election, in which the vote of minority Christians could be a factor between Arab-Kurd rivals. “We don’t want elections, we don’t want representatives, we don’t want our rights, we just want to be alive,” said Baasil Abdul Noor, a priest at Mar Behnam church in Al-Arabi neighborhood, where the shooting occurred. The student’s murder occurred one day after gunmen killed shop owner Fatukhi Munir, an Assyrian Catholic, in his business. On Feb. 14, another shop owner, Rayan Salem Elias, was shot to death outside his home; Elias was a Chaldean Christian. Pray for those who mourn these murdered believers. Pray that the killers might come to know Christ as their savior. Ask God to embolden the Christian community in Mosul to proclaim the gospel even while being persecuted, and pray that they will be filled with Christ’s peace during these difficult times.
IRAN — Arrests Continue — Middle East Concern / VOM Canada
Philippians 3:7–10
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
On Jan. 11, seven Christians were detained in the city of Shiraz, Iran. A court reportedly set bail for each of the believers at the US equivalent of $25,000. Six of the Christians are converts from Islam. Meanwhile, three Iranian Christians remain in detention after their arrest by security forces in Pakdasht on Dec. 24. A sister of one of the three detained Christians was arrested in the city of Isfahan a few days later, along with another Christian convert from Islam. All of those detained are reportedly being denied family visits and access to legal representation. Pray for the release of these Christians. Pray that they will grow into a deeper relationship with Christ as they embrace the fellowship of his sufferings. Pray that the Lord will give strength and encouragement to their families.
INDIA — Church Burned — VOM Contacts
Psalm 91:1-5
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[a] And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
On Feb. 18, a church in Chittor district, Andhra Pradesh, was burned by an unknown arson, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Damage to the church is so extensive that a new church will have to be built in its place. The incident occurred at dawn, when a person or group of people broke into the church, doused it with kerosene and set it on fire, burning the thatched-roof church to the ground. The incident is under investigation. Pray for peace in Andhra Pradesh. Ask God to encourage the pastor and members of this church. Pray that God will provide a way for this church to be rebuilt.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
'Growing Pains' star Andrew Koenig committed suicide, confirms father
Watch Walter Koenig, father of the late Andrew, at the press conference.
'Growing Pains' star Andrew Koenig committed suicide, confirms father
By Jethro Nededog
February 25, 2010 4:05 PM
The body of missing "Growing Pains" actor Andrew Koenig was discovered in a Vancouver area park today (Thu. Feb. 25), the actor's father has confirmed.
"My son took his own life." Walter Koenig, Andrew's father, said at today's press conference.
A private group of family and friends, including his father, discovered his body in a wooded area of Stanley Park around noon today. His father did not find the body, but he was nearby. Police were summoned to the scene soon after.
While foul play is not suspected, a police spokeswoman would not release an official cause of death pending a coroner's investigation.
"He was obviously in a lot of pain," his father says while holding back tears.
Both Walter and Judith Levitt Koenig reached out to those who are suffering from depression and hopes they learn from Andrew's death that there are people out there who care. Friends and family previously reported that the actor was severely depressed and had stop stopped taking his prescribed medication.
"And for those families that have members that they fear are susceptible to this kind of behavior," Walter Koenig says. "Don't ignore it. Don't rationalize it. Extend a hand."
The family asks that their privacy be respected at this time.
Koenig played Richard "Boner" Stabone, best friend to Kirk Cameron's character Mike Seaver on the late 1980s sitcom.
It had been 11 days since friends last saw Andrew Koenig on Valentine's Day (Sun. Feb. 14). He was reported missing Thu. Feb. 18 after missing his flight home to the L.A. area on Tue. Feb. 16. His cellphone was last used that same day. The Koenigs had arrived in Vancouver this past Tue. Feb. 23 to assist in the search.
They appeared on the "Today" show Wed. Feb. 24 to appeal for information on their son's whereabouts. A planned appearance on "Larry King Live" was delayed that evening and the Koenigs left in frustration without going on the air.
This past weekend, Andrew Koenig's friends and other celebrities took to Twitter, Facebook and blogs to let people know that Andrew was missing. Former costar Kirk Cameron released a statement on Mon. Feb. 22 expressing his concern for Koenig's well being and asking Koenig to contact him.
Friends revealed on record that in the weeks leading up to the Vancouver trip, Koenig sold or gave away his belongings, gave notice on his Venice apartment and paid his final rent.
The Story of Purim —Then and Now
by: Yechiel Eckstein
February 25, 2010
Dear Friend of Israel,
This Saturday at sundown, Jews will begin celebrating Purim, perhaps the most festive holiday on the Jewish calendar.
Purim recalls the deliverance of the Jewish people from their enemies nearly 2,400 years ago. The Purim story, found in the biblical book of Esther, is one of the most memorable in the entire Bible, one that Jews will hear read in synagogue during Purim services.
The King of Persia chooses a beautiful young woman named Esther to be his queen, unaware that she is Jewish. Esther hears from Mordecai, her uncle, that the King has entrusted the fate of Persian Jews to Haman, the King's top adviser. Haman hates the Jews, and issues an order to kill them all.
At great risk to her own life, Esther reveals to the King that she is Jewish and pleads with him to save her people. He agrees to do so, and, in a fitting twist, hands down to the evil Haman the death sentence Haman himself had planned to give the Jews.
Even if Esther's story is familiar to you, I urge you today to re-read it and reflect upon its timeless message. Esther's bravery and obedience to God—her willingness to put her own life on the line to save her people—teaches us a valuable lesson about self-sacrifice and purpose that is as true and meaningful today as it was thousands of years ago.
Haman, too, is more than just a historical figure—he is as alive today as he was in biblical times. We recognize Haman in Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinjead, who issues frequent calls for Israel's destruction. We feel his presence when we read in the news of terrorists who execute murderous attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions around the world. We hear him in the hateful words of Muslim clerics who preach that Jews are the "descendants of apes and pigs."
One of the messages of Purim—a message that applies to Jews and Christians alike—is that in a world with no shortage of "Hamans," we need more "Esthers" committed to standing humbly before God and seeking to defend His people in the face of all difficulties. I thank you, my friend, for being one of those "Esthers" through your support of The Fellowship's lifesaving work.
I wish a festive Purim holiday to my fellow Jews and, to all, prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President, International Fellowship Of Christians & Jews
www.ifcj.org
February 25, 2010
Dear Friend of Israel,
This Saturday at sundown, Jews will begin celebrating Purim, perhaps the most festive holiday on the Jewish calendar.
Purim recalls the deliverance of the Jewish people from their enemies nearly 2,400 years ago. The Purim story, found in the biblical book of Esther, is one of the most memorable in the entire Bible, one that Jews will hear read in synagogue during Purim services.
The King of Persia chooses a beautiful young woman named Esther to be his queen, unaware that she is Jewish. Esther hears from Mordecai, her uncle, that the King has entrusted the fate of Persian Jews to Haman, the King's top adviser. Haman hates the Jews, and issues an order to kill them all.
At great risk to her own life, Esther reveals to the King that she is Jewish and pleads with him to save her people. He agrees to do so, and, in a fitting twist, hands down to the evil Haman the death sentence Haman himself had planned to give the Jews.
Even if Esther's story is familiar to you, I urge you today to re-read it and reflect upon its timeless message. Esther's bravery and obedience to God—her willingness to put her own life on the line to save her people—teaches us a valuable lesson about self-sacrifice and purpose that is as true and meaningful today as it was thousands of years ago.
Haman, too, is more than just a historical figure—he is as alive today as he was in biblical times. We recognize Haman in Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinjead, who issues frequent calls for Israel's destruction. We feel his presence when we read in the news of terrorists who execute murderous attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions around the world. We hear him in the hateful words of Muslim clerics who preach that Jews are the "descendants of apes and pigs."
One of the messages of Purim—a message that applies to Jews and Christians alike—is that in a world with no shortage of "Hamans," we need more "Esthers" committed to standing humbly before God and seeking to defend His people in the face of all difficulties. I thank you, my friend, for being one of those "Esthers" through your support of The Fellowship's lifesaving work.
I wish a festive Purim holiday to my fellow Jews and, to all, prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President, International Fellowship Of Christians & Jews
www.ifcj.org
The Last Minute
by: Shun Lee, Hollywood Connect
The other day, I sent off a film proposal and script treatment to a potential financier. I had worked hard on the proposal and treatment, spending several weeks putting them together, especially because this financier had shown a great degree of interest in the project in the several conversations we’d had about it. I attached the documents to the email and hit the send button. Suddenly, the process was out of my hands, and I found myself sitting in my office… waiting.
