The Great Separation

Picture Perfect Friday: A Missing Friend.

Been missing him today for some reason.

That's not a bad thing, mind you. Just sort of an expectation to see him when I turn around that leaves a smile on my face and a taste of lonesome in my heart.

Final South Korean Christians Released.

They hate you because of me - I was reading this afternoon over at Jodi's blog and learned that the last of the hostages whom the murderous Taliban in Afghanistan were holding have been released.

Thank the Lord for His mercy. My prayer is that seeds of Christ's love displayed by these brothers and sisters while in captivity will take root in the lives of their captors. May they hunger and thirst for Jesus and His righteousness.

The 19 South Korean Christian Hostages Going Home.

They hate you because of me - I am glad to see that it looks like the remaining 19 Christian hostages being held by the militant Taliban in Afghanistan are soon to be released.

Though I am troubled by what it means for the future of missionary work and political dealings with other militant Islamic groups.

The 19 women according to this report from ABC News, are being released because the South Korean government caved into Taliban demands.

A deal to broker the release of the Christian aid workers was reached in talks between Taliban leaders and South Korean diplomats in the town of Ghazni south of Kabul.

"Both sides agreed that South Korean military forces and their missionary groups would leave Afghanistan and the Taliban would free the hostages very soon," a Taliban representative said.

In Seoul, the South Korean Government confirmed the Taliban had promised to release the captives.

Like Bruce over at Ordinary Everyday Christian, who tipped me off to the news with his post, I'm deeply troubled by what the implications will mean for the future of dealings with militant Islam not just in Afghanistan but Iraq and all over the world.

What's so stupid in this particular case is that these people, even the military forces of South Korea were only in that country to provide help to the populace. The some two hundred military personal of South Korea were primarily engineers and medical personnel.

The South Korean government has just proven they can be bullied and pushed around by Islam. I think they can now expect down the line further tactics in their own country from the false religion of Islam that seeks world domination to the Sharia law.

But what will be the immediate reaction of Islamic militants in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq? What will be the fate of aid workers from other countries seeking to help bring education, medical help and freedom to women and children?

This is not a war about poverty as has been suggested by some corners. It is a religious war. It appears to me that the religion of Islam wants a world subjugated and under it's heel.

The Great Separation continues.

Procrastination. Who Me?

Busted - Hey! Who's been following me?

Picture Perfect Friay: Go Fly a Kite.

This brand-spankin'-new tri-wing kite was found at a garage sale by my dad. He apparently new that I have a warm spot for setting adrift upon the zephyrs colorful but earthly tethered contraptions. ;-)

Umm... Yeah. It's a pic of it on the ground that I snapped with my cell. Alas, as I stepped out to fly it the winds mocked me and grew still.

Maybe next time!

Do You Agree?

Something to chew upon - I just read this quote and thought, "Hmmm...."

From - Perspectives: Evangelical churches to ordain gays?:

Many Christian leaders are regularly immersing themselves in the pagan values that permeate television airwaves. Sitcoms, documentaries and talk shows are all openly promoting the gay agenda. Continually subjecting oneself to such ungodly influences subtly and systematically diminishes one's convictions.

So what do you think?

Picture Perfect Friday: Big Boy.

This is a big dude. And he's got places to go and people to see.

Just Call God, 'Allah.'

You must be joking? - I read this yesterday and have to honestly tell you that I was incensed. What kind of priest thinks that God and Allah are the same, or for what reason would he even suggest such a thing?

WorldNetDaily has the report, Bishop urges Christians to call God 'Allah':

Catholic churches in the Netherlands should use the name Allah for God to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians, says a Dutch bishop.

Tiny Muskens, the bishop of Breda, told the Dutch TV program "Network" Monday night he believes God doesn't mind what he is called, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported.

The Creator of the World, the Father of Jesus Christ, doesn't care what we sinful creatures call Him? You must be kidding. Did He not think it important enough to make a commandment concerning His name?

Why is the Church in the West so intent on being openly irreverent towards the true righteous and holy God?

Furthermore, what is this silliness about appeasing the Islamic religion? Will that lessen the distance between of the knife at the throats of our Christian brothers and sisters in Afghanistan held hostage by Islamic militants? No. It will only draw the blade closer. For I am more convinced each day that it is not a religion of peace but of domination and suppression.

The only hope for those of the Islamic religion is Jesus Christ and His blood unto redemption for sins. One's deeds, actions, and attempted good life will not gain entrance into heaven. It is only through the acceptance of Christ's sacrifice and making Him Lord of their lives that they will find entrance into heaven and communion with the Father.

Jesus Christ is the only hope for any of us. It's only through the expression of Jesus' love in our daily lives that peace will ever be found in this world.

Arrests and Threats Against Christians Continue.

They hate you because of me - Here's two news items detailing what some of our Christians brothers and sisters are faced with in countries that are antagonistic to Christ.

The Globe and Mail details the arrest of three Christians in Egypt in - Egypt arrests three members of Toronto-based Copt group:

It is as yet unclear what charges Mr. Fawzi and Mr. Mounir face. While no formal charges have been filed, the trio appear to have been accused of insulting Islam, converting Muslims to Christianity and working with a foreign group. Mr. Fawzy said there is no evidence to support any of the allegations against the men, adding that the arrests were likely retaliation for a number of court cases MECA has launched against the Egyptian government in recent months.

In one of the cases, the group demanded compensation on behalf of the victims of Muslim riots in the predominantly Coptic village of Al Kosheh in 2000; more than 20 Christians were killed during the riots. A decision in that case is expected within the next few months.

The News reports on threatening letters sent to Christians and Hindus in Pakistan from militant Islamics in Pakistan.

Threatening letters make their way to Peshawar:

“You are invited to embrace Islam and make your home in heaven. If you did not comply, you will be eliminated till Friday August 10,” read a letter dispatched to members of the Christian community in interior city. The dispatchers introduced themselves as members of previously unheard organisation, Al-Jihad. “It is a sensational letter that shows the non-seriousness of the dispatcher or dispatchers. The heading of the letters is ‘knock of the death’ while the rest of the text carried dialogue-like words that are generally used in films,” a senior government official, requesting anonymity, told The News about the letter received by a Hindu community member.

The Great Separation continues.

For further information on Christian persecution around the globe the Christian Persecution Blog is a good source.

[hat tip: Dhimmi Watch.]

Did You Know You Could Overdose on Coffee?

Sadly I did know. - Here's a Monday oddity for you today. You can O.D. on coffee.

Fact is you can O.D. on practically anything. Water is a good example.

But, back to coffee.

The Daily Mail is reporting about a young teenager who needed to be rushed to the hospital because she had way to much caffeine in her system. Something I know from first hand experience is a bad thing.

Teenage girl rushed to hospital after overdosing on coffee:

The 17-year-old downed seven double espresso coffees while working in the family's sandwich shop and was left "burning up and hyperventilating".

Student Jasmine Willis, who thought the coffees were single measures, said the effects of the espresso were so severe her actions left customers bewildered.

Her condition sounds much more dire than my over doing the Joe back in my college days. Thankfully, a hospital visit wasn't needed in my case. Just some rest and a cold washcloth. So I didn't get to close to what might be termed an overdose.

Anyway, word to the wise, it's a wonderful drink. Just take it slow and easy.