Iraqi Christians face Genocide
2006-10-13 17:41:00
ALERT:
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN IRAQ
They are facing a brutal persecution not seen against Christians
in centuries. They need our prayers!!
This from Michelle Malkins blog:
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Report: Another victim of Pope Rage
By Michelle Malkin · October 13, 2006 08:50 AM
The Pope Rage death count rises. Reader Steve G. sends word of a priest murdered by jihadists--who once again prove their critics right:Relatives of a beheaded Iraqi
priest said his captors had demanded a church apology for recent papal comments about Islam.They said the Orthodox priest was abducted Sunday by an unidentified group, which demanded a ransom. The kidnappers also wanted the priest's church to condemn controversial recent remarks by Pope Benedict. In a speech last month, the pope quoted a medieval text describing Islam as a religion spread by the sword.The relatives said the priest's church had already posted signs condemning the pope's statement. A similar message was post
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13 year old Amish girl shows " greater love..." in action
2006-10-07 14:37:00
John 15:13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Two of the survivors of the shooting told their parents that 13-year-old Marian Fisher, one of the slain girls, asked to be shot first, apparently hoping the younger girls would be let go, according to Leroy Zook, an Amish
dairy farmer."Shoot me and leave the other ones loose," Marian has been quoted as saying, Zook said. His daughter, Emma Mae Zook, was the teacher who ran from the schoolhouse to a farm to summon police.
from MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press Writer
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Pray for the Amish Families
2006-10-05 14:44:00
By now most of you have heard about the tragedy in Lancaster County, PA. The Amish
families have shown the light of Christ in the midst of a very dark, evil situation. Please take a look at a true religion of peace, Christianity, as practiced by these faithful Amish families. This is from AP writer Michael Rubinkam's coverage of the story....
As they struggle with the slayings, the Amish in this Lancaster County village are turning the other cheek, urging forgiveness of the killer and quietly accepting what comes their way as God's will."They know their children are going to heaven. They know their children are innocent ... and they know that they will join them in death," said Gertrude Huntington, a Michigan researcher and expert on children in Amish society."The hurt is very great," Huntington said. "But they don't balance the hurt
with hate."
What an amazing example of faithfulness to the message of Jesus and the truth of the gospel. These Amish families are hono
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Sister Leonella Forgives Her Murderers as She Lay Dying
2006-09-18 17:27:00
This saintly nun, has surely received her crown of glory. In imitation of Jesus' words on the cross she forgives her murderers with her dying breath, while the muslim world continues it's violent and hate filled tirade. Read the story here.
Christianity
Muslim Violence
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Sister Leonella Sgorbati
2006-09-17 19:45:00
Murdered by muslims, as she worked helping muslin women and children in a charitable hospital.Somalia jihadist Sheik Abubukar Hassan Malin stoked Pope Rage by declaring:"Whoever offends our Prophet Mohammed should be killed on the spot by the nearest Muslim."Romans 12:9-21 (New International Version)Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possibl
A Misconception of Heaven
2006-08-23 02:47:00
This evening I was watching The Book of the Dead on the History Channel. I'm a sort of history buff and I generally like the programs on History Channel. Tonight's show about the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead brought up an interesting misconception. The point is made in this show that Christianity owes its understanding of heaven...."a place where you'll be with your loved ones and be able to do whatever you like" to the Egyptians conception of the afterlife. That many of the early church Fathers were Egyptian,(Alexandria was a center of Christian learning and scholarship in the early centuries) is given as further "proof" of this idea. The only probelm here is that the idea of heaven being "a place where you'll be with loved ones and be able to do whatever you like" isn't the Christians idea of heaven, certainly not as presented in scripture. Indeed we may be with loved ones if they were "in Christ" when they died, but the notion that'll we'll be wandering around a paradise
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Why Did Jesus Come?
2006-08-22 01:43:00
I'm reading a very good book right now, A Short History of Christian Thought by Linwood Urban. In the chapter on the atonement, a number of passages from scripture are cited to describe the mission of the Son. I thought these were very interesting because they provided a more comprehensive answer then the standard one most people will give, which is "to die for our sins". Here they are: " Luke 2:11 salvation or protection, Gal. 1:4 deliverance or rescue, Rom.3:24 redemption or freeing from enslavement, 2Cor.5:18 reconciliation or the reunion of the estranged, John 10:10 re-birth or the giving of new life.The chapter continues on with a discussion of the types of evil enumerated in scripture, so that we are well aware of the need for savior. Then Urban begins an account of Christian thinking on the atonement through the ages. New Testament writers like Paul and the subsequent early church Fathers all understood three facets to the atonement. First, the incarnation as the atoning act. P
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A Young Martyr
2006-10-31 00:12:00
A horrifying story from Iraq. Please PRAY for the church in Iraq.
