tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244992782024-03-22T03:10:58.830+00:00CHRISTIAN VIEWUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-45823317214515767312014-04-14T02:25:00.003+00:002014-04-14T02:27:10.563+00:00How to reconcile with God<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6330/2540/1600/34sc021.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6330/2540/320/34sc021.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14px;">by Joao Cruzue*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21px;">Ten steps</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first step to be close to God is Faith. We live in a World that rationalizes things, “veerything you see or feel is real”. Faith is not so, it is an exception: Faith comes by hearing the God’s word. For example: a person with an advanced cancer, reason says: he/she is going to die. Then, someome comes, prays, and he/she becomes healled. There is no explanation, so is faith. We could not explain, see, touch, feel, but faith exists and works.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Gospel of Christ is accepted by faith. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Impossible things can be possible. Closed doors can be openned. Pain can be changed for days of joy, by mean of faith. The Bible also says that faith is not for all. Faith is like a seed dropped in your heart. While you expect what you need for, it may grow up. But if you have all things under control, may be you guess faith is an idiot thing. On the other side, if you are feeling empty, sad, worthless, sick, please continue to read and go ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are thirsty, this message was written to you. Remember: by faith in Christ you can win the war, even though you can loss some batles. As Martin Luther King said: <i>Faith is taking the first step even when you <b>don't</b> see the whole staircase.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second step is to <b>reconcile</b> with God. It seems to be quite simple but it is not so. There are some details you need to understand. To reconcile with God means: to accept Christ in your heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Find a place to be alone, and speak to Christ as if He be aside you. Speak to Him. Say, something like that: "Jesus Christ, if you do exist, please come and dwell in my heart, from today on". Talk to him, invite Him. He is very polite, He will only come to you, if you ask Him for. Jesus Christ is a spirit but be sure, he is also a real person like you. The way He will speak to you is a little bit differente that you are accostumed to comprehend. He speak to our own spirit. It seems a voice that talk to your mind or to your heart, like a thought.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The third step is <b>repentance</b>. Look for a quiet place and talk to Him again. This time, you have to confess to Jesus Christ your sims, all bad things you have done during all you life. See this case. Certain woman go down to the river to wash dirty clothes wrapped in a sheet. For her clothes were very dirty, she became ashamed and did not unwrap that sheet. She, simply, went to the middle of the river, sank the sheet of clothes and went away home. She only wet her clothes. Therefore they were still dirty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To wash your sims and clean your heart you have to wash every piece of clothe. One by one. To do it correctly, make a list of all and confess them to Jesus. All of them at once. Confess and stop to do them. When you get out of that place be sure: all things you spoke to Jesus, He , in fact, already forgave you. The Forgiving brings peace in your soul and joy to your heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fourth step: <b>abandon</b> your "old" friends, because they should make all things for you give up. I mean: change your friends for new friends. Cut old and bad friendship. I don't mean a absolute abandon, for sure. But that friends you are acostume to do bad and awful things together. Let them behind, and when God have made a miracle in your live, you may go back to offer your hands to help them. But only after Jesus had made a change in your own life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fifth step. - <b>Ask</b> Jesus (The Lord ) <b>things what you need for</b>, and by faith, believe and await. All basic things you will receive. Healing, emploiement, peace, safeness. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sixth step - <b>forgive</b> bad things people did against you. You must forgive to be forgiven. Forgive yourself, pray to Lord Jesus to help you to forget the past. In Bible there are these words: "...But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". Let all your failures for behind. Dream about the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6330/2540/1600/bible-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6330/2540/320/bible-2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The seventh step is : <b>read the Bible</b> everyday and join to a good protestant church, where people live what they preach, without hypocrisy. Learn as much as you can about the God's Word. My suggestion for books: All from Watchman Nee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The eight step is: <b>be saint</b>. Leave sins away from your life. God has a compromisse with holiness. If you do so, the Lord will be your close friend.<br /><br />The nineth step - whenever you go to a service at your Church, dond't forget to <b>offer</b> <b>part of your income</b>. And be carefull to those pastors that care not about you, but about your money.<br /><br />The tenth step - <b>Find the will of God</b> for your life and work to please Him. Don't be a useless and a lazy person. Work to Lord Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Conclusion</b>: there will be many other steps, but these words are able and enough to help you to make your reconciliation with God, through Jesus Christ. And now, I am sure you can know how to speak your needs to God for yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus,</span></div>
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My name is John Cruzue, 58, pastor, and an agent of Sao Paulo State Controller Office. I live in Sao Paulo City, Brazil. I am a believer for almost 40 years and great things I have got from my Lord Jesus Christ. English is not my native language, that is why you have found some mistakes in this text, but I am sure, you have understood what I meant. Mailto me if you want: <span style="color: #3333ff;">cruzue@gmail.com </span>I will appreciate to hear about your progress.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-41555943079143451742013-03-28T23:26:00.003+00:002013-03-28T23:27:02.833+00:00A braziliam christian missionary in a Senegal jail<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Letter written by José Dilson, in the prison of Thiés - Senegal</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thiés, Feb 25, 2013</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br />Dear brothers and sisters,<br /><br />God is great and merciful. He does not change or stop being what He is, because of the problem or difficulties that I may be experiencing. The circumstances of life, no matter how difficult they may be, do not diminish God's glory or goodness. I cannot in any way keep from looking to my Lord and putting my confidence in Him, my eyes and hope are fixed on Him.<br /><br />It's now two o'clock in the morning, and I cannot sleep. All the nights are hot, without space to turn over, extremely uncomfortable. In spite of all this, I know that Jesus is at my side, and this comforts me. I see my colleagues all asleep, and I keep imagining that Jesus wants to have some time with me for us to talk a little. These are the moments when I have freedom to express my frustrations, my feelings of anguish, my fears - what a dear friend, how I love Him!<br /><br />During these nights I experience battles you can't imagine. I also feel the presence of the enemy close by, whispering in my ear, saying that God does not care about me. What a fight I wage against self-pity, against the feeling of despair, loneliness, injustice, anger, and so many other feelings that seek to dominate me. I rebuke those mental battles in the name of Jesus, the One who shed even His last drop of blood for me. He is infinitely good, and His mercy endures for ever!<br /><br />Those battles are fought not just at night, but also during the day. One needs to have a lot of courage, along with humility, and overall the Lord's grace to resist the insults, the acts meant to humiliate us, the arrogance and disrespect. A while back a muslim man approached me and began to verbally attack me saying: "You are nothing. You know nothing. And nothing you teach is worth anything. You are less than the little toe of anyone here." And with many other words he tried to humiliate me more and more. The words he spoke were hard and terrible.<br /><br />And all I said to him was: "Yes, you can continue. Yes, I am listening. Continue!" He became even more impassioned and poured out a flood of insults trying to drown me in his hellish words. After a brief silence, I asked him: "Have you finished? Have you said everything you want? If so, can I speak now?" With a stern voice he replied: "Speak!", expecting I would reply in a tone of arrogance and anger.<br /><br />So, I began by saying: "You're right. I really am nothing. I am less than a grain of dirty sand. I am dust. I am a worm. I am a filthy rag. I am a dead dog. And, almost crying, I added: "But I want you to meet someone who was everything, who was the creator of the universe, full of glory, the sovereign Lord, who in spite of all that, loved me so much He gave up his life to be insulted, broken and shed his blood for me. But not only for me, but for you, too. You are important to Him, and He loves you. He died for your sins and rose from the grave so that you could have eternal life."<br /><br />And when this man heard me say that, it was as if he had been shocked with 50 thousand volts. He never expected that reaction. He expected I'd pay him back with equally harsh words. Then, with a soft voice he told me: "I have been trailing you and watching your movements over the past month. I was sent to test you, to see if you really are a man of God. And I can say that you are the man of God that everyone says you are. For a man of God, when humiliated, is exalted by God. Starting today, you have my respect!"<br /><br />I was overwhelmed to hear this man recite the Word of God! Now he is one of my best friends. He has not come to Christ, but he has never again opposed my sharing Christ!<br /><br />My dear brothers and sisters, I want to remind you that your life is hidden in Jesus, regardless of where you are or in what circumstance you find yourself. You might find yourself being humiliated, misunderstood, sad, anguished, sick, facing many needs. I want to encourage you today: "Cast your care upon Him, for He cares for you." Don't let the enemy receive any glory, for the Lord is present, even though He's not solving your problem in the way you had hoped. He will give you grace to endure and to be more than a conqueror.<br /><br />Some days ago another man, to whom I've been ministering since I first arrived in prison, asked me: "How can I be a Protestant?" I answered: "I'm going to answer your question in way that's different from what you're expecting. I'm going to imagine that you are asking me: "How can I receive Jesus in my heart and become converted to Him?" I then showed him some Bible verses, especially Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23, Rom 10:9-10. I told him about the expulsion from paradise, the condemnation to eternal death, the plan of redemption through Jesus and his death on the cross. I told him that it is necessary to believe in Jesus and obey him, and after sharing a few other things I asked him: "Do you want to give your life to Jesus and become one of his disciples, believing and obeying him? He answered: "I do. I want to give him my whole life. I want to live for him." This man is French, 55 years old. The Lord has given me the opportunity of sharing His love with such a diverse audience: catholics, atheists, muslims, christians. Alleluia!<br /><br />We need to remember that our life belongs to Christ, and since the one who owns us is the Lord, he has the right to use us however he desires, and wherever he desires, to fulfill his perfect will. He is God, the creator. In Him we live, and move and have our existence. What a privilege to be chosen by Him to be in this place and at this moment, in order to be his arms, his feet, his mouth in order to embrace, help and show the way to so many here, who besides being prisoners, are so needy in every imaginable way.<br /><br />I want to thank all of my brothers and sisters who have been with me in this prison. I can honestly say that my biggest desire used to be to leave here and rejoin those I love. However I have been praying the prayer of Mary: "May your will, Lord, be fulfilled in me." And if it be his will that I stay longer in prison, in order to bring freedom to those who really are captive (physically and spiritually), then may it be. He will give me grace to handle it, as He has so far. And He will give grace to the brothers and sisters who have been giving us the necessary support here.<br /><br />I do cry and lament over being imprisoned, for I would rather be with my family, my wife, my children, whom I love deeply. Freedom is priceless. How it is precious! I had it for so many years of my life, and I didn't realize how important it was; how I should have taken more advantage of it to spend time with the people I love. But at the same time I rejoice in being a prisoner for the sake of the Gospel.<br /><br />After the latest hearing (dealing with a man we had hired who claimed to be a lawyer, but really was not), the judge told me: "My work as judge has finished, the only issue that remains now is the fact that you converted children (minors)." He has seen that all of the other charges are false. The judge himself said that we are not "gang leaders" and he sees we are innocent of the enemy's accusations. The judge even told Zeneide that she was unjustly imprisoned.<br /><br />All of this confirms what I've said from the beginning: I am a prisoner of Christ, and God is my judge. When the moment comes, He will release us from here, and I want to leave with the feeling that I was faithful to the Lord during my journey through this place.<br /><br />The moments of pain and need, the times of illness, discomfort, loneliness, tears … everything will be rewarded when we shake the hand of hundreds of people there in glory. When I assisted in the funeral for Amadu (a Christian from Liberia who died here in prison on Christmas day), I thought: "One day I will embrace him in glory, and together we will give praise to the Lord for His salvation". May our Lord and Savior whom we have the privilege of serving receive glory!<br /><br />I would like to thank you for every email and message of encouragement, posts on Facebook, contributions, prayer meetings and times of intercession for us. Only God can really reward you.<br /><br />I love you, dear friends, and even those I've not yet met personally, but who now are part of our lives, who have demonstrated so much love and affection for me and for Zeneide, as well as for Marli (my beloved wife) and my family (Jonatas, Debora & Zucki). May the Lord continue to shower your lives with blessing.<br /><br />Christ's prisoner,<br /><br />José Dilson</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-51501603117259916472013-02-11T13:14:00.001+00:002013-02-11T13:26:16.825+00:00Pope Benedctus XVI's Resign Announcement<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Pope Benedict XVI announced on Monday during a meeting of Vatican cardinals that he would resign at the end of the month. Here is the text of his announcement as it appears on the Vatican Radio Web site.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dear Brothers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i style="text-align: justify;"><i>"I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.</i></i></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.</i></i></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.