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.

Today, I again called the priest of the local Greek Ortho church:
His name is Nick & the church is called St. Nicholas. He was out blessing homes & would be busy for the remainder of the month, unable to answer a simple 5 minute question about the Greek Bible version used in by the Greek Ortho's. Ah, well. The other day a dear local "levite" who loves to share the gospel adamantly insisted that he didn't like a church policy of encouraging generosity & mutuality.

I guess I will just have to ask a "Samaritan" while the levites & the priests busy on ahead.

Ironically, my brother Mark & I have pleasant conversations about the faith at times, and he attends a Greek Orthodox Church where the kids study the Bible. Also, I have co-workers who are Greek Orthodox (one guy helps me learn a few Greek phrases). One person seems a bit frustrated by the $ orientation of church, but that is a common blight in building oriented congregations.

But Jesus never fails.
He loves us, the cross proved it. His resurrection convinced us of it.

That is after all, why we have the Bible, so we can come to know Jesus a little better.

This note was in my inbox this AM which, I thought was ironic. (Everybody needs Jesus, & the Bible is given to us so that we can understand Jesus better.)

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...we had been passing out Bibles by placing them at the doorsteps of apartments in the several apartment buildings that are in our neighborhood. As we were doing this in one building, a lady saw what it was and called the local priest to come check it out. The priest arrived, saw that we were handing out Bibles, and flew into a rage. The woman told the priest that she did what the church had told her to do in reporting anything that might be against the Orthodox church. The priest began asking K. why we are doing that, calling us a “sect” and generally causing an uproar. K. told him that it is not Protestant literature or anything against the Orthodox church, but just a Bible. The priest said that a Bible was not needed for salvation, that salvation is only through him and the church. K. asked the priest if he had a Bible, and the priest defensively answered, “You think I don’t have a Bible?” The interesting thing is that he never said whether he had one or not. Then he threatened K. by saying that he would call the police. K. remained calm, only continuing to press the issue of the importance of giving the people Bibles. Then the priest started to get in his car, but not before holding out his hand so that the people around could kiss it.

We went home for lunch, and while we were eating, the doorbell rang. It was three police officers, and they asked K. to go to the station so they could ask him some questions. K. drove our van, following them to the station. They took him to a room where a fourth police officer was, and asked him what was going on. The man who processes our visas came in to reassure the other officers that our visas and work permits were all in order and in good standing. He asked a few questions also, but it was determined that we had not broken any laws and were guilty of nothing. So, they just told us to give out the Bibles one on one instead of just putting them in front of doors. So K. agreed and they told him he could go. So, K. was never arrested, spent no time in jail or anything like that. K. said they were very civil and not at all antagonistic. And, the police officer asked if they could keep the Bible there, so K. told them that was fine, and that he could bring more Bibles if they wanted them – but they all said that the one was enough.

So, K. came home. ... he walked in the door, but didn’t even tell us he was home. I heard some rustling in the other room, and asked who was there (thinking it was one of the kids messing with something). He answered that he was home, and we all had a good laugh that he was such at peace about it all! We all thanked the Lord as we listened to his story of what happened.

We are now slowing down in our Bible distribution, giving out the Bibles to people we already have relationships with and spending more time talking with them. We went to our neighbor’s home last night and had a good visit with them about the Bible. We will go to several more homes today. We have over 700 more to give out.

Please continue praying for us! We’re so thankful for all that has happened, seeing God’s hand in it all – His hand of protection, His hand of guidance, His hand of mercy. We look forward to continuing to serve and get out the powerful Word of God!

Joyfully,
J.

Persecution against Christians continues to escalate in Eritrea

The brutal crackdown against evangelical Christians in Eritrea seems set to continue. Since the start of the year, hundreds of believers have been arrested, subjected to interrogations, food deprivation and torture - with many being ordered to sign documents renouncing their faith.
...
"The president of Eritrea, he has basically made the evangelical church enemy number one of the state and is going about on a ruthless campaign to try to eradicate and shut her down," said Kevin Turner, president of Strategic World Impact, a ministry assisting persecuted Christians worldwide.

Pray for:
* The people of Eritrea need deliverance. Continue to pray for either a change of heart or the removal of the Eritrean government.
* The nearly 1,800 Christians imprisoned, that their faith in Christ would grow during their time in prison, and that their trials would produce lasting growth in the Eritrean Church. Pray that God would strengthen and encourage all those in prison and be especially close to those who are suffering any kind of torture. Pray also that He would convict their torturers and cause them to repent.
* The families of the 26 pastors in prison who have had their bank accounts frozen. Ask God to provide supernaturally for these families. Pray also that the families of prisoners will be able to visit their loved ones. Pray that the congregations of the 26 imprisoned pastors will continue their ministry and reach out to others.
* Freedom of worship to be granted to people of all faiths.
* The total healing of pastor Oqbamichael Tekle-Haimonot, who has just been released after 10 months in detention during which he suffered a mental breakdown as a result of hard labor, solitary confinement and other mental and physical deprivations.
* God to strengthen and encourage the Orthodox Patriarch, Abune Antonious, who has been stripped of his administrative powers and placed under house arrest.
* The safety of all the people who are fleeing Eritrea. Many have died attempting to cross the desert and the Red Sea. Others have drowned in the Mediterranean as they seek to reach Europe.
* The E-Petition Campaign for Eritrea to put pressure on the Eritrean government to release the Christian prisoners.
* Violence in the country to decrease, especially against Christians.
* Christians to be able to worship in freedom and in peace in all regions of the country.
* A great spiritual awakening among Muslims to have a revelation and encounter with the LORD.
Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors, International Christian Concern.

