Remembering Those Who Aren’t So Free — Persecuted Christians

July 5, 2009 by 2 Comments

131909627_f67ae7dc8b_zAs we celebrated the birth of our nation this past weekend and enjoyed the privilege of living in the land of the free, I couldn’t help but think about those who are not so free. Those around the world living each day in nations where their governments restrict — or allow the restriction of — their freedoms. Among them are persecuted Christians.

It’s almost beyond what our minds can grasp. Since here in America we’ve always known the freedom to worship as we please, we can’t imagine what it must be like for fellow believers and followers of Christ who in some nations risk their very lives by any public show of faith in Him. Many die — some at the hands of their own families.

Those who don’t lose their lives are often imprisoned or beaten. Many are rejected by their communities as well as their families. Their livelihoods are threatened as no one will do business with them. Most cannot meet openly as a church or freely have a Bible in their possession. You can learn more about the plight of persecuted Christians through The Voice of the Martyrs, a non-profit inter-denominational Christian organization involved in assisting our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

We can also learn more by staying in touch with missionaries in nations where religious freedom is restricted. Our church body partners with a missionary couple who minister to other missionaries throughout North Africa and the Middle East. It suddenly puts a face on the problem when we hear first-hand some of the atrocities our brothers and sisters endure.

It seems fitting that as we rejoice in our own freedom of religion, we take time to remember and pray for those who long for such freedom. God’s Word tells us about persecuted people of faith in Bible times and says, “the world was not worthy of them…” (Hebrews 11:38). I believe the same could be said today.

Join me today, won’t you? Let’s remember… and pray!

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:3

Flickr photo by Bertoz, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: America, church, holidays, international, prayer

My Pick, Your Pick, God’s Pick

April 29, 2009 by 4 Comments

Here’s your chance. Time to weigh in with your Idol pick. You didn’t think I’d let American Idol go by this year without a mention on the blog, did you? :)

Idol has been loaded with talent this season. In fact, I think this particular group of finalists, especially now that we’re down to the top five, shines like no other group has in previous years. The contestants remaining are definitely the cream of the crop, each one with his or her own unique abilities and sound. At this point, it’s exciting just to see what they’re going to do from week to week.

With that said, let’s go ahead and get down to the nitty gritty. Who’s your favorite? Your pick to win it all? As much as I like Danny and think he’s super-talented, my number one pick is Adam. He simply outshines everyone consistently from week to week. As far as I’m concerned this season, he’s in a class by himself — vocally and performance-wise. Every time he sings, he does something to amaze me. He’s crazy good.

Now I know we’re going to have some differences of opinion on this matter of a favorite — that’s okay :) Go ahead and sing the praises of your pick with a comment. It’ll be fun to see who you all are pulling for and why.

Okay, we’ve done my pick and your pick — now what about God’s pick? You know what I think? I think He’s already picked them all.

In fact, He’s already picked us all. He’s crazy about us. He loves us so much He sent His Son into the world to make a way for us to be with Him forever. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9b KJV) and spend eternity in heaven with Him. Yes, He loves us all. Amazing, huh? We need only to accept His love and place our faith in Him.

So as for me? I choose Him back. I’d say He’s in a class all by Himself. He’s crazy good!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV

Flickr photo by Chris Owens

**The next issue of Life Notes, my free quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out the first of May. Don’t miss out — sign up to receive it if you haven’t already (see sidebar). Thanks!

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, America, heaven, judgement

Celebrating Books – A Feast

March 4, 2009 by 11 Comments

Did you know it’s Read Across America Week? I didn’t until I read about it over on the LPM blog on Monday. I know I wrote about reading just a couple of months ago, but in honor of Read Across America, I’d say it’s time to celebrate books again, right?

Some of my fondest, earliest memories of books take me back to my grandparents’ farmhouse, our home on Christmas Eve, and also to the public library in Pittsburg, Kansas. Grandpa and Grandma Hoy kept a few Little Golden Books on hand to read to us grandkids when we came to visit. We could find the books, along with a few other treasures, in their dining room buffet. My favorite was Three Bedtime Stories. Grandpa loved reading to us and had all the voices down pat. I don’t think this book is available anymore, but I bought a copy when our girls were young so I could share my love for the book — and the great memories — with them.

