Video: Bill Johnson at The Call in Las Vegas

Tonight is it! Come and pray, we need God!

Image via WikipediaHost: Saint Giles Presbyterian Church
Location: Saint Giles Presbyterian Church
2027 Emerywood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 US

When: Friday, April 25, 6:00PM
Phone: 704-553-1977
The evening schedule is as follows:

Sanctuary Prayer 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Prayer Gathering Service 7pm-9pm

Prayer Watch 9 p.m. to Midnight

VOM News and Prayer Update: April 22, 2008

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:5)

CHINA

Forty-six Christians Arrested, Two Remain in Detention - China Aid Association

China Aid Association (CAA) reports that the Chinese Communist government recently launched a strategic campaign against house churches in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. As a result of this campaign, on April 13, 46 Christians were arrested by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials during a Bible class and worship service in Kashi City, Xinjiang Province. CAA reported, "Forty-six house church Christians were holding Bible class and worship in the home of Mr. Ding Zhichun when PSB officials intruded into Ding's home and arrested all of them. Forty-four Christians were released after the trial day, following a 50 Yuan deposit to the PSB, by the family members." CAA added, "The Christians were mandated to confess their illegal Sunday worship activities and study the government's handbook on Religious Policy. They were also required to return and recite the policy to officials within one week." The Voice of the Martyrs supports and stands with Christians in China and encourages you to pray for believers who are living under immense pressure. Ask God to encourage and minister to the two Christians still being held by the police. Pray their testimony will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ. Psalm 91

SOMALIA

Four Christian Teachers Murdered - VOM Sources

On April 13, four Christian teachers, two of them converts from Islam, were murdered by Islamic militants in Beledweyne in south-central Somalia. The four teachers, two British citizens of Somali origin-Mr. Daud Hassan Ali (64) and Ms. Rehana Ahmed (32)-and two unidentified Kenyans, were shot and killed by Islamist insurgents during a midnight raid on the Hakab Private English School. The Islamic extremist group responsible for the violence, alleged that they fired indiscriminately and that the teachers were killed in crossfire. Local people, however, believe the teachers were singled out for their suspected evangelistic work. The wife of Daud Hassan Ali alleged that her husband was targeted because he was a Muslim-born convert to Christianity. Pray the families of those killed will rest in the knowledge that those who die in the Lord will be raised with Him. Pray the perpetrators of this attack will come to repentance and salvation. Pray for wisdom and protection for those serving Christ in Somalia. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4


UZBEKISTAN

Pastor Beaten and Jailed in Samarkand - Forum 18 News

On April 3, Pastor Bobur Aslamov was beaten and jailed in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, following a police raid on a house church meeting. According to Forum 18 News, "Other members of the house church were also beaten during the raid. The pastor remains in detention in an unknown location." At last report, no formal charges had been filed against him. Pray for the release of Pastor Aslamov from prison. Pray Uzbek Christians will continue to share Christ fearlessly despite the ongoing pressure. Ephesians 6:18-20

Sonnet 116

I care about my readers. Of a truth, this is not spin to increase my clickrate. Let it be said you can get culture here at Sojourn. In that very spirit, friends, lets remember William Shakespeare on his probable birthday as I offer you one of my favorite sonnets. Sonnet 116:

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Busy times

Started a new work project last week at a company in the local area. Its going well, I'm glad to have the steady work. We had Tracey Laguardia teaching at ZHOP over the weekend and it was a terrific time. Caryn taught EZ37 on the dignity God crowns us with, the "beauty for ashes" He longs for us to enter into.

Matthew is coming home next month to prepare things for being back in KC next fall. We've missed him and it will be glorious to have him home! He has had a tremendous semester at FSM in Kansas City, we're popping some buttons (which you would understand if you jump over some time and read his blog).

So its busy. My heart is full for ZHOP, Iceland, Bolivia. The church in Charlotte. The young staff at the house of prayer and its leaders. Young friends getting married, having babies. Young adults seeking counsel and friendship with someone further down the road whom they can trust. Teaching interns, speaking to the fellowship at ZHOP regularly. In the midst of the busyness, trying not to lose sight of Jesus. Working to keep my heart for Him alive. This is life, its imperative to keep asking for the Kingdom. The place where Jesus rules and has His way.

Gotta go! Off to the day!

1968

I believe David Vincent's reflections upon 1968 last week are worth pondering before the Lord; David's blog is here. Friday's earthquake in the midwest (another quake happened this morning, though not as intense) was the largest in that part of the US since 1968.