</i></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>From the Vatican, 10 February 2013</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BENEDICTUS PP XVI</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: red;">Source</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: </span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/pope-benedict-xvi-to-resign-his-announcement/2013/02/11/fe7e9ae6-743f-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_story.html?hpid=z1" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Washington Post</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-69613547284945415362012-02-05T05:04:00.003+00:002012-02-05T05:07:14.736+00:00Amazing Grace - the best of Aretha Franklin<div style="text-align: center;">.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TA1PuFKO3yY?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TA1PuFKO3yY?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="560" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />The best I like<br /><br /><br /><br />.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-19602909166976279252011-11-08T00:29:00.006+00:002011-11-08T00:35:18.832+00:00NOV.07 NEWS FROM YOUCEF NADARKHANI'S LAWYER<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.mohabatnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3228:the-latest-updates-on-nadarkhanis-case-in-an-interview-with-his-attorney&catid=36:iranian-christians&Itemid=279">www.mohabat news.com</a><br /><br /></span><a> </a> <div class="articleinfo"> <div class="date"> <span class="created"> Wednesday, 02 November 2011 </span> </div> <div class="icons"> <span class="icon email"><a href="http://www.mohabatnews.com/index.php?option=com_mailto&tmpl=component&link=c82df32b83952476ddd90d042d0150d434d85c41" title="E-mail"><img src="http://www.mohabatnews.com/templates/gk_twn/images/emailButton.png" alt="E-mail" /></a></span> <span class="icon print"><a href="http://www.mohabatnews.com/index.php?view=article&catid=36%3Airanian-christians&id=3228%3Athe-latest-updates-on-nadarkhanis-case-in-an-interview-with-his-attorney&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=279" title="Print" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.mohabatnews.com/templates/gk_twn/images/printButton.png" alt="Print" /></a></span> </div> </div> <p><img style="margin-left: 9px; margin-bottom: 9px; float: right;" alt="." src="http://www.mohabatnews.com/images/stories/mohabatnews/2011/special/nadarkhani-jail.jpg" height="135" width="180" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><strong>In this article you'll read an interview with Abbas Salmanpour, one of the attorneys of Yousef Nadarkhani, conducted by Mohabat News in which he describes Nadarkhani's current situation.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">It's now about two years since Yousef Nadarkhani, one of the non-Trinitarian Christians, was arrested. His case has followed a very uneven way up to the present. First he was charged with apostasy and sentenced to death. The leaders of many different countries expressed their objections to this ruling. As a result of the international pressures, the Islamic regime of Iran stepped back from its initial position, annulled his death sentence and sent his case back to the local court in Gilan province for further investigation.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">After sending the case back to the local court, the news media supported by the regime, accused Nadarkhani of some different crimes. Also the governor of Gilan said in a speech that Nadarkhani's crime was not apostasy but he had been jailed for several rapes and establishing brothels.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">These things are being said now, although a record of Nadarkhani's apostasy verdict issued by the court in Gilan, was published over the internet some months ago. The complex and lengthy process of this case is a puzzle designed by Iran's judicial authorities, which they now appear unable to solve.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">It's also said that the referral of Nadarkhani's case to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, has made the resolution of the case more complex. What seems obvious is that a political decision is being developed in which the judicial authorities and Iranian political leaders may share responsibility.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">A reporter from the Iranian Christian News Agency, Mohabat News, interviewed one of the attorneys of Yousef Nadarkhani by telephone and asked him about the latest developments on Nadarkhani's case.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">You can hear the interview here (In Farsi) :</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="onepixelout"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">-<strong>Please inform us about the status of Nadarkhani's case at the moment?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">- I should say that the case must be referred to the high court again.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">- <strong>You mean the case will be sent back to the high court?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">-Look, if the local court announces the second verdict and if we appeal, the case would be sent to the high court.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">- <strong>How is Nadarkhani's situation in the prison right now? Is he allowed to visit and/or call his family?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Yes, as far as I know he has no problem in this regard. I mean, I asked him about this and fortunately he is in a good situation in prison. He is not under pressure or other such problems. The related branch of the court allows his family to visit him as much as possible. Fortunately there is no problem in this matter.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">- <strong>Five of the Marja-e-Taghlids (literally meaning a source of guidance and reference) rejected the accusation of apostasy against Nadarkhani and now his case has been referred to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. If he confirms the apostasy verdict for Nadarkhani, what would happen to his case?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The disagreement between lawyers and judges in this case is whether Nadarkhani meets the conditions to be called an apostate or not. The Marja-e-Taghlids do not reject an apostasy accusation in principle. Generally, they support such kind of accusation. But the discussion is whether Nadarkhani's activities would make him an apostate or not. If according to the facts of his case they recognize him as an apostate then according to the Islamic principles the apostasy penalty would be announced for him. And if not, he would not be treated as an apostate. The major problem is about this issue.<br />As you asked about the referral of his case to the office of the Supreme Leader, according to our leadership system, if the Supreme Leader decides on something, basically that decision should be implemented.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">- <strong>Would the decision of the leader have more credibility than the other five Marja-e-Taghlid?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Since he is the Supreme Leader, according to the constitution, he is in a higher position than the other five. The Marja-e-Taghlids would make their comments but the Supreme Leader has the right to issue a final verdict. Such verdicts are binding. I think and I'm quite sure that the judges would implement this final verdict.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>- It is said that in a trip to the province of Gilan, Mr. Eje'ei has rebuked the judges for sending the Nadarkhani case to the office of the Supreme Leader. Is this true?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">I'm not sure about the accuracy of what you say here and so I can't comment on it. I can just add a point to your words and it is that if there were any rebukes, which I don't think there were, surely it would not take place in a way that everyone would know about it. I mean to say that this is most probably just a rumor.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">-<strong>During recent months or even years, a large number of Christians were arrested and imprisoned by the security authorities. Even now some Christian converts are being held in prison. In your opinion, why has the accusation of apostasy only been mentioned in Nadarkhani's case?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">What has made this case more sensitive is that it's believed that Nadarkhani has undertaken some actions to spread his beliefs. I mean the accusations that are mentioned in his indictment are of forming a house church and of spreading Christian beliefs to others. It is also claimed that he had been a Muslim and later converted to Christianity. These issues have made the case a bit more sensitive.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Of course my colleagues and I don't believe this. I believe that he won't be convicted of being an apostate. The very fact of being a Christian has not made the Nadarkhani case sensitive. He is not being convicted because of being a Christian. It's not like that. As far as we know, our Christian friends and neighbors continue living in peace and are free to practice their faith inside their churches. The accusations pointed towards Nadarkhani are of gathering in a house church, preaching Christianity to Muslims and deceiving them to leave their Islamic beliefs.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">However, we are trying to prove the opposite and to prove that he has not done that. And even if any preaching was done among his fellow Christians, it cannot be seen as preaching against Islam. There is also a disagreement about this among the lawyers and judges. We hope that all these disagreements will come to an end and be resolved in some way. I also hope that with the tact of the judges in this case, they will conclude it in good order so that he can go back to his family and this case will finally come to an end.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-64588456974028287622011-11-06T23:54:00.003+00:002011-11-06T23:57:50.360+00:00Bible Gospel of John in Farsi<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />To your research:<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.farsinet.com/bible/john/index.html">www.farisnet.com</a><br /><br />Brother Joao Cruzue/Brazil: cruzue@gmail.com<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-69396488206957599602011-11-06T23:21:00.003+00:002011-11-06T23:32:10.025+00:00Iranians are thirsty for Jesus Christ<a href="http://www.mohabatnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3262:the-aversion-of-iranian-youth-to-islam-has-caused-christianity-to-spread--interview&catid=36:iranian-christians&Itemid=279"> </a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mohabatnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3262:the-aversion-of-iranian-youth-to-islam-has-caused-christianity-to-spread--interview&catid=36:iranian-christians&Itemid=279"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Mohabat News</span></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">An interview is conducted in this regard with Mr. Shahram Nikoo, an Iranian Christian and the spokesman and manager of the Iranian Church in Europe.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q- Do you have any evidence to show that the acceptance of Christianity is growing in Iran?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Yes, the wave of acceptance of Christianity in Iran is increasing on a daily basis. We know this from Christian television networks which are being broadcast through satellite signals and also the feedback people give from inside Iran regarding these programs. It's also obvious from the view rates on our websites. All these factors show that many people in Iran are interested in committing their lives to Jesus Christ.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q- How do you evangelize these groups of people? Do you do it freely or in a secret way?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">We do nothing in secret and everything is completely open. All evangelical television programs are accessible through satellite channels and/or internet. Praise the Lord that today we are living in a world which gives us the opportunity to communicate with people around us. Of course the people themselves are eager to discover the gospel and study it. Some other people also come to the faith through dreams and visions.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q- Is the internet the only way to support the people who want to know about Christianity or are there also books and other literature available for this purpose?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">No, there are no Christian books or literature available in Iran. The only resources available to the people who want to know about Christianity are the internet and satellite television.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q- Are the websites active in this field being subjected to filtering?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Of course they are being blocked. but there are also ways to overcome the filtering.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q-Geographically, are there any areas in Iran in which more people convert to Christianity?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">There are more people coming to Christ from the religious cities like Qom and Mashhad in comparison to other cities.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q- Are the people who believe in Christ only from the Shi'ite Muslim background or are there people from other backgrounds as well?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">At this time there are people from various religious backgrounds who have converted to Christianity including Baha'is, Sunni Muslims, Zoroastrians and so on.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q-It's being said that the security authorities of Iran have undertaken contradictory behaviors towards Christians who have been arrested. In a statement recently published by some Human Rights organizations it's explained that when they arrest someone, one of the first things they do is to make a false financial or moral allegation against the arrested person and then tell the individual that if you repent and return to Islam then all your crimes will be pardoned. Please speak about the treatment of arrested Christians at the time of their arrest.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">I'm not living inside and I've never faced this issue closely but the reports that I have heard confirm your words. Unfortunately, inappropriate behaviors are being used against Iranian Christians, especially those who have an Islamic background. It's really surprising that the Islamic Republic is pressuring Christian converts to this extent. These people really have nothing to do with politics and they're not trying to change the regime. These people have just changed into different and better people. It's so puzzling why a regime is trying to persecute its own people rather than encouraging them.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">We have people who were addicted to drugs before they believed in Jesus and now that they've accepted him as their Savior, their lives have been totally changed. Now they are sharing their faith with other addicts around them and encouraging them to give up drugs. There were situations in which couples were losing their family life and after believing in Jesus they were both living happily together and had started a new life in their Lord.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">What's the problem if people who had a ruined life change their lives and share this better life with others?</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q-Generally, what are the main problems that Christian prisoners face after their release?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">During the past seven or eight years I've met with some Christians who had been jailed for their faith. The main problem they had was with their landlords. When the landlords realized that they were arrested for being Christians he/she would force them to vacate their house. Also, in their workplace they faced problems with their employers who fired them from their job because of being jailed for their faith. Actually, the Christian prisoners in Iran lose their right to have a house or a job and as a result they have a really difficult life. The attitude of society toward them would change and they'd be considered as criminals among their community.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q- Do you mean that people reject them or is this from the authorities?</strong><br />People reject these Christians as a result of fear of the authorities. It's kind of an indirect pressure from the authorities.