Okay, full confession: I hate waiting. It grates against my can-do, get-things-accomplished, Type-A personality, mostly because 1) it feels like nothing is happening, and 2) there’s not a thing I can do about it. I have no control. Oh, don’t get me wrong – I’ve got plenty of other things to do, some good ideas and projects that I’m excited about getting off the ground. But in the back of my mind, there’s this gnawing impatience to have an answer for that project. I want that one to fly now, and instead I find myself waiting for clearance from air traffic control. So I sit on the runway and wait, with plenty of time to stew over any number of thoughts – primarily, how much I hate waiting.
Why is it that God makes us wait? Yeah, sure, I know that He is sovereign and understands the big picture much better than I do, but why does He make us wait? In His omnipotent sovereignty, couldn’t He just rearrange all the elements so that I don’t have to wait? I mean, come on! What’s the big hold-up here? I’m willing to bet that you have a few things you find yourself waiting for too – artistically, financially, relationally, or otherwise. Maybe all of the above.
It’s enough to make God look capricious, almost mean. But perhaps there’s a reason for all this waiting beyond what I can see. Perhaps there is something about the process that is just as important as the end result – or even more so.
If you take a look in the Bible, just about every person who had a waiting period and embraced it went on to great success. Conversely, every person in the Bible who either didn’t have a waiting period or didn’t embrace the waiting period that God gave him or her – eventually failed. Which, of course, makes sense: the perseverance that the waiting produces in us (if we let it) is what gives us the character that ultimately is necessary for true success. Just because I don’t like it doesn’t make it any less true: the waiting makes me stronger.
But not only does God make us wait, He often makes us wait until the last minute. In fact, in my experience, not only does He make me wait until the last minute, He often makes me wait until after what I think is the last minute. God makes us wait until after the last minute because He wants to make sure our hope is in Him, and not in our ability to hold out for the last minute. God wants our trust to be in Him, and not in our own ability to trust. The waiting purges us of our misplaced reliance on our own abilities, even our abilities to trust and persevere.
If God has foisted some waiting on you, see how quickly things change when you embrace it. After all, there’s a whole lot happening while you wait.
All my best,
Shun Lee
Director
Hollywood Connect
© 2010. All rights reserved.
www.hollywoodconnect.com
Twitter: @Shun_Lee
@HwoodConnect
Facebook Group: Hollywood Connect
The other day, I sent off a film proposal and script treatment to a potential financier. I had worked hard on the proposal and treatment, spending several weeks putting them together, especially because this financier had shown a great degree of interest in the project in the several conversations we’d had about it. I attached the documents to the email and hit the send button. Suddenly, the process was out of my hands, and I found myself sitting in my office… waiting.
Okay, full confession: I hate waiting. It grates against my can-do, get-things-accomplished, Type-A personality, mostly because 1) it feels like nothing is happening, and 2) there’s not a thing I can do about it. I have no control. Oh, don’t get me wrong – I’ve got plenty of other things to do, some good ideas and projects that I’m excited about getting off the ground. But in the back of my mind, there’s this gnawing impatience to have an answer for that project. I want that one to fly now, and instead I find myself waiting for clearance from air traffic control. So I sit on the runway and wait, with plenty of time to stew over any number of thoughts – primarily, how much I hate waiting.
Why is it that God makes us wait? Yeah, sure, I know that He is sovereign and understands the big picture much better than I do, but why does He make us wait? In His omnipotent sovereignty, couldn’t He just rearrange all the elements so that I don’t have to wait? I mean, come on! What’s the big hold-up here? I’m willing to bet that you have a few things you find yourself waiting for too – artistically, financially, relationally, or otherwise. Maybe all of the above.
It’s enough to make God look capricious, almost mean. But perhaps there’s a reason for all this waiting beyond what I can see. Perhaps there is something about the process that is just as important as the end result – or even more so.
If you take a look in the Bible, just about every person who had a waiting period and embraced it went on to great success. Conversely, every person in the Bible who either didn’t have a waiting period or didn’t embrace the waiting period that God gave him or her – eventually failed. Which, of course, makes sense: the perseverance that the waiting produces in us (if we let it) is what gives us the character that ultimately is necessary for true success. Just because I don’t like it doesn’t make it any less true: the waiting makes me stronger.
But not only does God make us wait, He often makes us wait until the last minute. In fact, in my experience, not only does He make me wait until the last minute, He often makes me wait until after what I think is the last minute. God makes us wait until after the last minute because He wants to make sure our hope is in Him, and not in our ability to hold out for the last minute. God wants our trust to be in Him, and not in our own ability to trust. The waiting purges us of our misplaced reliance on our own abilities, even our abilities to trust and persevere.
If God has foisted some waiting on you, see how quickly things change when you embrace it. After all, there’s a whole lot happening while you wait.
All my best,
Shun Lee
Director
Hollywood Connect
© 2010. All rights reserved.
www.hollywoodconnect.com
Twitter: @Shun_Lee
@HwoodConnect
Facebook Group: Hollywood Connect
New Season Way Of The Master
Here is a sneak peek to the first episode of Kirk and Ray's Season 4 TV show The Way of the Master. This is a Sneak Peek to London Episode.
It’s here! London--the first of 13 episodes of Season Four. Join Ray Comfort and his faithful team as they travel across thirteen countries in just thirteen days, witnessing to individuals and preaching open-air to crowds in each country. In this 13-DVD series, you will be intrigued as you see members of the team being held by Italian police, as they preach outside the famed Notre Dame in beautiful Paris, and as an angry and drunken crowd becomes unruly when they hear the gospel in Belgium. Watch as the team witnesses to the lost at Germany’s infamous Oktoberfest and in the bars of liberal Amsterdam. This unique and exciting adventure across the nations of Europe is hosted by Kirk Cameron. The journey begins in Charles Spurgeon’s backyard: London. Not only was it the hometown of “The Prince of Preachers,” but it was also the stomping ground of other great open-air preachers such as John Wesley and George Whitefield. The capital of England is soaked in history and is filled with colorful figures. In this exciting episode hosted by Kirk Cameron, you will meet "Caroline," a captivating character you won't easily forget.
www.wayofthemaster.com
www.livingwaters.com
2/24/10
Take up your soul and follow Him
by John Paul Jackson
A little over a year before Jesus was crucified, He expressed to those following Him that if they loved their lives, they would lose them, but if they hated their lives, they would gain them — and be able to keep them (Matthew 16:25).
The word life in that passage is psuche, which is the same word for “soul.” So He was saying that if we love our souls in this world, we will lose them, but if we “hate” our souls, we will find them.
In the same passage (verse 24), Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” He clearly indicated that to “take up your cross” and follow Him is to cast aside all that belongs to the soul. That means we give up what the soul says rightfully belongs to us and put the spiritual interests of others ahead of our own interests. The process of yielding to the cross crucifies our selfish desires and self-focused interests in order to save our lives (our souls).
One year later in the Garden of Gethsemane, moments before they came to take Him, Jesus was tested by His own words. In the most poignant moment in the history of humanity, Jesus uttered, “My soul is exceedingly troubled.” So we find a remarkable paradox: Adam, who gave up his spiritual life in a garden to gain his soul, and Jesus, who freely gave up His soul in a garden to give us spiritual life.
What does all this mean for each of us on a daily basis? As humans, we are comprised of body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The soul (mind, will and emotions) quickly puts itself in charge of that group. We learn at infancy that if we make a fuss about what we want, it will be given to us, and in various ways, we build on that understanding as we grow into adulthood. Through the natural process of life, our souls strengthen. They become dense and thick, like stone. The more we rely on ourselves — on our own understanding and perspective — the less we resemble God. This is why the spirit must rule over the soul; it is the part of us that comes alive when we meet Jesus. It is the part of us that is like Him: His seed and that which makes us the children of God. When the spirit is in control, we will be much more apt to think, feel and act as our Father thinks, feels and acts.
How does God displace a soul that is hard, fast and determined to stay? How does He cut through our soulish opinions, thought processes, wants and desires that may or may not readily reveal their truly earthly state? In most cases, He does this by treating the soul as the rock it is.
Here in Texas, we have oil and gas wells the way some states have swimming pools. You can’t drive more than a few miles without seeing one. After an oil pocket has been drained, the oil in the surrounding ground is removed through a process called fracking. It is a little more complicated than this, but basically, they take a huge machine, hook it up to the wellhead and pump an incredible amount of pressure into the earth, which fractures the rocks and causes the oil to drain into the empty pocket. This makes the well three to five times more productive.
