Check it out, read more here.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Special alert from Voice of the Martyrs
Just got this in from Stacy at the VOM offices:
Yesterday there was a press conference at the National Press Club
in Washington D.C., concerning the situation with Son Jong Hoon's
brother. Senator Sam Brownback and representatives from VOM
attended the Press Conference. The following is part of the press
release from yesterday:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Son Jong Hoon, who is visiting the United States
from his home in South Korea, today pleaded with the world to
pressure North Korea to release his elder brother awaiting public
execution for the crime of simply being a Christian. For more than
a year, Son Jong Nam, former North Korean Army officer turned
underground evangelist, has been beaten, tortured and held in a
bleak, North Korean death row basement jail in this capital city.
He has been sentenced to public execution as an example to the
North Korean people.
. . .
VOM was been joined in the initiative by Brownback, a noted
supporter of human rights for North Korean refugees. Brownback sent
letters last week, also signed by Senators Baucus (D-Mont.), Durbin
(D-Ill.), Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Vitter (R-La.) asking U.S. Secretary
of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice and U.N. Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon to work to secure the release of the Christian prisoner.
VOM is directing people go to its web site, www.prisoneralert.com,
where they can compose a personal letter of support and
encouragement to Son. The letter is to be mailed to the North
Korean delegation to the United Nations, along with a cover letter
asking the North Korean government to spare Son's life, release him
from prison immediately, report on his current status and deliver
the personal letter to Son. "We are asking for prayers for Mr. Son,
but also that people around the world take action on his behalf,"
said Todd Nettleton, director of media development for VOM. "Jesus
said ministering to a prisoner was like ministering to Himself.
Every letter and email can make a difference."
To learn more about this situation please click here to visit the
website set up specifically for this.
Yesterday there was a press conference at the National Press Club
in Washington D.C., concerning the situation with Son Jong Hoon's
brother. Senator Sam Brownback and representatives from VOM
attended the Press Conference. The following is part of the press
release from yesterday:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Son Jong Hoon, who is visiting the United States
from his home in South Korea, today pleaded with the world to
pressure North Korea to release his elder brother awaiting public
execution for the crime of simply being a Christian. For more than
a year, Son Jong Nam, former North Korean Army officer turned
underground evangelist, has been beaten, tortured and held in a
bleak, North Korean death row basement jail in this capital city.
He has been sentenced to public execution as an example to the
North Korean people.
. . .
VOM was been joined in the initiative by Brownback, a noted
supporter of human rights for North Korean refugees. Brownback sent
letters last week, also signed by Senators Baucus (D-Mont.), Durbin
(D-Ill.), Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Vitter (R-La.) asking U.S. Secretary
of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice and U.N. Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon to work to secure the release of the Christian prisoner.
VOM is directing people go to its web site, www.prisoneralert.com,
where they can compose a personal letter of support and
encouragement to Son. The letter is to be mailed to the North
Korean delegation to the United Nations, along with a cover letter
asking the North Korean government to spare Son's life, release him
from prison immediately, report on his current status and deliver
the personal letter to Son. "We are asking for prayers for Mr. Son,
but also that people around the world take action on his behalf,"
said Todd Nettleton, director of media development for VOM. "Jesus
said ministering to a prisoner was like ministering to Himself.
Every letter and email can make a difference."
To learn more about this situation please click here to visit the
website set up specifically for this.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Sober days
This is a season where I feel sobriety in the midst of an invitation God is giving His church. These truly are days to draw close to the Lord and "know" Him, to continue to discover Him. Not that this attitude should ever end... I just have a distinct sense that these, for me anyway, are days to consecrate myself and draw near. And to not do so would be truly to suffer loss in the bigger picture. We will never pass this way again. The world will shortly appear to not be as safe as it presently appears to be. The masses of humanity are about to dramatically either start running more hotly in pursuit of God, or more chaotically away from Him. God is saying He wants His people to be prepared for the days when many will be looking for answers from those who know Him. Its a moment to draw near, to walk in a love relationship for real.
Song of Solomon, chapter 6:
Song of Solomon, chapter 6:
Who is this that appears like the dawn,
fair as the moon, bright as the sun,
majestic as the stars in procession?
fair as the moon, bright as the sun,
majestic as the stars in procession?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Psalm 66:1
This is what the LORD says:
"Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?"
"Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?"
Monday, July 9, 2007
July, 2003
I found the following writing I did back while blogging in July of 2003:
I was asking the Lord if He would confirm to me yesterday (on 7/24) that we are on track and in His grace in pursuing night and day prayer in Charlotte, (i.e. 7 days a week, 24 hours a day). Nothing seemed to happen (though it was a really good day of fellowship with Him) until I was watching the Weather Channel last night and they flashed a statistic that for the month of July we have officially received 7.24 inches of rain. It may not mean anything to anyone else, but I'll let smarter minds wrestle with such "coincedences". As for me and my house, we are going for it.
Deuteronomy 34:10 says that "the Lord knew Moses". On the surface it may sound like an understatement, but this is life-changing in what it actually depicts. It is about a man who would bare himself before God rather than hiding Himself. I believe that Moses was a man who, for example, would talk to God about his day, about what he (Moses) like and did not like... not in a pushy, demanding way. But as a friend speaks to a friend. And God loved it. He loves it when any human being will walk with him day to day in a conscious manner. We have as much of Him in our lives as we want. Through Jesus we are entirely reconciled with God and He is waiting to be wanted even by those who presently will inherit salvation.