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Q-What kind of sentences do the judicial authorities issue for Christian prisoners? What is their crime?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Mostly, Christians who are arrested get released after signing a commitment to not evangelize and paying a prescribed amount of bail. But I've heard that these people are subjected to various other pressures for converting to Christianity.</p><br /><br /><br />.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-4878170794752091582011-10-31T00:00:00.008+00:002011-10-31T01:59:43.386+00:00The journey from Christianity to Islan is a big lie<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">A FALSE IRANIAN SITE DO DECEIVE HIS YOUTH</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.mohabatnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3197:iranian-religious-authorities-deceive-youth-by-fighting-christianity-with-the-name-of-christ&catid=36:iranian-christians&Itemid=279">Mohabat News</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">Reports received from the city of Rasht state that an apparently cultural organization called Haghighat-e-sabz-e-Gilan (The green truth of Gilan) plans to hold a series of conferences in Rasht named "The Journey from Christianity to Islam".<br /><br />According to the Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News, the Haghighat-e-sabz-e-Gilan is a newly formed organization which is headed by Mohammad-Reza Mahboob. He was interviewed by Adian-News, a website backed by the Qom Islamic seminary. There he outlined the purpose of this organization as "following the propaganda of foreign countries and media, this cultural organization was formed to identify religious teachings about both Islam and Christianity and to be responsive to religious questions."<br /><br />"With respect to attacks from foreigners inside the country, particularly in Gilan province, which has caused many doubts regarding religious issues, a series of conferences by the name "The Journey from Christianity to Islam" will be held with presentations and speeches by converts from Christianity to Islam and people familiar with the Bible" he added. These conferences will be held in collaboration with the Office of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Gilan province and the cultural and propagating deputy of the Office of the Islamic Propagation of the Islamic Seminary of Qom. The manager of these conferences claims that the speakers for this series of conferences will all be literate people from Argentina, Germany, Myanmar and Iraq who have converted from Christianity to Islam.<br /><br />The establishment of an internet radio station called "Voice of Christ" which is against Christ<br /><br />One of the most important points that Mohamad-Reza Mahboob mentioned was the establishment of an internet radio station by the name "Voice of Christ". The purpose of this station is to answer questions about Christianity and its targets are all the Farsi speaking countries including Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The interesting thing here is that the programs of this station will also be broadcast in the Gilaki accent (accent of the people of Gilan) and the Taleshi dialect (the local language of the people in northwest Iran).<br /><br />Some questions that should be asked in this regard<br /><br />The very selection of Gilan province and the city of Rasht (birthplace of Nadarkhani) as the location for these conferences regarding "The Journey from Christianity to Islam" raises some questions. Furthermore, it's not clear to what extent international pressure on Iran and international support for Nadarkhani have pushed Iranian authorities to hold such conferences.<br /><br />No doubt these conferences are evidence that Islamic clerics and religious authorities in Iran have become nervous and feel the need to hold such conferences. What comes to mind by hearing this news is that the main goal for these conferences is to support the prestige of Islam in the city of Rasht, to reduce the negative effect of the publication of news about Nadarkhani and to overcome perceived weakness of the Islamic Republic in this regard.<br /><br />On the other hand, this matter shows that aversion towards Islam among the youth has even reached the city of Rasht in spite of severe pressure and threats from the government. This fact has increased the fear among Islamic authorities of Iran. By holding such conferences, the authorities of the city of Rasht are seeking an opportunity to distribute whatever they want.<br /><br />The most significant issue in this regard is that the Islamic Republic is spending large amounts of money to counteract the spread of Christianity among Iranian youth. This time they have chosen a deceptive way to use Christ's name to fight against Christianity. You can understand this fact from the name (Voice of Christ) that they have chosen for their internet radio station. Using the name of Christ for an Islamic radio station is nothing other than an attempt to deceive youth who are thirsty to hear and know the truth about Christ, by teaching them false ideas about Christ. The radio station established by the regime to answer religious doubts and questions, is full of duplicity and doubts itself.<br /><br />The obvious goal for this radio station is to stop the spread of Christianity among Iranian youth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here:</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://christianlook.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-reconcile-with-god.html"> How do know the true Jesus Christ</a><br /><br /><br /><br />.<br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-72913218583221957382011-10-30T13:18:00.006+00:002011-10-30T21:21:43.815+00:00Letter from Iran prision: Pastor Yusef Nadarkhani<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://presenttruthmn.com/blog/iran/letter-youcef-nadarkhani/">http://presenttruthmn.com</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><p><a href="http://presenttruthmn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/yusuf.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1608" title="yusuf" src="http://presenttruthmn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/yusuf-70x70.jpg" alt="yusuf 70x70 Letter from Youcef Nadarkhani" height="70" width="70" /></a><br /></p><p>This is a message from <a title="brother Youcef" href="http://presenttruthmn.com/photos-video/photos/brother-youcef/">brother Youcef</a> Nadarkhani, a pastor of an Iranian church who is remaining in prison.</p> <p>Our dear brother has been kept in custody since the October of 2009 and has recently been sentenced to death. This message has been translated from Farsi to English.</p> <p>Dear brothers and sisters, Salam</p> <p>In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am continuously seeking grace and mercy to you, that you remember me and those who are bearing efforts for his name in your prayers.</p> <p>Your loyalty to God is the cause of my strength and encouragement.</p> <p>For I know well that you will be rewarded; as it’s stated: blessed is the one who has faith, for what has been said to him by God, will be carried out.</p> <p>As we believe, heaven and earth will fade but his word will still remain.</p> <p>Dear beloved ones, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few verses, although you might know them, So that in everything, you <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"><a title="give" href="http://presenttruthmn.com/give/">give</a> more effort than the past</span></span>, both to prove your election, and for the sake of Gospel that is to be preached to the entire world as well.</p> <p>I know that not all of us are granted to keep this word, but to those who are granted this power and this revelation, I announce the same as Jude, earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.</p> <p>We are passing by special and sensitive days.They are days that for an alert and awake believer can be days of spiritual growth and progress. Because for him, more than any other time there is the possibility to compare his faith with the word of God, have God’s promises in mind, and survey his faith.</p> <p>Therefore he (the true believer) does not need to wonder for the fiery trial that has been set on for him as though it were something unusual, but it pleases him to participate in Christ’s suffering.</p> <p>Because the believer knows he will rejoice in his glory.</p> <p>Dears, <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;">the “ judgment must begin at the house of God: and if </span></span><span style="color:#808080;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"><em>it</em></span></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"> first </span></span></span><span style="color:#808080;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"><em>begin</em></span></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"> at us, what shall the end </span></span></span><span style="color:#808080;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"><em>be</em></span></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"> of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”</span></span></span></p> <p>Therefore those who are enduring burdens by the will of God, commit their souls to the faithful Creator. Promises that he has given us, are unique and precious. As we’ve heard he has said: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”</p> <p>How can it be possible for a believer to understand these words?</p> <p>Not only when he is focusing on Jesus Christ with adapting his life according to the life Jesus lived when he was on earth? As it is said ” O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”</p> <p>Have we not read and heard: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Many attempt to flee from their spiritual tests, and they have to face those same tests in a more difficult manner, because no one will be victorious by escaping from them, but with patience and humility he will be able to overcome all the tests, and gain victory.</p> <p>Therefore in the place of Christ’s followers, we must not feel desperate, but we have to pray to God in supplication with more passion to help us with any assistance we may need.</p> <p>According to what Paul has said: In every temptation, God himself will make a way for us to tolerate it.</p> <p>O beloved ones, difficulties do not weaken mankind, but they reveal the true human nature.</p> <p>It will be good for us to occasionally face persecutions and abnormalities, since these abnormalities will persuade us to search our hearts, and to survey ourselves.</p> <p>So as a result, we conclude that troubles are difficult, but usually good and useful to build us.</p> <p>Dear brothers and sisters, we must be more careful than any other time.</p> <p>Because in these days, the hearts and thoughts of many are revealed, so that the faith is tested.</p> <p>May your treasure be where there is no moth and rust.</p> <p>I would like to remind you of some verses that we nearly discuss everyday, (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.) but as long as our human will has priority over God’s will, his will will not be done.</p> <p>As we have learned from him in Gethsemane, he surrendered his will to the father, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”</p> <p>What we are bearing today, is a difficult but not unbearable situation, because neither he has tested us more than our faith and our endurance, nor does he do as such. And as we have known from before, we must beware not to fail, but to advance in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, And consider these bumps and prisons as opportunities to testify to his name. He said: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.</p> <p>As a small servant, necessarily in prison to carry out what I must do, I say with faith in the word of God that he will come soon.”However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”</p> <p>Discipline yourself with faith in the word of God. Retain your souls with patience. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly.</p> <p>May you are granted grace and blessings increasingly in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.</p> <p>Yusef Nadarkhani</p> <p>Lakan Prison in Rasht</p> <p>2/June/2010</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-84384596293706549112011-04-28T00:44:00.007+00:002011-04-28T01:03:06.818+00:00Photos Royal Wedding Prince William and Kate Middleton<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >London, 29th of April 2011</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> João Cruzué<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://olharcristao.blogspot.com/" title="Buckingham"><img style="width: 580px; height: 358px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5651854354_3a92500a9b_z.jpg" alt="Buckingham" /></a><br /><br />Buckingham Palace - British Royalty House<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://olharcristao.blogspot.com/" title="Royal Wedding"><img style="width: 580px; height: 362px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5651288297_3f560154a4_z.jpg" alt="Wed1" /></a><br />Fiancés: Miss Kate Middleton and Prince William<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://olharcristao.blogspot.com/" title="Royal Wedding"><img style="width: 580px; height: 364px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5651288345_1fb2d287fb_z.jpg" alt="Wed2" /></a><br /><br />Catherine Elizabeth Middletonand William Arthur Philip Louis<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">(09th of January, 1982)<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> .................... ...............</span>(21th </span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> of June, 1982</span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">)</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://olharcristao.blogspot.com/" title="Westminster Abbey"><img style="width: 579px; height: 386px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5651960902_ea11a19e3a_z.jpg" alt="WestAbbey" /></a><br /><br />Inside of Westminster Abbey - Church fo Religious ceremony<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://olharcristao.blogspot.com/" title="Wedding carriage"><img style="width: 580px; height: 360px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5652072974_01e4afca67_z.jpg" alt="Wedding carriage" /></a><br /><br />A carriage that will bring just married back to Buckingham Palace<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://olharcristao.blogspot.com/" title="Rolls Royce Phanton VI"><img style="width: 579px; height: 434px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5652127554_7cf00ac1cf_z.jpg" alt="Rolls Roice Phanton VI" /></a><br />Rolls Royce Phanton VI<br /><br />A car alike, will drive Miss Kate Middleton till teh Westminister Abbey.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://olharcristao.blogspot.com/" title="Bentley"><img style="width: 579px; height: 357px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5652216552_e778bd7d8e_z.jpg" alt="Bentley " /></a><br />Bentley State Limousin<br /><br />Prince William will be conduct till the Westminster Abbey in a vehicle alike<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://olharcristao.blogspot.com/" title="Lady Di Bridal Dress"><img style="width: 580px; height: 518px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5656258974_da9fcfeea4_z.jpg" alt="LadyDiBridalDress" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Princess Diana</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> (1961-1997) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">and her wonderful bridal dress<br /><br />(Mãe do Príncipe William)<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br />DETAILS:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/content/documents/MEDIA%20BRIEFING%20DOC%20110411.pdf"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Oficial Briefing of Ceremony</span></a></span><br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/royal-wedding-pictures/">Galeria of photos - Daily Telegraph</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-59044582989201307972011-03-17T01:49:00.005+00:002011-03-17T02:01:10.850+00:00Balade for Fukushima Children<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"TEARS OF THE SAINTS"<br /></div><br />Lyrics by<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" > <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.myspace.com/leelandmusic">Lelland</a></span><br /><br /><span class="editable_area">There are many prodigal sons<br />On our city streets they run<br />Searching for shelter<br />There are homes broken down<br />People's hopes have fallen to the ground<br />From failures<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is an emergency! </span><br /></span><br />There are tears from the saints<br />For the lost and unsaved<br />We're crying for them come back home<br />We're crying for them come back home<br />And all your children will stretch out their hands<br />And pick up the crippled man<br />Father, we will lead them home<br />Father, we will lead them home<br /><br />There are schools full of hatred<br />Even churches have forsaken<br />Love and mercy<br />May we see this generation<br />In it's state of desperation<br />For Your glory<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">This is an emergency! </span></span><br /><br />Sinner, reach out your hands!<br />Children in Christ you stand!<br />Sinner, reach out your hands!<br />Children in Christ you stand!<br /><br />And all Your children will stretch out their hands<br />And pick up the crippled man<br />Father, we will lead them home<br />Father, we will lead them home<br /><br /></span><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border: medium none;color:transparent;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Listen</span> to this music at <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.myspace.com/leelandmusic"> Lelland/myspace</a> music: Tears of the Saints<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /><br />.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-85087358686763260862011-03-17T00:59:00.009+00:002011-03-17T01:13:45.672+00:00Psalm for Japan<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">. </span></span></i></b></span><br />
