LORD, remember David
And all his afflictions;
How he swore to the LORD,
And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
“Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house,
Or go up to the comfort of my bed;
I will not give sleep to my eyes
Or slumber to my eyelids,
Until I find a place for the LORD,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
+++ Lord, remember David. Lord, remember David. Lord, remember David. And all his afflictions. Amen +++
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
VOM News and Prayer Update: July 15th, 2008
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans 8:35)
NEPAL
Priest Killed by Hindu Extremists - VOM Sources
On July 1, Father Johnson Prakash Moyalan, a Roman Catholic priest from India, was killed by armed extremists in eastern Nepal. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "At approximately 1:00 a.m., the men broke into a building belonging to the Don Bosco Mission in the town of Sirsiya. They locked up the assistant priest and shot Moyalan in the stomach and chest. Reports also indicated that a bomb was detonated on the premises. The attackers left pamphlets on the scene identifying themselves as members of the Nepal Defense Army, a terrorist group that wants Hinduism restored as the state religion." Pray those who mourn Father Moyalan will find strength, comfort and peace in Christ. Pray that God will continue to raise up cross-bearing disciples in Nepal willing to remain faithful to Him at all cost. 1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16
CHINA
Pastor Sentenced to Re-education Through Labor - China Aid Association
On July 4, Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years re-education through labor in Jining city in Shangdong province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Shandong Re-education-Through-Labor Management Committee issued a written decision sentencing Zhang Zhongxin to two years re-education through labor. Authorities accused him [Zhongxin] of cult participation in the ‘whole scope of the church' organized ‘Sunday school training courses, preaching the gospel to the northwest, Tibet and other places for missionaries and pioneers sermons.'" CAA added that in 2005, Zhongxin established The Rainbow Missions Fellowship and Timothy Bible Training School in Jining city, Shandong province, where Christian leaders are trained. Zhongxin has appealed his sentence. Pray for Zhongxin and his family during this difficult time. Ask God to give them courage as he appeals his sentence. Ask God to protect believers in China who face trying times as the government cracks down on believers ahead of the Olympics next month. Deuteronomy 33:26-27
SRI LANKA
Christians Attacked - National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka
Recently there have been at least two incidents of violence against Christians in Sri Lanka. According to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), "Unidentified assailants set fire to the house of an Assemblies of God church pastor in the city of Middeniya on the evening of July 3. The pastor, his wife and two children awoke to find that a fire had been started by the main door of their house. The family managed to put the blaze out before it caused extensive damage and no one was injured. Local villagers opposed to the pastor's church have reportedly been threatening him and his family in recent weeks." Meanwhile NCEASL added, "On July 6, a mob attacked the Calvary Church after false rumors about Christians attacking a temple spread in the district of Colombo. At approximately 9:30 a.m., five Buddhist monks charged into the church building during a worship service and demanded that the service cease. The pastor led the monks outside where they told him that there was no need for Christians in the village and threatened to destroy all local churches. By the time the police arrived on scene a large mob had gathered around the building. Fearing violence, the pastor sent his congregation away. The mob then attacked the building, completely destroying the contents. They beat the pastor and at least five others with clubs and rods. The pastor and his father were severely injured while others sustained minor injuries." Ask God to strengthen and heal the victims of these attacks. Pray that the faithfulness of Christians in Sri Lanka will be a light that draws others to Christ. Psalm 91
IRAN
UPDATE: Imprisoned Iranian Christian "Temporarily" Released - Compass Direct News
Praise God! On June 26, Mohsen Namvar, an Iranian Christian who was arrested in his home in Tehran on May 31, was released from prison "temporarily." According to Compass Direct News, "Namvar was badly beaten while detained. Upon his release, he was treated for a fever and high blood pressure and his body appeared to be in shock. Local Christians believe that authorities may have released him out of fear that he would die in prison." Praise God for Namvar's courage and release. Pray for healing in his body and peace of mind. Ask God to encourage him and other believers in Iran who are standing in their faith in spite of persecution. Pray God gives them strength to forgive their persecutors. Romans 8:11
YEMEN
Christians Arrested - VOM Sources/ AhSahwa Net
