EZ37 meets tonight

The EZ37 internship is having its first class session tonight, which will be open to the public at the ZHOP from 4-6PM. The session will have 2 parts: the first hour I will speak on Holiness as affection-based obedience and then Kirk Bennett, the ZHOP director, will come for the second hour and present his vision for the Zadok House of Prayer and be available to answer questions or receive comments regarding ZHOP.

Voice of the Martyrs prayer update

SOUTH KOREA
UPDATE: Korean Hostages Told Convert to Islam or Die – British Broadcasting Corporation
On September 12, South Korean Christian aid workers held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan for six weeks, reported being beaten and ordered at gun point to convert to Islam, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). According to the BBC, the former hostages told a press conference they were made to work like slaves while in captivity. Jae Chang-hee told reporters, "We were beaten with a tree branch or kicked around. Some kidnappers threatened us with death at gunpoint to force us to follow them in chanting their Islamic prayer for conversion. I was beaten many times. They pointed a rifle and bayonet at me and tried to force me to convert." Jae Chang-hee added, "We lived like slaves. We had to level the ground for motorbikes, and get water and make a fire." BBC reported that Yu Jung-hwa said she thought she was going to die. "The most difficult moment, when I had a big fear of death, was when the Taliban shot a video. All 23 of us leaned against a wall and armed Taliban aimed their guns at us, and a pit was before me. They said they will save us if we believe in Islam. I almost fainted at the time and I still cannot look at cameras." Recalling how Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu was led away to his death, the BBC said Han Ji-young, in tears, added, "Bae didn't even look at us when he was leaving the room. He only said, 'Overcome with faith.'" Continue praying for God to touch the lives of these believers as they deal with their experience in Afghanistan. Pray God comforts the families of the two that were killed. Pray the testimony of these Christians will draw non-believers into fellowship with Him. Deuteronomy 28, Psalm 91

INDIA
Christians Beaten by Militants in India – VOM Sources

• BANGALORE: On September 8, Pastor Angam Haokip was attacked by more than 30 men in the village of Geddalahalli, Bangalore. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, the men forced Pastor Haokip to stop his vehicle. VOM contacts reported, "They asked him if he was a pastor and when he said 'yes,' they pulled him out of his car. The men accused him of 'ruining' the nation and beat him in front of several witnesses. They tried to crush his legs with boulders and also kicked him in the neck." The pastor sustained severe injuries to his back and chest and his car was destroyed. When he tried to file a complaint with local police, it was rejected because the police said a complaint had been registered against him for negligent driving.
• HYDERABAD: On September 9, Pastor Sudhakar and four Christians visiting from Singapore were attacked by members of Hindu militant groups while leading a worship service at Bethel Gospel Church in Amberpet, Hyderabad. According to, a report from the All India Christian Council, approximately 300 believers were gathered when the militants forcibly entered the church building and began to shout obscenities against Christianity. The intruders assaulted Pastor Sudhakar with a rod. Prior to the attack, the militants had filed a complaint with local police alleging the pastor and the Singapore team were involved in forcible conversion.
  
  Pray for healing for those injured in the attacks. Ask God to bless the ministry of these pastors and other Christians who are spreading the gospel in India. Pray God touches the lives of the persecutors and leads them to faith in Christ. Romans 8:11, Isaiah 40:31

CHINA
UPDATE: House Church Leader Released from Prison – China Aid Association
On September 10, prominent Beijing house church leader, Pastor Cai Zhuohua, was released after three years in prison. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, "Cai was in good spirits when he was released. Cai was not allowed to read or have a Bible for the past three years. Since his release, he has been picked by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and taken to their office. He has to report to the PSB office once a month and has been warned not to speak out or attend church services." Praise God that Pastor Cai has been reunited with his family. Pray God gives him and other believers in China courage to continually live for Christ, despite the immense challenges they face. Pray their testimonies will draw non-believers, even PSB officers, into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 27:1

EZ37 beginning

The EZ37 internship is having its first class session this Saturday, which will be open to the public at the ZHOP from 4-6PM. The session will have 2 parts: the first hour I will speak on Holiness as affection-based obedience and then Kirk Bennett, the ZHOP director, will come for the second hour and present his vision for the Zadok House of Prayer and be available to answer questions or receive comments regarding ZHOP.

Prayer controversy

In nearby Gastonia (west of Charlotte) the town leaders are debating the propriety of 'non-generic' prayers:

City Attorney Ash Smith recently shared with City Council and Planning Commission precedents set in federal court on the subject of legislative prayer at public meetings. In Smith’s memo to city board members, he said the courts have ruled that legislative prayer should be non-secular and should not mention the name of a specific deity like Jesus Christ or Allah.

But three men speaking at a public hearing Tuesday night said the council should be allowed to use the name of Jesus in their prayers, if they so choose, regardless of federal court rulings.

Read more from the Gaston Gazette here.

Look at the cross, sir

Article today at MSNBC says that a state senator is suing God for making threats and inspiring fear. Read more here.

24-7 Nordic

FYI 24-7 has a blog, located here: 24-7nordic.blogspot.com. The September 10 entry (written by my friend Simon Turner) tells of our trip last April to Reykjavik... pretty cool!

Brian Doerksen video: Everlasting

From everlasting to everlasting
You are God
From everlasting to everlasting
You are God

In holiness you stand secure through culture's shifting sands
Unchanged by all the vanities of man
And as the nations rise and fall your sovereignty remains
You are, You are, You are the One True God

From everlasting to everlasting You are God
From everlasting to everlasting You are God

In faithfulness your love extends through times of turbulence
Adopting those who call upon your name
And every generation joins in songs of grateful praise
You are, You are, You are the One True God

From everlasting to everlasting You are God
From everlasting to everlasting You are God

Eternal immortal invisible God
Eternal immortal invisible God