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><div style="color: black;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Psalm # 60</span></i></b></span></u><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></i></b></span><u><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></span></u></div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgoMmGYXq2042AJRYCGmX20871NIws926suB77xbPEM6fQB9uDoUyfmqrxbjZWlrF70s35zbR4NQe4X16e9r000nP4PL7G6oO4VQVUtYyHaHOcgMy61gZSny9c3_UDMIvkiEzKg/s1600/Jp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgoMmGYXq2042AJRYCGmX20871NIws926suB77xbPEM6fQB9uDoUyfmqrxbjZWlrF70s35zbR4NQe4X16e9r000nP4PL7G6oO4VQVUtYyHaHOcgMy61gZSny9c3_UDMIvkiEzKg/s320/Jp.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.</span><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.</span><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.</span><br style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.</span><br style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5 That thy beloved may be delivered; save thy right hand, and hear me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-83144638739880990862010-11-15T03:05:00.005+00:002010-11-15T03:16:06.348+00:00Hindu Boycots threaten christians in Orissa - India<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The persecution did not stopped.<br /></div><br /></div><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/4557/43/">All India Christian Council</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Collecto<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIpHNq0I-6koV7S9V4f6uHJNDtgm4zbrSD6C3ewAClIdx7TX7y617_P5TzTbyXRjUz4ozFb52zze5WHXSs7Q968YqmoEBRhLqjCnpdzBJHprVFdb6s-O0z6dw8px0EBGNeTBRoA/s1600/Orissa.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIpHNq0I-6koV7S9V4f6uHJNDtgm4zbrSD6C3ewAClIdx7TX7y617_P5TzTbyXRjUz4ozFb52zze5WHXSs7Q968YqmoEBRhLqjCnpdzBJHprVFdb6s-O0z6dw8px0EBGNeTBRoA/s320/Orissa.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539609499071142178" border="0" /></a>r: of Kandhamal, Orissa, Dr. Krishan Kumar who headed the district during the anti Christian violence of August-October 2008 which left 100 dead, 5,600 houses burnt and about 56,000 persons displaced, seems now to be presiding over a well thought out economic boycott of the minority community.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Confronted with the stark reality, Krishan has taken to blaming the Church and its leadership for being a hindrance in restoring peace - possibly because they have petitioned the High Court and the Supreme court of India on issues of justice in the region.<br /><br />The economic boyctott of Kondh and Panos Christians in Kandhamal, which first came to light in the People's National Tribunal headed by former Delhi chief justice Shah, held in New Delhi in August this year, continues to be a source of major harassment of the community, a fact finding team of social activist and lawyers has discovered in a field study of the region earlier this month. The preliminary report was released yesterday.<br /><br />The fact finding team consisted of four well-known activists led by Advocate Nicholas Barla, a tribal activist leader, with Advocate Brother Marcus, a social worker, Jugal Kishore Ranjit, a dalit human right activist and Ajay Kumar Singh, human right activist.<br /><br />They visited Kandhamal on 5th of November 2010 to verify the allegations of social and economical boycotts of Kandhamal Christians. The team visited four villages of four police stations of three blocks in violent hit district of Kandhamal in Orissa.<br /><br />The following is the operative part of the Fact Finding Report and<br />Update:<br /><br />Despite the state administration claims of normalcy, what has been found by the Fact-finding group report reveals a state of lawlessness and utter fear and sense of insecurity of the persecuted Christians.<br /><br />The team first visited Gadaguda village under G. Udayagiri police station under Tikabali that witnessed violence as late as 30th of October 2008, almost two months after violence was unleashed against Christian. An elderly couple in their late 70s were axed and then burnt alive here. Scores of people were injured.<br /><br />One of them, an army man, has bullets in his hands and thighs. Some are still in tents. The team interacted with the people of Dakanaju village and nearby villagers. They included the postman, Sarapanch and a group of affected Christians. The team was told the Christians of Dakanaju village were barred from taking water from the government dug well.<br /><br />The team then met Gadaguda Sarapanch, Sachindra Pradhan and asked whether he was aware of such instance. Mr. Pradhan told that he was not aware and would look into the matter and sort out at the earliest.<br /><br />The team then headed for Bodimunda village under Tikabali police station in Tikabali block. They parked the vehicle on the roadside and headed towards the broken buildings and houses, a sure sign of wrath of anti-Christian violence. Upon reaching the village, the team members headed for a pastor's house as there were hardly anybody seen on the street amidst the ruins.<br /><br />The pastor, Binod Pradhan (name changed), welcomed the group to his house and a definite anxiety reflected on his face. The team found that his house was intact. The pastor told the group that he has been forced to become a Hindu to save his old mother, who could not have escaped the violence as she was not in a position to walk even.<br /><br />Within minutes of the team's coming, a person later identified as a RSS cadre came to the house to enquire about the group. The pastor informed him that the guests are bank officials as his relative works in a bank. It was a sign that the team should leave the house soon.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the team was informed of social and economical boycott imposed on the Christians by the right wing group RSS, the parent group of the Bharatiya Janata party, and there would be fines if any vehicle ferry any Christian be he healthy or sick, or their belongings from the village to outside or from outside into village.<br /><br />The team wanted to verify the allegations and went to a house of certain Bamadev Pradhan, a tribal Christian. Bamadev was lying on the muddy floor and could not get up as he was struck with paralysis. The family members told the group that being paralysis man and was suffering from fever, they looked for a hired auto to take him to a nearby hospital, Tikabali, 8 kilometres away from the village.<br /><br />Nobody was ready to come to village and finally a Christian who owned an auto-rickshaw was almost forced to pick up the paralytic person. when the hired auto was returning after the drop, it was stopped and taken away by the RSS elements.<br /><br />The owner took the help of the auto union, which negotiated for the release of the auto paying fine of one thousand fifty one rupees (Rs 1,051) and with the assurance that the auto owner would not ferry any Christian from the village.<br /><br />The team has started interacting with the paralysed family members for five minutes, when a Christian villager; Jesaya Nayak entered the house and informed the team members that it should leave the place as the situation was volatile.<br /><br />The team went to another house. A fearful group of Christians had assembled there and interacted with them. The fearful Christians said, "We are in a state of shock. Those who have something have moved out the village and we poor people are left behind.<br /><br />What haunts us and saddens us is the administration, the BDO and police, who are hand in glove with RSS. Instead of becoming sensitive to our plight, the administration wants to deprive us of our basic amenities. They have banned the local auto-rickshaws, the only means of transportation in the area from taking Christians passengers.<br /><br />"We are not allowed to bring housing materials nor food provisions or medicines nor allowed to buy anything from the local shops. We do not have any shop of our own. Here, we are struggling to live as human being", the victims said.<br /><br />The team enquired whether they had complained it before the police, the people replied positively and explained the statement of Inspector in charge, IIC, Tikabali, who said "being a Christian you have to suffer and there is no option'<br /><br />The team wanted to meet the auto-rickshaw owner and others who have been fined. A villager volunteered to join to meet the auto owner, who has to pay the fine for ferrying the paralytic to the hospital. The auto-rickshaw owner, a pastor, told the team that he had to pay the fine one thousand fifty one rupees despite he had to complain to the police.<br /><br />The team then met Birendra Nayak (name changed and a Hindu himself), who told the team members that he had to pay Rs 5000 to get his tractor released as it was transporting the housing materials for the construction of the house of a Boarder Security Force soldier, which was destroyed during anti-Christian violence.<br /><br />Birendra Nayak went on to add, "It is because the local police takes percentage, (a bribe) and protects the anti-social elements who rule the roost. I informed the local police, but nothing happened".<br /><br />Pushpanjali Nayak, the soldier's mother said who could be contacted over the telephone, told the group, "this incident shocked her army son, who became ill and left the village in disgust. We are presently living under polythene like a cowshed without roof and floor and proper wall with little money that we have had managed to collect, yet we cannot build our houses.<br /><br />We had brought sand for the house and were taken away by RSS. Our life is hell here". She continued sobbing as she narrated. The former pastor, who says that he would openly practise the faith if situations become normal adds, "The sand that the tractor brought for the house was taken away to build the temple in the village".<br /><br />Incidentally, there are a group of 15 police persons stationed in the village and they are mute spectators to these incidents. The team then headed for Keredi village under Phulbani block and went to a Christian household. The team found a huge photo of Lord Krishna.<br /><br />Naresh Digal, an ex-army man (name changed) explained that he had to" live like a Hindu as they are four households in the locality. The environment is quite hostile and there is no support from the administration. He went on to further state that his neighbour, an ex- army man, had to bear the brunt of RSS people and his house was destroyed.<br /><br />He filed the complaints and after eight days police came to see and left the place even without entering the broken house. The life time earnings of his neighbour are gone. What will he invest on the family's future? What is the use of this way of life if there is no support from anywhere?" The woman, who shared that her cousin has become a nun, said"we are waiting for the day when we could be free to practise the religion of our choice. "Not sure when the day would dawn."<br /><br />The team then went to Gandapadar village in Minia gram panchayat in Phiringia block. It was deep in the interior. It was not difficult to identify the Christians' houses. The woman of the house welcomed into the repaired house. The team saw a huge framed photo of Lord Shiva on the wall. When asked about the photo, she changed her face and struggled to explain," The RSS has given us the photo and a "Tulsi" plant for worship. We have kept as often they come to check whether we reconverted to Christianity. We know we can never leave our faith." The villagers also stated that almost all the houses in the village have two photos; that of Jesus and Shiva. Tarabati Digal explained that there are 10 families still living outside the village.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-18332609341939031192010-08-14T03:29:00.004+00:002010-08-14T03:37:03.620+00:00A christian letter from India<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">A letter from Brother Aby Mammen</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">D</span></b></span>ear Brother,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy to know about your concerns about Indian missionaries. First, let me try to answer your questions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The name of the brother whose transcript I wrote is Philip P Eapen. You may visit his website : http://www.philipeapen.com/</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Malayalam Bible : The Malayalam translation of the bible popularly used by the protestant Christians is about 170 years old. Some of the words used in this translation are not understood now or has translational errors. So, preachers tend to compare with English bibles to get a clearer interpretation of the verses. In 1997 a newer translation of the bible was published, but it has not become popular. The people have a traditional mindset and they adapt to the new methods very slowly. Also, these are the only versions that are available. It would be good to have a Malayalam children's bible at least.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Persecution in Orissa : The news you have followed about the persecution in Orissa is the one propagated by the media. It doesnt give the full picture. The underlying reason behind why Christians are being targeted is because of the rate of Christian conversion is increasing !!! How is this increase brought to notice ? When Christian organizations themselves try to boast through the media about their work of conversions. You'd have know how the Australian missionary Graham Staines along with his two sons were torched to death by Hindu extremists. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday I got news about two pastors being attacked in Bihar. Many similar persecutions are happening to the native people. But it is not brought to notice at an international level, probably because the people affected are a minority and there is fear in the minds. Also, due to Christian principles, people do not seek to take legal actions against their persecutors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Intimidation and Isolation of a new believer, house church :</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> To understand you need to read the full sentence and also the cultural context here. Related to this non-involvement is the general climate in today's churches. Instead of being seeker-friendly, the churches intimidate and isolate newcomers. Instead of having attractive, relevant services, the churches often have archaic forms of worship, seating arrangements, architecture, etc. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Please don't think that Christians try to harass those new comers in the church. To understand about the non-attractive worships, I'll explain more. In India, Pentecostal churches do not have benches inside the church to sit comfortably. This was mainly because of two reasons :</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One is that : from the time Pentecostal movement became prominent in the land, the people were used to sit down on the ground on mats inside the church, mainly because we considered it as a better posture to worshiping God on our kneels than sitting comfortably on the benches. Also, there were no good musical instruments available as that of today. What was available was Drums and clangs and people clap hands when they sing and there is no choir in small churches. Even today, there are many churches who considers using other musical instruments would not be effective for worship!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Secondly most churches are poor and contains few number of people. In a town there will be many churches - a few big churches and many small churches. So, small churches would not have their own church buildings. Building a church needs money and the building expense cannot be met by the few members. So, they meet at the Pastor's home / rent a house to use for worship. That's how the name "house church" is coined. But interestingly, this is what we see in Acts of Apostles !!! In villages mostly the churches are poor and are house churches. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even if a church has many members and has raised money to build a church structure, they would not generally seek to beautify the church or make the interior comfortable with benches / decorate the stage... or have good music for worship. This is because of the mindset of the people who are satisfied with the traditional worship style. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I go to a house church too. But we have electric organ to accompany the worship.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, when a non-Christian comes to the church they will find a bit uncomfortable to sit on the floor, hear songs sung without music, listen to lengthy sermons etc... makes it unattractive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another aspect is using jewelery is considered sinful by the pentecostals here. Generally, people in our land give much importance to jewelery, especially the women. You can see a bride will be decked with ornaments for her wedding. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The early Pentecostal church leaders in our land took a stand to lead a simple life-style. They decided not to use expensive clothes/ build big houses etc and will not use jewelery. But as time passed by not wearing jewelery has become the general code-of-conduct in the church. People have taken it as a doctrine. So, when a non-Christian come to church, they will be seeing people without jewelery and will feel odd. Usually only the widows don't use jewelery in the land. Some churches would not allow to take baptism or partake in the Lord's table if the person has worn ornaments, because they are afraid to act out of the tradition. Thus it is a harassment and intimidation to the new comers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You see these are because people are blindly following the tradition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. Summary of my previous mail for you to understand better :</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 1. Evangelism is done by very few people/organizations. People generally do not consider that they are appointed to do evangelism. But this was not the case earlier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 2. Churches are not friendly / happy place to the new-coming people. (I've explained why in 3 above)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 3. Missions are not happening in unreached areas much even with the mission organizations because of - fear of attacks by non-Christians, lack of finance, lack of good relationships with people of other faiths and inability to mingle with the people in their cultural context.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 4. Successful evangelism happens with person-to-person method. People bring their close friends or relatives to Christ after continually ministering to them at a personal level. This is called friendship evangelism or household evangelism. Mass evangelism like a convention will help only in creating a mood in the minds of people which should be done with a follow-up of those who have shown interest in knowing more of Christ. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 5. Cell based church style : a big church will have small divisions called churches which will have their own prayer meetings and evangelistic efforts. This is becoming very effective.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 6. Many churches who are good in evangelism are not good at teaching the Word. So, discipling is not done well. What results is a group of people who are not grounded well in faith.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 7. There are churches who have lot of vision to engage in cross-cultural evangelism , but they lack finance. But there are other churches who have surplus finance but lacks the desire to reach out to evangelism.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 8. A fast growing church movement in Eastern Uttar Pradesh ( the largely populated , but poor state in India ) - operating as a social welfare movement. The people evangelize their household members. No outsiders is involved. The converts do not throw away their traditional practices which are not contrary to the Word. They do not practise idol worship. But their weddings, festivals etc are still celebrated in their own cultural ways. Hence it is fast growing for the past 15 years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 9. Literature evangelism is very much in need now. Also, having songs, books, training materials, films in native language .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> 5. How you can help missions :</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To see the zeal and the burden you have in the progress of the gospel has encouraged us greatly, dear Brother. May God greatly bless you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I can help you to get connected to missionaries who really are in need and doing missions in difficult places.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I have contacts with mission organizations which find very difficult to run because of lack of finance. These times a lot of mission hospitals are shutting down or have started functioning as private hospitals (ie by taking more money for treatment to run the hospiltal, instead of the free / less money they used to take for the treatment as they used to), because of the lack of committed Christian doctors who are ready to serve with low salary. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I occasionally support a tribal mission hospital - who minister to the tribal people in a place called Attapadi (http://www.tribalmissionindia.org/). I have great admiration to Dr. Muraleedharan of this organization who was instrumental in setting up a mission hospital, nursing school, an English medium school in a remote place in Tamil Nadu, by investing his life there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is another mission organization called Indian Evangelical Mission (http://www.iemoutreach.org/), which are also struggling to pay their missionaries. I have a friend - Luke Titus who is a missionary working in a place called Lahaul & Spiti - places in the Himalayan mountain range. A hardworking missionary from my land doing cross-cultural missions at Himachal Pradesh. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another mission organization is http://jesusmissionindia.org/default.aspx. Saju Mathew of Jesus mission is another missionary leader I admire. He has mission fields in Orissa where persecutions happened. Also, God is using him in Mozambique in Africa. There are other poor pioneer missionaries I can connect to through trusted missionary leaders.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Missionary organizations will have a Social Welfare Trust through which they can receive money. If you can let me know how you would like to support - like is it a one time support or a continual support I can tell you what is a better method for sending the funds. Also, would you like to transfer the funds to the missions organization or directly to missionaries ? How did you help the mission field at Nepal ? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">My mail is quite long... :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope I have explained clearly to your questions. Pls let me know if you need more clarifications. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:6).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-27310371251772483292009-09-17T05:50:00.003+00:002009-09-17T05:54:03.523+00:00John Schlitt - The grafting - Lyrics<center><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/252ua1pZNxs&hl=pt-br&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/252ua1pZNxs&hl=pt-br&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="600" height="400"></embed></object></center><br /><br />She’s too young to be a mother<br />But sometimes life is cruel and makes a life decide another<br />Scared but sees beyond the moment<br />She gives her boy away and prays someday he’ll know her<br />Love goes on and on<br />When he finds that life comes in the grafting<br /><br />They built their hope upon the future<br />Married young, they bought a house, a car, a crib to suit her<br />But years would pass without a baby<br />Until a miracle, a desperate girl reached out<br />And love went on and on<br />And they found that life came in the grafting<br /><br />(chorus)<br />This life is a golden opportunity<br />To give and to love through all uncertainty<br />Just like the Father reaches down to us<br />And through His Son He grafts us to Himself<br />This is love<br /><br />The parents did their best to raise him<br />They trusted God to build the roots the boy so greatly needed<br />But time had come for him to face her<br />The things he longed to say and dreamed for years could wait no longer<br /><br />He slowly walked up to her door and rang the bell<br />The door came open wide<br />She stood there and cried<br /><br />He said “mother, don’t be cryin’<br />I know you’ve wondered now if you were wrong for never trying<br />For everything you did, I thank you<br />I have the life you always dreamed for me because<br />Your love went on and on<br />I found my life was in the grafting.”<br /><br />(repeat chorus)<br /><br />In the grafting<br />Love comes in the grafting<br />Love comes in the grafting<br /><br /><br />.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-52873357096468976852009-07-19T02:38:00.002+00:002009-07-19T02:43:13.343+00:00Swine Influenza - Influenza A - Virus H1N1<div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/what/en/index.html">WHO.INT</a><br /></div><table style="width: 470px; height: 124px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="enttab" width="435" height="22"><h2 class="entityTab"><span style="font-size:85%;">Global Alert and Response (GAR)</span></h2></td> </tr> <!-- display the horizontal nav row --> <tr> <td class="hrnvtd" width="12" height="17"><br /></td> <td class="hrnvtd" width="435" height="17"> <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/country/en/index.html" class="hrnv">Country activities</a> | <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/don/en/index.html" class="hrnv">Outbreak news</a> | <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/resources/en/index.html" class="hrnv">Resources</a> | <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/media/en/index.html" class="hrnv">Media centre</a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="2"><img src="http://www.who.int/sysmedia/images/shim.gif" alt="" width="1" border="0" height="7" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="12" height="17"><br /></td> <td class="brdcmb"> <a href="http://www.who.int/en/">WHO</a> > <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/en/">Programmes and projects</a> > <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/en/">Global Alert and Response (GAR)</a> > <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/en/">Diseases covered by EPR</a> > <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/swineflu/en/">Pandemic (H1N1) 2009</a> > <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/en/">Influenza A(H1N1): frequently asked questions</a> > <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/what/en/">What can I do?</a><br /><img src="http://www.who.int/sysmedia/images/shim.gif" alt="" width="1" border="0" height="5" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div class="hidden"><h5>Main content</h5></div> <table width="446" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="12" height="17" valign="top"><img src="http://www.who.int/sysmedia/images/shim.gif" alt="" width="12" height="22" /></td> <td> <h1 class="topicCover"><span style="font-size:180%;">What can I do?</span></h1> <p>Updated 11 June 2009</p> <h3 class="sectionHead3">What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?</h3> <p>The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:</p> <ul class="disc"><li>avoid touching your mouth and nose;</li><li>clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);</li><li>avoid close contact with people who might be ill;</li><li>reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;</li><li>improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;</li><li>practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.</li></ul> <h3 class="sectionHead3">What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?</h3> <p>If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask. </p> <p>If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards.</p> <table class="smllbx2" align="right"><tbody><tr><td class="bx7"> <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/masks_community/en/index.html">When and how to use a mask?</a> </td> </tr></tbody></table> <p>If you are sick and must travel or be around others, cover your mouth and nose.</p> <p>Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually increases the chance of spreading infection.</p> <h3 class="sectionHead3">How do I know if I have influenza A(H1N1)?</h3> <p>You will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and influenza A(H1N1) without medical help. Typical symptoms to watch for are similar to seasonal viruses and include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. Only your medical practitioner and local health authority can confirm a case of influenza A(H1N1). </p> <h3 class="sectionHead3">What should I do if I think I have the illness?</h3> <p>If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat: </p> <ul class="disc"><li>stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds;</li><li>rest and take plenty of fluids;</li><li>cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and, if using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully. Clean your hands immediately after with soap and water or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub;</li><li>if you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook of your elbow;</li><li>use a mask to help you contain the spread of droplets when you are around others, but be sure to do so correctly;</li><li>inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with other people;</li><li>If possible, contact a health professional before traveling to a health facility to discuss whether a medical examination is necessary.</li></ul> <h3 class="sectionHead3">Should I take an antiviral now just in case I catch the new virus? </h3> <p>No. You should only take an antiviral, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, if your health care provider advises you to do so. Individuals should not buy medicines to prevent or fight this new influenza without a prescription, and they should exercise caution in buying antivirals over the Internet. </p> <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/medicines/publications/drugalerts/Alert_122_Antivirals.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false">Warning on purchase of antivirals without a prescription [pdf 35kb]</a> <h3 class="sectionHead3">What about breastfeeding? Should I stop if I am ill?</h3> <p>No, not unless your health care provider advises it. Studies on other influenza infections show that breastfeeding is most likely protective for babies - it passes on helpful maternal immunities and lowers the risk of respiratory disease. Breastfeeding provides the best overall nutrition for babies and increases their defense factors to fight illness. </p> <h3 class="sectionHead3">When should someone seek medical care?