(AINA) — According to the Assyrian website ankawa.com, a 14 year old Christian Assyrian boy, Ayad Tariq, from Baqouba, Iraq was decapitated at his work place on October 21.Ayad Tariq was working his 12 hour shift, maintaining an electric generator, when a group of disguised Muslim insurgents walked in at the beginning of his shift shortly after 6 a.m. and asked him for his ID.According to another employee who witnessed the events, and who hid when he saw the insurgents approach, the insurgents questioned Ayad after seeing that his ID stated "Christian", asking if he was truly a "Christian sinner." Ayad replied "yes, I am Christian but I am not a sinner." The insurgents quickly said this is a "dirty Christian sinner!" Then they proceeded to each hold one limb, shouting "Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar!" while beheading the boy.
Christian Martyr
muslim violence against Christians
violence in Iraq
Happy New Year ~ 2008
2007-12-31 17:52:00
A New Year’s PrayerMay God make your year a happy one!Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;Not by making your path easy,But by making you sturdy to travel any path;Not by taking hardships from you,But by taking fear from your heart;Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;Not by making your life always pleasant,But by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help.God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year
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, Happy New Year
Social Justice and Women's Rights
2006-07-08 09:52:00
To those who say that the Church is an institution that historically and even today oppresses the role of women, to those who say that the Church and religion in general needs be kept out of the arenea of public life and thought, to those who see religion as something promoting unenlightened and backward thinking , and to the Church itself that has long ago become drowned with secularism even while it raises it's hands in "contemporary" worship I would refer you to this . May the Holy Spirit open our eyes and move our hands to action.christianitywomen's issues
Read more: Social
, Justice
, Women
, Rights
Blessed are the Peacemakers
2006-07-03 14:26:00
"Blessed
are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God" Matt. 5:9"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; the peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:14-18It's hard for me to understand the violence and hatred between the Israelis and the Palestinians. So many have died on both sides. Young and old, innocent and guilty. I cannot understand the hatred that drives statements from Arab leaders who call for the annialiation of all Jews. There is more trouble brewing there today as the stand-off continues over the captured Israeli soldier. I'm
Small Graces
2006-06-22 07:58:00
Most of us have needs in our lives. Spiritual, emotional, financial, physical, relational, practical, and on and on. We pray about these things, asking God for what we need. We don't always get an answer right away...sometimes not for a very long time. Don't let your faith be shaken, and don't let anyone tell you that that proves that God doesn't care or that He doesn't exist. Instead, be on the look out for small graces. Here is an examples from my own life that occured just recently. I was very upset about a family situation and needed time to think and pray, but the busy day had already begun. It was morning and time to take the dog on her walk. Now I adore my dog she is a blessing to me but...she's very excitable during her walks and pulls just enough to make me walk faster than I want
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A Trick Question
2006-06-20 11:52:00
There is a story in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2, about a man who is paralyzed. Four of his friends carry him on a stretcher or sorts to the house where Jesus is preaching. When they arrive they find the house full to overflowing and they are unable to get close to Jesus. So they climb up on the roof dismantel the roof covering and lower their friend down into the room to get their friend to Jesus. Jesus recognizes their faith and says to the paralyzed man "Son , your sins are forgiven you." Some scribes (teachers of the law) think to themselves in their hearts "Why does this man, speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus knows what they are thinking and asks "Which is easier to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Arise , take up your bed and w
Read more: Trick
, Question
Jesus by Our Side
2006-06-19 20:12:00
Well, last post was many weeks ago and I apologize for the delay. But that doesn't mean that I haven't been "Thinking About God". I have indeed been thinking about this blog and about God himself. More specifically I've been thinking about how we are"in Christ" . St. paul says "...you are the body of Christ". What can that possibly mean? I think it is an ongoing incarnation. Certainly, Jesus
became God"in the flesh"and lived among ordinary human beings some two thousand years ago. The first and totally unique incarnation. How often have I though how wonderful it would have been had I been alive back then and actually known Jesus as a real flesh and blood, alive human being. Oh, to have sat at his feet with Mary and listened to him teach. Oh, to have HIM right there, really there, in person
Emmanuel:God with Us
2006-05-09 20:32:00
When God seems unknowable it's time to look at Jesus. God with us, the exact representation, image, icon, of God the Father. Jesus said "I and the Father are one." It's amazingly perfect, God is spirit and doesn't have a body, that makes it hard for us to know him, so God comes to earth incarnate. That's how we can know God. What Jesus said and did...that's God.More toughts tomorrow.....
