For those who have not seen the other side of life, this article will take you as close as you can get without going to see. I was quite taken by the accuracy of the descriptions of the people in the two of these places that I have also walked (Philippines and Solomon Islands).
For those who have seen, a reminder never hurts.
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/01/13/we-have-met-the-1-and-he-is-us/
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has apparently been released from imprisonment in Iran for his Christian faith. He has written a letter of thanks to all who have supported him in various ways. I link to a translation of the letter without comment, for the letter says all that needs to be said. Praise God for his mighty works!
Let me encourage you to take a trip down the right side of my page to the blog roll section under “Love in Action” and visit my awesome friends. Be amazed at the continual stream of miracles that Jesus is performing. I warn you up front; you won’t find complacency on the other end of that link.
- writewild
On the ninth of last month, I posted a prayer for Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr, who had been sentenced to a year in prison and 90 lashes for appearing in a Australian film “My Tehran for Sale” that was “banned”. It turns out that the prayer had been answered before the month was out ( at least the physically-observable part ), and I missed it! I’m posting a couple of links to the news and the press release at the end.
So, if you joined me in this prayer, we have reason to rejoice! Thank you, if you did!
Thank you Lord!
- writewild
… in case you didn’t know. http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx?story_ID=NDM5&featuredstory_ID=Mjkz&clickfrom=ZmVhdHVyZWRzdG9yaWVz
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10
Lord, bless Guled’s family, wherever they have fled. Protect them and help them to see that Guled has made a choice for You that cannot be taken away from him.
- writewild
A post script for my readers – leave me a comment. Tell me how, except for scale (at the moment), radical Islam is any different than the Third Reich under Adolph Hitler.
By writewild
They came before us, heroes all,
that we might stand today
and freely answer whatever call
our Sovereign sends our way.
In muddy trenches, numbing cold,
on desert’s scorching sand;
in jungle stench of wet and mold,
they followed one command:
Defend to death the liberty
our Maker has bestowed;
defeat the wrong of tyranny,
protect the ones at home.
Ice-crusted muskets at Valley Forge,
torpedo’s high-pitched whine;
whatever weapon, whichever war,
their valor is what shined!
They quelled their fears by force of will
to hold a ragged line;
against the foe who seeks to kill
what’s good, and right, and fine.
Heroes are standing, still today,
to keep our children safe and free;
to vanquish terror’s craven sway,
in hell-holes where it meets.
The heritage of sacrifice
that is a warrior’s lot;
exemplified by God on high,
this shows the warrior’s heart!
- Writewild
Thank you, warriors! God bless and keep you wherever you are serving now. Thank you veterans for your sacrifices, we owe you a great debt as well.
(I am taking the liberty of reposting this original work in honor of our service members, past and present.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=5pfBUUZNbFM
From the third graders of Tussing Elementary, Colonial Heights ,Virginia . I don’t know who their teacher is, but I stand in awe of their support of our servicemen!
I was dumbfounded as I watched an interchange between a pair of conservative activists today. One of these persons is known to me as one who frequently stands on the “I stand with Israel” soapbox. The other activist (whom I don’t know) was pointedly declining a “connection” with the first because of his views about Israel. Rather than try to capture the essence of the interchange, just let me repost it as a quote:
‘Sorry bro, can’t connect with folks who “Stand with Israel”. If you stood with Jews instead of Zionists I’d had no quams, but the state of Israel has helped us into EVERY illegal war we’ve had since WWII. Deprogram what public schools taught ya and re-learn in the light of truth… MY country is America and my Constitution says NOTHING about Israel.’
Now, if you were to consistently read what I write, you will see that I come from a faith-based perspective. My position on Israel is founded on this proclamation of God to Abraham:
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
and many other passages that expand on this certainty. Not to mention the fact that our Saviour Jesus came through the line of David, as this passage in Genesis foretells. I have to assume that God knew what He was doing, making this promise to Abraham.
Even if the modern nation of Israel is mostly secular, I have a hard time believing that God is done keeping his promises related to the descendants of Abraham.
Perhaps I would blow this off as one individual who is “wound a little too tight” if it weren’t for the barrage of anti-semitic comments coming out of the “occupy wall street” movement. ( A movement, by the way, which really seems to need someone to vilify.)
I also understand that without the Biblical imperative to see the children of Abraham from the perspective of the Creator, those who don’t share my spiritual foundation have little motivation to “stand with Israel”.