When we give our lives to Jesus, our tough outer shells are penetrated, and our spirits are made alive. We are reconceived. We become the literal children of God, blood of His blood, made alive through His seed (1 John 3:9).
But just as the physical conception is hardly the end of the growing process, so it is with spiritual conception. After that first puncture in the ground, the fracking begins — not because God despises who we are, but because He wants to bring the real us to the surface. He allows the pressure to come to the soul, and the soul begins to fragment. We experience things in our lives that destroy our confidence in ourselves. We discover we cannot trust the mind, intellect or human desire; our trust in our emotions is totally obliterated. God’s process of spiritual fracking is meant to crush the soul, and it is very successful. He breaks away the stone that keeps us from Him, so that what is of Him and like Him can appear.
As this happens, we begin to function as we were created to function. What does that look like? It looks like what happened in Acts, when Peter’s shadow fell across people and they were healed. As the soul becomes broken, fractured and permeable, the spirit floods through, and the Light we carry becomes more and more visible. We become like our Father. When the world looks at us, it sees Him.
As uncomfortable and painful as it can be, the pressure of God brings us eternal life that will last. What are you facing right now that feels like it is crushing you? If you are willing to take up your soul and follow Him, you will find Him at a level that is deeper and richer than anything you have experienced before.
A little over a year before Jesus was crucified, He expressed to those following Him that if they loved their lives, they would lose them, but if they hated their lives, they would gain them — and be able to keep them (Matthew 16:25).
The word life in that passage is psuche, which is the same word for “soul.” So He was saying that if we love our souls in this world, we will lose them, but if we “hate” our souls, we will find them.
In the same passage (verse 24), Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” He clearly indicated that to “take up your cross” and follow Him is to cast aside all that belongs to the soul. That means we give up what the soul says rightfully belongs to us and put the spiritual interests of others ahead of our own interests. The process of yielding to the cross crucifies our selfish desires and self-focused interests in order to save our lives (our souls).
One year later in the Garden of Gethsemane, moments before they came to take Him, Jesus was tested by His own words. In the most poignant moment in the history of humanity, Jesus uttered, “My soul is exceedingly troubled.” So we find a remarkable paradox: Adam, who gave up his spiritual life in a garden to gain his soul, and Jesus, who freely gave up His soul in a garden to give us spiritual life.
What does all this mean for each of us on a daily basis? As humans, we are comprised of body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The soul (mind, will and emotions) quickly puts itself in charge of that group. We learn at infancy that if we make a fuss about what we want, it will be given to us, and in various ways, we build on that understanding as we grow into adulthood. Through the natural process of life, our souls strengthen. They become dense and thick, like stone. The more we rely on ourselves — on our own understanding and perspective — the less we resemble God. This is why the spirit must rule over the soul; it is the part of us that comes alive when we meet Jesus. It is the part of us that is like Him: His seed and that which makes us the children of God. When the spirit is in control, we will be much more apt to think, feel and act as our Father thinks, feels and acts.
How does God displace a soul that is hard, fast and determined to stay? How does He cut through our soulish opinions, thought processes, wants and desires that may or may not readily reveal their truly earthly state? In most cases, He does this by treating the soul as the rock it is.
Here in Texas, we have oil and gas wells the way some states have swimming pools. You can’t drive more than a few miles without seeing one. After an oil pocket has been drained, the oil in the surrounding ground is removed through a process called fracking. It is a little more complicated than this, but basically, they take a huge machine, hook it up to the wellhead and pump an incredible amount of pressure into the earth, which fractures the rocks and causes the oil to drain into the empty pocket. This makes the well three to five times more productive.
When we give our lives to Jesus, our tough outer shells are penetrated, and our spirits are made alive. We are reconceived. We become the literal children of God, blood of His blood, made alive through His seed (1 John 3:9).
But just as the physical conception is hardly the end of the growing process, so it is with spiritual conception. After that first puncture in the ground, the fracking begins — not because God despises who we are, but because He wants to bring the real us to the surface. He allows the pressure to come to the soul, and the soul begins to fragment. We experience things in our lives that destroy our confidence in ourselves. We discover we cannot trust the mind, intellect or human desire; our trust in our emotions is totally obliterated. God’s process of spiritual fracking is meant to crush the soul, and it is very successful. He breaks away the stone that keeps us from Him, so that what is of Him and like Him can appear.
As this happens, we begin to function as we were created to function. What does that look like? It looks like what happened in Acts, when Peter’s shadow fell across people and they were healed. As the soul becomes broken, fractured and permeable, the spirit floods through, and the Light we carry becomes more and more visible. We become like our Father. When the world looks at us, it sees Him.
As uncomfortable and painful as it can be, the pressure of God brings us eternal life that will last. What are you facing right now that feels like it is crushing you? If you are willing to take up your soul and follow Him, you will find Him at a level that is deeper and richer than anything you have experienced before.
In all aspects of life--we see these abandoned buildings. Many homes present the spectacle of abandoned dreams of love. For a time, the beautiful vision shone--and two hearts tried to make it come true--but they gave their dream up in despair, either enduring in misery--or going their own sad and separate ways.
So life everywhere is full of beginnings, which are never carried on to completion.
There is . . .
not a soul-wreck on the streets,
not a prisoner serving out a sentence behind prison bars,
not a debased, fallen person anywhere--
in whose soul, there were not once visions of beauty, high hopes, holy thoughts and purposes, and high resolves of an ideal of something lovely and noble. But alas! the visions, the hopes, the purposes, the resolves--never grew into more than beginnings. God bends down and sees a great wilderness of unfinished buildings, bright possibilities unfulfilled, noble might-have-beens abandoned; ghastly ruins now, sad memorials only of failure! ~ J. R. Miller
Sadly, there are many good books I have started, but never finished. Embarrassingly, I have even made promises I haven't kept. But one work I cannot afford to abandon, and dare not even think of neglecting, is the honor, duty, and privilege of being the Prophet, Priest, Provider, and Protector of my family. It is the work God himself has given me to do... and it's not easy. I've stayed up nights, lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering how to make all the pieces of my family puzzle fit together. I pray, I read God's Word, and I seek wise counsel. I fight, I win, I stumble, I get back in the fight and win again. Building a godly family can leave you bruised, wounded, and exhausted. Marriage isn't for wimps; it's for warriors. But the glorious structure of a home that is full of love and the glory of God has a beauty and value that cannot be compared to any man-made building. I cannot fail at family. I must finish the good that God has begun in my home. And I have confidence that my family will not only survive, but thrive. That assurance comes through trusting in the integrity and faithfulness of my Heavenly Father. He keeps his promises and I stand on them. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you, will be complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" and "...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Kirk Cameron
So life everywhere is full of beginnings, which are never carried on to completion.
There is . . .
not a soul-wreck on the streets,
not a prisoner serving out a sentence behind prison bars,
not a debased, fallen person anywhere--
in whose soul, there were not once visions of beauty, high hopes, holy thoughts and purposes, and high resolves of an ideal of something lovely and noble. But alas! the visions, the hopes, the purposes, the resolves--never grew into more than beginnings. God bends down and sees a great wilderness of unfinished buildings, bright possibilities unfulfilled, noble might-have-beens abandoned; ghastly ruins now, sad memorials only of failure! ~ J. R. Miller
Sadly, there are many good books I have started, but never finished. Embarrassingly, I have even made promises I haven't kept. But one work I cannot afford to abandon, and dare not even think of neglecting, is the honor, duty, and privilege of being the Prophet, Priest, Provider, and Protector of my family. It is the work God himself has given me to do... and it's not easy. I've stayed up nights, lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering how to make all the pieces of my family puzzle fit together. I pray, I read God's Word, and I seek wise counsel. I fight, I win, I stumble, I get back in the fight and win again. Building a godly family can leave you bruised, wounded, and exhausted. Marriage isn't for wimps; it's for warriors. But the glorious structure of a home that is full of love and the glory of God has a beauty and value that cannot be compared to any man-made building. I cannot fail at family. I must finish the good that God has begun in my home. And I have confidence that my family will not only survive, but thrive. That assurance comes through trusting in the integrity and faithfulness of my Heavenly Father. He keeps his promises and I stand on them. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you, will be complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" and "...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Kirk Cameron
2/20/10
William Tyndale and the English Bible
by Brian Edwards
September 13, 2007
An excerpt from a forthcoming travel guide by Day One publications entitled Travel with William Tyndale by Brian H Edwards. Brian has already authored a biography of Tyndale published by Evangelical Press called God’s Outlaw—the Story of William Tyndale and the English Bible.
