Destruction of Mennonite Property in Vietnam

It was recently report that on July 19, 2005 authorities wrecked destruction upon the Vietnam Church center and family home of [currently imprisoned] Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang. Parts that were not included in the court order (that claimed certain sections were build without a permit) were also destroyed.

Mrs. Nguyen Hong Quang and two of her children were home when the devastation by over 200 city officials and workers who also videotaped the desecration of parts of the church and home was done. Mrs. Quan's cell phone communications were blocked and no one was allowed access to her until all the destruction was complete.

The Vietnam Mennonite Church General Office is asking Christian communities across the world to pray and to do everything possible to encourage & support this family, inform the media and raise awareness.
The Reverand Quang who is currently imprisoned has experienced an increasingly poor state of health. This family and church has experienced continuing great oppression and persecution.

Keep this family and church in the forefront of your prayers!

Praying for (our) Persecutors

We know that as Christians we are instructed to pray for those who spitefully persecute us, Richard Wasserfalls article helps explains why. Those of us who support the persecuted church in prayer, must also stand in prayer for those who persecute them and show Christ's love and mercy to ALL.

* Praying for persecutors indelible *

by Richard Wasserfall
Christian Monitor

18-Jul-2005

Quote from the article...

"But Jesus' gospel takes us a revolutionary step further. He asks us to pray for our persecutors, not to stop short just asking God to deal justly with them...."

VOM Persecution Blog Officially Launches

Voice of the Martyr's now has an "official blog" which is only a couple months old. Please visit it to gather current news on the plight of persecuted Christians world-wide.

Quote...

"Christian ministry Voice of the Martyrs has begun a blog to share news and information about Christian persecution around the globe. The purpose of the blog is to call attention to the plight of Christians who are being persecuted for their faith."...

Is the U.S.A Persecution's Final Outpost?

The worldwide rise of Christian persecution has been matched in our own nation by a lesser form of persecution (we call it religious discrimination). Slowly but surely the United States has begun to follow suit after other "so called" civilized nations and the suppression of Christian expression and free speech, the "legal abililty" to speak forth the whole Word, and in some cases even to evangelize is fast becoming more & more squashed by the God Smashers within this very nation..

Is the U.S.A the final outpost of Christian persecution? I believe it is. I'm not saying we will be the last nation standing, far from it. But on this celebration of our country's "independance" I wonder how many more freedoms will have been sacrificed by this time next year in these United States of America?

I thank God for the freedoms I still have, & although at this point every effort to maintain them will be an ever increasing uphill battle, we must continue to press on, hold on... and keep watch over this nation. Because once we as Christians lose our voice in our own backyards, our ability to evangelize the rest of the world will be lost along with it. We will know what persecution is, we have seen it from afar.. but not yet truly felt it but we will soon enough.

For those of us who support and watch over the persecuted church we should possess a greater awareness of what is coming, & I pray that we are as prepared and faithful as the great cloud of witnesses we have seen... as we too may one day (soon) wear the white robes of the martyrd.

The Internet may be the last front of evangelization, so use it well while you are still able... until big brother or the A.C.L.U. or some other God Smasher has put a law in place that pulls the plug on that freedom too.

Happy Fourth of July

&

God Bless America!

The Amazing Grace of Persecuted Christians

I am really floored by the faith and grace and absolutely Christ-likeness I see in some of the testimonies of persecuted Christians in third world countries.

A picture is worth a thousand words and this months Voice of the Martyr's has a special photo section. So many beautiful pictures of the persecuted and oppressed, but something on the last page really spoke volumes... saving the best for last (or maybe the worst depending on your perspective)... there was a photo of a young man with his arms raised in praise and the light of Christ was just emanating from his smile. I say arms, because he no longer has hands or wrists to raise in praise. Many would rather not look upon and "see" the terrible evidence of persecution.. it is real and it is absolutely devastating. I think this is the reason many Christians seem to avoid the issue, sort of pushing it to the back of their minds as if it really is not such a big deal.

It is hard sometimes to look at the desecration done to these faithful witnesses, but looking past and into their spirit we see that all is still well with their soul... & oh how beautiful these faithful ones must look to the Lord who sees straight into the heart!

Fairness & Accountability in Broadcasting Act - NOT!

