Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this Friday. Praise the Lord that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. Praise the Lord for He has turned the Sabbath in to the Lord's Day. Sunday is the " The Lord's Day'. It is the day of Resurrection, "the Little Easter" Let us plan to be in the Lord's House, this coming Lord's Day to worship the Lord, with the people of the Lord.
One of the very familiar and the favorite Psalms is Psalm 100. "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."
God gives seven specific instructions to you and me through Psalm 100. Shout, worship, come, know, enter, give thanks, and praise. There are seven commands. If we really delve into it and see what's there, Psalm 100 is actually a scriptural blueprint for worship. It teaches us and leads us into the place of true worship. Psalm 100 is also an overview of the traditional Hebrew Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120 to 134 - the psalms that the Hebrew people sang whenever they journeyed up to Jerusalem for any of the feasts or festivals. The people all started off from their own homes and towns and, as they met up on the roads leading from every direction to Jerusalem, they all sang these songs. When they joined together before they entered the Tabernacle, they were all singing from these particular psalms.
Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 100 give us the correct protocol for coming before the King of Kings, and if we miss verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 100, then we've missed it. The Hebrew people shouted to declare who God was. After they came through on their way to Jerusalem, there was nobody left standing at the side of the road who didn't know who their God was. They made it clear. They shouted and they praised the Name of God. Also, they were singing Psalms of Ascent, and this singing prepared their hearts for worship when they arrived at the Temple. You'll notice if you are reading from the King James that it says, "make a joyful noise unto the Lord". That is where we all need to begin. Whenever we come into church, whenever we gather together to worship the Lord, we begin with a joyful noise - you and me singing makes a joyful noise! Singing provides unity in the hearts of people and leads eventually to the act of worship. When we all come into church from wherever we live on a Sunday morning we need something to draw us together and help us to focus us on the King of Kings. The thing that draws us together is singing thankfully, praising the Lord. It leads us into worship.
In every service of worship, God's plan is to bring the people into His presence. The focus and end result of every single service is worship. Bringing people into the presence of God to worship Him.
We are excited about this weekend. The Continentals will be with us, presenting Dreamer. The presentation will be at The First Presbyterian Church of Endicott, on the corner of Monroe and Grant. The concert will start at 7 p.m. Those of you live in the area, please join us. The ministry of the Continentals has been the part of our lives since 1979. Janice and Laureen have traveled with them. In fact, Laureen toured several times and Janice was a keyboard specialist for Dreamer in 1994.
This Saturday we will have our annual Thanksgiving Banquet starting at 5 PM. We have been blessed with many wonderful cooks in our church family. We will be serving the full turkey dinner with the trimmings. We will also be taking meals to many shut-ins and those are recovering at home recent hospitalizations. Our friend, Pastor Brian, from The Elmira Christian Center, will be bringing the message for the gathering. Our Missionary friends Kevin and Lynnette Van Wagner will also be with us this weekend, sharing during our Sunday School hour. We serve an Awesome God.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsakLlfmtY
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 11-13-08
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord , for He is good and His love endures for ever. One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 34. In verse 9 and 10 we read, “Fear the Lord, you saints, for those who fear God lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” In the first sentence the Psalmist tells us about the fear the Lord, and then in the second sentence the Psalmist re-describes, or further develops what he means. The second line is not simply a repetition of the first, but rather extends it. And he says that fearing the Lord is about seeking after the Lord, “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” It’s about seeking, pursuing, searching, following. It speaks of a path. The promise is that those who seek after God, those who look for God, will not lack any good thing.
The Psalm continues, “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” This is an invitation to listen and learn the fear of the Lord. The invitation is offered to those who love life and who want to see many good days.
Fearing the Lord is not referring to some emotional state of mind. The Psalmist is too practical for that. Fearing the Lord is about telling the truth, turning away from evil, and seeking peace: “seek peace and pursue it.” Fearing the Lord is about walking the walk. It’s about following the path of peace. Fearing the Lord is something we do with our bodies, with our hands and our feet.
Ephesians 5:15 states,“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise people but as wise.” We are to live wisely, according to the will of the Lord, as it says in verse 17. The metaphor for unwise living is drunkenness. Verse 18: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Do you know how they say people are more honest when their drunk? Maybe you have had a conversation with someone who had too much to drink and heard a little more then you expected. It may be true that you yourself have drunk too much and said some things, probably true things, that you wish you didn’t say. Mel Gibson got himself into big trouble when he said some things while he was drunk. Drunkenness tunes out everything else in the world and proclaims or reveals the self. It reveals an inward focus.