Still, for the life of me, I can’t come up with a single instance in which Israel as a nation “helped” us into various conflicts. At a minimum, this seems a pretty negative view of history. My own observation is that since World War II, most conflicts that Israel has faced, she has faced alone and against formidable odds. Oh, maybe we have had some input into telling them how to manage their business, but other than that, what? We have profited from selling them a few jet fighters.
I know two things about this argument. First, if we conservatives don’t look for common ground and ask the question ‘What can we do to serve one another and advance our common goals?’ Then we will certainly lose, for “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” Second, God’s Word always accomplishes that which He sent it to do; I would therefore rather be on the blessing side of His promise to Abraham.
Of late, I have been reading Excuses Begone! by Dr. Wayne Dyer. The central premise, if I may paraphrase, is that the individual is made in the image of God, and if he/she aligns him/herself with this destiny – putting aside the typical excuse-making of human nature/ego – then God’s nature can be realized in us and we can find happiness, fulfillment and satisfaction in life as our Creator intended for us. That is, we can become individuals who are hands-down above the mundane norm of our society – practically without limits in our purpose, plans, and achievements. Fundamental Christians rail against the sort of things that Dr. Dyer writes, decrying his premises; railing that the things he says are “new age” because he dares to reference sources other than the Bible. I find, however, that most of what he writes can be easily validated through scripture, if one is willing to look. The scripture says in Romans 1:20 that God make himself known. It is not far-fetched to think that aware individuals, such as Dr. Dyer, should actually get in step with the voice of God. It is not my place to judge the ultimate spiritual state of Dr. Dyer. But suffice it to say that I find a great deal of practical truth in Dr. Dyer’s books. I actually find a lot of benefit in looking at things from a non-traditional viewpoint. Perhaps I might worry more about the references to eastern religions, etc, except that I have been seeking the truth for long enough now, that I don’t expect to get too far off in the weeds from examining another point of view.
Today, I spotted a few people on the corner of first avenue and Collins road in Cedar Rapids, holding signs and showing their support to the “Occupy Wall Street” protests. What I find most striking about these protesters is the basic premise of their rhetoric — espoused by their signs — is that someone else is to blame for their unhappiness. This is the very antithesis of the message that Dr. Dyer conveys in his writings. And for that matter, that the Bible conveys, to those who will look honestly at it’s message. ie: 1.The problem is due to some greedy “rich” person, rather than my own failure to take responsibility for my own destiny. 2.The solution is to get the government to give some of the “rich” person’s assets to me. There is, apparently, no recognition of the possibility of finding the value of the fulfillment in living the full life the Creator of the Universe set within our hearts. My opinion is this: The “occupy” people are wasting their time, following their egotistical assertions their problems are the “fault” of the rich. If only they would begin to seek their own place in the universe, the “rich” would become irrelevant. Who, knows? Being rich might be their own destiny, if only they could open their eyes to what they should be doing, beyond blaming and complaining. So, instead of holding signs to indicate the “rich” are evil, they could have been spending this beautiful afternoon pursuing their own intended purposes. Which do you think would have been more effective?
I just got home from Des Moines (2 hour drive, one way) where I heard a short speech by Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, Governor Rick Perry, Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Congressman Ron Paul, and Former U. S. Senator Rick Santorum. Mr Cain seemed to be doing damage control for some earlier offhand comments about the right to life that could have been seen as “soft” on the issue. I can understand that approach, given that it is a big issue for the group hosting the meeting (the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition) . Truthfully, it is a big issue for me. I would say that Mr. Cain put that issue to rest, for any that wanted to know his heart on the right-to-life issue. Otherwise, I would say Mr. Cain “phoned it in” on any other points, except perhaps expressing the notion that he would institute an “attitude adjustment” at the EPA in response to a question about US energy production. Newt came off sounding brilliant and positively presidential, as his experience prepares him to do, and Rick Santorum’s intentional stories of personal tragedy around his own dealings with the right to life in his own family left Mr. Cain’s comments sounding merely theoretical. Mitt Romney decided not to grace us with his presence. Governor Perry talked of his small-town upbringing and Michele Bachmann expressed support for Israel and many other issues that Tea Party faithful hold dear. Congressman Ron Paul said lots of things that I agree with, but I noted his style failed to hold the attention of the audience — it’s a problem for him.
The news media was in evidence. My wife and I were interviewed by a reporter from NPR and by a team from a news outlet in W. Virginia. Who knows? Maybe you will see us on the news.
Coverage by C-Span is here:
http://www.c-span.org/Events/GOP-Candidates-Talk-Faith-and-Freedom-in-Iowa/10737424895/
Awestruck admirer of the Sovereign of the Universe from whom all rights and responsibilities of men derive.
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