You must inform yourself about the ramifications of Bill HR 501 -
"The Fairness and Accountabilty in Broadcasting Act" which is a ferocious wolf in sheep's clothing (Fair in name only) that can bring freedom of religious expression on the airwaves (TV & Radio) in the USA to a crippling halt in a matter of a few short weeks. I am hardly "crying wolf here" there is a dangerous and looming reality of the negative impact such an act would have on Christian broadcasting across this country. Christian radio and television broadcasting as we know it would cease to exist.

This act was originally introduced and approved back when radio and television broadcasts and stations were very few (1950's) and intended to ensure variety in programming for that time (way before we had literally hundreds of stations to chose from as we do today) and was later repealed in 1987 by the FCC who said it "violates the First Amendment and contravenes the public interest."

The literal results of having this bill passed would be any ordinary citizen (or group) could file a complaint calling to have a stations license revoked because they were not providing (counter programming of an equal viewpoint) for every single program the station airs.

That means that a Christian station broadcasting a pro-life view program would have to air a pro-choice program, and on and on. If they did not and someone (any individual) complained that they were violating the act by not doing so, the individual could file a complaint to have the station investigated and it's license revoked. At that point the station would have to comply, in some manner.

A sermon on the gospel could literally require a counter speech broadcast on the truths of atheism, paganism, etc... Station managers not wanting to compromise their station or ministry integrity will most likely chose to air neither type of program.

This is a pandora's box and once opened the A.C.L.U and any other individual or organization desiring to remove God from the public square can use this option to intimidate, oppose and legally cripple every radio station and television broadcast station that airs Christian programming and not counter views along with them.

Who is in control here, certainly not the individual radio or tv station to decide what they broadcast. The intent of this Bill introduced by NY Louise Slaughter is clearly the liberals design to shut down the opposing voice of the Christian right and if passed it literally does have the power to do it!

http://www.theorator.com/bills109/hr501.html

Keep on top of the status of this bill, and if you oppose it... then contact your representatives now, before it is too late to do so.

Schiavo findings don't justify 'cruel death'

Some quotes...

"No amount of brain injury ever justifies denying a person proper humane care," Pavone said. "That includes food and water." ...

"There are those who will use this autopsy report to claim that the death by dehydration imposed on Terri Schiavo was compassionate or merciful," she continued. "Others would say such a life is not worth living. Such thinking is misguided and absolutely wrong. Those decisions are not ours to make." ...

Effects of Uprooting Zimbabwe's Lower Class

There is a serious human rights issue effectings the lives of Zimbabwe's neediest citizens and it needs global attention! I hope the nations rise to the defense of (and find a way to help deliver) these people from these circumstances. People are not trash, and this is a travesty.

* Zimbabwe's 'Cleanup' Takes a Vast Human Toll

By MICHAEL WINES
Published: June 11, 2005

A Quote From the NY Times Article..

"The United Nations estimates that the campaign, Operation Murambatsvina, using a Shona word meaning "drive out the rubbish," has so far left 200,000 people homeless and 30,000 vendors jobless. Human rights and civic leaders say the numbers could be several times that,..."

~

Please join me in praying for those who are now homeless...

~

Father, In the name of Jesus Christ...

~

We stand before your holy throne of grace

and are standing in the gap

for the poor and needy of Zimbabwe,

many who have been cast from their homes

and driven out of their towns and neighborhoods.

~

Send in missions and relief organizations

to care for and find ways to help them.

Deliver them from this terrible plight!

~

Give them a spirit of hope and

let them have opportunity to hear &

receive Your Word into their hearts,

and all Your promises that follow.

~

Father, Restore the cold hearts of stone

who have shown them no mercy

back into repentant hearts of flesh.

Forgive those who have mercilessly treated them,

for truly they do not know what they do.

~

Lord, we trust that your hand is on this situation

and on this people and Your will shall be done.

~

In the name of Jesus, we give thanks and praise!

Amen

Creating and destroying life all in the name of research

The war to protect the unborn battles on, in this case bills to allow unlimited government funding of embryonic stem cell research. Passing those type of bills woul be great news for biotech firms who will use most of this money for other research and purposes (why they are pushing for it in the first place) as it has been proven and scientifically documented that adult stem cell and umbilical stems cells are much much more effective in researching and finding actual cures to diseases than embryonic cells.

Create a life to end one? This premise does not fly with me. The logic of secular humanism can add 2 + 2 and can "create" any desired result they want ... though in most cases it will not be a morally or ethically sound outcome.