</h3> <p>A person should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days. For parents with a young child who is ill, seek medical care if a child has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or convulsions (seizures).</p> <p>Supportive care at home - resting, drinking plenty of fluids and using a pain reliever for aches - is adequate for recovery in most cases. (A non-aspirin pain reliever should be used by children and young adults because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.)</p> <h3 class="sectionHead3">Should I go to work if I have the flu but am feeling OK?</h3> <p>No. Whether you have influenza A(H1N1) or a seasonal influenza, you should stay home and away from work through the duration of your symptoms. This is a precaution that can protect your work colleagues and others.</p> <h3 class="sectionHead3">Can I travel?</h3> <p>If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should not travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health care provider.</p> <a href="http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/travel/en/index.html">More on WHO travel recommendations</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-10820485878410074872009-03-19T03:31:00.007+00:002009-03-19T03:41:46.379+00:00A Mission voice from Latin America for World Mission<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOAhOgZ9uUhGVnY2VkRR3Iukz2yp5xVQV65Mmc2_MwZZvDhF7UWvV_BiOQqYyCMs1cEkHMGQOy7CbzYFRiHlfyyeIclCRIVRZqi0im1jVpTmw0EdFoVVnaEJ1iSOz0eXnsKJcjA/s1600-h/Bibel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOAhOgZ9uUhGVnY2VkRR3Iukz2yp5xVQV65Mmc2_MwZZvDhF7UWvV_BiOQqYyCMs1cEkHMGQOy7CbzYFRiHlfyyeIclCRIVRZqi0im1jVpTmw0EdFoVVnaEJ1iSOz0eXnsKJcjA/s400/Bibel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314737833407059938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">A Mission Voice from Latin America: </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Partnering for World Mission</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br />By Valdir Steuernagel</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=24499278" pg="4"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Lausane World Pulse</span></a></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">This is an </span>historical time in the Evangelical Church in Latin America. Never before have so many churches awakened to the universal nature of the missionary task, with such willingness to make their contribution.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Let us rejoice because of this new trend, but let us rejoice with caution. Never before have there been so many people willing to be sent out, so many missionary training schools available, and so many resources raised to sustain those sent. Still, we must proceed with caution and invest in a missions posture capable of balancing: quality, urgent sending with effective training; a sound financial base with the resources actually necessary; and a biblical and contextual understanding of the meaning of the task and of frontiers in mission.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Indeed, we have already learned from former and current missiological reflection that the concepts of nearby and far away, in biblical terms, are more of a salvation nature than of a geographic nature. In other words, the universality of the mission is verified in the keen perception of the need for saving our household and the next door neighbor, as well as those whose language and culture are radically different than our own. We must seek a balance between missionary action “there and here.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Clearly, the missionary awakening of the Church in Latin America comes at a time of significant church growth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Clearly, the missionary awakening of the Church in Latin America comes at a time of significant church growth. The church that grows is very often the same church that is awakening to its missionary responsibility and sending workers to the mission field. But these churches should never forget that their own families and children are also missionary fields. That is, the task of evangelism has to be faced anew by every generation. Indeed, we face the challenges of continuity and consistency in many of our churches.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >So we ask our brothers and sisters who have preceded us in the missionary awakening to help us sort out this dimension of evangelism. From the vantage point of the Third World, we face with great dismay the process of secularization, and to a certain extent, the faith and church crises in countries that once experienced deep revivals and were actively engaged in cross-cultural missions. Is it possible to avert or diminish this kind of “historic determinism” that seems always to go from “hot” to “lukewarm” and/or “cold”?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Further, it is important to point out that reflection on frontiers has merited two distinct observations. One has to do with today’s concept of communication and distance. The world has become smaller and what is done and/or produced in one place can be transmitted or makes its way to other places. Opportunities for evangelism (and missionary responsibility!) are multiplied.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The other observation has to do with the fact that mission frontiers are not only geographical, but social and economic as well. The gospel we preach and the church we try to establish should change toward justice and toward a collective lifestyle which embraces human dignity and environmental stewardship.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Healthy Participation with Mutual Enrichment</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Today, as never before, we can put into practice the slogan that mission is a task of six continents for six continents. But this practice is not yet obvious. Our mission history in Latin America is one of dependence and we need to recognize that getting rid of such dependency might be easier than repeating the model.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The gospel we preach and the church we try to establish should change toward justice and toward a collective lifestyle which embraces human dignity and environmental stewardship.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Dependency does harm. To some, it gives a dangerous sense of control; however, to many more it generates a false sense of immobilizing invalidity. The challenge before us is to build a reciprocal partnership; this will be best seen when Latino missionaries work not only with Latino immigrants in Europe and North America, but with mainstream mission efforts and churches as well. The practice of partnership could help us to become a Church that will make a difference indeed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Some Things Need to Be Learned</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The missionary movement that has emerged in Latin America calls for a growing humility that is willing to learn from history. Youthful euphoria will only hinder this learning process. Such an attitude will cause us to think that our fathers and mothers “missed the point”—that we know better and are eager to send, go, and do better.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Yesterday’s experiences must be studied more, and the learning of our predecessors must be assimilated by today’s generation. There is no need (and we cannot afford) to repeat the same errors in each generation. Of the many areas in which we have accumulated experience that can enrich and challenge today’s Latin American missionary practice, I point to just four.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >1. The cultural issue. We cannot think that just because we belong to a kind of Third World culture, our identification with other cultures in the missionary field will be automatic. The Brazilian culture, for example, is just as imperialistic toward other cultures as the United States is toward the Brazilian culture. Moreover, culture is so much a part of the people that we automatically tend to consider other peoples´ cultures as distant. There are many lessons learned and much accumulated reflection having to do with the relationship between gospel and culture which the young missionary movement of Latin America needs to review. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >2. Missionary training. There is a latent risk of considering intense, longer training processes as the concern of mission theorists. After all, isn’t it more important to roll up our sleeves and go to work? Maybe not. We are not advocating training programs that simply copy the respective models designed abroad. What we are advocating is that in order to participate in such a serious, intense, emotionally-involved missionary mandate, a formation process is fundamental. The price paid for haste is too high to justify running the risk of not designing and implementing adequate training programs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >3. Perseverance on the field. Perseverance and persistence cannot be learned in a day; however, they are indispensable in missionary work. There are strong traits in many of our cultures which point to a personal and collective behavior toward rapid response, emotionally-determined decisions and support, and easy promise of engagement. One of the key issues is how one can learn to function in and internalize other patterns, such as persistence and the ability to cope with solitude and failure. These have proven to be fundamental in medium and long-term missionary work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >4. Faithfulness in support. As mentioned above, in missionary terms, our history is one of dependence, and hence, reception. The fact that mission also implies giving is a concept which most of our churches are still learning. They must go through a complete learning process that will lead them to understand that missions is serious business, involving financial faithfulness to those we send out in Jesus’ name. Learning to give in a systematic and disciplined manner over a long period of time is a challenge we cannot escape if we want to face up to God’s missionary moment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">There Are Things We Must Overcome</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >We come back to partnership, stressing that overcoming dependence does not naturally and clearly lead to mature autonomy. The phase subsequent to dependence often appears to be a copy of some other model. That is, the Latin American missionary experience tends to copy the emphases and models of the missionary enterprise they have seen and have been familiar with as recipients.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Learning to give in a systematic and disciplined manner over a long period of time is a challenge we cannot escape if we want to face up to God’s missionary moment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >After all, it is precisely those experiences which have been successful that seem the best and most appropriate to emulate. Here, however, I would point out three areas where a copy should not be the approach.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >1. Seeking unity and overcoming division. The Latin American experience with North American missions was sharply marked first by the conflict between fundamentalism and modernism, which characterized Christianity in the US during most of the twentieth century, and later by a Cold War mentality. The theological and ideological conflict of the North caused much unnecessary division in the South, since our churches have very little to do with the European and North American theological conflicts. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Further, exported to our southern hemisphere was an ecclesiastical practice largely determined by a free-market mentality—also a typical North American experience. The seed of this ecclesiastical practice fell on a soil which cultivates a culture that has deep marks of emotional, charismatic, and authoritarian flavor. Merging these two worlds produced an extremely lacerated ecclesiastical picture. The ethical and communal principle of partnership and of community was usually overrun, and the geography of church founding, in many instances, corresponded to the history of personality conflicts and the establishment of personal or family feuds duly placed under the guise of revelation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >This lacerated ecclesiastical experience in Latin America is usually exported as the most natural way to operate. Hence, we must move from divisionism to an ecclesiastical experience that will respect the church that is already in place, seek to work in concert, and sometimes become integrated, with a posture of submission, into works already underway. And we must not forget that, biblically speaking, the testimony constituted by unity is itself a positive factor of evangelism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >2. The expensive missionary model of the North does not serve us, and the philosophy of pragmatism has deep, worldly roots. The introduction of belief and practice of the free market in the ecclesiastical realm brought with it still another issue—the establishment of a strategy aimed at growth and success. This strategy was established on the basis of pragmatism: you choose an area and/or challenge, you establish a goal and an achievement timetable, and you seek to fulfill both.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The problem is that not only does our culture not operate that way, but this philosophy runs counter to the biblical pattern and mandate which says that the person is more important than the goal. In the biblical pattern strategy is constantly interrupted and held in check by the blind man who cries out alongside the road to Jericho. Moreover, these strategies, their design, implementation, follow-up, and evaluation are very costly. The North American missionary enterprise has become very expensive, and for the paradigms and possibilities of the Third World, impossible. Following this reasoning, if we simply copy the typical model of the missionary agency developed in the US, we will fall into a bottomless pit. This approach will not work since that model presupposes and requires heavy financial resources, both to be sent to the field and to pay for the administration of the missionary machinery.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The North American missionary enterprise has become very expensive, and for the paradigms and possibilities of the Third World, impossible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Latin America must develop other models of missionary obedience that consistently reflect its reality of the poor and, hence, hopefully emulate the missionary model of the hiker from Galilee with the authority of a servant.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >3. Caution with respect to bureaucracy and sophistication. We know from recent missions history that time after time the “mission” has been vested with the most advanced Western technology in the whole area, and often, in the whole country. This has caused problems concerning image and resources. Missions arising from the South do not have this technology and traditionally do not depend on it nearly as much. This fact can be of enormous help in many of the areas where the people and their respective communities live in extreme poverty. It could also help us to put into practice incarnation as one of the basic pillars of evangelical missions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The Evangelical Church in Latin America, and the Third World in general, is experiencing a unique missionary awakening in Protestant history. The poor are engaged in missionary activity and are investing their potential, talents, and resources in fulfilling the universal missionary call of the Church.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >With the growing involvement of Third World missionaries of different races and cultures, the geography and color of missions has been changing for quite some time. This trend causes us to rejoice. And yet together we must continue cautiously into the future as we explore the growing needs for effective training, sound financial support, and a biblical and contextual understanding of mission.