When I was growing up, Christmas Eve found us engrossed in another Little Golden Book favorite — The Night Before Christmas. I still have an image in mind of our house on Parkview Drive with Dad sitting in his chair reading this magical classic to us. Again, I made sure to purchase a copy of this favorite for our girls while it was still available with the same cover I loved as a child.

As I grew older, my mom made sure to take me and my sisters to the public library on a regular basis during the summers. There in a room with vaulted ceiling, filled with the familiar smell of books and dominated by the silence befitting a library, I discovered Nancy Drew mysteries and devoured them one after the other.

My favorite in high school, Gone with the Wind, I think may be my all-time favorite book. I became so immersed in the story and the lives of the characters I didn’t want it to end. As I remember, its emotional impact stayed with me for days. This sweeping epic indeed swept me away. I think I should go back and reread it again after all these years and see if it has the same effect on me now.

The written word wields power — power to transport us as well as transform us. Reading allows us to feast on all kinds of treasure. And as we feast, let’s remember to feast on the most powerful of all written words, the Word of God. Talk about transformation power — I’ve seen it work in my life. How about you?

Okay, now it’s your turn. What are some of your earliest, fondest memories of books? What’s your all-time favorite? Come on and share in the feast!

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight…” Jeremiah 15:16a

**Update: My mother-in-law’s lab work this week shows that the infusions aren’t really helping the kidney function hold its own. Not sure how much longer she can avoid another hospitalization. Thanks once again for all your prayers.

Filed Under: America, books, fun

Praying for the President

February 15, 2009 by 7 Comments

My post will be brief today. Unfortunately my mother-in-law re-entered the hospital just two short days after her dismissal with another episode of congestive heart failure related to her renal failure. As always, we appreciate your prayers on our behalf, but on this President’s Day weekend, I also want to urge you to remember to pray for the current leader of our nation, President Obama.

Shortly after his election, I told you about The Presidential Prayer Team in my Nov. 5th post. Today I want to pass along news about another vital prayer team for President Obama that my friend Melinda kicked off in January — the Changing One Heart for Many pro-life blogger prayer team. Members of this team commit to pray for President Obama each Monday asking God to change his heart on the subject of abortion (you decide the length of your commitment). Please read Melinda’s Jan. 21st post for details about the team and other information on this important topic. The “Changing One Heart for Many” button on my sidebar will also take you directly to Melinda’s post introducing the effort.

I pray that you’ll consider joining Melinda, me, and, as of last count, nearly 200 others in earnestly pleading with God to change one heart — one heart that could have a life-altering impact on so many others. Even if you’re just a blog reader and don’t actively blog yourself, hop on over and read Melinda’s Sunday posts for updates, info, and the prayer we can pray jointly for President Obama each Monday.

Won’t you answer the challenge? Won’t you enter the fray? Remember, our prayers can make a difference!

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” Proverbs 21:1

Flickr photo by The U.S. Army

Filed Under: America, change, prayer, team

Duty Still Calls

November 5, 2008 by 9 Comments

Did you do your duty and vote on Tuesday? I hope so. But did you realize that duty is still calling? Yes, duty calls beyond the vote. We’ve got new marching orders now. Now it’s our job to faithfully pray for Barack Obama.

Because of some of Mr. Obama’s liberal policies and lack of experience in some areas, I’ll have to admit that I wish the election had gone the other way. I’m not panicked or distraught about it, though. As I read my Bible on Tuesday morning, the following verse just happened to be in the passage for that day: “With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.” (Jeremiah 27:5). God reminded me in that moment that He is in charge and would be fully able to use either candidate for His purposes.

Another verse gives me hope as well. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” What comfort in knowing that God can change the heart or course of action of our president. And if we think he is wrong on some issues? We can ask God to change his mind.

In fact, we already know that God wants us to pray for our president and others in authority. Renae shared the following passage in her guest post last week: “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Yes, duty is still calling. Are we in? Are we ready to obey God’s word? We can help our new president — we can help our nation — if we join together and faithfully pray.

Shortly after 9/11, The Presidential Prayer Team was launched in an effort to support our president and our nation in prayer. If you’re not already a member of this important team, I urge you to follow the link to their site and become a member. You’ll receive a weekly email with specific prayer requests for that week. Together, we can make a difference as we lift our leaders to God.

Have a blessed and hopeful week!

*Flickr photo by U.S. Army Alaska

Filed Under: America, change, help, prayer, team
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