Do some research about the difference and effectiveness of adult stem cell vs. embryonic before you even think to stand behind bills like these.

House Defies Bush, Approves Stem Cell Bill

Should Parents be Licensed?

Albert Mohler - Author
Speaker, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Thursday, April 28, 2005

Should Parents Be Licensed? An Ominous New Debate

Limiting reproductive rights (to have children) & parental authority are on the secular horizon of this nation IF secular ethicists and philosophers have their way... I found this article both astounding and disturbing.

Article based on the article moral, spiritual and ethical issues surrounding the idea of "Should Parents be Licensed?" The origins of the idea of this state based system were formed by Hugh LaFollette, who wrote the 1980 volume, Licensing Parents.

All I can say is... "Oh brother, big brother! What next, pray tell?" We have seen the terrible fruits of state controlled reproduction in nations like China.

Proclaim it in the Light!

Matthew 10:27-28 (NKJV)
27 "Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

God Will turn your Darkness into Light!

I heard an uplifting and very encouraging teaching given by Charles Stanley that can help both those undergoing persecution in it's many forms, and those who are their champions and protectors. Going through trials can be a great blessing, but we need to understand the conditions that are needed in order for that to occur...

~

My Notes from...

Charles Stanley's Sermon

"Walking with God through the Dark Times"

!
* God will turn your darkness into Light!
~
The unsaved are walking in darkness.

~

Those who are saved (born-again) will oftentimes find themselves

walking thru darkness.
~
.... The difference will be IF God is in your life!
~
The story of Joseph was used as an example of how God can use
the dark times for good, if one remains obedient and faithful.

~
* Six Main Points *

~

God will never leave you or forsake you

(even in the dark times).

~

God has a specific purpose for your life & ALL things
can work for the good of those who love God.

~

The darkness will last as long as is necessary for God to

accomplish His purpose.

~

We learn more in the darkness than in the light.

~
Even in dark times we are still walking

(moving) toward the light.

~
IF I refuse to follow the light which is before me,

I will remain wandering about in the darkness.

~

* Witnessing Application *

~

Share what you have learned through your

experience in the darkness with those themselves

who are currently walking through it.

Stop the Suffering!

Revelation 7:17 (NKJV)
17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Unborn Babies Do feel Pain!

I wan't to discuss some aspects & my own perspective of the
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2005
(Introduced in Senate, 1/24/05)

Here is a "new term" you might want to take note of...
* Pain Capable Unborn Child

An Important Note...
It is acknowledged (as in no disagreement within the scientific community) that unborn children (fetal age) *20 weeks and older do experience considerable pain in any of the available abortion procedures. In fact, much more so than a newborn would because of the thinness of the babies skin at that stage of development.
~
*Although there is debate on what age their ability to feel pain first develops, some doctors claim perhaps as early as seven weeks - to some limited degree.

In trying to do some additional research and see what kind of updates to this were out on the web I see that there are some Christian groups that have an extreme and skewed perception of this bill which is intended to "at least" eliminate the pain of abortion. These groups are classifying it as a "death regulation" and say that the bill itself should be condemned.

That makes no sense to me?

Abortion is legal and in this secular world I don't think we will as Christians be able to totally wipe it from the face of the earth from a "legal" perspective, certainly not in the near future. We have to gain small victories and begin to gain footholds that will lead to the tearing down of walls.. before we will ever come close to winning the war on abortion.

We may make great strides and eliminate abortion in it's most gruesome forms (Partial birth abortion) and we may work to educate the culture and awaken many to the true value of life and reduce the amount of abortions significantly - but with the increasing secularization and pro-death attitude of nations (not just the U.S. but worldwide) that are increasing at a rapid pace, the secular world will probably never allow for the complete reversal and totaly illegalization of "all forms" of abortion.

Yes, I do know that all things are possible with God, but we have to acknowledge the times we are living in and keep that in perspective. So for now, we press on. Our goal is for good, to completely eliminate evil. We shouldn't lose sight of that. But, we can only accomplish this by taking things one step at a time.

I support the passing of this act. I think every pro-life supporter and woman who may be chosing abortion (as an option) read about the act and learn the truths of abortion. The wonderful thing about this act is that no one is in disagreement over the scientific findings here, so there should be no argument and cries of bias as we often have in the debate over abortion.

Unborn babies certainly do feel pain, abortion results in death, and the procedures can cause excruciating pain and suffering. We can not sweep that fact under the carpet, no matter what side of the fence we happen to be standing on.

