Saturday, March 10, 2007
Prayerwalk part 1
This morning we had 8 people come together to prayerwalk in the Optimist Park area for the 24-7 Justice Project. It went really well from my perspective. The agenda was to walk through the neighborhood and stop to pray for the congregations in the neighborhood, which included: a Methodist Church, a Roman Catholic retreat center, an Episcopal Church, a Pentecostal church and a Baptist church. It was amazing to see such a diverse concentration of fellowships with leadership and representation in a relatively small arena. We prayed for blessing, that the Son of God would make Himself known to His saints... and for strength and provision for the mission they carry.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Voice of the Martyrs prayer update
VOM News and Prayer Update: March 6, 2007
"As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”"(Job 37: 23-24)
UZBEKISTAN
Church Raided; Literature Confiscated - VOM SourcesVOM sources report police burst into a church in Qarshi ("Karshy") on February 25, 2007, confiscated literature and demanded to know who was funding the church. Police also brought video cameras to video tape the worship service. When police started to film, Pastor Sergei Shandyvayev did not panic, but simply continued the worship service. After the service finished, the officers shut the doors and began to question the believers gathered there, especially asking why they had become Christians. Pastor Shandyvayev's church is not registered with the Uzbek government. The Christians expected to be summoned to court for a hearing. Pray God gives Christians in this area wisdom and protection as they face persecution. Pray they might even have opportunities to witness to police and court officers as they are questioned. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
Update on Pastor Dmitry Shestakov - VOM SourcesOn March 1, 2007, the hearing of Pastor Shestakov's case continued in an Uzbek courthouse. He is still in prison awaiting sentencing. VOM sources reported, "The Uzbek judicial system tried to preclude David's defense attorney from the case, but he still took the case and is defending him in court." Shestakov was arrested in a raid on his registered Full Gospel Church during Sunday worship services on January 21. He was charged with operating an illegal religious organization, inciting religious hatred and distributing materials promoting religious extremism. Pray God protects and comforts Pastor Shestakov and his family while he is in prison. Ask for the charges against him to be dropped. Psalm 5:11-12
CHINA
Update on Elderly Mother of House Church Leader - China Aid AssociationOn February 26, Beijing house-church leader Hui Huiqi's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, was sentenced to two years in prison by Beijing Chongwen District People's Court. She was charged with willfully damaging public and private property. In January, Hui Huiqi and his elderly mother were attacked by police officers while they were walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. Shuang Shuying was arrested when she sought information from the Chongwen District Office about her son, who was arrested on January 26. Continue to pray for this family as both mother and son are in prison. Ask God to comfort and protect them. I Peter 5:10-11
INDIA
Continued Persecution of Christians in India - VOM Sources
Maharashtra: A local house-church pastor has been falsely accused of forcibly trying to convert a villager. A few months ago a villager asked the pastor to pray for her mentally handicapped daughter. For more than three months, the villager attended Sunday worship services conducted by the pastor and when the daughter's condition did not improve, she falsely accused the pastor of pressuring her to convert to Christianity. The pastor is living in fear of imminent arrest. Pray for wisdom and protection for this pastor, his family and believers in this area. Ask that these false charges do not result in the pastor's arrest. Isaiah 49:13
Himachal Pradesh: It has been reported that more than 100 Christian converts have been forced to return to Hinduism under the new Himachal Pradesh Anti-Conversion Law passed on February 19, 2007. VOM sources report the law has emboldened Hindu radicals to launch an anti-Christian campaign. Christians are coerced and forced to renounce their Christianity and embrace Hinduism. Pray God's protection for believers in this area. Revelation 2:10
"As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”"(Job 37: 23-24)
UZBEKISTAN
Church Raided; Literature Confiscated - VOM SourcesVOM sources report police burst into a church in Qarshi ("Karshy") on February 25, 2007, confiscated literature and demanded to know who was funding the church. Police also brought video cameras to video tape the worship service. When police started to film, Pastor Sergei Shandyvayev did not panic, but simply continued the worship service. After the service finished, the officers shut the doors and began to question the believers gathered there, especially asking why they had become Christians. Pastor Shandyvayev's church is not registered with the Uzbek government. The Christians expected to be summoned to court for a hearing. Pray God gives Christians in this area wisdom and protection as they face persecution. Pray they might even have opportunities to witness to police and court officers as they are questioned. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
Update on Pastor Dmitry Shestakov - VOM SourcesOn March 1, 2007, the hearing of Pastor Shestakov's case continued in an Uzbek courthouse. He is still in prison awaiting sentencing. VOM sources reported, "The Uzbek judicial system tried to preclude David's defense attorney from the case, but he still took the case and is defending him in court." Shestakov was arrested in a raid on his registered Full Gospel Church during Sunday worship services on January 21. He was charged with operating an illegal religious organization, inciting religious hatred and distributing materials promoting religious extremism. Pray God protects and comforts Pastor Shestakov and his family while he is in prison. Ask for the charges against him to be dropped. Psalm 5:11-12