Life in the Spirit of God, a life that feasts at the table of wisdom and drinks Jesus’ wine — that life is also one of drunkenness, but it moves the self in the opposite direction. Instead of living in the glory of the self, making the world hazy so that we can focus on ourselves — instead of this drunken selfishness, we find that drinking of the Spirit’s wine opens our eyes to the world around us.
We are to be attentive to everything around us. In our Wednesday Study Group we are studying the series "Streams of Living Water", by Richard Foster. He speaks about paying loving attention to God and practicing wise living. As it says in Ephesians 5:16, it’s about “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” We must pay very careful attention to the times in which we live. We must be aware of life around us. Drinking from this wine is concerned with looking more carefully than we ever have before at the things around us. As one New Testament scholar put it, being filled with the Spirit is about “sober inebriation.”
The way we train our eyes, the way we develop careful vision, is to abide in Jesus and to enter into Jesus as Jesus enters into us. That is the message of the gospel: that we enter into Jesus as Jesus enters into us. As we follow in the ways of wisdom, the way of Jesus, we are led into the mysteries of God. The path of Jesus leads to God. The path Jesus shows us leads into the eternal life of God.
As we walk along this path we begin to see that the world around us is more wonderful than we ever could have imagined. We start to see that God created everything with wisdom. God’s good creation still bears those marks.
Living wisely ends with the exhortation to give thanks. As stated in Ephesians 5: 20, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Giving thanks is how we learn the wisdom of God. Gratitude is our sober inebriation. It is how we get drunk on the Holy Spirit, the breath of God that enlivens all creation. We learn to see the mysteries of God as we learn how to be thankful for all that God has given us. The sober inebriation in the Spirit that we read about in Ephesians also calls us to “make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Our thankfulness comes from looking into the wonders of God’s mysteries all around us. We are also to become a blessing to others, that they may also be thankful. Thankfulness is something we work at. We learn it by doing it and we share it by giving someone else a reason to be thankful for God’s good creation.
We are excited about the coming weekend. The Continentals will be with us. They are presenting Dreamer. The presentation will be at The First Presbyterian Church of Endicott, on the corner of Monroe and Grant. The concert will start at 7 p.m. Those of you live in the area, please join us. The ministry of the Continentals has been the part of our lives since 1979. Janice and Laureen have traveled with them. In fact, Laureen toured several times. Janice was a keyboard specialist for Dreamer in 1994.
This Saturday we will have our annual Thanksgiving Banquet starting at 5 p.m. We have been blessed with many wonderful cooks in our church family. We will be serving the full turkey dinner with the trimmings. We will also be taking meals to many shut-ins and those are recovering at home recent hospitalizations. Our friend, Pastor Brian, from The Elmira Christian Center, will be bringing the message for the gathering. Our Missionary friends Kevin and Lynnette Van Wagner will also be with us this weekend, sharing during our Sunday School hour. We serve an Awesome God.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsakLlfmtY
Praise the Lord , for He is good and His love endures for ever. One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 34. In verse 9 and 10 we read, “Fear the Lord, you saints, for those who fear God lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” In the first sentence the Psalmist tells us about the fear the Lord, and then in the second sentence the Psalmist re-describes, or further develops what he means. The second line is not simply a repetition of the first, but rather extends it. And he says that fearing the Lord is about seeking after the Lord, “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” It’s about seeking, pursuing, searching, following. It speaks of a path. The promise is that those who seek after God, those who look for God, will not lack any good thing.
The Psalm continues, “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” This is an invitation to listen and learn the fear of the Lord. The invitation is offered to those who love life and who want to see many good days.
Fearing the Lord is not referring to some emotional state of mind. The Psalmist is too practical for that. Fearing the Lord is about telling the truth, turning away from evil, and seeking peace: “seek peace and pursue it.” Fearing the Lord is about walking the walk. It’s about following the path of peace. Fearing the Lord is something we do with our bodies, with our hands and our feet.
Ephesians 5:15 states,“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise people but as wise.” We are to live wisely, according to the will of the Lord, as it says in verse 17. The metaphor for unwise living is drunkenness. Verse 18: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Do you know how they say people are more honest when their drunk? Maybe you have had a conversation with someone who had too much to drink and heard a little more then you expected. It may be true that you yourself have drunk too much and said some things, probably true things, that you wish you didn’t say. Mel Gibson got himself into big trouble when he said some things while he was drunk. Drunkenness tunes out everything else in the world and proclaims or reveals the self. It reveals an inward focus.