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Arrests Made Over Sulawesi Christian Schoolgirl Beheadings

Five men have been arrested in connection with the recent beheadings of three Christian schoolgirls in Indonesia. The Indonesian military said the men, including a former or retired soldier, were being held for questioning, the British Broadcasting Corporation said, Assist News Service reported.
...
"It is clear this latest attack on an innocent schoolgirl is designed to provoke further religious violence on Sulawesi," CSW's advocacy director Tina Lambert said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their daughter. We urge the Indonesian government to do more to protect the innocent and prevent a return to widespread inter-religious violence."

Pray for:
* Thank the LORD that the five perpetrators of the beheadings of the three girls have been caught. Pray that true justice will prevail. Pray that everyone associated with these brutal murders are also arrested.
* Thank the LORD for the good recovery of Noviana, the fourth girl in the beheadings attack who escaped, fleeing with slash wounds across her face.
* The government to have wisdom and strength in dealing with radicals who promote violence and persecution. Pray that the government will protect all of its citizens regardless of their religion, wisdom and conviction.
* Ivon's recovery. Pray for God's comfort and strength for her family, as well as Siti's family.
* The testimony of the Poso Christians to hold strong and to demonstrate Christ's love in the midst of the terror they are facing.
* The murders to not deter Christians and Muslims from being friends, loving and caring for one another in Poso and throughout Indonesia.

Source: IndonesiaWatch
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Iraq's Constitution Adopted

The vote on the constitution was 78.59 percent for ratification and 21.41 percent against, the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq said. The charter required a simple majority nationwide with the provision that if two-thirds of the voters in any three provinces rejected it, the constitution would be defeated.
...

Some 9.8 million Iraqis cast ballots, or 63 percent of registered voters.
...
Pray for:
* Assyrian and Chaldean churches, which are meeting with the Vatican over concerns for the future of the national Iraqi Church.
* The new constitution to be recognized by all and be effective to protect religious liberty for all despite concerns that it will not.
* God to continue to move mightily in Iraq and for many to encounter Christ.
* God's protection for peacekeeping forces in Iraq. Pray for the plans of insurgents to be thwarted and for the violence to stop.
* Terrorists hiding out in Iraq or in any other country to be found and brought to justice. Pray Mark 4:22.
* Iraq to fulfill her destiny and the purpose God has in His heart for Iraq and the nation's people.

Lead me from that which binds to that which frees;
Lead me from that which cramps to that which creates,
Lead me from that which lies to that which speaks truth,
Lead me from that which blights to that which ennobles.
Lead me from that which hides to that which celebrates;
Lead me from that which fades to that which endures.
~Celtic Prayer

Morocco – Pray that the national church would gain full acceptance within Moroccan society and for the emergence and training of the next generation of leaders.

Iraq – Pray for daily strength for each Christian, especially those living amidst the threat of violence and crime. Pray that they will know the peace of the Prince of Peace within them and shine with His light.

Israel – Pray that Christians harassed by some ultra-orthodox Jews will respond with wisdom, love and courage. Recently, there has been intense pressure on some Christians, notably in Arad.

Djibouti – Continue to pray for the small house groups meeting under constant surveillance. Pray that the blessings of the Lord will rest upon the Djibouti Church.

Yemen – Pray that those who choose to follow Jesus Christ would find safe fellowship and will be properly discipled.

Bahrain – Pray for greater acceptance of religious choice in society and a reduction in family pressure against those who choose to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Lebanon – Praise the Lord for the esteem in which the Christian Schools are collectively held. Pray that they continue to maintain their reputation and use their position for the glory of God.

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Copyright by Windows International Network as dated.

Just yesterday, I read a report that in 1954 a copy of the Bible was presented to the King of B. & refused. However, 50 years later, the Word has been translated & is available in the majority language. ==> His word will not fail!!!

I look forward to a day before I die when Libya will not be known as a place where terror is sourced (as it was in my childhood), but as a place where the liberating power of the Gospel is running once again, bringing life to barren places.

Don't lose heart ... Amen.

Peace in Christ,
Mert Hershberger

<+><
MSG Received

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers this past month on several important issues in regard to His work in *. The brother who has been facing questioning by authorities has had some reprieve, and he thanks you all for your prayers. He still has not received back his passport, so you can continue to pray for that, but otherwise, things have calmed down.
Pray that the Lord will maintain a hedge of protection around these who are serving Him in *.

We regret to share that the Bible Society was not able to obtain permission to enter the country with Bibles and books for the exhibition in Benghazi. Thank the Lord with us for the efforts of this important institution, and ask that they will not grow weary in exploring every possible door for entry with the Good Book. Ask the Lord to open wide the gates that His Word will be freely available to all * citizens.

=====
* is an Arab country that is ruled by a version of Sharia law.

BOTTOM LINE: PRAY THAT ALL ARABS WOULD HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THE WORD OF GOD, BOTH TO READ/HEAR IT & TO UNDERSTAND/LIVE IT.

One African Muslims' Perspective on the USA:

http://allafrica.com/stories/200509030101.html

Mert's Summary: Muslims are free to practice their faith. They are not oppressed, contrary to some propaganda. Christians are nice people.

Mert's question: Are Christians doing what it takes to share the good news with their Muslim (or Buddhist, etc.) neighbors? If we do not, can we expect our children to be faithful?