CHINA
Update on Elderly Mother of House Church Leader - China Aid AssociationOn February 26, Beijing house-church leader Hui Huiqi's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, was sentenced to two years in prison by Beijing Chongwen District People's Court. She was charged with willfully damaging public and private property. In January, Hui Huiqi and his elderly mother were attacked by police officers while they were walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. Shuang Shuying was arrested when she sought information from the Chongwen District Office about her son, who was arrested on January 26. Continue to pray for this family as both mother and son are in prison. Ask God to comfort and protect them. I Peter 5:10-11
INDIA
Continued Persecution of Christians in India - VOM Sources
Maharashtra: A local house-church pastor has been falsely accused of forcibly trying to convert a villager. A few months ago a villager asked the pastor to pray for her mentally handicapped daughter. For more than three months, the villager attended Sunday worship services conducted by the pastor and when the daughter's condition did not improve, she falsely accused the pastor of pressuring her to convert to Christianity. The pastor is living in fear of imminent arrest. Pray for wisdom and protection for this pastor, his family and believers in this area. Ask that these false charges do not result in the pastor's arrest. Isaiah 49:13
Himachal Pradesh: It has been reported that more than 100 Christian converts have been forced to return to Hinduism under the new Himachal Pradesh Anti-Conversion Law passed on February 19, 2007. VOM sources report the law has emboldened Hindu radicals to launch an anti-Christian campaign. Christians are coerced and forced to renounce their Christianity and embrace Hinduism. Pray God's protection for believers in this area. Revelation 2:10
Charlotte Observer article on old PTL tower
Here is an excerpt from yesterday's Charlotte Observer:
A plan to renovate the old PTL tower is being met with skepticism by neighbors and the York County Council despite assurances by its owner that it will one day become a boon to the neighborhood.
MorningStar Fellowship Church, which owns the tower near Fort Mill, says it will invest $50 million, transforming it into homes possibly for people 50 and older with about 250 units. Most of the details, including whether units would be for sale or rent, have yet to be worked out.
The church appeared before the council Monday in a successful attempt to get an extra three months to file a request that would allow the building to stand.
Read the entire article here.
A plan to renovate the old PTL tower is being met with skepticism by neighbors and the York County Council despite assurances by its owner that it will one day become a boon to the neighborhood.
MorningStar Fellowship Church, which owns the tower near Fort Mill, says it will invest $50 million, transforming it into homes possibly for people 50 and older with about 250 units. Most of the details, including whether units would be for sale or rent, have yet to be worked out.
The church appeared before the council Monday in a successful attempt to get an extra three months to file a request that would allow the building to stand.
Read the entire article here.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Third rule at AHOP
My friends at the Austin House of Prayer are implementing a "third rule" which is explained on this page of their web site.
They offer the following explanation:
Throughout the history of the church to the present day, communities of believers who have found themselves with a common call and mandate have formed orders, monasteries, convents, and similar institutions. While these communities have differed in many aspects such as the location, time, focus, and origin, one thing they have held in common has been “the rule” – a common commitment that members adopted upon joining the community. The characteristics of good rules are that they are simple, practical, and inspiring. Examples of communities who have lived by a rule include the Franciscans, who from the 13th century until today have devoted themselves to simplicity of life and good works to the poor; the Moravians, who in the 18th century gave themselves to continuous prayer and missionary activities; and the present day community of Taizé, dedicated to reconciliation, prayer, and serving youth throughout the world.
Feel free to discuss the merits and liabilities of this decision via comments for this entry.
They offer the following explanation:
Throughout the history of the church to the present day, communities of believers who have found themselves with a common call and mandate have formed orders, monasteries, convents, and similar institutions. While these communities have differed in many aspects such as the location, time, focus, and origin, one thing they have held in common has been “the rule” – a common commitment that members adopted upon joining the community. The characteristics of good rules are that they are simple, practical, and inspiring. Examples of communities who have lived by a rule include the Franciscans, who from the 13th century until today have devoted themselves to simplicity of life and good works to the poor; the Moravians, who in the 18th century gave themselves to continuous prayer and missionary activities; and the present day community of Taizé, dedicated to reconciliation, prayer, and serving youth throughout the world.
Feel free to discuss the merits and liabilities of this decision via comments for this entry.
Brian Doerksen videos
Brian Doerksen is one of my favorite worship leaders... find a few video interviews with him on this page. Enjoy!
Richmond house of prayer
A contingent of leaders from the Richmond IHOP is coming down to ZHOP conference on March 16-18... here is the new design of their tshirts!: 
Buy them here.