Life in the Spirit of God, a life that feasts at the table of wisdom and drinks Jesus’ wine — that life is also one of drunkenness, but it moves the self in the opposite direction. Instead of living in the glory of the self, making the world hazy so that we can focus on ourselves — instead of this drunken selfishness, we find that drinking of the Spirit’s wine opens our eyes to the world around us.
We are to be attentive to everything around us. In our Wednesday Study Group we are studying the series "Streams of Living Water", by Richard Foster. He speaks about paying loving attention to God and practicing wise living. As it says in Ephesians 5:16, it’s about “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” We must pay very careful attention to the times in which we live. We must be aware of life around us. Drinking from this wine is concerned with looking more carefully than we ever have before at the things around us. As one New Testament scholar put it, being filled with the Spirit is about “sober inebriation.”
The way we train our eyes, the way we develop careful vision, is to abide in Jesus and to enter into Jesus as Jesus enters into us. That is the message of the gospel: that we enter into Jesus as Jesus enters into us. As we follow in the ways of wisdom, the way of Jesus, we are led into the mysteries of God. The path of Jesus leads to God. The path Jesus shows us leads into the eternal life of God.
As we walk along this path we begin to see that the world around us is more wonderful than we ever could have imagined. We start to see that God created everything with wisdom. God’s good creation still bears those marks.
Living wisely ends with the exhortation to give thanks. As stated in Ephesians 5: 20, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Giving thanks is how we learn the wisdom of God. Gratitude is our sober inebriation. It is how we get drunk on the Holy Spirit, the breath of God that enlivens all creation. We learn to see the mysteries of God as we learn how to be thankful for all that God has given us. The sober inebriation in the Spirit that we read about in Ephesians also calls us to “make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Our thankfulness comes from looking into the wonders of God’s mysteries all around us. We are also to become a blessing to others, that they may also be thankful. Thankfulness is something we work at. We learn it by doing it and we share it by giving someone else a reason to be thankful for God’s good creation.
We are excited about the coming weekend. The Continentals will be with us. They are presenting Dreamer. The presentation will be at The First Presbyterian Church of Endicott, on the corner of Monroe and Grant. The concert will start at 7 p.m. Those of you live in the area, please join us. The ministry of the Continentals has been the part of our lives since 1979. Janice and Laureen have traveled with them. In fact, Laureen toured several times. Janice was a keyboard specialist for Dreamer in 1994.
This Saturday we will have our annual Thanksgiving Banquet starting at 5 p.m. We have been blessed with many wonderful cooks in our church family. We will be serving the full turkey dinner with the trimmings. We will also be taking meals to many shut-ins and those are recovering at home recent hospitalizations. Our friend, Pastor Brian, from The Elmira Christian Center, will be bringing the message for the gathering. Our Missionary friends Kevin and Lynnette Van Wagner will also be with us this weekend, sharing during our Sunday School hour. We serve an Awesome God.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsakLlfmtY
India update 11-13-08
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 10:44am Believers arrested in Cox Town Bangalore
Believers arrested on 12th November 2008 evening at Jeevanahalli, Bangalore, Karnataka.
Chandrashekar (54), Sandhya (45) and Kamalamma (43) are resident of Benson Town and Banasvadi. They are members of Pavithra Agni Church, Cox Town, Bangalore. Chandrashekar's wife Dr. Leelavathy who is presently employed in Govt. of Karnataka holding higher post.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 9:59am Baptist church damaged in Kasauli- Himachal Pradesh
Kasauli, November 12A fire broke out in the Baptist church in tourist resort of Kasauli in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, damaging part of the British-time brick and wood building and expensive wooden furniture.
According to police sources, the fire broke out last night due to a short circuit near the metre and spread to the ceiling, door and other parts of the church situated near the local court complex.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, North India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 9:56am Report on Bajrang Dal's activities, Govt to states
Amidst demands for a ban on Bajrang Dal, the Union Home Ministry on Wednesday sought details of activities of the Hindutva organisation from all states.
posted in: Current Issue, Secular, North India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 9:29am Indian Government seeks deatils of Hindu radical organisations from states
New DelhiAmidst demands for a ban on Bajrang Dal,world Hindu council(VHP) the Union Home Ministry of India on Wednesday sought details of activities of the Hindutva organisation from all states.
