The Great Separation

Pastor Pourmand Acquitted of Apostasy Charges.

They hate you because of me - Dan Wooding, the founder of ASSIST Ministries wrote the following news report for ASSIST News Services on Pastor Pourmand. If you have been visiting here for a length of time you will recognize Pourmand's name.

He is the pastor in Iran who was facing the death penalty for being a Christian. You can catch up on info in this post and this post. My original post was here.

Here's Wooding's report on the latest on Pourmand's situation:

CONVERT FROM ISLAM ACQUITTED OF APOSTASY CHARGES
Could have faced death penalty

By Dan Wooding

Founder of ASSIST Ministries

BANDAR-I BUSHEHR, IRAN (ANS) -- Hamid Pourmand, a lay leader in the Assemblies of God church in Bandar-i Bushehr who converted to Christianity in 1980, has been acquitted of charges of apostasy and proselytizing.

“If found guilty he would have faced the death penalty,” said a spokesperson for Middle East Concern (MEC), who has been monitoring the case. “He remains imprisoned for allegedly deceiving the Iranian army about his being a Christian.”

Pourmand was arrested September 9, 2004, together with 85 other participants of the annual general conference of denomination. The other Christians were released within the next three days, but pastor Pourmand was charged with hiding his conversion from his superiors. According to Iranian law only Muslims can be officers in the army.

The Middle East Concern spokesperson went on to say, “On Saturday May 28th an Islamic judge in Bandar-I Bushehr, on Iran's Gulf coast, acquitted pastor Pourmand of charges of apostasy and proselytizing Muslims. Christian news agency Compass Direct has been told that the judge reportedly stated ‘I don't know who you are, but the rest-of-the-world does,’ a clear reference to the international attention that this case has attracted.’”

Praise the Lord!

Wooding continues:

Stacy's Car Vandalized by Heterosexual Haters. Again.

So isn't this a hate crime? - Stacy, or Media Soul fame, had her God bumper sticker and her marriage bumper sticker vandalized. This isn't the first time either. But it's not a hate crime.

But had the situation been reversed and someone vandalized a pro-homosexual bumper sticker on a car belonging to a person practicing the sin of homosexuality you can bet the pro-sin of homosexuality activists would be raising so much dust that the FBI would be in California investigating the whole incident as a hate crime.

But since it's a Christian who's car and bumper stickers were vandalized it really doesn't rate as anything but a time waster for the authorities.

So basically it qualifies for a They hate you because of me incident.

Now, Which Commandment is that Company Breaking?

I wouldn't want to work there! - I suppose this qualifies as an oddity on one level, but on another level it's deeply saddening.

Michael Ireland reports for the ASSIST News Service that there is a start up company calling itself "ASK G**".

It's a cellular service that promises to answer any questions you send them. The people who will be answering the questions are supposed to be well trained "Angels".

Ireland writes:

Everyone would agree that the race for mobile Internet access has begun. And we all know that many strange things have been said -- and done -- in the name of God. But now I think I've seen it all.

One enterprising individual has set up a company in Dallas, Texas, offering a hotline to God, complete with live angels to answer your every question, 24/7 -- all from the comfort and convenience of…your cell phone.

According to a press release from ASK G**, "In June of 2005, our company will allow you to ASK G**. As our name implies, ASK G** will supply you with every answer imaginable, twenty-four hours a day. Furthermore, our service does not rest on the Sabbath."

The press release goes on to read:

"Don't be fooled by all the wireless gadgets out there that promise you heaven but have you cursing like hell while you squint at small screens and type on dot-sized buttons. To capture all the information off the Net, all you need is the one thing you already have -- your cell phone. Put your stylus down, stop searching the streets for Wi-Fi spots and call ASK G**. ASK G** saves you the one thing you need and can't ever buy -- your time."

And:

"Once you start using ASK G**, You'll Know It All!"