~

I hate abortion, and would like to see it eliminated in all forms. But, if some form of "mercy" can be interjected into this awful procedure, then let it be for the sake of those unborn babies.

~

I have full belief these children go straight to the arms of Jesus, even though their physical lives and future potential have been cut-off ... Still, It would be better to leave their mother's womb and this earthly world in some semblance of peace, rather than screaming and in terrible pain. After living for almost 18 years with the chronic pain of Fibromyalgia I have great empathy for those who are or would suffer from such. It was one of the reasons I took a strong stand on the starvation and dehydration of Terri Schiavo. We are living in a world where mercy is becoming increasing extinct, or it's definition corrupted.

~~

I ask that we not forsake mercy (as expressed in the Bible) and do not shoot ourselves in the Pro-life foot just because this act still allows for abortion itself. It is a step in the right direction, although it may not eliminate the evil of abortion.. It can still open up doors that will lead to the preservation of human life!

~

Knowing that their child will feel great pain during this procedure, many women will opt out of the choice of death for their child completely. Once women begin to see that child growing in their wombs as a developing human being - A baby who can and does feel pain, it will make the difference in the way they perceive (him/her) and many lives will be saved. Just as the addition of ultra-sound machines at pregnancy crisis centers are also making in-roads and saving lives, as we speak.

~~

I hope you will thoroughly reseach this issue and try to keep a "big picture" perspective on the potential for good (not only mercy for the unborn, but the opening of eyes that are blind to the gruesome truths of abortion) that the passing of this act can represent. We have a choice, stand completely against it and let the unborn continue to suffer excruciating deaths, or support it. Anyway, that is my perspective.

~~

I am standing on the side of life, and I do support the passing of the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.

Prayer over North Korea

Father in the name I Jesus,
I come before Your holy throne of grace and ask that
You place a spiritual restraint over the governments and
military forces within North Korea.

I ask that You break the strong bond of the false religion
and spirit of communism that holds this country under
Satan's bondage.

I ask that Your holy spirit move like a river over it's people
and open their hearts to You.

I ask that the light of Christ be shone brightly in your
believers who are there as witnesses and undergoing
great persecution and trials and that they preach
Your Word and that it will be heard
against all odds.

May every obstacle that prohibits evangelization
be broken down and let the holy spirit
flow through the cities and towns
and countryside.

Set a hedge of protection around those nations
surrounding this country and let no effort of evil
by the North Korean government prosper.

Give strength to it's peoples,

protect and bless the children.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

North Korea Religious Cults

North Korea is a fascinating example of how a leader diefied himself and his successor and outlawed all other religions.

~

If you look at North Korea you will see a country where a man (set himself up as a God to be worshipped, as well as his son) Kim Il-sung, the deified 'Eternal President' of North Korea, who died in July 1994.. + now his son current President Kim Jong-il.

~

Both must be worshipped and "images/statures" of the diefied leader are found all over the nation and all other religion is prohibited. And anyone who reads the news should know how dangerous and satan controlled this particular leader is.

* Information on North Korea's Religious Cults

Eastern Lightning Cult - Threat to China House Church Movement

~ Study on the Eastern Lightning Cult ~

~`~

I am starting to do some research on a dangerous religious cult in China called "Eastern Lightning" that has worked to persecute the church in China, especially members of the house church movement and those in rural areas who are not well educated in the Word.

~

This cult developed in the early 1990's. Both it's leader and members are the proverbial wolves in sheeps clothing - tricking the elect (targeting Christians) into joining, then brainwashing them with their false doctrines, and holding them there through torture, and threats of death. Chinese Christians say that being abducted by this cult is much worse experience than being taken prisoner by the Communists. Many Christians who escape the cult are greatly wounded in both body and spirit from the experience.

~
"Lightning" is a chinese woman who claims to be Jesus Christ returned to earth. You must believe in and follow her and her doctrines to acquire salvation. They believe the church is in the third age there is "only judgement and punishment, without any grace." Strict obedience is required in order to avoid eternal damnation.

