The Great Separation

Scripture for this Week: John 14: 27.

Stand in it. - The end of the year is drawing to a close. I can't believe it's nearly done. A lot has taken place this year in my life. A lot is left undone and there are goals not quite met. I've seen Satan's continuing attacks upon myself and worse upon the people I deeply love.

I also continue to see the hand of my God in all of it. I know that in it all He is a work and will accomplish His will.

I feel on the cusp of something. A change perhaps. A new direction? A mighty working of His plan? A fulfillment? I don't know what awaits but I do know on Whom I am to rely in the midst of the storms that rage.

Here is this week's scripture:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27 (NIV)

May we all find the blessings that our heavenly Father desires us to discover in today!

Addendum:
It appears I selected this scripture for the week back on the 28th of September. Regardless, I think I will let it be this week's selection too. It's been a good one for me today.

Christian Highschool Girls Beheaded in Indonesia.

They hate you because of me - Just how much do you love the Lord God Almighty? I'm speaking to those of you in the West who live in countries where being a Christian does not mean daily putting your life on the line for Christ.

So really how much do you love the Lord God Almighty? Are you willing to let lose your life this instant if someone where to walk up to you and tell you to choose: Christ or Islam; Christ or Government; Christ or Buddha; Christ or Animism.

It may yet come to that for the West.

It certainly will as the End of Days draws near.

Don't count on a rapture to save you from such a choice. The rapture didn't save these four girls from making the choice for Christ.

smh.au.com reports:

Three teenage Christian girls were beheaded and a fourth was seriously wounded in a savage attack on Saturday by unidentified assailants in the Indonesian province of Central Sulawesi.

The girls were among a group of students from a private Christian high school who were ambushed while walking through a cocoa plantation in Poso Kota subdistrict on their way to class, police Major Riky Naldo said.

The three girl's heads were discovered a number of miles from where the murderers left their bodies.

The fourth girl is in critical condition. Say a prayer for her.

The President of Jakarta, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has ordered that the killers be found (what else would he order?). He had this to say:

"In the holy month of Ramadan, we are again shocked by a sadistic crime in Poso that claimed the lives of three school students," he told reporters at the airport as he prepared to fly to Sumatra island.

"I condemn this barbarous killing, whoever the perpetrators are and whatever their motives."

Say a prayer for the killers. Pray that they would come to know Christ as Savior and Lord.

Make your decision now. Make it known.

The Great Separation continues.

As always see the Persecution Blog for more information on the Church under persecution.

[ht: The Drudge Report]

How does a Muppet Qualify as Reality TV?

For your viewing pleasure/displeasure. - Now this might be a reality show that I would watch. At least for the first episode.

WFTV.com reports that ABC is considering bringing the Muppets, perhaps a bit late, to the reality TV craze.

ABC has ordered a script and five episode outlines for "America's Next Muppet," which may have viewers choosing the newest member of the puppet family.

Notice that they've ordered a script. Does a script constitute "reality"?

Anyway, it might be worth watching if it makes it to the magic box. Still, the best reality tv is The Amazing Race. Just wish I had time to watch it.

A Quote for Thought.

Chew on this. - In my reading at the first of the week I hit this quote from William Law and chewed on it throughout the day.

So of course I desire to share it with you.

"Self is not only the seat and habitation, but the very life of sin; the works of the devil are all wrought in self; it is his peculiar workshop."

I was also reminded of James 4:7:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

You can't resist Satan if you're living in your will. It's when we die to self and seek out God's will for us that Satan is defeated because God's will is untouchable for that snake.

Scripture for this Week: Philippians 4: 4-9.

Stand in it. - On my daily walks I take scripture with me to start out on good footing. Mainly I took Psalms 20, but it's now written upon my heart so I no longer need to carry a printed copy with me.

So this week I've been pocketing this piece:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Php 4:4-9 NIV)

May His peace and grace enfold you this week as you seek Him out above all else.

The Great Separation continues.

Lull that Infantryman to Sleep.