In a letter to the state governments, the ministry has sought details of the action taken by them to check their activities, a Home Ministry official said.
Though there was no official word whether the Centre was contemplating a ban on the organisation, as demanded by some key ruling party allies, and international Human rights organisations sources said such inputs were required before declaring any organisation as outlawed.Central government was forced to take such a step on the basis of the involvement of Hindutva organistions and self styley gurus direct involvement with Hind terror network and serial attacks against christians in India.The civil society of India and broad voiced its concern in the inclusion of sonal shah ,a staunch world hindu council functionary in the transition team of president elect Barak Obama
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, North India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 7:36am NHRC team in Kandhamal in response to GCIC petition
BERHAMPUR: A team of the National Human Rights Commission reached Kandhamal district on Wednesday afternoon on the basis of petition by Global council of Indian christians(GCIC). The six-member team led by Superintendent of Police Mukesh Singh would be in the district till Nov 18 to visit communal violence hit areas of the district. It would take note of the violence, its victims and efforts of peace in these areas.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Wed, 12/11/2008 - 4:24pm NHRC of India investigates 116 killings of Christians in Orissa,attacks in Karnataka
New DelhiNational Human Rights Commission (NHRC) deputed six separate teams to investigate attacks against Christians in Karnataka and murders and gross violation of rights in Orissa. On 11th November 2008, two teams started a week-long investigation in Karnataka, one based in Bangalore and other based in Mangalore. The Bangalore-based team spent a better part of a day meeting the representatives of the Global Council of Indian Christians, as the NHRC was alerted by GCIC about the gross violation of the code of conduct of some of the lower level police officers and field officers against civilians in Karnataka. The NHRC investigation is spread over eight days. The Orissa investigations of the 116 plus Christian martyrdoms will commence from 12th November.
At the meeting with NHRC, GCIC unravelled the veil covering the systemic oppression against Christians in Karnataka and Orissa. Contrary to the Yeddyurappa government's promise of prompt action against the groups involved in attack against Christians in Karnataka, and the Orissa administration's claim that people from the relief camps in Kandhamal had started returning to their respective villages, GCIC was able to establish, with documentary evidence, 96 major attacks against Christians in Karnataka and over 80 martyrdoms of Christians for their faith in Orissa, along with grave violations of human rights.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
Believers arrested on 12th November 2008 evening at Jeevanahalli, Bangalore, Karnataka.
Chandrashekar (54), Sandhya (45) and Kamalamma (43) are resident of Benson Town and Banasvadi. They are members of Pavithra Agni Church, Cox Town, Bangalore. Chandrashekar's wife Dr. Leelavathy who is presently employed in Govt. of Karnataka holding higher post.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 9:59am Baptist church damaged in Kasauli- Himachal Pradesh
Kasauli, November 12A fire broke out in the Baptist church in tourist resort of Kasauli in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, damaging part of the British-time brick and wood building and expensive wooden furniture.
According to police sources, the fire broke out last night due to a short circuit near the metre and spread to the ceiling, door and other parts of the church situated near the local court complex.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, North India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 9:56am Report on Bajrang Dal's activities, Govt to states
Amidst demands for a ban on Bajrang Dal, the Union Home Ministry on Wednesday sought details of activities of the Hindutva organisation from all states.
posted in: Current Issue, Secular, North India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 9:29am Indian Government seeks deatils of Hindu radical organisations from states
New DelhiAmidst demands for a ban on Bajrang Dal,world Hindu council(VHP) the Union Home Ministry of India on Wednesday sought details of activities of the Hindutva organisation from all states.
In a letter to the state governments, the ministry has sought details of the action taken by them to check their activities, a Home Ministry official said.