Seven Christians were arrested recently by Yemeni security forces in the province of Hodeida, Yemen. According to VOM sources, "Security authorities told media organization, AhSahwa Net, that Political Security Forces in Hodeida city were holding a person named Hani Hussein Dahani from the district of AlZaidia who is being accused of embracing Christianity and leaving the Islamic religion. Four others close to him had the appearance of missionary network, as well as two others who were also seized, were involved in secretly spreading and distributing Bibles in AlDhahi district a year ago, and who had been fugitives from the law ever since." VOM sources added the report confirmed that those arrested had been transferred to Sana'a city for further investigation and scrutiny. The Yemeni government has arrested these seven believers because they distributed Bibles in several districts in 2007. Pray for strength for the arrested believers and their families. Ask God to increase their faith and courage as they stand for Christ during this challenging time. Pray those affected will forgive their persecutors and get an opportunity to share Christ with them. Isaiah 54:17
NEPAL
Priest Killed by Hindu Extremists - VOM Sources
On July 1, Father Johnson Prakash Moyalan, a Roman Catholic priest from India, was killed by armed extremists in eastern Nepal. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "At approximately 1:00 a.m., the men broke into a building belonging to the Don Bosco Mission in the town of Sirsiya. They locked up the assistant priest and shot Moyalan in the stomach and chest. Reports also indicated that a bomb was detonated on the premises. The attackers left pamphlets on the scene identifying themselves as members of the Nepal Defense Army, a terrorist group that wants Hinduism restored as the state religion." Pray those who mourn Father Moyalan will find strength, comfort and peace in Christ. Pray that God will continue to raise up cross-bearing disciples in Nepal willing to remain faithful to Him at all cost. 1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16
CHINA
Pastor Sentenced to Re-education Through Labor - China Aid Association
On July 4, Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years re-education through labor in Jining city in Shangdong province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Shandong Re-education-Through-Labor Management Committee issued a written decision sentencing Zhang Zhongxin to two years re-education through labor. Authorities accused him [Zhongxin] of cult participation in the ‘whole scope of the church' organized ‘Sunday school training courses, preaching the gospel to the northwest, Tibet and other places for missionaries and pioneers sermons.'" CAA added that in 2005, Zhongxin established The Rainbow Missions Fellowship and Timothy Bible Training School in Jining city, Shandong province, where Christian leaders are trained. Zhongxin has appealed his sentence. Pray for Zhongxin and his family during this difficult time. Ask God to give them courage as he appeals his sentence. Ask God to protect believers in China who face trying times as the government cracks down on believers ahead of the Olympics next month. Deuteronomy 33:26-27
SRI LANKA
Christians Attacked - National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka
Recently there have been at least two incidents of violence against Christians in Sri Lanka. According to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), "Unidentified assailants set fire to the house of an Assemblies of God church pastor in the city of Middeniya on the evening of July 3. The pastor, his wife and two children awoke to find that a fire had been started by the main door of their house. The family managed to put the blaze out before it caused extensive damage and no one was injured. Local villagers opposed to the pastor's church have reportedly been threatening him and his family in recent weeks." Meanwhile NCEASL added, "On July 6, a mob attacked the Calvary Church after false rumors about Christians attacking a temple spread in the district of Colombo. At approximately 9:30 a.m., five Buddhist monks charged into the church building during a worship service and demanded that the service cease. The pastor led the monks outside where they told him that there was no need for Christians in the village and threatened to destroy all local churches. By the time the police arrived on scene a large mob had gathered around the building. Fearing violence, the pastor sent his congregation away. The mob then attacked the building, completely destroying the contents. They beat the pastor and at least five others with clubs and rods. The pastor and his father were severely injured while others sustained minor injuries." Ask God to strengthen and heal the victims of these attacks. Pray that the faithfulness of Christians in Sri Lanka will be a light that draws others to Christ. Psalm 91
IRAN
UPDATE: Imprisoned Iranian Christian "Temporarily" Released - Compass Direct News
Praise God! On June 26, Mohsen Namvar, an Iranian Christian who was arrested in his home in Tehran on May 31, was released from prison "temporarily." According to Compass Direct News, "Namvar was badly beaten while detained. Upon his release, he was treated for a fever and high blood pressure and his body appeared to be in shock. Local Christians believe that authorities may have released him out of fear that he would die in prison." Praise God for Namvar's courage and release. Pray for healing in his body and peace of mind. Ask God to encourage him and other believers in Iran who are standing in their faith in spite of persecution. Pray God gives them strength to forgive their persecutors. Romans 8:11
YEMEN
Christians Arrested - VOM Sources/ AhSahwa Net
Seven Christians were arrested recently by Yemeni security forces in the province of Hodeida, Yemen. According to VOM sources, "Security authorities told media organization, AhSahwa Net, that Political Security Forces in Hodeida city were holding a person named Hani Hussein Dahani from the district of AlZaidia who is being accused of embracing Christianity and leaving the Islamic religion. Four others close to him had the appearance of missionary network, as well as two others who were also seized, were involved in secretly spreading and distributing Bibles in AlDhahi district a year ago, and who had been fugitives from the law ever since." VOM sources added the report confirmed that those arrested had been transferred to Sana'a city for further investigation and scrutiny. The Yemeni government has arrested these seven believers because they distributed Bibles in several districts in 2007. Pray for strength for the arrested believers and their families. Ask God to increase their faith and courage as they stand for Christ during this challenging time. Pray those affected will forgive their persecutors and get an opportunity to share Christ with them. Isaiah 54:17
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Word
Some times, I must admit, I have stopped and mused about the "road not taken". Ours has been an unconventional one in regards to what motivates The Typical American. I don't want to post something where I'm languishing in subtle (or not so subtle) self-congratulations. I would not want my 3 or 4 regular readers (just kidding, I think) to be subjected to that. Its been a challenging week for sure, and then God sends me something like what I just read from Sam Storms (I get his regular emails). His current article is part of a continuing series on the apostle Paul's life, this one titled "Through many dangers, toils and snares" specifically reflecting upon 2 Corinthians 11:26-27.
There comes a point in life where you can't turn back and correct the course you set earlier in life. Thats not pessimistic at all, its just the reality of the fleeting vapor men call life. Both Peter and Jeremiah had someone take them where they themselves would not have gone. So I'm acutely aware I can't turn back now. My bridges in some ways are far beyond burned; I'm in my late forties (or, as I like to say, I'm almost as old as Kirk Bennett - ha!). I feel tremendous weakness due to our choices. So when I read something like this from Dr. Storms I take it as tender, deeply personal encouragement from the One who continues to call me daily to take up my cross. To follow Him, to truly know Him as He suffers now... today. Even as He is also glad in Himself beyond earthly comparison. Here is the excerpt:
These eight dangers are now followed by six hardships (v. 27). If it seems as if it never stops, that's because it never stopped. Paul's life was in constant danger. The deprivations were always present. The suffering was unrelenting.
The words "toil and hardship" (v. 27) may be something of a heading or general topic statement that is unpacked in the remaining items. But even then they point to something quite real and demanding in Paul's life, as the focus is on both the labor expended and the utter exhaustion that results. As we've noted before, he likely has in mind his working long hours to support himself and thus not be a burden to the Corinthians together with the fulfillment of his evangelistic and pastoral responsibilities.
It is instructive that Paul can speak so openly of the demands and rigors and hardships of ministry, yet without the slightest hint of burnout. The latter is a word about which we hear much today and many (most?) in ministry say that they reach that stage on multiple occasions over the years. What kept Paul going? How did he willingly embrace such a life without experiencing either a nervous breakdown or the loss of energy and motivation and joy? This is something I've touched on before in this series of meditations, so I suggest you simply go back and read what I wrote on 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 4:16-18; and 6:3-10.
The many "sleepless nights" (v. 27) were no doubt voluntary as Paul interceded for his disciples and labored long hours. The "pressures of too much work and too many responsibilities" (Carson, 122) combined to deprive the apostle of much needed rest.
The "hunger and thirst" (v. 27) noted here probably came as the result of too little money and too much traveling. As Harris points out, "given the hundreds of miles that Paul traveled on foot, often across uninhabited terrain, it is not surprising to learn of the unavailability of food and water at least on some occasions, if not frequently. Also, his unwillingness to accept payment for spiritual ‘services rendered' could have sometimes led to ‘hunger and thirst' when his own resources dried up" (809).