During the early spring of 1524, a young priest slipped away from London and, without the king’s leave, made his way to the European continent. He was never to see his homeland again, and for the next eleven years his life was an elaborate hide and seek as he was pursued, at one time, by four government agents. His crime and his life’s ambition were one and the same: to translate the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek and present it, printed and bound, so that even the boy who drove the plough could understand God’s Word.
By the constitutions of Oxford of 1408, it was illegal—on pain of death—to read the Scriptures in English without a bishop’s licence. To reinforce this, in April 1519 one woman and six men were burned to death at Coventry for teaching their children the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles Creed in English.
William Tyndale was born in Gloucestershire, England, studied at Oxford and later Cambridge and spent two years teaching the children of Sir John and Lady Walsh in their small manor house at Little Sodbury. Here he began to translate the New Testament, and by the time he arrived on the continent it was complete. The first ever printed New Testaments in English were smuggled back into England early in 1526. Though the bishops burned the Bibles and often their owners, the Word of God became an unstoppable force across the land—England had the Bible in the vernacular at last.
Tyndale’s Old Testament from the Hebrew and New Testament from the Greek was a masterpiece of brilliant translation, and all early copies of the Bible: Coverdale’s (the first to be endorsed by Henry VIII), Matthew’s (officially licensed by the king to be distributed across the land), the Geneva Bible (the Bible of the Pilgrim fathers and Shakespeare), and even the Authorized Version were largely the work of Tyndale. Professor David Daniell, a leading Shakespearean scholar, claims that Tyndale’s translation, and not the plays of Shakespeare, molded the English language as we know it.
After eleven years of constantly escaping government agents, writing long letters and tracts for the suffering church in England, refining and revising his translations, William Tyndale was cruelly betrayed. However, his legacy continues within the pages of every English Bible.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n4/tyndale-and-english-bible
September 13, 2007
An excerpt from a forthcoming travel guide by Day One publications entitled Travel with William Tyndale by Brian H Edwards. Brian has already authored a biography of Tyndale published by Evangelical Press called God’s Outlaw—the Story of William Tyndale and the English Bible.
During the early spring of 1524, a young priest slipped away from London and, without the king’s leave, made his way to the European continent. He was never to see his homeland again, and for the next eleven years his life was an elaborate hide and seek as he was pursued, at one time, by four government agents. His crime and his life’s ambition were one and the same: to translate the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek and present it, printed and bound, so that even the boy who drove the plough could understand God’s Word.
By the constitutions of Oxford of 1408, it was illegal—on pain of death—to read the Scriptures in English without a bishop’s licence. To reinforce this, in April 1519 one woman and six men were burned to death at Coventry for teaching their children the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles Creed in English.
William Tyndale was born in Gloucestershire, England, studied at Oxford and later Cambridge and spent two years teaching the children of Sir John and Lady Walsh in their small manor house at Little Sodbury. Here he began to translate the New Testament, and by the time he arrived on the continent it was complete. The first ever printed New Testaments in English were smuggled back into England early in 1526. Though the bishops burned the Bibles and often their owners, the Word of God became an unstoppable force across the land—England had the Bible in the vernacular at last.
Tyndale’s Old Testament from the Hebrew and New Testament from the Greek was a masterpiece of brilliant translation, and all early copies of the Bible: Coverdale’s (the first to be endorsed by Henry VIII), Matthew’s (officially licensed by the king to be distributed across the land), the Geneva Bible (the Bible of the Pilgrim fathers and Shakespeare), and even the Authorized Version were largely the work of Tyndale. Professor David Daniell, a leading Shakespearean scholar, claims that Tyndale’s translation, and not the plays of Shakespeare, molded the English language as we know it.
After eleven years of constantly escaping government agents, writing long letters and tracts for the suffering church in England, refining and revising his translations, William Tyndale was cruelly betrayed. However, his legacy continues within the pages of every English Bible.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n4/tyndale-and-english-bible
Stay updated on Answers Outreach at the Olympics
As the world gathers in Vancouver, Canada, for the Winter Olympics, a team of volunteers from Answers in Genesis is once again conducting an outreach at the Olympic Games. Starting February 20, they will be evangelizing among the crowds and passing out over 200,000 booklets about the good news of Jesus.
Please pray that the Lord would use this effort to reach many souls for His glory!
Answers Outreach is now on Twitter and Facebook, so you can stay updated with the latest information on the 2010 Olympic Outreach and other current events.
Add Answers Outreach on Facebook
Follow Answers Outreach on Twitter
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
Please pray that the Lord would use this effort to reach many souls for His glory!
Answers Outreach is now on Twitter and Facebook, so you can stay updated with the latest information on the 2010 Olympic Outreach and other current events.
Add Answers Outreach on Facebook
Follow Answers Outreach on Twitter
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
Skates, Sleds, Skis, and Salvation
Every four years winter athletes gather together in a cold city to participate and play at the Winter Olympic Games. It is a time when the world comes together in a common city like Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in search of Olympic acknowledgment and medals for the best.
The Olympics provide a wonderful opportunity to fulfill the Scripture’s mission challenge to take the gospel to the whole world. Answers in Genesis once again will be going to these Olympic Games to evangelize and distribute gospel literature. We are praying for 200 people to participate in this missionary adventure of a lifetime. We are praying that AiG supporters in Canada and the USA will join together in an effort to reach the world and win souls for Christ. Over 250 people made professions of faith at the Games of Athens, Greece.
Each day we will leave our camp retreat location and travel by commercial coaches to various locations near the Olympic venues, break up into pairs and pray for Divine appointments with people from around the world that need the Lord.
We will also have opportunity to join the Ken Ham Seminars that will be held in downtown Vancouver. What a great opportunity to minister to people during the day and to be ministered to in the evening. You will have the opportunity to be with the entire AiG family at Stillwood Camp & Conference Centre.
Please prayerfully consider this great adventure with AiG and be a short-term missionary to the whole world for nine days. We are interested in family groups, youth groups, senior groups, church groups and everyone that wants to be used of God in this exciting missionary outreach.
Dr. David R. Crandall
Olympic Ministry Host
http://www.answersingenesis.org/worldwide/2010-olympics-outreach
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
The Olympics provide a wonderful opportunity to fulfill the Scripture’s mission challenge to take the gospel to the whole world. Answers in Genesis once again will be going to these Olympic Games to evangelize and distribute gospel literature. We are praying for 200 people to participate in this missionary adventure of a lifetime. We are praying that AiG supporters in Canada and the USA will join together in an effort to reach the world and win souls for Christ. Over 250 people made professions of faith at the Games of Athens, Greece.
Each day we will leave our camp retreat location and travel by commercial coaches to various locations near the Olympic venues, break up into pairs and pray for Divine appointments with people from around the world that need the Lord.
We will also have opportunity to join the Ken Ham Seminars that will be held in downtown Vancouver. What a great opportunity to minister to people during the day and to be ministered to in the evening. You will have the opportunity to be with the entire AiG family at Stillwood Camp & Conference Centre.
Please prayerfully consider this great adventure with AiG and be a short-term missionary to the whole world for nine days. We are interested in family groups, youth groups, senior groups, church groups and everyone that wants to be used of God in this exciting missionary outreach.
Dr. David R. Crandall
Olympic Ministry Host
http://www.answersingenesis.org/worldwide/2010-olympics-outreach
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
Q: Why are we punished for Adam’s sin?
A: When Adam sinned, his punishment was death (Genesis 2:17). Because of Adam’s sin, death came upon all men. Some have said that it is harsh for God to punish all of Adam’s descendants for something Adam did. But is it?
The answer is simple—we are without excuse since we sin too (Romans 3:23; 5:12), and we all deserve death before a perfect Holy God. To assume Adam’s descendants are innocent is a false assumption. Due to the sin nature received from Adam, death is coming for all since all have sinned (Romans 3:23).
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.
It is illogical to think that two imperfect people could produce perfect offspring. Since Adam and Eve had both sinned and been cursed then it would be impossible for their children to be perfectly free from sin. So the real question is: why would God permit sin nature to pass along to Adam’s descendants? Doesn’t that seem harsh? Recall, the Bible says:
Hebrews 7:9-10
Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Consider that the book of Hebrews points out that Levi was in the loins (body) of his ancestor Abraham when he paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20).
If this applies to each person being “in” their ancestors, then we could say Abraham was in the body of Noah before the Flood. And Noah was in the body of his ancestor Adam when he sinned! In a sense, we were all in Adam when he sinned! This explains why we inherit a sin nature. When Adam sinned, a sin nature came over them and since we were in them and our life came from them, we inherit this nature as well.
So far, this all sounds like bad news—and it is—but there is good news.