Your pillow won't shut off. - Here's an oddity for you. A pillow designed to help your favorite man in fatigues go to sleep.

WFTV.com reports:

Danish researchers have created the MusiCure pillow. It's a nice cuddly pillow with a microchip and speakers inside.

The researchers said the pillow can help soldiers from Kosovo to Iraq to relax and fall asleep. The speakers play sounds of birds chirping and soothing music from acoustic instruments.

Probably a good idea. I just hope it's not loud enough to give away their position. Can you imagine five hundred of these pillows chirping at once?

The view from the Mountain.

I want to stay longer. - One week just isn't enough for me. I need to be here longer. I love the view and the Blue Ridge. I wouldn't want to live here I think. Well... Not without good reason. It would be too cold for me in the winter, but it's definitely a wonderful vacation spot.

Here's a shot on the old mountain road I've hiked a couple of times.

And this is a view from the porch this morning.

I took a walk down the mountain this morning along the road. That proved to be a wonderful way to start the morning. Coming back up wasn't as easy as going down - I'm sure there's a spiritual principle there. But I actually made really good time for a flat-lander and I even stopped to pick up some colorful leaves.

What a View in Burnsville, NC!

I'm here. - Hey folks. I've got a dial-up connection at the place where we are staying so one might expect to hear something out of me depending on what I feel like doing.

But don't hold your breath. I'm on vacation.

I'm at the destination my brother and I set out for last Saturday.

We stopped and caught up with our cousin John in Augusta. He pastors this First Advent Christian Church there. Here's a picture of the church and the sign.

Here's a picture of the church sign incase there's any TGS readers in Augusta that would love to hear a wonderful preacher.

Now we are in Burnsville, North Carolina, relaxing after a short hike up a where I got this picture.

Had to wear jeans and a jacket for that hike. What a difference over Florida this time of year.

Cheers!

Scripture for the Week: Psalm 40:17.

Stand in it. - Greetings. I'm on vacation this week. Wish me well!

But I've pre-selected the scripture for the week. How you ask? Well, I was reading on 10/14, Psalm Chapter 40 and this one really stuck out to me.

“But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.” (Psalms 40:17 AV)

May the Lord of Hosts bless you and yours. - Hal

Seven Hours of Torture and Interrogation for Christian.

They hate you because of me - There has been a number of news releases over the last week from China Aid, an organization that tracks the persecution of Home Churches in China.

Here is one of the press releases concerning a Christian brother arrested and beaten for trying to help fellow Christians in Communist China.

Contact: Bob Fu
bobfu@ChinaAid.org
(267) 205-5210

Renowned Beijing Christian Activist Released after Beaten

Midland, Texas (CAA, 10-11-2005)—CAA learned [that] after 7 hours intensive interrogation, Mr. Hua Huiqi was released from detention. Hua was handcuffed throughout the whole seven hours and he was kicked and beaten constantly. According to Hua who spoke to Rev. Bob Fu after [Hua's] release, the interrogators repeatedly slapped his face every time before he answered a question. Hua was accused providing aid to Christians who go to Beijing for being persecuted by local authorities. He was arrested by about 7-8 self claimed police from Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau who rushed into Hua’s home at about 4pm in the afternoon.

Mr. Hua told Rev. Bob Fu, president of CAA, “though I was beaten by the interrogators repeatedly, I told them I love and pray for them instead of hating them. They told me I am a strange man.”

To make an urgent appeal to the international community and the Beijing Public Security authority to intervene on his behalf.
Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau contact information:
Address:
No.9, Dongdajie, Qianmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing, PRC
Telephone number:+86-10-84020101 (24-hour automatic inquiry) Manual Inquiry 8:30-12:00 13:00-17:00

Mr. Hua Huiqi’s Home Phone number: +86-10-6336-8113

Bob Fu, President of China Aid Association

Say a prayer for Mr. Hua and for the Christian Church in China.

Another good source of information for staying abreast of the persecution our brothers and sisters in Christ face around the globe is the weblog, Persecution Blog.

The Great Separation continues.