Buy them here.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Teaching on healing
I received the following update from the healing rooms over a St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Charlotte:
We have initiated a class in which we will be highlighting the life of specific leaders and pioneers of the ministry of healing. This class will last about 6 months and will be heldaround 6:00 PM every thursday night. We are teaching this class to stir and encourage the faith of the volunteers and anyone else who comes. This past Thursday we shared on the life of Pastor Johannes Christoph Blumhardt, who had a very successful healing home in Germany for about 35 years called the Kurhaus Healing Center where at one time housed 150 invalids. Blumhardt had one of the first healing homes and was an example to others that followed his footsteps including Dorothea Trudel whose life we will be sharing about next Thursday, 03/08/2007.
Some of the people we will be sharing about are: Dorothea Trudel, Otto Stockmeyer, Charles Cullus, A.B. Simpson, Sara Ann Freeman, Carrie Judd Montgomery, Charles Parham, John G. Lake, Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Price, Oral Roberts, Jack Coe, A.A. Allen, and others.Anyone is welcome to attend these sessions.
We have initiated a class in which we will be highlighting the life of specific leaders and pioneers of the ministry of healing. This class will last about 6 months and will be heldaround 6:00 PM every thursday night. We are teaching this class to stir and encourage the faith of the volunteers and anyone else who comes. This past Thursday we shared on the life of Pastor Johannes Christoph Blumhardt, who had a very successful healing home in Germany for about 35 years called the Kurhaus Healing Center where at one time housed 150 invalids. Blumhardt had one of the first healing homes and was an example to others that followed his footsteps including Dorothea Trudel whose life we will be sharing about next Thursday, 03/08/2007.
Some of the people we will be sharing about are: Dorothea Trudel, Otto Stockmeyer, Charles Cullus, A.B. Simpson, Sara Ann Freeman, Carrie Judd Montgomery, Charles Parham, John G. Lake, Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Price, Oral Roberts, Jack Coe, A.A. Allen, and others.Anyone is welcome to attend these sessions.
KTC registration
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
The schedule for ZHOP's conference on March 16-18 (Keeping the Charge) is now online... check it out here.
Plan for Regent Park highrise renovation
The Fort Mill Herald has a front page article on the proceedings from last night's rezoning meeting that addresses MorningStar's plans to renovate the 21-story highrise (which is viewable from my bedroom and my backyard). The article states:
The owners of the former Heritage USA tower will get 90 more days to show the county just how they plan to renovate the 21-story building, after the York County Council voted to defer MorningStar Ministries' rezoning application Monday night.
MorningStar will have to show details about how many people would live in the building, how MorningStar would pay for the renovations, which roads people would use to get to the tower and a timetable for the entire project.
Read the entire article here.
The owners of the former Heritage USA tower will get 90 more days to show the county just how they plan to renovate the 21-story building, after the York County Council voted to defer MorningStar Ministries' rezoning application Monday night.
MorningStar will have to show details about how many people would live in the building, how MorningStar would pay for the renovations, which roads people would use to get to the tower and a timetable for the entire project.
Read the entire article here.
Prayerwalk this Saturday AM
For those interested in participating, we are having a prayerwalk this Saturday morning for Optimist Park. Meet at the 24-7 room at 9AM on Saturday...
Monday, March 5, 2007
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Riots in Denmark
From CNN:
More than 30 people were arrested near the Christiania hippie enclave after protesters built barricades on a major street and set them on fire around 3 a.m. (0200GMT,) police said.
In all, 643 people have been arrested, including 140 foreigners from Europe and the United States, since the clashes started Thursday. They included 20 Swedes, 20 Norwegians and 25 Germans, police said.
The riots began when an anti-terror squad evicted squatters from the so-called "Youth House," a graffiti-sprayed, red-brick building that for years has served as a popular cultural center for anarchists, punk rockers and left-wing groups.
Dozens of leftist sympathizers from neighboring countries joined the protests, which many saw as symbolic of a wider struggle against a capitalist establishment.
One protester was reportedly wounded in the violence early Saturday, while 25 people were injured the night before as angry youth hurled cobblestones at riot police who responded with tear gas. The street violence was Denmark's worst in 14 years.
Read more here.
Inauguration day
I just read: It was on this day in 1789 that the U.S. Constitution went into effect, and so it was that this day was chosen as the original Inauguration Day. Just about every president from Washington to Roosevelt was inaugurated on this day.
I'm going over to St. Giles Presbyterian this AM to make an annoucement during the morning worship service about the 'Keeping the Charge' conference at ZHOP in 2 weeks...
I'm going over to St. Giles Presbyterian this AM to make an annoucement during the morning worship service about the 'Keeping the Charge' conference at ZHOP in 2 weeks...
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