The whole thing reminds me of a classic movie I absolutely love. Desk Set starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

Accept the whole using the Lord's name in vain is deeply disturbing to me. Deeply. In fact, I think I find it frightening.

The commandment is, Exodus 20:7.

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."

Veil of Deception: The Impact of Same Sex Marriage on American Youth

For your viewing pleasure/displeasure - The following is a review of a DVD I received as a reviewer for Mind & Media as a gift from the publisher "Mission: Ameria." (Note that if you own a weblog and would like books and videos in exchange for a review on your weblog then visit Mind & Media today.)

This review is by my brother who is the youth minister in my church.

Title: Veil of Deception: The Impact of Same Sex Marriage on American Youth
Run Time: 30 min.
Produced by: Mission America
Rating: N/A (I would suggest PG, maybe even PG-13 due to frank discussion about sex.)
By: PTPax

I have long disliked Christian entertainment. It always seems to suffer from a lack of quality and, in my mind, embarrass the Christian community more than help it. But, Veil seems to break that mold.

The DVD-R has a nice label and looks professional. It did not play in my DVD player. This is probably due to the age of my player and the newness of the format. It is something to keep in mind if you intend to view it at home. So, I was left to watch it on my PC. Mission America may fix this later.

Veil has a high production quality. The editing, music, captions, etc. were all broadcast news quality. They had a good narrator who ably conveyed concern and urgency through the script. I can see a lot went into this production, allowing the viewing public to take it seriously.

So, what was it about? Homosexual marriage and its impact on American youth. (Kind of what the title says!) Veil is presented as documentary. Interviews cut with event footage and internet headlines are used to show the homosexual movement into the public school system and the minds of our youth. Pro-family movements and organizations are covered from San Diego to Washington D.C. and places in between.

Veil does an excellent job showing ordinary people taking a stand against the homosexual agenda in relation to their children. I am impressed the producers didn’t limit their footage to Christians, but Jews and (presumably) non-Christians also had screen time. This technique shows how this issue cuts deep into the very fabric of our culture.

However, with a 30 minute run time, much is left unsaid. The DVD simply doesn’t answer the stated objective. How are America’s youth affected by gay marriage? It does much to show the reach and influence of homosexual groups on our public school system and even our court houses. But, Veil does not truly tell how our youth are affected. It does give you small hints in some of the interviews. Some ask the rhetorical question of how will this influence affect today’s youth when they reach adulthood. But no one ever gives a concrete answer. The producers fall short of their intended goal for the DVD.

This DVD will achieve excellent results if used in conjunction with other material. Show it at the beginning of a rally or a seminar and then follow up other information that more deeply answers the question presented in the title. Or, use it to motivate parents to get involved in their children’s schools or for congregations to take a more active role in civic affairs. When used in these kind of settings this can and will be a very powerful battle cry.

'Sand Writing'.

For your reading pleasure/displeasure. -In re-reading John chapter 8 in preparation for that particular Bible study I was reminded of an essay I wrote some time ago. So I figured I'd pull it out of the archives and post it here.

It's titled 'Sand Writing', ©Harold M. Paxton, III:

Just what did Jesus Christ write in the sand? The Pharisees brought the adulteress to Him on the temple steps. Maybe they sought to probe His knowledge of the Law of Moses with the hope to entrap and accuse Him of some wrong before His followers. Perhaps some even questioned how far the forgiveness He spoke of went. Surely they were seeking to tarnish the image that the masses had of Him. Instead of answering quickly, Jesus knelt down and just wrote in the sand.

Just what did Jesus Christ write in the sand? A crowd of people most likely surrounded Jesus, pressing in trying to witness another confrontation between Him and the Pharisees. Standing before Jesus, in the middle of the crowd, the woman probably stared down at her dusty feet wishing she could vanish from the face of the earth. I imagine that when Jesus finally stood up after listening to all the taunts and questions, and after He pronounced, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” that the woman fell to her knees in desperation. Again, He likely crouched before the temple and continued His writing in the sand. While Christ wrote, stones fell from dirty hands and people slowly departed. Eventually, Jesus was left alone with the adulteress on the temple steps.