Since the word "hunger" most likely describes going without food involuntarily, it is unlikely that Paul would repeat himself in the phrase "often without food" (v. 27). Therefore, there is good reason to conclude that by this latter statement he means voluntary "fasting", the cause of which may have been his commitment to intercessory prayer or even his foregoing of meals so as not to interrupt ministry opportunities.
Paul has already mentioned his many imprisonments for the sake of the gospel and it is likely that the "cold and exposure" (v. 27) here came in consequence of extended periods in barren jail cells.
For all this, says Carson, Paul "suffered doubly: the privations themselves, and then the condescending scorn of immature triumphalists who married pagan greed with over-realized eschatology to argue that financial prosperity was the reward of the just and the right of sons of God, conveniently forgetting the cross" (122).
So how are we to respond to this? Did Paul write it to elicit our pity or compassion? That's unlikely. Perhaps the appropriate response is gratitude that we don't have to live this way. No. We must remember that his intent in this paragraph is to counter the false teachers in Corinth who insisted that the proper credentials for the apostolic office consisted precisely in the absence of such suffering. The truly-anointed-man-of-God (which each of them, no doubt, considered himself to be) has a right to live above these deprivations and ought to be afforded all the comforts and conveniences of life. Anything less is indicative, so they said, of the inauthenticity of one's alleged call into ministry.
No one is being told to seek out this kind of suffering, but neither should we be surprised by it (1 Peter 4:12). But why would God orchestrate the lives of his servants so that they regularly encounter such hardships? Could it be, as we've so often seen before, that it's so we might learn not to "rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:9)? Could it be "to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Cor. 4:7)? Could it be "so that the life of Jesus may . . . be manifested in our bodies" (2 Cor. 4:10)? Could it be so that we might learn of the sufficiency of divine grace (2 Cor. 12:9)? Could it be "so that the power of Christ may rest upon" us and his strength be made known through our weakness (2 Cor. 12:10)? Yes, I think it could be.
There comes a point in life where you can't turn back and correct the course you set earlier in life. Thats not pessimistic at all, its just the reality of the fleeting vapor men call life. Both Peter and Jeremiah had someone take them where they themselves would not have gone. So I'm acutely aware I can't turn back now. My bridges in some ways are far beyond burned; I'm in my late forties (or, as I like to say, I'm almost as old as Kirk Bennett - ha!). I feel tremendous weakness due to our choices. So when I read something like this from Dr. Storms I take it as tender, deeply personal encouragement from the One who continues to call me daily to take up my cross. To follow Him, to truly know Him as He suffers now... today. Even as He is also glad in Himself beyond earthly comparison. Here is the excerpt:
These eight dangers are now followed by six hardships (v. 27). If it seems as if it never stops, that's because it never stopped. Paul's life was in constant danger. The deprivations were always present. The suffering was unrelenting.
The words "toil and hardship" (v. 27) may be something of a heading or general topic statement that is unpacked in the remaining items. But even then they point to something quite real and demanding in Paul's life, as the focus is on both the labor expended and the utter exhaustion that results. As we've noted before, he likely has in mind his working long hours to support himself and thus not be a burden to the Corinthians together with the fulfillment of his evangelistic and pastoral responsibilities.
It is instructive that Paul can speak so openly of the demands and rigors and hardships of ministry, yet without the slightest hint of burnout. The latter is a word about which we hear much today and many (most?) in ministry say that they reach that stage on multiple occasions over the years. What kept Paul going? How did he willingly embrace such a life without experiencing either a nervous breakdown or the loss of energy and motivation and joy? This is something I've touched on before in this series of meditations, so I suggest you simply go back and read what I wrote on 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 4:16-18; and 6:3-10.
The many "sleepless nights" (v. 27) were no doubt voluntary as Paul interceded for his disciples and labored long hours. The "pressures of too much work and too many responsibilities" (Carson, 122) combined to deprive the apostle of much needed rest.
The "hunger and thirst" (v. 27) noted here probably came as the result of too little money and too much traveling. As Harris points out, "given the hundreds of miles that Paul traveled on foot, often across uninhabited terrain, it is not surprising to learn of the unavailability of food and water at least on some occasions, if not frequently. Also, his unwillingness to accept payment for spiritual ‘services rendered' could have sometimes led to ‘hunger and thirst' when his own resources dried up" (809).