Though there was no official word whether the Centre was contemplating a ban on the organisation, as demanded by some key ruling party allies, and international Human rights organisations sources said such inputs were required before declaring any organisation as outlawed.Central government was forced to take such a step on the basis of the involvement of Hindutva organistions and self styley gurus direct involvement with Hind terror network and serial attacks against christians in India.The civil society of India and broad voiced its concern in the inclusion of sonal shah ,a staunch world hindu council functionary in the transition team of president elect Barak Obama
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, North India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 13/11/2008 - 7:36am NHRC team in Kandhamal in response to GCIC petition
BERHAMPUR: A team of the National Human Rights Commission reached Kandhamal district on Wednesday afternoon on the basis of petition by Global council of Indian christians(GCIC). The six-member team led by Superintendent of Police Mukesh Singh would be in the district till Nov 18 to visit communal violence hit areas of the district. It would take note of the violence, its victims and efforts of peace in these areas.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Wed, 12/11/2008 - 4:24pm NHRC of India investigates 116 killings of Christians in Orissa,attacks in Karnataka
New DelhiNational Human Rights Commission (NHRC) deputed six separate teams to investigate attacks against Christians in Karnataka and murders and gross violation of rights in Orissa. On 11th November 2008, two teams started a week-long investigation in Karnataka, one based in Bangalore and other based in Mangalore. The Bangalore-based team spent a better part of a day meeting the representatives of the Global Council of Indian Christians, as the NHRC was alerted by GCIC about the gross violation of the code of conduct of some of the lower level police officers and field officers against civilians in Karnataka. The NHRC investigation is spread over eight days. The Orissa investigations of the 116 plus Christian martyrdoms will commence from 12th November.
At the meeting with NHRC, GCIC unravelled the veil covering the systemic oppression against Christians in Karnataka and Orissa. Contrary to the Yeddyurappa government's promise of prompt action against the groups involved in attack against Christians in Karnataka, and the Orissa administration's claim that people from the relief camps in Kandhamal had started returning to their respective villages, GCIC was able to establish, with documentary evidence, 96 major attacks against Christians in Karnataka and over 80 martyrdoms of Christians for their faith in Orissa, along with grave violations of human rights.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Brown's Daily Word & India update11-11-08
Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Today is Veterans Day, a holiday in the USA. Praise the Lord for our nation, the land the Lord has given to us. Praise the Lord for His abundant provisions. Praise the Lord for His providence. Praise the Lord for all His promises. He has given us every thing we need. He is extravagant in His love and in His care. He invites to live our lives trusting fully in Him. He dispels anxiety from us. He infuses us with His abiding peace.
There is a magazine, “The Smithsonian Institute,” which has said that “we are in the golden age of anxiety.” Pastor Rick Warren came across a study done by Dr. Walter Calvert, giving us the results of the sin of worry. He writes: “Forty percent of what you worry about will not happen. Thirty percent of your worries concern the past. Twelve percent of your worries are health issues. Ten percent of your worries are insignificant and petty issues with only eight percent of your worries having actual legitimate concerns.” “What is worry?” “Worry” or “anxious” (merimnao) means to be troubled in thought and heart so as to cripple you. (The Complete Word Study Commentary; Analytical Lexicon of the Greek, New Testament; Dictionary of Biblical Languages) The application implies to be pulled in different directions. Our hopes and dreams pull one way, but fear takes us another direction, thus preventing or crippling us from enjoying all that God has for us. The Old English root word from which we get our word “worry” means to “strangle.” You and I have fallen into this type of worry, thus we find ourselves not thinking clearly, no longer being productive, and looking for other avenues through which to work. Hours are wasted daily because of this sin and vision is not prayed through to completion. (The Bible Exposition Commentary) From a spiritual point of view, worry is wrong thinking and wrong attitude of heart about circumstances, people, and things. Worry is a great thief of joy. Being surrendered to anxiety binds people and causes them to withdraw, fall into hesitation, cowardice, depression, discouragement, and a defeatist attitude, perform quick and unplanned actions, make unwise and harmful decisions, and suffer physical sicknesses, emotional problems, spiritual backsliding, distrust, and unbelief. C. Kingsley understood the heart of this portion of the message and it is so clearly presented as he wrote, “Be not anxious about tomorrow [or anything]. Do today’s duty, fight today’s temptations [through Christ] and do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things which you cannot see and could not understand if you saw them. Enough for you that the God you serve is just and merciful, for He [rewards] every man according to his [labor]. The heart of this message is that Christians are to be concerned about the things of this present life, but with a heart that enables them to look to the Lord with such a confidence that it frees their minds, strengthens visions and embraces the peace of God through Jesus Christ. This is done by taking to heart 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on Him [Christ Jesus] because He cares for you.” Once Christians grasp the truth that worry is sin, keeping them from enjoying the true peace of God, they are to pray. “...but in everything, by prayer and petition, …present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Ephesians 6:18 says, ““And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 repeats the theme with advice to, “Pray continually.” Paul stressed that we can take everything to God in prayer. There is nothing too great for the Lord and nothing too small for His attention. Christians may take their disappointments and their triumphs to Him. When no one else will pray, each child of God may take His own petitions, supplications and requests to God. Christians can pray for forgiveness of the past, for their circumstances and for their future. A.B. Simpson wrote, “Our God has boundless resources. The only limit is us. Our asking, our thinking, our praying is too small. Our expectations are too limited.” Thankfulness in tough times begins with not being anxious, by taking everything to God in prayer and by having a heart of thankfulness in all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” To fail to give God thanks is a symptom of unbelief. (Romans 1:21) The true victories enjoyed in this life are obtained through joy, prayerfulness and gratitude. As long as the child of God is joyfully and prayerfully seeking God’s guidance, he can look at aggravations, temptations, afflictions, and persecutions as being opportunities for being transformed into the image of Christ Jesus.