1 Corinthians 15:21–22
For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Through Adam, death came into the world. Jesus came and demonstrated He has power over death. Thus, those who are in Christ, will be saved and death will have no sting.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Although death seems to be inevitable for all, one day God will put an end to this enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). The life that we have came through Adam and ultimately from God (Genesis 2:7). God owns us and gives us our very being (Hebrews 1:3; Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:16–18), and it is He whom we should follow instead of sin. Because of the sin of our first parents, the human race needs a Savior. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, stepped into history to take this punishment for sin. Such a loving feat shows that God loves mankind and wants to see us return to Him. God, the Author, Sustainer, and Redeemer of life, is truly the One to be praised.
The answer is simple—we are without excuse since we sin too (Romans 3:23; 5:12), and we all deserve death before a perfect Holy God. To assume Adam’s descendants are innocent is a false assumption. Due to the sin nature received from Adam, death is coming for all since all have sinned (Romans 3:23).
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.
It is illogical to think that two imperfect people could produce perfect offspring. Since Adam and Eve had both sinned and been cursed then it would be impossible for their children to be perfectly free from sin. So the real question is: why would God permit sin nature to pass along to Adam’s descendants? Doesn’t that seem harsh? Recall, the Bible says:
Hebrews 7:9-10
Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Consider that the book of Hebrews points out that Levi was in the loins (body) of his ancestor Abraham when he paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20).
If this applies to each person being “in” their ancestors, then we could say Abraham was in the body of Noah before the Flood. And Noah was in the body of his ancestor Adam when he sinned! In a sense, we were all in Adam when he sinned! This explains why we inherit a sin nature. When Adam sinned, a sin nature came over them and since we were in them and our life came from them, we inherit this nature as well.
So far, this all sounds like bad news—and it is—but there is good news.
1 Corinthians 15:21–22
For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Through Adam, death came into the world. Jesus came and demonstrated He has power over death. Thus, those who are in Christ, will be saved and death will have no sting.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Although death seems to be inevitable for all, one day God will put an end to this enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). The life that we have came through Adam and ultimately from God (Genesis 2:7). God owns us and gives us our very being (Hebrews 1:3; Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:16–18), and it is He whom we should follow instead of sin. Because of the sin of our first parents, the human race needs a Savior. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, stepped into history to take this punishment for sin. Such a loving feat shows that God loves mankind and wants to see us return to Him. God, the Author, Sustainer, and Redeemer of life, is truly the One to be praised.
2/19/10
"The Lord hears your murmurings which you murmur against Him!" Exodus 16
This is startling! Does God really hear every discontented word we speak? Does God hear when we grumble about the weather, about the hard winter, about the late spring, about the dry summer, about the wet harvest, about the high winds, about the storms? Does God hear when we complain about our circumstances, about the hardness of our lot, about our losses and disappointments? If we could get into our hearts and keep there continually, the consciousness that every word we speak is heard in heaven, and falls upon God's ears before it falls upon any other ear--would we murmur as we now do? ~ J. R. Miller
Just the other day, I sat with a man who was grumbling about a personal problem, family issues, and a lack of direction in his life. How ungrateful. Just last year, I was grumbling about the same things. Funny, when I hear my children complain about "injustices" over toys, food, or "who had it first", it's so easy to see that a lack of gratitude clouds their vision and blinds them to the tremendous blessings they do have. "You have been so blessed!" I remind them, pointing to their health, loving family, and relative lack of problems. How much more should we as Christians be filled to overflowing with thanksgiving when we look at all that God has given us in Jesus Christ! The cross. No Hell. Heaven. Power to defeat sin. Peace. Friendship with God. Eternal love. Blessing Forever. Today, I'm going to whisper different words under my breath; words of praise, honor, and thankfulness to God for all He is, has done, and is yet to do. May you and I be marked as "holy grumblers," always muttering phrases that speak of the greatness, kindness, and love of Jesus Christ. And may we not only murmur them, but speak them openly with our friends, family, and even strangers. ~ Kirk Cameron
This is startling! Does God really hear every discontented word we speak? Does God hear when we grumble about the weather, about the hard winter, about the late spring, about the dry summer, about the wet harvest, about the high winds, about the storms? Does God hear when we complain about our circumstances, about the hardness of our lot, about our losses and disappointments? If we could get into our hearts and keep there continually, the consciousness that every word we speak is heard in heaven, and falls upon God's ears before it falls upon any other ear--would we murmur as we now do? ~ J. R. Miller
Just the other day, I sat with a man who was grumbling about a personal problem, family issues, and a lack of direction in his life. How ungrateful. Just last year, I was grumbling about the same things. Funny, when I hear my children complain about "injustices" over toys, food, or "who had it first", it's so easy to see that a lack of gratitude clouds their vision and blinds them to the tremendous blessings they do have. "You have been so blessed!" I remind them, pointing to their health, loving family, and relative lack of problems. How much more should we as Christians be filled to overflowing with thanksgiving when we look at all that God has given us in Jesus Christ! The cross. No Hell. Heaven. Power to defeat sin. Peace. Friendship with God. Eternal love. Blessing Forever. Today, I'm going to whisper different words under my breath; words of praise, honor, and thankfulness to God for all He is, has done, and is yet to do. May you and I be marked as "holy grumblers," always muttering phrases that speak of the greatness, kindness, and love of Jesus Christ. And may we not only murmur them, but speak them openly with our friends, family, and even strangers. ~ Kirk Cameron
Remodeled through Brokenness
by Charles F. Stanley
Bible Study: God's Purpose For Brokenness
Sermon: God's Pathway Of Brokeness
It can be tempting to think we need very little improvement. Ask around, and you’ll hear many people concede they could probably use a bit of “maintenance” on one or two problem areas (preferably without being caused any discomfort). Yet most will add, “But I’m a good person.” Don’t be fooled—the Father refuses to settle for humanity’s inadequate view of “good enough.”
God sees each believer as the person he or she will be when fully yielded to Jesus Christ. He then sets about achieving that complete renovation by transforming the individual’s present self into the image of His Son. We could say that God is our “interior designer.”
Through this “remodeling” process, God continues His work of molding us into the likeness of His Son. Humans are born “bent away” from the Lord. Our natural inclination is to please and serve self, which is the opposite of a God-honoring lifestyle. But when we become believers, our Father begins to bend our will and ways back toward Him. We must cooperate with Him and yield to the process. Otherwise, we are of little use to the kingdom.
The Lord wants to eradicate every thought pattern and activity promoting dependency on anything other than Him. This means that relying on oneself to attain security, salvation, or physical and emotional comfort are outside His will. Actions that advance a person at the expense of others—in one’s career, relationships, or ministry—are also ungodly.
If we resist bending toward the Lord, He may break us by allowing pain to enter our life. As a result, we are driven to Him in surrender. To break a person may sound harsh, but God does this work in love. He sees beyond the hurt to the outcome—we will be more mature and faithful servants for having walked through trials. And as we take each hard step, our loving Father stays by our side, offering guidance and comfort. Seeing the benefits He has brought about through my hardships, I can honestly thank Him for every period of brokenness I’ve experienced (Rom. 8:28).
Steps to Healing
The truth is that we all have areas of selfishness that need to be bent or broken by God’s hand. We must begin by looking inward and asking our heavenly Father to help us discover wrong habits and thought patterns, including resentments or bitterness. Then, we must surrender to His work so we can become wise and useful servants—with hearts healed of the wounds inflicted by sin. The healing process can be painful. Yet God uses suffering to mold His children. Although wonderful, happy times feel great, times of affliction tend to produce growth.
Another essential step in the remodeling of our inner lives involves removing whatever is unnecessary, damaged, or outmoded. In our case, what must go are the areas of self-will that hinder our relationship with the Lord.
Brokenness is God’s way of dealing with the part of us that wants to act independently of Him. He targets habits, attitudes, and even relationships wherein we act independently of His purposes. Then skillfully and lovingly, our Father arranges circumstances that will allow us enough discomfort to realize our dependence upon Him. And He takes hold of interests that are dear to our hearts in order to coax from us the rather humbling question, “Lord, what more would You have me surrender to You?”
Conforming our will to God’s restores us to function as He intended: sons and daughters wholly dependent on their heavenly Father. In the midst of our transformation, pain from His tools may temporarily obscure the beauty of His design. But nothing is more splendid to God than a committed, obey-at-all-costs follower. Submit to Him so that He might reshape you into the servant He desires.
Bible Study: God's Purpose For Brokenness
Sermon: God's Pathway Of Brokeness
It can be tempting to think we need very little improvement. Ask around, and you’ll hear many people concede they could probably use a bit of “maintenance” on one or two problem areas (preferably without being caused any discomfort). Yet most will add, “But I’m a good person.” Don’t be fooled—the Father refuses to settle for humanity’s inadequate view of “good enough.”
