Exloring Life Eternal

After the cartoon thing cooled down, I heard about civil laws established after the war in Europe banning questioning the historical reality of the Holocaust of the Jews during WWII.

Is anyone familiar with any law in force banning the questioning the historicity of the crucifixion & the resurrection of Jesus?

[ I do not believe that is the way to spread the good news or even that such laws should be enacted. ]

The reality that Jesus lived, committed no sin, did wonders & healed the sick, died on a Roman cross under Pontius Pilate & rose again in a way that He could be touched & that He could prepare & eat food on the third day is a true fact that is historically evidenced by prophesy, fulfillment, and an movement (from which numerous heretical movements have daparted) that remembers His past ministry and anticipates His future return in a reliable collection of documents and customs which celebrate the freedom of Jesus' Lordship & the salvation found in His kingdom.

So, if there is no law banning the study of Jesus (& the odd/false ideas that abound), why should an honest / description of Muhammed be exempt? *

If there is no law banning the study of Jesus from the sourced documents (i.e. the Gospels, the Law, the Prophets, and Psalms), then why not study them for yourself? [Keeping in mind that studying the life of Christ is best done by putting into practice what he said to do.]

ON THE OTHER HAND, if there is a law preventing people from following Jesus, who is Life, then why are people permitted to follow Muhammed, Guatamma, and the various other historical and semi-historical figures that abound?

A serious examination of both the Bible & the historical context of the Biblically recorded events and subsequent history will show that prohibitting people from pursuing Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit freely is the surest way to bring about social & moral chaos, typically resulting in genocide and perversion.

On the other hand, when the civil state requires allegiance to Jesus, one does not foster genuine joy.

+ Notice:
A. The Gospels (Injil) give a much better description of Jesus than the Quran does of Muhammed.
B. The Quran & Islamic traditions describe Jesus as having much higher moral character than Muhammed.
==> Because of the inferior moral & theoretical quality of Muhammed's teachings & the fact that he does not qualify as a true biblical prophet, I am referring to Jesus as the Prophet, The Messiah. "The Prophethood of Muhammed" is perhaps a poetic way of stating that he had an impact on Arab cultures, but I do not endorse it as true.

Many people we love hear the good news through the radio or by searching on the internet. However as their enquiries develop it is good for them to be introduced to a believer living near them.

One such man has been in regular correspondence with a believer in another country and now would be the appropriate time for him to have face-to-face contact with someone in his region. This possibility was suggested to him and he seemed keen on the idea. However, whenever a specific appointment is suggested for meeting he always says this is not convenient, but that he would be willing & able to meet sometime.

Pray for those involved in the situation to know how best to help
this man and for wisdom to help him follow the Holy Spirit.

Here are a couple of Christian Singers who sing the Gospel I commend for you to check out:

Mo Leverett not only sings about Life in Christ, but practices it. If you are interested in supporting the work of recovery after Katrina, check out this site & consider purchasing some CD's. Mo is vitally involved in sharing the love of Christ with the whole person of those he serves. Please visit:

http://www.justiceroad.com/
Genre - blues, soulish, country, rock-a-billy type folk music, often with New Orleans artists in the band.
====


Bekki Smith & her husband Jeff are committed to Jesus. She desires to prepare the way of the Lord through song & he preaches it. She is not a country singer because of her love for the Lord:

http://www.bekkismith.com/
Genre - country-western, southern pop type solo music.

“Love, but take care what you love. Loving and possessing God is what constitutes a happy life. A man is what his love makes him, it transforms the lover into the image of the object loved. That love needs a medium of expression, that need is supplied by prayer…the affectionate reaching out of the mind for God. Our desire for God is the only road that leads to happiness!”

Taken from: "Augustine on Prayer."
You may purchase the book at:
http://www.monksofadoration.org/bk/bookrv3.html

More links to catholic prayers & comments on prayer:
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/links.html

In the Middle East, it is not uncommon for maids to be treated like slaves.

Today I heard about a Sri Lankan woman that seems to have disappeared, being taken by a "maid agency" while her family has suffered a major trauma in the homeland.

Please pray!!

- MJH

My own memory of Corinne is of her great patience during my time as a student with W.C.I.U. despite the ups & downs of my emails which sometimes reflected the excessive extremes of emotions I had as a person struggling with Bipolar Disorder and extreme poverty in addition to an abiding desire to see our Lord honored among the lost, the least, and the lonely. When I met her with my wife while returning from Indonesia in 2003, she was eager to see WCIU succeed & also gave advice on how to benefit the small school for Black pastors where I was teaching as part of the "mentoring someone else" component of the curriculum.

Anyone willing to tolerate the tirades of a "lunatic" & remain kind, even cheerful, is surely blessed with the Holy Spirit! I rejoice that she is with the Lord & no longer has to enforce deadlines that tend to be pushed to the limit with correspondence students, such as myself.

Hoping in the Lord,
- Mert H.
M.A. 2004

=== The Email Notice ===
Dear Friends of WCIU:

Sunday morning at 5:25am, our beloved Corinne Armstrong went to be with the Lord. ...

