1987a

Pretty cool.  I found a bit of poetry on a web page about supernova 1987a, which was an important sign in the heavens for me personally.  Read the page here.  1987a was the nearest observed supernova since Kepler's supernova of 1604.

Also, don't forget that Pershing, when he was ordered back to the US from the Phillipines war in 1903, was 43 years old and still a captain in the US Army.  Before it was all said and done, he became a Major General.  I had some significant interface with the Lord last week myself.  He was urging me from Hebrews chapter 10: don't shrink back.  Then He was telling me (and there was command in this) on Friday: "Advance, advance, advance!"  Then on Saturday (it was 6-7-8) he reminded me that it was 2 years to the day that the cement for the foundation of our house was poured.  He is preparing to do a new thing, building on the foundations that have been laid with the house of prayer.

Ecclesiastes chapter 9:

13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me: 14 There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.

The only way forward is with prayer and fasting.  It will move God's hand and open doors and give favor and release finances and cause the preached word to strike like an arrow in the hearts of listeners.  To move forward is to embrace humility, which the Lord finds so attractive.  I have been getting a tremendous download in reading through Paul's journey in Acts the last day or so.  The weakness God required of Paul is daunting.  Before Festus rose to become procurator of Judea (succeeding Felix) Paul was jailed for 2 years simply because Felix preferred it to be so.  Think about this:

God's sovereign agent to take the gospel to the Gentiles was waylaid, taken out of commission FOR TWO YEARS.  And thats just one example of many of what Paul endured as he followed Christ.  We love the glitz and glamor and think its impressive to be in ministry.  Tell that to the suffering Church in China or Pakistan or Saudi Arabia.  We've taken the pastoral role in the American church to be one of CEO rather than the suffering servant... giving and praying and going low.  Just like Jesus.  I hold to my definition of leadership in the Kingdom that Jesus is leading and the Church as he builds it:  His leaders are suffering so that others don't have to.  The cross it beckons, insists upon being the standard.

Good night... I'm out.

Really slick: use Jott to read you your Gmail

Read the article here.

Voice of the Martyrs prayer update: June 10, 2008

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:15-16)

INDIA

Pastor Beaten; Churches Attacked – VOM Sources

On May 27, Pastor Rampal Kori was beaten by two Hindu militants in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "The militants repeatedly struck the pastor, who was returning from prayer meetings, with an iron rod and accused him of forcibly converting villagers to Christianity. They also robbed him of 3000 Rupees (US $70). Pastor Kori sustained serious injuries that required stitches in his head." Meanwhile on May 26, in an unrelated incident, militants demolished a thatched church in the district of Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh. On June 1, another group attacked the Masihi Mandir Church in the district of Oriya Para, Chhattisgarh state, during a morning church service. VOM sources added, "At approximately 11:00 a.m., the militants barged into the church building and destroyed the facility's furniture. The attackers accused the believers present of forcibly converting people, and threatened them with dire consequences if they continued to worship Christ." Pray for healing for Pastor Kori. Ask God to strengthen the believers whose churches were attacked as they continue to stand in His grace. Psalm 37: 3-6

ERITREA

Christians Arrested – Compass Direct News

On May 28, Eritrean police arrested 34 evangelical Christians in the city of Keren, Eritrea. According to Compass Direct News, "The Christians, who are members of the Berhane Hiwet (Light of Life) Church, were meeting in a private home for prayer and fellowship. All 24 men and 10 women present in the meeting were taken to prison, with their children left behind. The next day security officials transferred the women prisoners to the Adi-Abeyto Military Confinement facility on the outskirts of the capital city of Asmara." Pray for the release of Eritrean Christians who are imprisoned for the sake of Christ. Ask God to strengthen and comfort their families, especially the children. Pray that the Eritrean government will respect the rights of Christians to freely worship their Lord. Ephesians 1: 19-23

IRAN

UPDATE: Christian Converts Released from Prison – Compass Direct News

Praise God! Homayon Shokohie Gholamzadeh (48), an Iranian Christian convert arrested on May 11 by police in the city of Shiraz, was released from prison on May 22. According to Compass Direct News, Gholamzadeh was taken into custody with his wife and another couple before boarding a flight at Shiraz International Airport. On June 2, Mojtaba Hussein (21), another Iranian Christian convert from Islam arrested on May 11, was released from prison. According to Compass Direct, the authorities demanded valuable property deeds as bail collateral for the release of the two believers. Praise God for the release of these believers. Pray God encourages them as they live their lives for Him. Pray for other believers who face challenges for practicing their faith. Psalm 34: 1-10

CHINA

Christians Detained for Helping Quake Victims – China Aid Association

On June 1, Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) police officers disrupted a house church meeting and forcefully detained seven believers during a Sunday service at Taikang county, Henan province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Approximately six PSB officials disrupted the house church meeting and forcefully detained seven of the participants. Police officials did not state the reason for the detention. During interrogation, police officials questioned the members as to who would be taking donations to the earthquake disaster area. One woman and her child were released; however the other six remain in detention under a charge of sending money to a disaster area in the name of a house church." According to reports, PSB officials have said they will not release those detained until they paid a fine. Pray for believers in China who are facing difficulties practicing their faith. Ask God to give them boldness to serve Him and for Him to give them the ability to forgive their persecutors. Psalm 34: 17-22

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