God sees each believer as the person he or she will be when fully yielded to Jesus Christ. He then sets about achieving that complete renovation by transforming the individual’s present self into the image of His Son. We could say that God is our “interior designer.”
Through this “remodeling” process, God continues His work of molding us into the likeness of His Son. Humans are born “bent away” from the Lord. Our natural inclination is to please and serve self, which is the opposite of a God-honoring lifestyle. But when we become believers, our Father begins to bend our will and ways back toward Him. We must cooperate with Him and yield to the process. Otherwise, we are of little use to the kingdom.
The Lord wants to eradicate every thought pattern and activity promoting dependency on anything other than Him. This means that relying on oneself to attain security, salvation, or physical and emotional comfort are outside His will. Actions that advance a person at the expense of others—in one’s career, relationships, or ministry—are also ungodly.
If we resist bending toward the Lord, He may break us by allowing pain to enter our life. As a result, we are driven to Him in surrender. To break a person may sound harsh, but God does this work in love. He sees beyond the hurt to the outcome—we will be more mature and faithful servants for having walked through trials. And as we take each hard step, our loving Father stays by our side, offering guidance and comfort. Seeing the benefits He has brought about through my hardships, I can honestly thank Him for every period of brokenness I’ve experienced (Rom. 8:28).
Steps to Healing
The truth is that we all have areas of selfishness that need to be bent or broken by God’s hand. We must begin by looking inward and asking our heavenly Father to help us discover wrong habits and thought patterns, including resentments or bitterness. Then, we must surrender to His work so we can become wise and useful servants—with hearts healed of the wounds inflicted by sin. The healing process can be painful. Yet God uses suffering to mold His children. Although wonderful, happy times feel great, times of affliction tend to produce growth.
Another essential step in the remodeling of our inner lives involves removing whatever is unnecessary, damaged, or outmoded. In our case, what must go are the areas of self-will that hinder our relationship with the Lord.
Brokenness is God’s way of dealing with the part of us that wants to act independently of Him. He targets habits, attitudes, and even relationships wherein we act independently of His purposes. Then skillfully and lovingly, our Father arranges circumstances that will allow us enough discomfort to realize our dependence upon Him. And He takes hold of interests that are dear to our hearts in order to coax from us the rather humbling question, “Lord, what more would You have me surrender to You?”
Conforming our will to God’s restores us to function as He intended: sons and daughters wholly dependent on their heavenly Father. In the midst of our transformation, pain from His tools may temporarily obscure the beauty of His design. But nothing is more splendid to God than a committed, obey-at-all-costs follower. Submit to Him so that He might reshape you into the servant He desires.
Hollywood Prayer Network - February Newsletter
Dear HPN Pray-ers,
Happy belated Valentines Day! We send you our love and appreciation from HPN. Well, it’s a big month with the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the Academy Awards, we have a lot to pray about this month. So, let’s do it…
SUMMARY:
* We thank the Lord for our awesome LAFSC interns
* Thanks for praying for our friends with cancer
* Keep praying for the 168 Hour Film Festival
* Pray for the nominees for the 2010 Academy Awards
* Would you pray for one person in the media
* Pray for Christians living an alternative life style
* Pray for Denzel Washington and “The Book of Eli"
* Pray for wisdom for the staff of Act One
* Pray for the cast and crew of “Alice In Wonderland”
* Pray for industry professionals who are out of work
* Become an HPN Local Chapter Director
* Join our HPN “I to I” Prayer Partnerships
* HPN's Airdrie, Canada Local Chapter presented HPN to their church
* Check out all of our upcoming events
PRAISES:
• We thank the Lord for two awesome LA Film Studies Center college interns who are spending the Spring semester with us. Ceci and Brad, you are making a huge difference at HPN and we praise God for you.
UPDATES:
• Thank you for continuing to pray for our industry members who are struggling with cancer. We ask for continued prayers for Michelle, Carl and Bryan, who are all undergoing cancer treatments. They and their families need to feel our prayers.
• Keep praying for the 168 Hour Film Festival. Eighty-three teams are filming this week - making an 11 minute film, based on a Bible verse. Pray that they will meet the challenge of completing their projects with a message that pleases God. And pray that people in the cast and crew are drawn closer to Jesus through this experience. Check out how it’s going: http://www.168project.com
PRAYER REQUESTS:
• Pray for all of the nominees for the 2010 Academy Awards: From the 10 nominated Best Pictures, to all the nominees for the Best of everything, go to: http://www.moviefone.com/oscars-academy-awards/nominee-winner. May they feel God’s presence and see these awards through His eyes. May they also feel His comfort and regardless of if they lose or win, pray that they find their identity in Him!
• We would love to have you, our praying community, be more personally involved with the prayers going forth this month. So, would you choose the one person in the media who you are most frustrated with, sick of, disappointed in, or you just don’t like, and pray for the Lord to touch them in some loving and personal way. Pray God’s blessings on them every day this month. And pray that God will reveal His heart to this person and that YOU can see them through His eyes.
• Pray that the Christians in Hollywood will realize that they live an alternative life style! Alternative is such a trendy word and yet the Christian professionals actually fit that definition in our industry. May our alternative lifestyle be one of integrity, humility, grace and unconditional love!
• Pray for Denzel Washington and his openness about his faith as he promotes "The Book of Eli." He is committed to the Lord and talks about seeking wisdom and understanding. Check out one of his interviews at: http://www.screenhead.com/reviews/denzel-washington-talks-spiritual-about-the-book-of-eli/
• Pray for wisdom for the staff of Act One as they are now receiving applications for the summer Writing for Film & Television Program and Producing & Entertainment Executive Program. For more information on this training ministry, click on www.ActOneProgram.com
• Pray for the people who were involved in the feature, “Alice In Wonderland,” which opens March 5th. The Christians we know on the project, were Christ’s ambassadors while working with the whole cast and crew, including Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, whose hearts and lives would be transformed if they could meet Jesus. For a fun trailer go to: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/
• The industry is really feeling the recession, and many people are out of work. Let’s lift up the industry pros who aren’t working, are struggling financially and scared about what’s next. And may the Christians be available to their co-workers and friends as salt and light, as an encouragement and a source of hope and prayer.
• We are so excited about our HPN Local Chapters. Karen just visited Jacque and Robert Hall in Mesa last month and Cassandra Hollis came to visit from Atlanta this month! Check on our site to see if there is a local chapter in your area. If so, then connect with your local chapter Director and introduce yourself. If not, tell us and we’ll help you start one. Click here to check our list of local chapters: http://www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org/local-chapters
• HPN invites you to join our “I to I” Prayer Partnerships. If you’re a Christian outside of Hollywood and would like to pray for a Christian professional in Hollywood, or if you are a media professional and would like to have an HPN Intercessor, email Gloria@hpnemail.org
REQUESTS FROM OUR LOCAL CHAPTER DIRECTORS:
• Peggy, our Airdrie, Canada Local Chapter Director, presented HPN to her church this past week-end and it was a hit. In fact, one gentlemen said: "That is the coolest, most relevant thing I have heard in a long time." We are thankful for you, Peggy!
UPCOMING EVENTS IN HOLLYWOOD:
• Join us every 2nd and 4th Thurs. of each month for prayer at Hollywood Presbyterian. Feb. 25th anywhere from 2:00 pm - 9:30 pm is the next gathering. If you want to experience prayer, come and be prayed for. Oswald Chambers once said, “Prayer is not preparation for the greater work, prayer IS the greater work.”
• You’re also welcome to a prayer gathering for Hollywood each Wednesday from noon – 2pm, at Hollywood Presbyterian. Or join in praying wherever you are, anywhere around the world. For more info, email Caren@hpnemail.org
• Every other Wednesday night is an HPN Bible study on “How to Become a Praying Person.” Anyone in the industry is welcome this Wednesday, February 17, 7:00 – 8:30pm at the HPN offices. For more info, email Gloria@hpnemail.org
• If you want to receive a daily email to remind you to pray for a media professional and cultural influencer through Mastermeida Intl., then go to www.mastermediaintl.org and click on “Media Minute” button and follow the prompts.
• For other upcoming events in our community, click on: http://www.hollywoodconnect.com/current-events
Thanks for praying with us this month and know that you are making an eternal difference.
Appreciatively,
Karen, Caren and Gloria
TIP OF THE MONTH:
If you’re a Christian in Hollywood, be sure you don’t have Hollywood N.O.S.:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-hollywoodnos14-2010feb14,0,3088531,print.stor
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“Remember Whose you are and Whom you serve. Provoke yourself by recollection, and your affection for God will increase tenfold; your imagination will not be starved any longer, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.” Oswald Chambers
VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose imagination is stayed on Thee.” Isaiah 26:3 (RV)
Happy belated Valentines Day! We send you our love and appreciation from HPN. Well, it’s a big month with the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the Academy Awards, we have a lot to pray about this month. So, let’s do it…
SUMMARY:
* We thank the Lord for our awesome LAFSC interns
* Thanks for praying for our friends with cancer
* Keep praying for the 168 Hour Film Festival
* Pray for the nominees for the 2010 Academy Awards
* Would you pray for one person in the media
* Pray for Christians living an alternative life style
* Pray for Denzel Washington and “The Book of Eli"
* Pray for wisdom for the staff of Act One
* Pray for the cast and crew of “Alice In Wonderland”
* Pray for industry professionals who are out of work
* Become an HPN Local Chapter Director
* Join our HPN “I to I” Prayer Partnerships
* HPN's Airdrie, Canada Local Chapter presented HPN to their church
* Check out all of our upcoming events
PRAISES:
• We thank the Lord for two awesome LA Film Studies Center college interns who are spending the Spring semester with us. Ceci and Brad, you are making a huge difference at HPN and we praise God for you.
UPDATES:
• Thank you for continuing to pray for our industry members who are struggling with cancer. We ask for continued prayers for Michelle, Carl and Bryan, who are all undergoing cancer treatments. They and their families need to feel our prayers.
• Keep praying for the 168 Hour Film Festival. Eighty-three teams are filming this week - making an 11 minute film, based on a Bible verse. Pray that they will meet the challenge of completing their projects with a message that pleases God. And pray that people in the cast and crew are drawn closer to Jesus through this experience. Check out how it’s going: http://www.168project.com
PRAYER REQUESTS:
• Pray for all of the nominees for the 2010 Academy Awards: From the 10 nominated Best Pictures, to all the nominees for the Best of everything, go to: http://www.moviefone.com/oscars-academy-awards/nominee-winner. May they feel God’s presence and see these awards through His eyes. May they also feel His comfort and regardless of if they lose or win, pray that they find their identity in Him!
• We would love to have you, our praying community, be more personally involved with the prayers going forth this month. So, would you choose the one person in the media who you are most frustrated with, sick of, disappointed in, or you just don’t like, and pray for the Lord to touch them in some loving and personal way. Pray God’s blessings on them every day this month. And pray that God will reveal His heart to this person and that YOU can see them through His eyes.
• Pray that the Christians in Hollywood will realize that they live an alternative life style! Alternative is such a trendy word and yet the Christian professionals actually fit that definition in our industry. May our alternative lifestyle be one of integrity, humility, grace and unconditional love!
• Pray for Denzel Washington and his openness about his faith as he promotes "The Book of Eli." He is committed to the Lord and talks about seeking wisdom and understanding. Check out one of his interviews at: http://www.screenhead.com/reviews/denzel-washington-talks-spiritual-about-the-book-of-eli/
• Pray for wisdom for the staff of Act One as they are now receiving applications for the summer Writing for Film & Television Program and Producing & Entertainment Executive Program. For more information on this training ministry, click on www.ActOneProgram.com
• Pray for the people who were involved in the feature, “Alice In Wonderland,” which opens March 5th. The Christians we know on the project, were Christ’s ambassadors while working with the whole cast and crew, including Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, whose hearts and lives would be transformed if they could meet Jesus. For a fun trailer go to: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/
• The industry is really feeling the recession, and many people are out of work. Let’s lift up the industry pros who aren’t working, are struggling financially and scared about what’s next. And may the Christians be available to their co-workers and friends as salt and light, as an encouragement and a source of hope and prayer.
• We are so excited about our HPN Local Chapters. Karen just visited Jacque and Robert Hall in Mesa last month and Cassandra Hollis came to visit from Atlanta this month! Check on our site to see if there is a local chapter in your area. If so, then connect with your local chapter Director and introduce yourself. If not, tell us and we’ll help you start one. Click here to check our list of local chapters: http://www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org/local-chapters
• HPN invites you to join our “I to I” Prayer Partnerships. If you’re a Christian outside of Hollywood and would like to pray for a Christian professional in Hollywood, or if you are a media professional and would like to have an HPN Intercessor, email Gloria@hpnemail.org
REQUESTS FROM OUR LOCAL CHAPTER DIRECTORS:
• Peggy, our Airdrie, Canada Local Chapter Director, presented HPN to her church this past week-end and it was a hit. In fact, one gentlemen said: "That is the coolest, most relevant thing I have heard in a long time." We are thankful for you, Peggy!
UPCOMING EVENTS IN HOLLYWOOD:
• Join us every 2nd and 4th Thurs. of each month for prayer at Hollywood Presbyterian. Feb. 25th anywhere from 2:00 pm - 9:30 pm is the next gathering. If you want to experience prayer, come and be prayed for. Oswald Chambers once said, “Prayer is not preparation for the greater work, prayer IS the greater work.”
• You’re also welcome to a prayer gathering for Hollywood each Wednesday from noon – 2pm, at Hollywood Presbyterian. Or join in praying wherever you are, anywhere around the world. For more info, email Caren@hpnemail.org
• Every other Wednesday night is an HPN Bible study on “How to Become a Praying Person.” Anyone in the industry is welcome this Wednesday, February 17, 7:00 – 8:30pm at the HPN offices. For more info, email Gloria@hpnemail.org
• If you want to receive a daily email to remind you to pray for a media professional and cultural influencer through Mastermeida Intl., then go to www.mastermediaintl.org and click on “Media Minute” button and follow the prompts.
• For other upcoming events in our community, click on: http://www.hollywoodconnect.com/current-events
Thanks for praying with us this month and know that you are making an eternal difference.
Appreciatively,
Karen, Caren and Gloria
TIP OF THE MONTH:
If you’re a Christian in Hollywood, be sure you don’t have Hollywood N.O.S.:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-hollywoodnos14-2010feb14,0,3088531,print.stor
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“Remember Whose you are and Whom you serve. Provoke yourself by recollection, and your affection for God will increase tenfold; your imagination will not be starved any longer, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.” Oswald Chambers
VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose imagination is stayed on Thee.” Isaiah 26:3 (RV)
Denzel Washington Talks Spiritual about ‘The Book of Eli’
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Great interview with Denzel Washington concerning his choices in films and his spiritual side of life. This oscar-winning actor stopped by The Today Show to talk to Matt Lauer about his role in the new movie, The Book of Eli,which opens this Friday.
In the interview, Denzel takes a moment to open up about his spiritual side, (he is currently finishing up his third time of reading the Bible cover to cover) and also talk a bit about his preparation for the movie (he insisted on performing his own stunts).
(thanks to Today Show and www.screenhead.com)
VOM–USA Prayer Update for February 19, 2010
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
“The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both of which are born in and maintained by prayer. The ministry of preaching is opened to few; the ministry of prayer – the highest ministry of all human offices – is open to all.” Leonard Ravenhill
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18
LAOS — Christians Forced from Homes — Compass Direct News
Hebrews 11:25–26
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
In January, 48 Christians were forced from their homes in Katin village, Saravan province, Laos. After gathering for Sunday worship, the believers were expelled from their church at gunpoint and taken to an open field. Officials then confiscated personal belongings from 11 Christians’ homes, and six of the homes were later destroyed. Officials also took a pig, worth the equivalent of six weeks’ salary, from one of the believers. When the believers refused to renounce their faith, they were forced to leave the village. Police have been posted at the entrance to the village to prevent the Christians from returning home or retrieving their valuables. At last report, the believers were sleeping in the woods with little food or survival supplies. Ask God to protect and provide for the 48 Christians who were expelled. Pray that they will grow stronger in their faith. Also pray that the Christians who renounced their faith will turn to Jesus for strength and boldness. Pray that officials and villagers will stop persecuting Christians in Katin village.