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Unknowable
2006-05-08 20:32:00
I've been thinking lately how sometimes God seems so unknowable. The great mysterium tremendum. His ways and thoughts so high above our ways, his plans and purposes often veiled from our eyes. We fall so far short of the glory of God how is it possible for us to now him at all? How does an earthen vessel commune with the potter? Sometimes I think I know nothing of any real importance at all when it comes to the realm of spiritual things. I don't even really know what the simplest of commandments "love thy neighbor" actually means in terms of practice, application and implication. There are even times when I don't think I understand what "Jesus loves me this I know" means. After all, we are in a deplorable spiritual state since the fall, damaged at the deepest inner level of our being, no l
The Prayer That's Always Answered
2006-04-28 07:35:00
King Solomon the WiseMaybe you've heard this saying...God answers every prayer. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait. Someone will usually say that to you when you didn't get what you asked for in prayer. Although in a sense this cliche is true I dislike it because I don't think it even comes close to scratching the surface of explaining the complex interaction between God and his children where prayer is concerned.Consider this passage of scripture: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverence. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all wi
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Make Me Brave for LIfe
2006-04-26 09:31:00
This is a prayer I've prayed often. It's one I cherish and have made my own. I share it here in hopes that someone else will make it their own.God, make me brave for life;Oh, braver than this.Let me straighten after pain,as a tree straightens after the rain,shining and lovely again.God, make me brave for life;much braver than this.As the blown grass lifts,let me rise, from sorrow with quiet eyesknowing Thy way is wise.God, make me brave;life brings such blinding things.Help me to keep my sight;Help me to see arightThat out of dark comes light.author unknown
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Prayer Without Words
2006-04-25 18:36:00
Is it possible to pray without using words?? I think so. I think any time we engage in an activity that reflects the image of God in us we pray. Creating, caring, singing, loving all those activities and many others are forms of prayer. Augustine said that "he who sings prays twice".Today I prayed a long time. This morning on my walk I cried out to God and wrestled with some serious faith issues. I've been praying for 12 years for healing for my son. His disability is a heavy burden for him and our whole family. It difficult, it's exhausting and the future could hold some more very, very serious isssues. Does God hear? How can this possibly be something God would allow, even ordain. Will there ever be healing, relief in this life or must we wait for our bliss on the other side of
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, Words
Prayer in Your Own Words
2006-04-24 17:51:00
On one side of the coin we have formal prayer on the other extemperaneous prayer, prayers that you pray in your own words, off the top of your head and from the depths of your heart. This includes things like "converstional prayer" when a group of three or four people will pray aloud together someone beginning with a short prayer and another picking up on that particular thought and then adding something and on it goes back an forth among the participants until there's nothing left to say and someone says Amen. This kind of informal prayer is the heritage of many post-reformation, "low-church" denominations. Baptists, Quakers, Pentecostals, and most Evangelical denominations. It has it's own benefits. Revelance is one, you pray in your own words about the things on your heart, it's extreme
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, Words
Books of Prayers
2006-04-24 07:45:00
It seems like such a simple thing to pray, but somehow it gets pushed side, forgotten, squeezed out by life's demands. Yet, it is the one thing that will feed, strengthen and nurture your inner person making you better equipped to face what life throws at you. Prayer is also the way we gain God's perspective on the situations at hand, helping to make sense out of what often seem like senseless troubles and trials. It is also the time when we can just love HIM, thank him, praise him. It is then we focus on THE GOOD, for he alone is good, and that time in his presence no matter how brief can be enough to counter-act the evil and the ugly we see all around us.To help you get praying I have a few prayer books to suggest. First there's the Book of Common Prayer that Anglicans have been using fo
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How Do You Pray?
2006-04-23 16:43:00
Prayer is at the core of our relationship with God. It's how we communicate and commune with him. More simply stated it's how we talk to God and visit with him. On a grander note it's how we come into the presence of the Almighty Creator of the universe. Do we fall on our knees and tremble, do we stride in boldly, do we chit-chat about our day, vent our frustrations, pour out our heart, sing for joy?? Yes, we do all of these things. But how, in what form or manner, should our prayers be adressed to God?? Some of you come from backgrounds and traditions that emphasize formal prayer. That is "official" prayers written by others that you would pray alone or corporately in public worship. There are many benefits to this type of prayer. First off it gives you an example to follow. This is wha
Some Core Beliefs
2006-04-23 11:47:00
I've chosen the Nicene Creed to represent the core beliefs you'll encounter here. The Nicene Creed of 325 AD is a concise summary of universally held orthodox Chrisitan beliefs. Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, and Protestants should all find common ground in this creed. If you subscribe to the authentic and ancient Christian faith you'll find you agree with with this statement of faith. From this starting point the dialog and sharing can begin! What if you're a seeker, a doubter, or just plain confused? Hang in there, in the coming weeks and months many ideas and issues will be presented to help you seek and find, overcome doubts, and bring into focus your own beliefs.Recently, The Da Vinci Code has brought the Nicene Creed to the forefront of popular culture. It's been taken off t
The moments of our Lives
2008-04-12 19:11:00
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD.
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