Exloring Life Eternal

"Honor your father & mother [a prime commandment with a promise] that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." - Ephesians 6:2-3, Exodus 20:12

PRAISE:
Praise God for the temporary work for the MBB who is without a visa or permanent employment. It is because of his faith he has not been able to maintain steady work – employers have treated him unfairly over the past 4+ years.

PETITION:
Pray for a workers conference scheduled in the region in a few weeks time. Pray that all the delegates would get visas and that God’s agenda would be accomplished.

Please pray for a local woman who is earnestly seeking God, reading the Bible, devouring Christian materials, yet has had some strange dreams luring her back to Islam. She has now cut off from contact with Christian friends.

Please pray for a member of the royal family in our country who has been searching for years. In addition to reading the Bible and watching Arabic Christian programming, they have recently had some very deep discussions with believers and requested more Christian materials.

Pray for the MBBs that are staying with tentmaker families in the region. Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide their discipleship and draw them closer to Him.

Ba'ar is a poor local National Muslim man whom a worker has been reaching out. Pray that the worker would have wisdom to know how to minister and witness to this man. Language is a barrier. Pray that God would provide a way for these men to communicate about Jesus.

TESTIMONY:
Sheikha is a young National Muslim woman studying in the government university. She works hard, does all of her work on time and gets good grades in her courses. However, her parents forbid her to meet with any of the tentmakers that she has met over the past 12 months. She has heard the Good News story and is secretly open to the message of Jesus. The tentmakers have been discrete in contacting her over the past 6 – 7 weeks – trying to not compromise her parents trust in her. The family that is relating to them the most has been discouraged by the many, long intervals of silence. However, just recently Sheikha has been allowed by her family to meet up with this Christian family that live near her home – albeit for a work-related help and guidance. Pray for a continued green light from her parents. Pray that she and the tentmaking family to act wisely as they interact with her very strong Muslim family.


<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

(What follows is a letter written by a friend in South Africa who cares deeply for Muslims & seeks to convey the truth in a gentle way. -MJH)

The cartoon crisis is another tragic historic milestone – perhaps on a par with 9/11 and the Iraq war. Like these two earlier events, this one has escalated tensions between the Muslim and ‘Christian world’ (better term ‘western civilization’).

In the wake of the cartoon crisis, Muslims feel they are once again victims of western prejudicial attitudes. They believe that the principle of religious sanctity – particularly in relation to Muhammad – should be upheld in western nations. The grounds on which Muslims feel these caricatures of Muhammad are insulting, has a kernel of truth to it, nevertheless, there has been considerable dishonesty and hypocrisy shown by Muslim leaders who’ve been integrally involved in this story.

Let me explain. Two months after the ‘insulting’ cartoons were printed in Denmark, Ahmed Abu Laban, leader of the Islamic Society of Denmark, took the 12 offending caricatures and compiled them into a booklet – along with 3 fabricated cartoons – which were far more insulting than the genuine ones. He and another imam showed this booklet to three highly reputed Muslim leaders in the Middle East; Amr Moussa – Arab league Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Sayyad Tantawi – Grand Immam of Al Azhar, Yusuf al Qaradawi – Sunni Islam’s most influential scholar. By showing these cartoons to these eminent leaders, Laban harnessed their support towards promoting a groundswell of spontaneous(?) Muslim protest against the Danish newspaper.

If Laban was a man of integrity, “Why did he resort to using 3 hoax cartoons to bolster his argument?” The fact is: Abu Laban believes “mockery against Mohamed deserves the death penalty.” 1 Convinced of this, it seems he rationalized it was insignificant to add some fake cartoons to his booklet. And, besides this, Islamists, like Abu Mazen, regard lying as a permissible tactic of war (Jihad).

Unfolding events have shown how effective Abu Laban’s strategy was. It enraged Muslims so much that they attacked American bases in Afghanistan which had no real connection with the Danish newspaper and resulted in the deaths of 11 Muslims – most, if not all of them, killed by Afghani security forces.

Abu Laban and his colleague have been questioned about who gave them these 3 fabricated cartoons, but they have refused to identify the culprits. However, they claimed that the false cartoons were genuinely Danish and had been added to “give an insight in how hateful the atmosphere in Denmark is towards Muslims.”2 Subsequent research has revealed that one of these cartoons was fabricated and it is doubtful the other two are genuine Danish productions. The one allegedly portraying Muhammad with a pigsnout was from a photo of a pig squealing contest in France. 3 Holding this kind of contest at a carnival seems very strange to me, as I’m sure it does to many other readers, nevertheless, that is exactly what it was.

The BBC notes “the ‘pigface’ photocopy was later filmed in Gaza at the end of January when gunmen took over EU offices, and so somehow it had been lifted out and given importance.” 4This BBC report concludes that the ‘pigface’ picture “does seem to have played a role in the raising of the temperature.”

Bear in mind that this glaring example of dishonesty is not alone. The report that was circulated by Abu Laban purported to want “stable relations, and a flourishing Denmark for all that live here.” But it also maligned Danish people saying, “If you say that they are all infidels, then you are not wrong.” (BBC, ibid)

It is inexcusable that Abu Laban has circulated inflammatory lies but there is something else Muslim leaders have also been guilty of. They have been hypocritical in how they responded to two different newspapers which published the same cartoons of Muhammad. They condemned the Danish editor while turning a blind eye to the Muslim editor of El Fagr who published six of the original 12 caricatures (October 17 2005).

Notice how intense has been the condemnation against the ‘offending’ Danish editor and the ripple effects of these protests against the Danish embassies and exports, not to mention other countries. Why was the Muslim newspaper editor not rebuked, charged, shutdown (or whatever) for committing essentially the same wrong? Does this not smack of double standards and hypocrisy?

It is important to note that the editor of El Fagr criticized these 6 cartoons - as printed - “but it did not incite hatred protests” according to the Freedom for Egyptians blog6. No ‘spontaneous’ outrage broke out until 3 months later when Abu Laban’s efforts at stirring up widespread protest had taken effect. Apparently the people organizing the riots did not know of El Fagr’s article or if they did they overlooked it. However, as this hypocritical story is being publicized more widely I fear there may be serious consequences for the editor. As of this writing, the ‘offensive’ issue of El Fagr (#21) has been removed from the website http://www.elfagr.net./index.html but all the other issues up to early February 2006 can be seen.

What is clear from all this is that a double standard has been applied to editors of papers that published the ‘offending’ cartoons. Several editors operating in Middle East or Muslim countries have been shut down and punished, while others seem to have escaped the wrath of Islamists. The dishonest reporting and lobbying of certain Muslim leaders has certainly fanned the flames of these raging protests, precipitating a global crisis that is causing destruction and death.

Speaking to fellow Muslims who are responsible for provoking violent protests, senior cleric Mohammed Usman of the Ulama Council in Kabul, Afghanistan, declared, “these rioters are defaming the name of Islam.” This rebuke from a leading Muslim calls to mind the opening question of this article, and provides a profound answer: violence discredits and defames the reputation of Muslims.

In conclusion, “How should Christians and Muslims behave in this crisis?” “How should we respond when a revered leader is mocked?” Indeed we might do well to ask, “How did Muhammad and Jesus Christ respond to mockery?” The following articles provide valuable background information to help you explore these vital implications www.answering-islam.org/Silas/asma.htm
<http://www.desiringgod.org/library/sermons/06/012206.html>

Footnotes
1 http://counterterror.typepad.com/the_counterterrorism_blog/2006/02/fabricated_cart.html
2 http://www.neandernews.com/?p=54#comment-32
3 http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/775
4 http://counterterror.typepad.com/the_counterterrorism_blog/2006/02/fabricated_cart.html
5 http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=21215
6 http://freedomforegyptians.blogspot.com/2006/02/cartoons-were-published-five-months.html

Another article which provides useful background information to this cartoon crisis is available at;
www.answering-islam.org/NonMuslims/islam_above_criticism.htm

As one who comes from "redneck" territory, though never really a "redneck," I can honestly say that there is actually quite a lot of similarity between radical-tribal Islam & the culture of Rednecks.

1. A high degree of cultural pride:
"We can laugh at ourselves, but don't you mock me!"
2. A deep confusion between nationalism & faith.
"We all know this is God's Country!"
3. Odd marriage customs & arrangements.
"One year my uncle and my cousin met at a family dinner,
the next year they were married."
4. A joy in life that is often forgotten by the more refined.
"Good ole boys have good times."
5. A simple (even simplistic) faith in God.
"God bless ..."
6. Honor as a value.
"Our family has a good name all over this county & the next!"
7. Anger at the "wealthy" who claim to know God but are unwilling to
"git dirty" to express their faith to those in need. "Hypocrit!"
8. Strong family bonds, friendships, and mutual support reaching
beyond more industrialized societies. "We're family."

That said, I have never met a Redneck who was not friendly to Muslims
they knew. That is, when a redneck meets a muslim, they tend to get along spendidly! [Unless matters of faith are mentioned, then ...] Having moved recently from the South to the North in the USA, my wife &
I have observed these differences on the different sides of the Mason-Dixon line:

South:
More suspicious of Asians.
Less fearful of violence.
The Gospel is often socially more embedded.
Dixie (c) cups are used for spitting out tobacco at social gatherings of men.

North:
More tensions between Whites & Blacks.
More willing to trust government power.
The Law is socially more embedded.
Masonic lodges are more common prominent social institutions.

Both:
Muslims & Mexicans are both suspect, though for different reasons.

It seems that a great deal of the current conflict is a result of "stereotypes." In the Bible, the Lord Jesus Himself was not afraid to use "stereotypes" in public when speaking:

Herod = that fox.
Pharisees & lawyers = hypocrites (those under-judgment).
(example: The lawyer who helps people get divorced at work
& helps people get married at church.
- Featured in the Ann Arbor News this past Saturday.)
Sadducees = hopeless (no resurrection).
Jesus also said “Don’t put your pearls before swine.”

Paul called the Cretans, well, cretans! = lazy, brutes, liars, drunk ... about like a modern frat house! (Titus 1:12)

John regarded Rome as “satan” in Revelation. (Which is why I don’t identify deeply with America – today’s imperial power.)

Stereotypes were also spoken of Jesus:

Nazoreans = “what good can come from there” – The hick / red-neck region of Palestine, known to have some revolutionary tendencies. (John 1:46)

Meanwhile the folks in Nazareth figured Jesus had “gotten a big head after all the nice things other folks was sayin’, we best put him back in his place!” Nazareth’s version of a lynching just about followed (see Luke 4).

... I wonder how Abraham felt when he was 100 & finally had the nerve to admit / confess the lie (or 1/2 truth) he had told & had his wife tell that they were not merely 1/2 brother - 1/2 sister, but also husband & wife?

Being “in the world & yet not of it” is the answer to much of the current debate: get beyond how others stereotype you & enter into the realm which God has ordained for you. Walk with Jesus everywhere you go. Talk with Jesus before you ever talk to others.

I think it is the same “Abrahamic” shame over our own sins in the evangelical camp that hinders God from pouring out even greater blessing upon us. Amazingly, humble honesty renders the accuser’s darts useless as we take refuge in our Lord rather than our land.

We have stayed in the camp too long & neglect to put our lives & reputations at risk in order share the good news of returning to righteousness & resting with those who could do serious harm to our own standing: socially, financially, bodily, etc.

A brother spoke of his own variety of Christianity at a denominational meeting I once attended:
"We are like manure:
We do a lot of good if you spread us out,
But we sure raise a stink if you keep us all in a heap."

Stereotypes can thus, have some use, but they can also be VERY dangerous, if you let them govern you:
Example from the BBC:
An Islamic commentator from Pakistan considered the recent burning & destruction of a local franchise of Kentucky Fried Chicken (A USA based company) to be justifed because one (1) publication in Denmark published some months ago 12 cartoons mocking a deceased Arabian poet. For the Pakistani man being interviewed, the firing of the editor of the Danish newspaper & apology by the newspaper was insufficient. He demanded that all "you" [non-muslims or westerners, it was not clear] apologize because "you" are the cause of this.

Honestly, it sounded much like the rantings of religious leaders in Jerusalem who insisted upon the crucifixion of Jesus (Isa Al-Masih) & sought to persecute Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul).

Because it has become so _clear_ that Islam is hostile to all others, it is evident that it will fall. Islam is trying to save itself & defend itself ... & in the process is exposing its divisive nature.

Jesus said that slandering Him as the Son of Man (Fully Human), was forgivable. It is slandering the Holy Spirit which is not forgiveable. May many more find the grace of our Lord in these last days. May God show His mercy to those who rant & rave & riot.

Please pray for me, as I often work where folks are hostile to the Gospel. May the Lord's Honor not diminish in the eyes of those I serve because of my own foolishness.

Born in the North.
Raised in the South.
Traveled to various nations.
Living in the North.

Following the Lord Who was buried in a borrowed tomb, now empty:
Who Is the God of Abraham, whose only land was a grave-plot when he died.

Peace in Christ,
Mert Hershberger
mertaka@everybody.org
www.pray-ap.info

02/13/2006

"Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. ... I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever." - The LORD God (1 Samuel 2:30, 35)

PRAISE:
We are thankful that an expatriate MBB living in our country has returned from an intense time with his family in a neighboring Arabian Peninsula country. He has been through a tough time of questioning and pressure from his family regarding his Christian faith. Pray that he would find an entry-level job in his profession that would give him more independence to pursue his relationship with God more aggressively away from their watchful eyes.

PETITION:
Another university friend came over to read different prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament. He was amazed at how specific they were! He is from a very religious community, and he had never touched the Bible before. Pray for the Seed of Truth to take deep root & bear fruit.

Pray for local people to be in contact with Christian teaching through the internet. Pray for the publicity of various Arabic websites - that those with internet access would become aware of them and visit them. Pray for God to reach out to people through this media.

Pray also that amid the current controversy in the world about some depictions of Muhammed, that the Lord would protect those who are not directly involved. In times like this, sometimes Western cultural values of "freedom" can cause more harm than good. Pray that the gentleness & kindness & honest balance of the Lord's servants would cause many to hunger intensely for the Lord Jesus.

Pray for “Kevin,” an expatriate MBB that we have brought before the PTAP network previously. He has been in hiding from his family who has threatened to kill him unless he comes back to Islam. He was recently seen by his family in one of our major cities and is now in another hiding place. Pray that he would continue to hunger for God, to draw close to him, to learn in greater ways to trust him with all aspect of his life – including his life itself.

Pray for the ministry of the MV Doulos in Qatar beginning 20 February for several weeks. There have been some difficulties with the government authorities complicating the coordination work of the line-up team. Pray for God’s way to be found over these hurdles.


TESTIMONY:
H.A. is doing well. He is a young man that I have been relating to for several months. We studied John 4 together last night, and he was struck by how the village didn’t believe in Jesus based on the woman’s testimony. They had to see for themselves.

He wondered out loud how different people come to aith. “I pray every night about the obstacles here to people believing in Isa al Messih,” he said. “And I think about how those obstacles might be removed.” How cool is that!

Please pray for him – he has been falsely accused at work of poor communication and lack of team work. He cares about restoring his good name so that Jesus would not be defamed.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

There is a proverb in one Arabic country: "One day as a cock
rather than ten as a hen." Meaning that it is better to live a
short life with power and honour than a long life of humble
submission. What a contrast to the words of Psalm 84:10 where the Psalmist reminds us that it is better to spend a day in God's courts than a thousand elsewhere and he desires to be a doorkeeper in God's
house. Pray for God to change the hearts of many that they may humbly
seek his face and understand the futility of seeking after
worldly things.