Years ago a friend asked to have lunch with me. He was a man I loved and respected and he asked me for help with something that surprised me. He said that He wanted to know God better and thought that I could help him. I know I missed the boat in my response, fumbling for words and pulling back. It strained our relationship because I was unsure of how and if I should presume to help him. Its interesting how a 20 minute talk with someone can resurface during ensuing events and quiet moments. I've thought about this talk every once in a while in the 10 years since this happened and asked God to help me help others if this ever comes up again. I know I missed God's working, big-time.
In chapter one of Interior Castle, Teresa of Avila talks about intimate encounters with Jesus and that such "favors" are available for every Christian:
It may be said that these things seem impossible and that it is better to not scandalize the weak. But less harm is done by their disbelieving us than by our failing to edify those to whom God grants these favors, and who will rejoice and will awaken others to a fresh love of Him Who grants such mercies, according to the greatness of His power and majesty. In any case I know that none to whom I am speaking will run into this danger, because they all know and believe that God grants still greater proofs of His love. I am sure that, if any one of you does not believe this, she will never learn it by experience. For God's will is that no bounds should be set to His works. Never do such a thing, then, sisters, if the Lord does not lead you by this road.
This is a time to move past unbelief that is dressed up as empathy, and past apology to those who do not believe (because of their experience!) that the "kiss of God" can be known in our hearts as a deep, real encounter with the Divine Beloved. I have hurt God by lingering in the fear of man and not standing up and allowing God to call men to deeper fellowship through my testimony and encouragement. So hear me in this: God knew Moses and God wants to know You. It is true that we can't "live on the mountain top", but it is a greater truth that the mountain has come for us.
Song of Songs chapter 2:
3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest
is my lover among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
4 He has taken me to the banquet hall,
and his banner over me is love.
5 Strengthen me with raisins,
refresh me with apples,
for I am faint with love.
6 His left arm is under my head,
and his right arm embraces me.
7 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
I was asking the Lord if He would confirm to me yesterday (on 7/24) that we are on track and in His grace in pursuing night and day prayer in Charlotte, (i.e. 7 days a week, 24 hours a day). Nothing seemed to happen (though it was a really good day of fellowship with Him) until I was watching the Weather Channel last night and they flashed a statistic that for the month of July we have officially received 7.24 inches of rain. It may not mean anything to anyone else, but I'll let smarter minds wrestle with such "coincedences". As for me and my house, we are going for it.
Deuteronomy 34:10 says that "the Lord knew Moses". On the surface it may sound like an understatement, but this is life-changing in what it actually depicts. It is about a man who would bare himself before God rather than hiding Himself. I believe that Moses was a man who, for example, would talk to God about his day, about what he (Moses) like and did not like... not in a pushy, demanding way. But as a friend speaks to a friend. And God loved it. He loves it when any human being will walk with him day to day in a conscious manner. We have as much of Him in our lives as we want. Through Jesus we are entirely reconciled with God and He is waiting to be wanted even by those who presently will inherit salvation.
Years ago a friend asked to have lunch with me. He was a man I loved and respected and he asked me for help with something that surprised me. He said that He wanted to know God better and thought that I could help him. I know I missed the boat in my response, fumbling for words and pulling back. It strained our relationship because I was unsure of how and if I should presume to help him. Its interesting how a 20 minute talk with someone can resurface during ensuing events and quiet moments. I've thought about this talk every once in a while in the 10 years since this happened and asked God to help me help others if this ever comes up again. I know I missed God's working, big-time.
In chapter one of Interior Castle, Teresa of Avila talks about intimate encounters with Jesus and that such "favors" are available for every Christian:
It may be said that these things seem impossible and that it is better to not scandalize the weak. But less harm is done by their disbelieving us than by our failing to edify those to whom God grants these favors, and who will rejoice and will awaken others to a fresh love of Him Who grants such mercies, according to the greatness of His power and majesty. In any case I know that none to whom I am speaking will run into this danger, because they all know and believe that God grants still greater proofs of His love. I am sure that, if any one of you does not believe this, she will never learn it by experience. For God's will is that no bounds should be set to His works. Never do such a thing, then, sisters, if the Lord does not lead you by this road.
This is a time to move past unbelief that is dressed up as empathy, and past apology to those who do not believe (because of their experience!) that the "kiss of God" can be known in our hearts as a deep, real encounter with the Divine Beloved. I have hurt God by lingering in the fear of man and not standing up and allowing God to call men to deeper fellowship through my testimony and encouragement. So hear me in this: God knew Moses and God wants to know You. It is true that we can't "live on the mountain top", but it is a greater truth that the mountain has come for us.
Song of Songs chapter 2:
3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest
is my lover among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
4 He has taken me to the banquet hall,
and his banner over me is love.
5 Strengthen me with raisins,
refresh me with apples,
for I am faint with love.
6 His left arm is under my head,
and his right arm embraces me.
7 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.
If I have found favor in Your sight
"If I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you." - Moses speaking with God, Exodus 33:13
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Sabbath
There's a shaking coming in a couple of weeks but for the people whose life is the Lord there will be grace like rain.
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