UZBEKISTAN — Uzbek Christians Targeted — Forum 18 News
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
Uzbek Christians from the Baptist Council of Churches have faced arrests and physical abuse in recent weeks. On Jan. 18, Tohar Haydarov was arrested in Syrdarya region on charges of producing or storing drugs — charges local Christians insist are fabricated. Police reportedly threatened Tohar and pressured him to renounce his faith. When he refused, police allegedly planted drugs on him. According to police reports, officials later found additional drugs at his apartment. However, the search was not monitored by witnesses. The drugs found on Tohar and in his apartment were tested the same evening, raising suspicions about how the drugs could have been tested so quickly. At a court hearing three days after his arrest, Tohar told believers that police had beaten him and forced him to sign papers. His face was swollen, and he could barely walk. At last report, police were trying to charge Tohar under an article of the Criminal Code that calls for a 10–20 year prison sentence. In another incident, a group of believers who gathered for fellowship on Jan. 24 in Almalyk City were rounded up by police and taken to the police station. The Christians had gathered at the home of Sergei Brislavski. Police searched Sergei’s home and confiscated Bibles, songbooks and CDs. Three of the 19 believers were treated roughly by officers. A doctor who saw them the next day said the believers had bruises on their shoulders and around their necks. Local Christians believe the police are preparing a criminal case against some of them for repeated violations of the Religion Law. In April 2009, some of the same Christians, including Sergei's family, were fined 50 times the minimum monthly wage for “attracting believers of one confession to another.” Pray that the truth of Tohar’s case will be revealed and that he will look to Christ for strength. Pray that the Christians in Almalyk will echo Peter’s determination to obey God rather than man, and pray that they will not face criminal charges or fines.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both of which are born in and maintained by prayer. The ministry of preaching is opened to few; the ministry of prayer – the highest ministry of all human offices – is open to all.” Leonard Ravenhill
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18
LAOS — Christians Forced from Homes — Compass Direct News
Hebrews 11:25–26
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
In January, 48 Christians were forced from their homes in Katin village, Saravan province, Laos. After gathering for Sunday worship, the believers were expelled from their church at gunpoint and taken to an open field. Officials then confiscated personal belongings from 11 Christians’ homes, and six of the homes were later destroyed. Officials also took a pig, worth the equivalent of six weeks’ salary, from one of the believers. When the believers refused to renounce their faith, they were forced to leave the village. Police have been posted at the entrance to the village to prevent the Christians from returning home or retrieving their valuables. At last report, the believers were sleeping in the woods with little food or survival supplies. Ask God to protect and provide for the 48 Christians who were expelled. Pray that they will grow stronger in their faith. Also pray that the Christians who renounced their faith will turn to Jesus for strength and boldness. Pray that officials and villagers will stop persecuting Christians in Katin village.
UZBEKISTAN — Uzbek Christians Targeted — Forum 18 News
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
Uzbek Christians from the Baptist Council of Churches have faced arrests and physical abuse in recent weeks. On Jan. 18, Tohar Haydarov was arrested in Syrdarya region on charges of producing or storing drugs — charges local Christians insist are fabricated. Police reportedly threatened Tohar and pressured him to renounce his faith. When he refused, police allegedly planted drugs on him. According to police reports, officials later found additional drugs at his apartment. However, the search was not monitored by witnesses. The drugs found on Tohar and in his apartment were tested the same evening, raising suspicions about how the drugs could have been tested so quickly. At a court hearing three days after his arrest, Tohar told believers that police had beaten him and forced him to sign papers. His face was swollen, and he could barely walk. At last report, police were trying to charge Tohar under an article of the Criminal Code that calls for a 10–20 year prison sentence. In another incident, a group of believers who gathered for fellowship on Jan. 24 in Almalyk City were rounded up by police and taken to the police station. The Christians had gathered at the home of Sergei Brislavski. Police searched Sergei’s home and confiscated Bibles, songbooks and CDs. Three of the 19 believers were treated roughly by officers. A doctor who saw them the next day said the believers had bruises on their shoulders and around their necks. Local Christians believe the police are preparing a criminal case against some of them for repeated violations of the Religion Law. In April 2009, some of the same Christians, including Sergei's family, were fined 50 times the minimum monthly wage for “attracting believers of one confession to another.” Pray that the truth of Tohar’s case will be revealed and that he will look to Christ for strength. Pray that the Christians in Almalyk will echo Peter’s determination to obey God rather than man, and pray that they will not face criminal charges or fines.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Dave Christiano Films 25th Anniversary Special
Just thought I would mention that Dave Christiano, a Christian movie director, is having a sale on his films for his 25th anniversary. Really cool films for really cool deals. If you don't know his films, some of them are Pamela's Prayer and 7th Street Theater (which is actually a TV show). Check it out at: http://www.christianfilms.com/
2/17/10
2/7/10
VOM–USA Prayer Update for February 5, 2010
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
“Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness.” Andrew Murray
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18
INDIA — Pastor’s Left Ear Slashed in Brutal Attack — VOM Contacts
Romans 8:34-36
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
On Oct. 5, Pastor Paul Ninama, returning from a prayer meeting when he was brutally attacked by six Bajrang Dal Hindu extremists. The radicals cut his left ear off after beating him with sticks in Pipal Khota Choti village, in Madhya Pradesh, India. According to VOM contacts the six men called out to the pastor in Hindi saying, “Servant of the Lord, Come here!” They then asked him to sit down and as soon as the pastor sat down, they started hitting him with a stick and with their fists injuring his left hand grievously. They kicked him and did not let him get up off the ground. Then, one of the men took a sharp knife, while the others held the pastor down, and he slashed Pastor Paul’s ear and stabbed him near his ear. During the attack, Pastor Ninama screamed for help and nearby villagers caught one of the attackers. The attacker was arrested, but released two days later on bail. The pastor was admitted to a hospital for 12 days. He continues to suffer from great pain in his ear and the area that was stabbed. Please pray for Pastor Paul’s full recovery and for the safety of his wife and seven children.
VIETNAM — Christian Forced to Recant Faith — Compass Direct News
Psalms 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
A Christian couple, Sung Cua Ho and Hang thi Va, from Ho Co village, Vietnam have endured physical abuse and threats since Sung converted to Christianity in November 2009, according to Compass Direct News. On Dec. 1, the couple was arrested and beaten by officials after police earlier incited locals to abuse and stone them and other Christian families. Officials reportedly struck Sung 70 times on his head and back. The believers were fined 8 million dong (US$436) and a pig. Sung's cell phone and motorbike were also confiscated. Meanwhile on Dec. 15, police took the couple to members of their extended family who severely pressured them to deny their Christian faith. When police threatened to beat Sung to death and seize his property, which would leave his family destitute, he signed recantation documents. Sung is scheduled to prove his reconversion on Feb. 13 by offering sacrifices to ancestors. Ask God to equip Sung by His Holy Spirit to remain strong in his faith despite severe pressure and threats. Pray for protection for Sung, Hang and their children, as well as the other Christian families in their community. Pray that Vietnam will respect religious freedom for all its citizens.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness.” Andrew Murray
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18
INDIA — Pastor’s Left Ear Slashed in Brutal Attack — VOM Contacts
Romans 8:34-36
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
On Oct. 5, Pastor Paul Ninama, returning from a prayer meeting when he was brutally attacked by six Bajrang Dal Hindu extremists. The radicals cut his left ear off after beating him with sticks in Pipal Khota Choti village, in Madhya Pradesh, India. According to VOM contacts the six men called out to the pastor in Hindi saying, “Servant of the Lord, Come here!” They then asked him to sit down and as soon as the pastor sat down, they started hitting him with a stick and with their fists injuring his left hand grievously. They kicked him and did not let him get up off the ground. Then, one of the men took a sharp knife, while the others held the pastor down, and he slashed Pastor Paul’s ear and stabbed him near his ear. During the attack, Pastor Ninama screamed for help and nearby villagers caught one of the attackers. The attacker was arrested, but released two days later on bail. The pastor was admitted to a hospital for 12 days. He continues to suffer from great pain in his ear and the area that was stabbed. Please pray for Pastor Paul’s full recovery and for the safety of his wife and seven children.
VIETNAM — Christian Forced to Recant Faith — Compass Direct News
Psalms 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
A Christian couple, Sung Cua Ho and Hang thi Va, from Ho Co village, Vietnam have endured physical abuse and threats since Sung converted to Christianity in November 2009, according to Compass Direct News. On Dec. 1, the couple was arrested and beaten by officials after police earlier incited locals to abuse and stone them and other Christian families. Officials reportedly struck Sung 70 times on his head and back. The believers were fined 8 million dong (US$436) and a pig. Sung's cell phone and motorbike were also confiscated. Meanwhile on Dec. 15, police took the couple to members of their extended family who severely pressured them to deny their Christian faith. When police threatened to beat Sung to death and seize his property, which would leave his family destitute, he signed recantation documents. Sung is scheduled to prove his reconversion on Feb. 13 by offering sacrifices to ancestors. Ask God to equip Sung by His Holy Spirit to remain strong in his faith despite severe pressure and threats. Pray for protection for Sung, Hang and their children, as well as the other Christian families in their community. Pray that Vietnam will respect religious freedom for all its citizens.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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