Corinne preferred that, in lieu of flowers, money be sent to missions. She suggested the following three choices if you wish to honor her with a gift:

(1) William Carey International University. Send check to WCIU, attn: Vern Berkompas, 1539 E. Howard Street, Pasadena, CA 91104-2698. Please indicate it is in memorium of Corinne.

(2) The ministry of Marshalee Brown, whom Corinne mentored and became very close to. Marshalee recently returned from three years in Ethiopia and will continue to serve with her Jamaican mission board. You may send this money through WCIU, but so it is not confused with other funds, please indicate it is for Marshalee Brown's ministry in memorium of Corinne.

(3) A mission of your own choice.

Dr. Ralph Winter, founder of W.C.I.U. & the USCWM honored Corrinne with these words:

"No single person has contributed more
to the William Carey International University we have today
than you have, and no one can take away the honor due to you
for that remarkable accomplishment."

Thank you to those who extended support to Corinne and support to those who are close to her during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Lisa E. O'Neil
Senior Academic Assistant
William Carey International University
http://wciu.edu

CHRISTIAN LEADERS CALL FOR PRAYER: over increased violence against Christians

Increased violence against Christians in parts of India recently has Christian leaders calling for urgent prayer.

...

"The Taliban used force to exert stringent control over the entire nation of Afghanistan," Gospel for Asia founder and president K.P. Yohannan said. "And that is exactly what is happening in India -- a radical minority is attempting to 'Hinduize' a nation of over one billion people."

Currently, 14 innocent Christians languish in Alirajpur prison without bail for the last two years. They are all accused of murdering Arjun Pal, one of the Hindutva brigades "martyrs." However, witnesses have said that many of the Christians were not even present at the scene at the time of the violence. Pal was accidentally shot by his own party people during the destruction of the mission school and the private property of Christians.

On Monday, February 27, high-profile Hindu Nationalist Party leaders, including Shivraj Chouhan from Madhya Pradesh, Vijaya Raje Scindia of Rajasthan and Narendra Modi will inaugurate the statue of Pal in Madhya Pradesh.

"I am requesting that you please multiply this prayer request so that on the 27th the demonic activity will be replaced with God's miraculous glory," a Christian leader in Madhya Pradesh said in an e-mail prayer appeal to WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK.

"The day these 14 are released from prison, I would surely feel I have accomplished my greatest goal on earth," she added. "Yes, only prayers would bring answers to our petitions and supplications for these victims, including the four other brothers and sisters, who are in Dhar jail."

Yohannan called upon Believers to fast and pray for the persecuted Church in India -- in order to see a breakthrough that will bring millions into the kingdom.

"Today, India is at a crossroads," he said, "and we as believers in Jesus have the opportunity to help make an impact on this nation that will last for eternity."

Samuel Thomas of Hopegivers International asked Christians everywhere to pray that revival would break out in India and that the enemies of the Gospel would be confounded.

"Please use your influence to prompt governments of other countries to say a word to our government leaders to provide protection for the orphan children in our homes, and for pastors and their families," he said. "We need justice for Christians in India."

"The believers in Christ in India are asking their brothers and sisters around the world to lift us up in prayer, as we face severe persecution," Thomas added. "We want to continue to brag about our Lord Jesus until our last breath. Pray, pray, pray, and pray more for the persecuted believers and leaders in India."

Prayer Points

Please pray:

The demonic forces driving these attacks against Christians to be thwarted. Pray that the increased violence against Christians will subside.

All Indian Christians who are in jail on false charges. Pray that God will sustain and strengthen them. Pray for justice and freedom, especially the 14 in Alirajpur prison.

The salvation of members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Pray that attempts by Hindu extremists to make India a Hindu nation will stop.

The persecuted Christians and leaders affected by the recent violence to continue to fix their eyes on Jesus. Pray that God will uphold and sustain them and that they would find comfort and refuge in Him.

Churches that have been targeted by Hindu extremists. Pray that God will give wisdom to those in positions of leadership as they seek to respond to these attacks. Pray also that God will give them grace to love their enemies. Pray that Christian churches will be safe places and not sites of vandalism or arson.

Christians in India who are under pressure to renounce their faith to stand strong. Ask God to give them faith and hope in the midst of such great difficulties. India has jumped from No. 34 to No. 26 in the 2006 Open Doors World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer most for their faith. Pray that Christians will stay strong in the faith with the support of prayers and support from the West.

The call for a nationwide anti-conversion law to fail, and that anti-conversion laws in some states would be repealed. Pray that God will give people across India freedom to come to know Him and to worship God openly. Pray also that anti-Christian rallies will not inflame communities.

Christians in the media. Ask God to give them integrity as they report unfolding events. Pray that God will help them to exercise great wisdom and sensitivity in the way in which they report.

God to protect the innocent tribal people who have been faithfully following Christ, and for the missionaries who are ministering among them, bringing them God's hope for a new life that has been denied by the Hindus for centuries.

The House Church to grow in India. Pray that God will give House Church leaders wisdom, knowledge and understanding in shepherding their flocks. Pray for God's divine protection.

Sources: Assist News Service, Compass Direct, Gospel for Asia, Hopegivers International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors USA.