Just what did Jesus Christ write in the sand? Perhaps no one saw the writing in the sand, perhaps only the woman could see the writing, or perhaps Christ only doodled. Personally, I think everyone caught a glimpse of what He wrote and it shocked everyone so much, that combined with His judgment, all were shamed when the light of that sand writing exposed their own guilt. Whatever He wrote, it had a profound effect because it's hard to believe that His statement alone would drive the self-righteous, pompous, white washed Pharisees away. In truth, these people were no different than us today.

Just what did Jesus Christ write in the sand? The adulteress stayed, back on her feet, probably in a state of shocked disbelief, looking at Christ writing in the sand. When He finally stood, He looked about and asked, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” She muttered in reply, “No man, Lord.” And Jesus declared, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Strange, Christ, the only person there without sin, would have been justified under the law to stone her. Instead, He forgave her. Why?

I think He forgave her because Christ sees the person first and the sin second. He sees beneath the actions to the heart and He knows the heart's worth. Why else would He be willing to suffer and die on the cross for the purpose of reuniting man with God? Man must be worth something great and unfathomable. It's difficult for me to comprehend such love, but somehow I’ve gained an inkling of it, a blurred image in a mirror. However, it must not be forgotten that Christ did not just forgive her, but that He also gave her the command to leave her life of sin. Christ gives that command to us too. Paul addressed this in more depth in Romans 6:15-16, “What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Just what did Jesus Christ write in the sand? Something, that when combined with His statement, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” I turned, dropped my rock, and left my wicked life forever.

And Jesus, with His hands, erased those sins in the sand.

Read the full account Biblical account of this event in John chapter 8.

Christian Persecution Round Up.

They hate you because of me - Graham Staines and his two sons, Philip and Timothy were murdered for being Christians by a mob of militant Hindus in 1999.

Christianity Today reports that one of the men, Dara Singh, involved in the immolation of these three Christians has had his death sentence commuted by the Orissa high court to life in prison. This decision, writes Manpreet Singh for Christianity Today, has frustrated the Christian community in India not because they desired revenge but because the state of Orissa has continued to show an "inability to bring justice to the culprits"; eleven others who were convicted have since been freed.

Manpreet writes:

...news reports say Singh's reaction to the court decision was anything but remorse, "It is the happiest day of my life," he said. "I was doing social service, and I will continue to do that once I am acquitted." He also contemplated running for public office. His counsel promised to pursue Singh's acquittal in India's Supreme Court.

You need to read the list of abuses directed against our brothers and sisters in Vietnam in an article on Radio Free Asia. Here's a snippet:

“The authorities in the village and district let a group of ‘brothers’ [cadres and villagers] plunder all our land—they beat us all up in the Ta-phin People’s Committee office and in the rice fields. Numerous petitions to the province haven’t helped, so I brought our petition here to Hanoi to see if they can help,” Cam said.

“They produced papers saying I was renouncing my religion and told me to sign them. When I didn't sign they beat me and others.”

A fellow brother in Christ has been forced into a mental hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Why because he's a Christian and they will not let him out until he denies Christ.

WorldNetDaily™ quotes Voice of the Martyrs:

"The hospital medical committee placed Mahmoud under the care of a female physician identified only as Dr. Nevine, whom sources describe as a 'fanatic Muslim.' Since his forced confinement, Mahmoud has reportedly endured beatings, whippings and potentially fatal injections."

In reporting on attacks against churches and pastors in Turkey, Christian Today reports that despite an outward attempt by the government of Turkey towards religious tolerance some feel that attacks against Christians is increasing by militant Muslims.

Reports have been seen that state that media in the country have began a campaign against Christian missionary activities.

The government also allegedly commented on the work of missionaries as politically motivated, and during prayers on Friday in mosques, worshipers were warned that Christian missionaries "deceive and convert" people.

Continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe who bare the sufferings of Christ.

The Great Separation continues.

Grinch Arrested.

Your papers please - The AP is reporting that a 42 year-old man got himself arrested because he was wearing a Grinch mask in public.

Officers saw Gray about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, told him to take the mask off and not put it on again. Gray removed it and asked why he could not wear it, according to Wheeling police reports. Officers told him wearing masks in public is illegal.

Gray said he felt he had a right to wear it and said it was not illegal. He put the mask back on and was arrested. The mask was confiscated.

You know, some laws are just stupid and only there to stroke the egos of those with power.

Sure this guy looked strange, but for pity sake, it is supposed to be a free country.

(ht Drudge)

Bible Study, Gospel of John Chapter 7.

Seeking as for hidden treasure. - Here is the Bible study questions for John chapter 7.

You can download the PDF file here (John 7, Bible Study). (Right click and select the save option to save it to your computer. Clicking the link will likely load the pdf in your browser.)

(Added 2006.05.22: For download of the complete Bible study [all 21 chapters] follow this link.)

If you find the Bible studies helpful in your growth in the Lord, please consider giving a donation through the button below. Right now all donations will be used to pay for the week long mission trip I'm taking in July to Tampa where I will be working with an organization that ministers to migrant workers, homeless, needy, and children. I've not been notified of the final cost by our group leader yet, but it's expected to be around $400-$450. Thank you.

And here are the questions contained in this study:

1. Read through the questions of this Bible study then read chapter 7 of John and write down any questions and insights that come to you.
2. What principle(s) do we find in the actions and words of Christ in verses 1 through 8?
3. What did Christ's brothers have in mind for Christ? Verses 3,4.
4. What did God the Father have in mind for Christ? Try to site scriptural references.
5. Verse 5 tells us that not even Christ's brothers believed in Him at this point in time, but did that ever change? For a list of His brothers see Matthew 13:55, also see 1 Corinthians 9:5 and Galatians 1:19.
6. Why did Christ wait and then go in secret to the Feast of Tabernacles? Verses 1-13.
7. What is Christ saying His goal is in His speech to the Jews in verses 16-19?
8. What miracle is Jesus referring to in verses 21 through 24?
9. In verses 25 through 27 and verses 41 through 44 we read two different things about "the Christ" that the Jews looked for and His origins. They appear in opposition. Why is this?
10. What is Christ talking about in verses 33-34?
11. When would the incident take place and those who believe in Christ receive the Spirit John writes about in verses 37 through 39?
12. Who did the people in verse 31 think Christ was?
13. What did Nicodemus point out to the Pharisees about themselves? Verses 45 through 52.

May the Holy Spirit guide and lead you in your desire to know Christ more fully.

-Hal

Related Posts:

Bible Study, Gospel of John Chapter 1.
Bible Study, Gospel of John Chapter 2
Bible Study, Gospel of John Chapter 3
Bible Study, Gospel of John Chapter 4.
Bible Study, Gospel of John Chapter 5.
Bible Study, Gospel of John Chapter 6.

Parents! Read this.

Vigilance Matters. - If you're a parent and concerned about the health of you kids (wish I didn't need to add that exception) then you need to head over to The Narrow and read the alert posted by bryanm about a book your kids could come home with from the library.

In a nutshell the book is about a group of teens who plan an oral-sex party at which each of the girls wears a different color of lipstick. Now, call me old-fashioned, closed minded or whatever you will, but this is simply wholly inappropriate.

I agree.

bryanm goes onto implicate the MSM and Hollywood and how these groups in America are seeking to sexualize our youth.

Be sure to click over and read the alert.

'24' Jack on the Loose.

Awesome! - I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait until January for the next season of '24'.

This season finally was great! Edge of your seat. Although I had Jack going to prison in China and Tony, Michelle, Chloe, and President Palmer rescueing him next season. Which I guess could still happen.

Over 7 months to wait. Geezs.

I can't wait.