</span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >(This article was originally published by <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">MARC Publications </span>as "From Latin America: An Open Letter to the North American Mission Community" in the Mission Handbook, 15th edition, 1993. Used with permission.) </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Dr. Valdir Steuernagel</span> is international vice-president of Christian Commitments for World Vision. He is an internationally-recognized theologian and serves as a global minister-at-large and author. He is Brazilian.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br />.<br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-67347450024689075282009-03-09T00:57:00.003+00:002009-03-09T01:03:50.364+00:00Leeland - Lyrics tears of the saints<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tpRECK9H-Tw7dgDZypCdHmWwajy1Z65tPsmxCE3k1hPUcn98IHH4a0KYUCxK2nZYSYVDttlZdQgLhvsSEakC1WV7ESK3vSch0-Uv1BcM3fyV0pwx-5An26sNUhwTG3UP9MnCPQ/s1600-h/Leeland.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tpRECK9H-Tw7dgDZypCdHmWwajy1Z65tPsmxCE3k1hPUcn98IHH4a0KYUCxK2nZYSYVDttlZdQgLhvsSEakC1WV7ESK3vSch0-Uv1BcM3fyV0pwx-5An26sNUhwTG3UP9MnCPQ/s400/Leeland.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310987056124506802" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LEELAND</span><br /><br />There are many prodigal sons<br />On our city streets they run<br />Searching for shelter<br />There are homes broken down<br />People's hopes have fallen to the ground<br />From failures<br /><br />This is an emergency!<br /><br />There are tears from the saints<br />For the lost and unsaved<br />We're crying for them come back home<br />We're crying for them come back home<br />And all your children will stretch out their hands<br />And pick up the crippled man<br />Father, we will lead them home<br />Father, we will lead them home<br /><br />There are schools full of hatred<br />Even churches have forsaken<br />Love and mercy<br />May we see this generation<br />In it's state of desperation<br />For Your glory<br /><br />This is an emergency!<br /><br />Sinner, reach out your hands!<br />Children in Christ you stand!<br />Sinner, reach out your hands!<br />Children in Christ you stand!<br /><br />And all Your children will stretch out their hands<br />And pick up the crippled man<br />Father, we will lead them home<br />Father, we will lead them home<br /><br /><br />Now listen to the tmusic: <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.myspace.com/leelandmusic">Leeland-Myspace</a><br /><br />.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-80718263807772049092009-01-22T01:38:00.006+00:002009-01-22T01:50:55.802+00:00President Barack Obama first speech<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">My fellow citizens:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">I stand here</span> today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Forty-four </span>Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">So it has</span> been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">That we</span> are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">These are</span> the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Today I say</span> to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;">They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">On this day,</span> we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">We remain </span>a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">In reaffirming </span>the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">For us, they</span> packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">For us,</span> they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">This is </span>the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">For everywhere</span> we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Now, there are</span> some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">What the</span> cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Nor is the</span> question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">As for our </span>common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Recall that</span> earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">We are the </span>keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">For we know</span> that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">To the Muslim</span> world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">To those</span> leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">To the people</span> of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">As we consider</span> the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">We honor</span> them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">For as much</span> as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Our challenges</span> may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">This is the</span> price and the promise of citizenship.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">This is the</span> source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">This is the</span> meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">So let us</span> mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"Let it be told</span> to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">America.</span> In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:georgia;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">President Barack Obama's inaugural remarks</span><br />on Jan. 20, 2009,<br />At the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.</span><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-69457518313399235072009-01-21T17:58:00.006+00:002009-01-21T18:27:52.624+00:00India Orissa Christmas 2008<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" class="small"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Written by AICC </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: arial;">- All India Christian Council</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-family: arial;">State of Orissa</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">NEW DELHI – December 23, 2008: Despite the cancelation of a state-wide bandh (strike) by ultra-nationalist Hindu groups, Christians in Orissa state are worried about possible anti-Christian violence over Christmas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Indian media reports on Dec. 20, 2008 said Orissa's Chief Minister met with the rightwing Hindu group, the Swami Laxmananand Saraswati Shraddhanjali Samiti, and the group agreed to call off a state-wide shut-down planned for Dec. 25. However, aicc Orissa state leaders said the group was planning prayers from 5:10-5:40pm on Dec. 25th in temples across the state.<br /><br />There are fears the people gathered at each temple could be incited to attack Christians. The Samiti, which has been involved with a temples campaign, was set up by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, the two groups responsible for the December 2007 and August-October 2008 violence in the state.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The 12 hour bandh was announced in mid-November if authorities failed to arrest the killers of VHP leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati by December 15, 2008. The murder of the religio-political leader on Aug. 23, 2008 triggered widespread anti-Christian violence despite claims of responsibility from Maoist militants.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">John Dayal, aicc Secretary General, said, "We appreciate Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for doing the right thing and successfully urging Hindutva groups to call off their planned bandh. However, the government in Orissa – for that matter, in all states across India – must now ensure mischief makers do not sabotage the peace of the Christmas holidays."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Aicc is making plans to have teams of observers in Orissa to alert authorities should any violence begin. Plans called for teams to include both Christians and non-Christians – especially non-sectarian minded Hindus.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Dayal said, "We encourage Indian Christians to celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth in a peaceful and harmonious manner. Christians across our great land must pray for the approximately 50,000 Dalit and Tribal Christians who will spend Christmas away from their damaged and destroyed homes. For many, this will be their second Christmas as refugees inside their own country."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;" href="http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/2671/42/">All India Christian Council</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">----------------------</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Donate</span>:<br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Council is financed by the freewill gifts and offerings of its members, Christians throughout India, and concerned citizens everywhere. </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;" href="http://indianchristians.in/news/component/option,com_contact/task,view/contact_id,1/Itemid,144/">Contact Aicc</a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span></div></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-62099074239137214762009-01-21T17:43:00.005+00:002009-01-21T18:26:06.630+00:00News from India Orissa persecution 2008<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="pathway"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"Christmas celebration for the persecuted families"</span></span></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:verdana;" >All India Christian Council Correspondent</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">State Andhra Pradesh</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"The Passion for the Persecuted”, along with </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://indianchristians.in/news/"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The All India Christian Council</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">, organized a Christmas celebration for the persecuted families at the Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad on 25th November 2008. Nearly 400 people attended these celebrations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The unique thing about this celebration was that there were families from Kandhamal who were the victims of the 2008 August Anti-Christian violence in Orissa. A similar program was held last year in the Warangal Baptist Church. For this year’s program more than 50 persecuted families have come from all the corners of our state to be part of this celebration. The victims’ families were given a set of new clothes as a Christmas gift to all those victims who had come to partake these celebrations. It was interesting to see “ the wives’ of the martyrs”,who were present to cut the Christmas cake. The program included different speeches and some encouraging words given to the persecuted families by different Christian leaders who were present at the meeting. Mr. Anil Kumar prominent speaker gave a message and encouraged the victims to live for God. “He emphasized that we should ask God to bring in justice to the all the affected Christians”.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Brother Franklin Sudhakar, thanked Mr Anil Kumar and Stanly Babu for accepting the invitation and spending the evening with the “Persecuted families”. Over all it was a nice evening with many testimonies, exhortations from the guests and some video presentations on the Orissa atrocities.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Bishop Daniel Kalyanapu, Brother Chiranjeevi, and Sis. Kamala Cheranjeevi, Mr. Dasanna, and few other prominent leaders were present on this occasion. The program concluded with a special meal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">--------------------</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Donate</span>:<br /></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"> The Council is financed by the freewill gifts and offerings of its members, Christians throughout India, and concerned citizens everywhere. </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: verdana;" href="http://indianchristians.in/news/component/option,com_contact/task,view/contact_id,1/Itemid,144/">Contact Aicc</a><br /><br /><br />.<br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-53038847807606637012009-01-21T02:02:00.008+00:002009-01-21T02:21:00.146+00:00President Barack Obama - The Day Before<div class="dateln"><span id="ctl04_rptBlogPost_ctl01_ltlPostDate"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" id="ctl04_rptBlogPost_ctl01_ltlPostDate" >THE WHITE HOUSE BLOG</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><h2 style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); text-align: center; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy and Serving America</span></h2><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s465.photobucket.com/albums/rr15/ube2009/?action=view&current=CAP.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 496px; height: 277px;" src="http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr15/ube2009/CAP.jpg" alt="Capitol" border="0" /></a><br />Inauguration Day at Capitol<br /><br /></div><span id="ctl04_rptBlogPost_ctl01_ltlPostDate">Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 12:01 pm</span><br /><br />Yesterday, with Washington and the country eagerly awaiting the Inauguration, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and their families spent the day honoring the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. by serving others. After spending the morning with wounded soldiers at the Walter Reed Medical Center, President Obama traveled to the Sasha Bruce Youthwork shelter for homeless teens in Northeast Washington where he helped renovate "safe space" housing.<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">After leaving the shelter, the President and Mrs. Obama attended a reception with volunteers at Coolidge Senior High School, where President Obama spoke about the challenges ahead and how every one person can contribute to fighting them.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">"Dr. King taught us that we could no longer view our own day-to-day cares and responsibilities as somehow separate from what was happening in the wider world that we read about in the newspaper and saw on TV," the President said at the reception. "Because ultimately, for each of us, our own story and the American story are not separate, they are shared. And they are both strengthened and enriched each time we stand up and answer the call to help meet the challenges of our new century."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Earlier in the day, Michelle Obama, Malia and Sasha Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden and Ashley Biden participated in a service project for American soldiers stationed overseas. All told, the volunteers at RFK Memorial Stadium, where the First and Second Families were working, created more than 85,000 care packages. Vice President Biden worked with Habitat for Humanity -- with about 50 AmeriCorps volunteers, firefighters, police officers, and others -- creating homes for families in need in Northeast Washington, D.C.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In all, more than 11,000 service events were held across the nation yesterday. Traditionally, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has often been referred to as a National Day of Service, but the President emphasized that the commitment must extend beyond a single day. "Government will do its part to open up more opportunities for citizens to participate," he said. "And in return, I ask you to play your part – to not just pitch in today, but to make an ongoing commitment that lasts far beyond one day, or even one presidency."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Read President Obama's full remarks below:</p> <hr /> <p align="center"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama</span><br />Day of Service Luncheon at Coolidge High School<br />January 19, 2009 - Washington, DC 20009</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">I want to start by thanking all of you for coming together from across this community – people who are young and old, of every race and background and faith – and taking part in the great American tradition of giving of yourselves to lift up your community.