Reflection

Our new friends from Iceland have left Fort Mill and gone off to pick up their son from his bible school and then jet out of Orlando for Reykjavik in a few days. Their time with us was terrific; they quickly became dear friends. The door is opening for a good work in Iceland... stay tuned.

This morning...

I'm singing David Ruis' 'Lily of the Valley':

Lily of the valley
Bright and morning star
Fairest of ten thousand
You are

How can I perceive Your beauty?
I long to see Your face
Jesus

Holy lamb of heaven
Perfect son of man
Acquainted with our suffering
Broken for us all

How can I perceive Your mercy?
Help me find Your grace
Jesus

Desire of the nations
The risen coming King
Holding the sceptre of justice
You reign
You reign

How can I perceive Your coming?
May You find faith on the earth
Jesus

More of You and less of me
Jesus

Voice of the Martyrs prayer list

VOM News and Prayer Update: May 22, 2007

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."(Acts 20:24)

LAOS
Seven Families Expelled From Their Homes - VOM Sources
On May 15, government authorities expelled seven of 10 Christian families from their village in Laos, and transported them to another village 12 hours away. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, the authorities told the families, "If you want to continue believing in Jesus' religion, you need to leave this village and go live in a village where there are Christians." The husbands were forced into vehicles while the wives were working in the rice paddies and this has resulted in chaos. The families are separated and are having difficulties adjusting at the new village because their tools, utensils and belongings are at the old village. Pray God gives the families grace and protection as they deal with these hardships. Psalm 91:14-16

INDIA
Attack on Priest and Nun, Services Disrupted, Christians Beaten - VOM Sources
JHARKHAND - On May 14, Reverend George Minj and Sister Teresa Kindo, were attacked in a village near Ranchi as they returned to their parish in the evening after leading prayers in a nearby village. The priest sustained a blood clot in the head and is being kept under observation. Pray for the priest's speedy recovery and for protection as they continue their ministry in the area.

KARNATAKA - On May 13, more than 20 Hindu extremists attacked a worship service in the town of Kushalnagar. The extremists destroyed Bibles, and beat several believers. They told the pastors to stop converting people to Christianity. Pray for protection for Christians in India. Ask God to heal the believers that were beaten. Acts 4:29-30

EGYPT
Christians Attacked - VOM Sources
On May 11, a mob of Muslims attacked Christians in Bahma village south of Cairo after hearing rumors that a church was to be built in the village without government permission. Muslims left their Friday prayers and attacked the homes and shops of Christians, setting the buildings on fire. At least 10 Coptic Christians were injured in the attack. People from both faiths took up sticks and hatchets and began hurling bricks and firebombs at each other. At least 27 houses and shops were damaged by fire. At last report, 59 Muslims have been arrested on charges of arson and spreading sectarian strife. Pray these Christians will be encouraged to worship together, despite opposition. Pray they will demonstrate love to their neighbors. 1 Corinthians 13

Bird flu death in Indonesia

Updated: 9:25 a.m. ET May 23, 2007

JAKARTA, Indonesia - A 5-year-old Indonesian girl from Central Java province has died of bird flu, a health ministry official said on Wednesday.

The girl from Wonogiri died last Thursday after being hospitalized on May 17 suffering from fever and respiratory problems, said Suharda Ningrum of the ministry’s bird flu center.

Authorities were still investigating the case, but at least 20 chickens had died suddenly near her home, the official said.

"One voice York"

This sounds like a neat group, over in York, England:

One Voice is the umbrella organisation of those churches in York who cooperate together in prayer and mission.

One Voice has no membership, just a handful of trustees, but we have become a large network of Church leaders, and leaders of associated ministries, across the denominations and traditions. One Voice's life is rooted in the weekly Wednesday morning prayer meeting – a remarkable group rooted in agreement and relationship rather than tradition or compromise.
One Voice facilitates the building of relationships between Christian leaders and ministries within the city.

One Voice organises events and ministries in the city, branding some to let everyone know that they are open to all.

One Voice was first formed in 1990 to plan a major mission in York, but began to really grow after a weekly prayer meeting was started for Christian leaders in 1999. This prayer meeting has seen substantial growth since 2004 and now has a regular attendance of about 40 Christian leaders.

See their web site here: http://www.onevoiceyork.org.uk/default.asp

Business Week article on bioterrorism

Interesting quotes from the current issue of Business Week:

"If present trends continue, within the next decade or so it appears certain we'll undergo a major biological attack that could kill or injure millions of U.S. citizens. Our centralized distribution networks and global sourcing make us uniquely vulnerable."

"Given the potential size of the threat, what is stopping us from acting to prevent it? One obstacle surely is our collective inability—despite the spinach and pet food contaminations—to admit we are at war and that casualties are inevitable."

Read the article here.

Esusland

There's a story that Iceland got its name from when early Celtic Christian settlers came and moved to Iceland to pray. The ancient Celtic name for Jesus was Esus, and the story is told that they called the island "Esusland" (i.e. Jesusland).

We've got Kolbeinn and his family staying with us this week. Please consider them in your prayers, they are leaders with the Iceland House of Prayer.

First council

It was on this date in 325 AD that the first council of Nicaea took place. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea