Exloring Life Eternal

“This calls for the patient endurance of the saints.” - Revelation.

PRAISE:
Praise the Lord for the keen interest expressed recently by fellowships in South Africa, Pakistan and South America. The workers in the Arabian Peninsula are so encouraged by the faithful prayer support poured out world-wide for the AP.

PRAY:
Pray for the many young, National, Muslim ladies who have heard the Gospel from a single female tentmaker over the past 5 years. This tentmaker is returning to her home country. Pray that the relationships are able to be transferred over to another tentmaking woman to continue the gospel story in their lives.

Pray for the visa and work situation for an MBB living in our country. He is such a faithful servant and regularly reaches out in love to the Muslim in the community.

Pray for the expatriate church in our capital city. There is much conflict between the elders, the pastor and the members. Pray that this disgrace to God’s name would stop. Pray that the Muslims in the community would know that this behavior is not advocated in the Bible.

Pray for the young National Muslim woman who is struggling in her marriage and her work situation. She is hungry for a peace that truly satisfies. Pray that she would be able to relate to a Christian woman to share the good news with her.

Please continue to pray for the tentmaker family who are hoping to move here. Pray for one of the jobs he has applied for to come forth with a job offer / contract so that this family can come and serve God here in this country. There are other, too, hoping to serve God here - pray for job contracts to be forthcoming. Without a job, people cannot get residency in the country.

Pray for the tentmaker family that is in a major transition for work. They are closing the business that has allowed them to serve in their country. This is raising a temptation to be anxious and to look to themselves for a solution and not trust on God’s provision. Pray also for their young son who has an eye disorder that can be corrected over time with specific therapy. Pray that his eye would be healed and that God would get the glory.

TESTIMONY:
As the Lord has been at work in the Arabian Peninsula, where most Arabians live, He has also recently opened the doors for more Arabians to again study abroad, particularly in the USA. They are learning English & other skills in universities. Because the Lord puts people where they can reach out for Him, He has already prepared some laborers in these universities to minister to them.

We have heard of a number of instances where, for example, single or married women who may not have been able to minister to Muslims in their homeland as freely, are find friends who are interested, not only in English, but also in the Book through which God speaks in any language. Thank the Lord with us for those who have expressed interest in receiving the Word & for those who are taking the initiative to reach out in love, while praying for more.


<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

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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

The following article reveals a major chink in the thinking processes of some in government:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20060220-121022-8852r.htm

A. This was the same sort of error that led to the downfall of Judah after Hezekiah's time.
B. The bin-Ladin family has construction companies in the UAE.
C. Which is more important: money or integrity?

I have friends in the UAE.
I desire the Good News to spread in the UAE.

However, just as I believe an expansionist policy is wrong for the USA (ie. it is wrong to build a USA empire in Muslim countries), it is also wrong for other countries to control major USA ports in this way. It is both unwise politically, internationally, historically, & ultimately economically.

Unless the USA government wishes to cede a certain portion of seats in Congress & certain offices in the White House & the Supreme Court to foreign governments, this seems foolish to me.

It is like spreading sand over our eyes.

The UAE government cannot grow legitimate vegetables in their deserts & now a UAE agency is being asked to control the USA ports?

I suppose that it is about as likely that Tel Aviv will become a popular destination to homosexuals & actively seek them out.

Oh ... that is already happening according to a story I read this past weekend.

Alas!


Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.

Becoming mobile: doing church at the metro stops: National Community Church
Find more @
http://www.christianitytoday.com
http://www.theaterchurch.com
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How can congregational churches be revitalized?

Look here for some tips:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2005/004/8.24.html

When you look at these statistics & the current condition of the USA:

- Follow Jesus 100%.
- Be thankful for the good you have received.
- Pray for the end of evil.
- Rejoice in the presence of the Lord Jesus!! For He is at work, even now!!
- Obey the Word of the Lord: Be Holy!
- Tell others the good news, if you know it.
- Share your gifts with others.

See the link below for the good news:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%202,%2015;&version=31;9;

Seeking Peace & pursuing Him with all who love the Lord,
Mert Hershberger

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The year is 1905 -- one hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some of the U.S. statistics for the year 1905:

* The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.
* Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
* Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
* A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
* There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads in the U.S.
* The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

* Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.
* With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union.
* The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.
* The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!
* The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.

* Two out of every ten U.S. adults couldn't read or write.
* Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
* There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
* Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
* The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.
* The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
* A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year, a dentist * $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
* More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at home.
* Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had no college education. Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard."

* Sugar cost four cents a pound.
* Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
* Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
* Most women washed their hair only once a month, and they used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
* Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

* Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
* Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.
* Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores.
* Back then a pharmacist said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health." [This would not be said as readily today, eh?]

* There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.

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The brother who sent the email on which this was based:
P.G. Vargis
http://www.pgv.com/about.html

Got some interesting spam from this group:

http://www.tencommandnews.com
Ten Commandments Drive, LLC
1591 N. Powerline Road
Pompano Beach, FL 33069

... Something I have been thinking about:

"When reference to God is removed from a nation's identity, then you can be sure of this, it is destined for destruction."

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/capital.asp

I have come to view the founding of the United States of America as a turning point in the religious history of this land. In many ways, there was formed a federation that was opposed to the revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ as sovereign over all.

#401 for Sept. 25, 2005

Pray that God will provide opportunities for Christians to reach Hindus In the U.S.

The largest number of Hindus are found in India where they number 827 million out of a population of over one billion. However, Hinduism is spreading throughout the world and there is a steady growth of its followers in the U.S. who are estimated at 1,082,000.

The following statement from “Hinduism Today” expresses the impact of this religion in America: “HINDU AND INDIAN STUDIES HAVE BEEN EAGERLY AND INSIGHTFULLY PURSUED IN AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES, MUSEUMS AND CENTERS OF LEARNING. AT HARVARD, SMITH, SYRACUSE, MICHIGAN, SANTA BARBARA, BERKELEY, CHICAGO, and hundreds of other places, previously veiled from Western (and even Eastern) eyes. Men and women of exceptional abilities have dedicated a lifetime of research that is revealing dimensions of Hindu tradition in their teaching which delves into Hindu art, mythology, language, poetry and philosophy. Thousands of students are attending these classes.”

Just recently, the Hindu community of Pomona, CA, gathered together to celebrate Acharya Day (a day to honor all Hindu spiritual leaders) at the Sri Ranganatha Temple. Special emphasis was given to the children and teenagers to be involved.

Pray that more Christians in the United States, especially in southern California will have a desire to reach the Hindu people. Pray that opportunities will open for Christians to know Hindu people through business and personal contacts. One accessible place in Southern California is called the “Little India” area in Cerritos Web site for Little India is: www.ranchovilasa-spurs.com/little_india.html

[In Pittsfield Township, MI, there is a Hindu meeting place. Also, each summer there is a Kumbh Mela, in SE Michigan where youth gather, and sexual immorality is encouraged. Idolatry is typically associated with sensuality, immorality, and greed, according to Paul and history bears this out.]

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Hinduism is spreading in China through Yoga and Meditation

The 2005 China International Yoga Show and Conference is to be held in Beijing from October 21-23rd. The director stated, “Our aim is to bring China and India closer with many Indian yoga masters and parishioners taking part to demonstrate their skills. It is expected to attract over 300 exhibitors and between 80,000-100,000 visitors.” Pray that God will intervene through believers who will direct these people in knowing that true peace is found in the Gospel.

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Pray for the Indian people affected by heavy monsoons in western India

In this last week, floods have marooned hundreds of villages, affecting the lives of thousands of people in western India. Hundreds have died and thousands are displaced.

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?