Since the word "hunger" most likely describes going without food involuntarily, it is unlikely that Paul would repeat himself in the phrase "often without food" (v. 27). Therefore, there is good reason to conclude that by this latter statement he means voluntary "fasting", the cause of which may have been his commitment to intercessory prayer or even his foregoing of meals so as not to interrupt ministry opportunities.
Paul has already mentioned his many imprisonments for the sake of the gospel and it is likely that the "cold and exposure" (v. 27) here came in consequence of extended periods in barren jail cells.
For all this, says Carson, Paul "suffered doubly: the privations themselves, and then the condescending scorn of immature triumphalists who married pagan greed with over-realized eschatology to argue that financial prosperity was the reward of the just and the right of sons of God, conveniently forgetting the cross" (122).
So how are we to respond to this? Did Paul write it to elicit our pity or compassion? That's unlikely. Perhaps the appropriate response is gratitude that we don't have to live this way. No. We must remember that his intent in this paragraph is to counter the false teachers in Corinth who insisted that the proper credentials for the apostolic office consisted precisely in the absence of such suffering. The truly-anointed-man-of-God (which each of them, no doubt, considered himself to be) has a right to live above these deprivations and ought to be afforded all the comforts and conveniences of life. Anything less is indicative, so they said, of the inauthenticity of one's alleged call into ministry.
No one is being told to seek out this kind of suffering, but neither should we be surprised by it (1 Peter 4:12). But why would God orchestrate the lives of his servants so that they regularly encounter such hardships? Could it be, as we've so often seen before, that it's so we might learn not to "rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:9)? Could it be "to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Cor. 4:7)? Could it be "so that the life of Jesus may . . . be manifested in our bodies" (2 Cor. 4:10)? Could it be so that we might learn of the sufficiency of divine grace (2 Cor. 12:9)? Could it be "so that the power of Christ may rest upon" us and his strength be made known through our weakness (2 Cor. 12:10)? Yes, I think it could be.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
"Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza
Image via WikipediaImmaculee Ilibagiza is a survivor of the Rwandan holocaust. She wrote the book Left to Tell about her enduring being hidden in the midst of the mass genocide, not sure how her family was faring elsewhere. A pastor was hiding her and several other women in a time of unimaginable darkness. Here is part of her book, how during that time her life in God grew deep:"But I didn't feel like an orphan at all. I'd been praying continually for weeks, and my relationship with God was deeper than I'd ever imagined possible. I felt like the daughter of the kindest, most powerful King the world had ever known. I surrendered my thoughts to God every day when I retreated to that special place in my heart to communicate with Him. That place was like a little slice of heaven, where my heart spoke to His Holy Spirit, and His Spirit spoke to my heart. He assured me that while I lived in His Spirit, I'd never be abandoned, never be alone, and never be harmed.
I sat stone-still on that dirty floor for hours on end, contemplating the purity of His energy while the force of His love flowed through me like a sacred river, cleansing my soul and easing my mind. Sometimes I felt as though I were floating above my body, cradled in God's mighty palm, safe in His loving hand. In my mind, I heard myself speaking in exotic languages I'd never heard before - I instinctively knew I was praising God's greatness and love."
Monday, July 14, 2008
Video: Texas vs. California
Just sayin' (grin). Don't miss the final lap of the recent 2008 NCAA championships, its incredible:
Monday, Monday
Image via WikipediaMonday morning after quite a weekend. The internship went well Saturday, they are headed towards the runway of graduation in early August. The Zadok interns came in on Friday, a wave of new and solid young adults giving themselves in a unique and focused way to growing closer to God as they deepen their prayer lives for the next 5 months. Meanwhile, Camp David started as well. If she comes to mind, pray for Caryn as she is heading up the meal system for the camp: that is purchase, preparation, delivery and cleanup for 20 or so for the next 3 weeks. We've got good help thats joined in, but we could really use the prayer support during this time. We also about to start prepping for Matthew to go back to KC next month for FSM year 2. Whew. OK, I'm off to my IT project. +++ Bless us this day Lord, be our daily bread... be the center. Amen +++Sunday, July 13, 2008
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