~

* Basic info on the Eastern Lightning Cult

http://www.imb.org/easia/classroom/religion/eastlight.html

~

* A Quote from...

http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/housechu/lightning.htm

"This new cult in China is extremely vicious. If you join and try to leave, they will beat you, maim you, and eventually try to kill you. It is now obvious why the Chinese government has concerns about alleged Christian cults. They government, not being made up of men with the slightest understanding of Christian truth, is treating all Christian groups with suspicion. You will understand why here. If you are a Chinese Christian, or looking into the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, STAY AWAY FROM EASTERN LIGHTNING. They are deadly"

~

* If anyone else has done research on this cult, let me know! .. The basic information I have found out on the net is over two years old, though brief mentions of the cult activity effecting the persecuted church are more recent.

It's Really all about... Life!

~

** It's been a few day's since I posted here.

My P.C. had a breakdown,

but God willing it is back to life... for now.

That's what it really is all about, isn't it?

~

Life...
You do know that it's a gift? It springs into being as if by magic and then somewhere down the road the flame is estinguished and the body is no more, but the Spirit lives on... Eternally.

Life...
It mean so many things to people, so much to some and so very little to others. Some hold human life dear, Others embrace the "planet", while there are those who make animals and their rights a priority and pour out the whole of themselves themselves into protecting them.

~

~

Oh, how Jesus loved the little children!

He blessed them, you know? He said we must be as they are, in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. But, many men do not feel the same, and give little thought to slaughtering the unborn, abusing & preying upon the helpless & innocent - those who have little or perhaps, no voice at all.

Persecution can occur at any time during life's journey. Those who defile and persecute attach little or no value to human life and completely misunderstand it's true purpose. But we will always be God's children, from the moment of conception, from the cradle to the grave... and all of eternity.

God created life, and gave it purpose. And He gave us purpose. He knew us long before the womb. Our value to Him is beyond measure and human understanding. My prayer for all is that we all learn to know the heart of God so extremely well that we can truly understand and grasp what life (in all it's forms) is all about, and how much we should cherish it.. and fight for it. That we be able to put things in the right priority and perspective, according to His Word.

All, in the name of Jesus.

~

** I dedicate this post to the memory of Terri Schiavo.

Have a blessed Easter Sunday!

~
May God bless you, the Holy Spirit fill you &
His peace encompass both you & your families
on this blessed Resurrection Sunday!

~

- "He is Risen!"

Luke 24:5-7 (NKJV)
5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."
~

Resurrection Sunday - Day "10" for Terri??

As the legal storms continue to battle, Terri loses more and more of her grip on this life. Today is the sixth day of dehydration and starvation, at this point most patients begin a swift decline into a physical oblivion that results in the cessation of a life, as they knew it. Part of me thinks (along with many other's at this time) that God has decided enough is enough, & this time Terri will not be saved through the intervention of man and the courts. It's not that "we" have given up, it's just that now we have given this over fully to God and have seen how man continues to reject His will in this area. Extreme spiritual corruption of our courts, judges with blinded hearts who are rejecting all moral and ethical past "truths" and inventing new insidious ones to replace them. This thinking reminds me of Nazism and it's inhumane view of life and treatment of it, more and more. This is torture, there is suffering here...

Terri Schiavo has become more than a woman, more than a standard to fight for.. she is an enigma. Through her suffering and affliction the world has seen in an ever clearer light the true spiritual polarization in this nation, which lags not too far behind the rest of the world in it's beliefs and practices. We are at the end of an era, I feel that. If Terri Schiavo's tragic saga began today, and not years ago... I doubt we would ever have known her.

What a joyous day, Easter Sunday.. or Resurrection Sunday as many of us evangelicals refer to it. Yet my desire to rejoice and praise is overshadowed by this terrible spiritual darkness that is growing thicker over Terri and her family. Can you feel it too? It is much more than irony that this is occurring during the most holy of weeks we followers of Christ partake in. If Terri is somehow still alive, and has been redeemed for a time longer.. this coming Sunday when receiving communion, remember Terri, along with the sacrifice that Christ made for her on the cross at Calvary. Think back on what occurred later... the empty tomb, and the words the angels spoke... Remember Mary "thinking" she was speaking to the gardener and finding it was her risen Saviour instead!

Chocolate bunnies, baskets and ham dinners are no substition for those scriptural memories etched forever upon our. Terri Schiavo won't be partaking in the, she won't be receiving communion in memory... where will Terri be this coming Resurrection Sunday? Right now... only God knows for sure. Kept Terri and her family in your prayers, and hide them deep within your hearts on that glorious day. Because, this will be a Resurrection Sunday we will not likely be able to ever forget. May your tears be mixed with praise.

Take care & God bless!