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">We meet at a moment when this work could not be more urgent. Today, we face challenges like never before in our lifetime. A lot of folks here in DC and across America are hurting and filled with uncertainty about what the future holds. And as I prepare to take that oath tomorrow, I know my Administration has our work cut out for us.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">But I also know this: that however well government does its job; however hard we work to make good plans and policies and restore a sense of responsibility to Washington, our problems cannot be solved by government alone – or even mostly by government. It’s going to take all of us, putting our shoulder to the wheel, doing our part to remake this nation.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">That’s why we’ve called on the American people to come together and devote their time and effort to work in their communities today. And that’s why we chose this particular day, when we honor a man who lived his life as a servant to his fellow citizens – and whose greatness can be measured not just in his own extraordinary contributions, but in how he inspired others to contribute.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Dr. King taught us that we could no longer view our own day-to-day cares and responsibilities as somehow separate from what was happening in the wider world that we read about in the newspaper and saw on TV. Because ultimately, for each of us, our own story and the American story are not separate, they are shared. And they are both strengthened and enriched each time we stand up and answer the call to help meet the challenges of our new century.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">So today, I am asking you to roll up your sleeves and join in the work of remaking this nation. I pledge to you that government will do its part to open up more opportunities for citizens to participate. And in return, I ask you to play your part – to not just pitch in today, but to make an ongoing commitment that lasts far beyond one day, or even one presidency.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">And to those who are skeptical about whether this will happen – to anyone who thinks that the American people are selfish or apathetic – I invite them to come here to Coolidge High School and to the more than 11,000 other places across this country where people have spent today fixing up schools and renovating homes and organizing food drives and blood drives and so much more. I see what the American people are doing today and every day. So don’t tell me that we can’t usher in a new spirit of service in this country.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">I know we can do this. America is a great nation precisely because Americans have been willing to stand up when it was hard; to give when they had little left to give; to rise above moments of great challenge and terrible trial.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">And I know that I am here today – as are so many of you – because somebody, at some point, decided that loving their community and their country meant doing something to change it.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">That’s what we are called to do once again, in this moment – our moment – in history. So today, in the words of Dr. King, "Let us rise up…with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/dr_king_service/">White House Blog</a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-16045965626953450352008-12-31T15:03:00.001+00:002008-12-31T15:05:29.580+00:00A response to Da Vinci Code<div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/cruzue/?action=view&current=lsp.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/cruzue/lsp.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The Last Supper - picture of Leonardo Da Vinci</span></span><br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">By Roger Cotton</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The Da Vinci </span>Code claims to be only a novel and as such I found it to be very engaging. It fabricates a very recent search for the Holy Grail, which it proposes is really secret documents showing that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and produced a royal bloodline. The use of a narrator, who comments philosophically and theologically on life, religion, and the church — using exaggerated language — causes those assertions within the novel to sound like truths we should consider — hidden truths we need to recover to free ourselves from the lies of the church. That interests people and sells books.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">However, a leading </span>New Testament scholar, Ben Witherington III, in his book The Gospel Code, (InterVarsity, 2004), responding to The Da Vinci Code, said: “It can be quite entertaining but also misleading. We need to treat this book as what it really is—not historical fiction but almost entirely fiction, at least when it comes to its assumptions and assertions about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and early Christianity” (p. 27).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I would like to</span> clarify both the major mistakes in relation to church history and the Bible, and as well, the key points of our Christian faith from the Scriptures which are opposed by the ideas of this book. I am indebted to Witherington’s excellent research into the facts.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The first major </span>fiction asserted in the book is that there are many other documents equal to or better than our four Gospels, which the church has suppressed, and which would exalt the “sacred feminine” and teach that Jesus was only human and not divine. The truth is that all other such documents (around 20, not 80) are clearly written after the writing of the New Testament. They are by groups outside the mainstream of the Early Church. The Dead Sea Scrolls are Jewish and say nothing about Jesus. The Gnostic Gospels that Brown often refers to actually teach that the material world is evil, including sex, and that men should be in authority over women. These ideas are contrary to what Brown’s book teaches and yet he claims these documents support his ideas that are in opposition to the Bible. Brown says these documents clearly state that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, but Witherington shows that he misquotes these documents. Furthermore, they were never on any one’s list of inspired, authoritative, Scriptures.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">A second major</span> area of fiction is that Constantine and the church council of Nicea brought in the new, unbiblical, teaching that Christ is divine and voted out the truth of His humanity and marriage to Mary Magdalene and eliminated the books that taught those things. The truth is the council did not propose the beliefs stated in the creeds or the list of canonical Scriptures but formalized what the majority had believed all along. The New Testament clearly always taught that Jesus is God, John 1:1-3,18; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6-11; Hebrews 1:2,3; 1 John 5:20.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The third fiction</span> is that the Church was threatened by the idea of Jesus having a wife and children because then He could not be divine and the Church would lose its powerful claim to be the only way to God. On the contrary, the Bible clearly claims that Jesus is the only way to God and the Church does not control the way (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). On the other point, the Bible teaches that Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, is fully God and fully human so that He could have married and had children but He chose not to, in the plan of God.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Regarding the idea</span> of the “sacred feminine” and the sacredness of sex the Bible and Christianity do not put down sex but affirm that it is very special and belongs only in marriage. However, it is not a route to spiritual fulfillment and experience of God as claimed in the book (p. 310). The whole Bible is against bringing sex into worship as the heathen have done since ancient times. The Bible clearly opposes all goddess worship. The One True God is neither male nor female but Jesus uses the term Father and teaches us to do the same. One major reason for not referring to God as mother is that, as Elizabeth Achtemeier has shown, in “Why God is not Mother” Christianity Today, August 16, 1993, it leads to the idea of God giving birth to us and thus lowering God to be one with us and with nature and raising us up to be gods.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The Da Vinci Code</span> expresses many of the current popular ideas of our world and helps us see where the issues are for our faith. The attitudes encouraged by this book which are the most serious opposition to the truth God has revealed in the Scriptures are the following: to depersonalize God, to bring God down to our level and us up to deity—taking away from His holiness, to deny the need for a savior outside of ourselves and the need of repentance that sees ourselves as dead without Christ, to treat Jesus as only a great man, to deny that the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God, to make sex a part of worship, to take away most objective moral law, to deny that there is any absolute truth, to make our experiences the only spiritual/religious authority for our lives, and to disregard history as of any value.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The main Bible</span> truths I think we must be clear on and affirm continually are the following: 1) God is personal, acting for our good in the world, which He created and from which He is totally distinct, and communicating openly with us in real human language, written down in the Bible, and not in hidden codes. 2) God made us, loves us, and wants to restore the personal, intimate, everlasting relationship we broke with Him through our selfish choices. He has provided the only way to Him through the incarnation, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who is fully God and fully human. He gives our lives meaning and purpose. 3) He made us to enjoy the greatest fulfillment through a life in harmony with His will, character, and values, through the Holy Spirit. This includes keeping sexual intimacy and intercourse within a life-long, exclusive, marital (male-female), relationship.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">In conclusion,</span> the best antidote is reading and meditating on the truth in the Scriptures and keeping our relationship with the Lord fresh and experiential. Here are some of the clear statements of the Scriptures that give some of the basic beliefs of the Christian faith. Matthew 16:13-20; Luke 24:36-49; John 1:1-5, 10-12, 14, 18; 3:16-18; 14:6, Acts 4:12; 10:34-43; 17:30-31; Romans 1:16-25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 17-19; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-3; 1 John 1:2,3, 5-2:2; 4:1-16; 5:1-5, 11-12, 18-21; Revelation 22:12-17.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">source</span>:http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/top/DaVinciCode_article.cfm</span><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-11583089159860296382008-12-24T12:17:00.007+00:002008-12-24T12:30:48.274+00:00Reverend Rick Warren and Obama Inauguration Day<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">This Pastor was invited by Barack Obama to conduct the Inauguration Day prayer.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s465.photobucket.com/albums/rr15/ube2009/?action=view&current=RickWarren.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr15/ube2009/RickWarren.jpg" alt="Rick Warren" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">On Faith/Washington Post</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Reverend Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life” (2002), founded Saddleback Church in 1980 with one family. Today, the church has 83,000 members, of whom about 23,000 attend weekly services on its 120-acre campus in Lake Forest, Calif.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Purpose Driven Life sold more than 30 million copies in English and became an international best-seller, translated into more than 50 languages. The “On Faith” panelist addresses priests and pastors at cross-denominational Christian training events organized through the Purpose Driven Network.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">More than 700,000 church leaders in 163 countries have attended such gatherings. Warren also founded www.pastors.com as a resource for clergy, and in 1995 authored The Purpose Driven Church, which is used as a seminary textbook. Warren advises international leaders on poverty, health, education, corruption, leadership development, and faith and ethics in culture.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">He has spoken at the United Nations, the Global Health Summit, and the World Economic Forum in Davos. He originated the Global P.E.A.C.E. plan to Partner with local churches, Equip servant leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick, and Educate the next generation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">He and his wife Kay donate 90% of their income to three charities: Acts of Mercy, which provides assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS; Equipping Leaders, which trains leaders in developing countries; and the Global Peace Fund, which facilitates congregations, businesses, and governments’ coordinated efforts to fight poverty, disease, and corruption.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Source: </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/rick_warren/">Newsweek.Washington Post</a><br /><br /><br />.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24499278.post-5487015515583597492008-12-23T17:02:00.005+00:002008-12-23T17:09:30.397+00:00Greetings from Michelle Obama<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />Message got from Michelle Obama</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >John,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> "This holiday </span>season, the grassroots movement you helped build can make a big difference for those in need.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">I hope you</span> will join me in supporting your favorite charity or contributing to causes that are especially meaningful to me and my family.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> While many</span> of us will spend the holidays counting our blessings and sharing dinner with loved ones, millions of people around the country won't be so fortunate. <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c13ede/50005e86/2a7a38f/11884d6d/1654377140/VEsH/" target="_blank"><strong>Donating to your local food bank</strong></a> will help provide a holiday meal to people in your community who can't afford one.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Talking with</span></span> the families of deployed troops was one of the most rewarding experiences I had during the campaign. <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c13ede/50005e86/2a7a38f/11884d6c/1654377140/VEsE/" target="_blank"><strong>Giving to Operation USO Care Package</strong></a> is a great way to send members of our military stationed around the world a reminder that someone back home is thinking of them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">This is a time</span></span> to celebrate our blessings, the new year, and a new era for our country. But it's also a time to come together on behalf of those who need our help.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Do what you</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> </span>can to help today by locating your local food bank and giving your support:</span><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c13ede/50005e86/2a7a38f/11884d6d/1654377140/VEsF/" target="_blank"><strong> http://my.barackobama.com/<wbr>foodbanks</strong></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> Or send a</span> care package to an American in uniform:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c13ede/50005e86/2a7a38f/11884d6c/1654377140/VEsC/" target="_blank"><strong>http://my.barackobama.com/<wbr>carepackage</strong></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Thank you </span>for all that you do and have a very happy holiday season,</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">"</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Michelle</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">.</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0