Give Thanks with a grateful Heart,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbRGksthTHQ
Maoist elements threaten to kill four persons
Threeat posters come up in Kandhamal aginst VHP leaders involved in killing of Christians
‘These may have negative impact on peace in other parts of the district’
BERHAMPUR: After the communal violence the Kandhamal district is now shivering under Maoists’ ‘hit list’ .
Despite the massive presence of police including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the district the Maoists are successful in increasing their presence through the tactics of psychological terror. On Sunday posters by suspected Maoists were located at Paburia under Sarangagada police station of Tikabali block of Kandhamal district. Through this poster the Maoist elements had threatened to kill four persons Kabi Bindhani, Sahadev Pradhan, Dilip Pradhan and Sunil Pradhan for their alleged links with the Sangh Parivar. As per the posters these persons would be murdered like the recent killing of Dhanurjaya Pradhani.
This poster has come up five days after the killing of a Sangh Parivar activist Dhanurjaya Pradhani at Kumbharigaon under Brahmanigaon police station of the district. Pradhani was in the hit list of Maoists, which they had posted earlier. Police is in a fix as Paburia has no past record of Maoist movement in the area. Either it means that the naxals have started increasing their base in Kandhamal district despite the heavy presence of police or miscreants are trying to fan communal tension in the area through these threats and killings.
It may be noted that 14 persons who worked for frontal organisations of the Sangh Parivar in Kandhamal district were threatened to be killed by the Maoists after the killing of the VHP leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Pradhani’s name was also in the list. A person named Bikram Raut of Brahmanigaon was recently advised by police to leave Kandhamal for some time. Bikram’s name was also in the hit list. The others in the hit list are also in a state of panic as they were not sure of police security. With the murder of Pradhani the Maoists have also gained ground by proving that they could kill their targeted person despite so called heavy presence of police.
Orissa
Bhubaneswar10th Nov-08
Shri Naveen PatnaikHon’ble Chief MinisterGovernment of OrissaBhubaneswar, Orissa.
Date: 10th November 2008.
Respected Sir,
First of all we want to convey to you our sincere thanks and appreciation for giving us this appointment to meet you.
Further we want to place before you the following points for your kind consideration and necessary action on an emergency basis.
1. The Exodus of Christians from Kandhamal District.There is considerable reduction of refugees in Relief Camps (from 24,000 to 11,000). The claim that those who leave the relief camps are going back to their own villages and settling down in their homes is not true. Most of them have migrated to relief camps in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jhanla, Berhampur and also settled down in rented houses and in the homes of relations, friends, acquaintances etc. It is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 Christians of Kandhamal district are living outside the district.
A large number of Christians of Kandhamal district have gone to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat etc. People in the relief camps of the costal belts, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur etc. want to return to their villages, but are afraid because of the reasons (a) They may be attacked on the way or in their own villages (b) They are forced to become Hindus under pain of death or loss of properties. They are told to become Hindus or leave the village, the district or even India (c) Many are unwilling to return because the criminals are still at large and moving about with swords, guns, weapons etc. as in Kothingia/Tiangia of Raikia block and Sarangodo block.
The Christians who have returned to their own villages and homes are forcibly converted to Hinduism; they are forced to accept Hindu Samskaras under oath and under pain of divine punishment. Their movements and meeting with people are restricted by the fanatics for instance in Padangi, Sankarakhol.2. Acts of injustices against Christians.a) Christians are chased away from their homes and villages.
b) Even though the State Govt. had promised to allot land to the landless (after the last attack) it has not yet been done. Many do not get money for the gutted down houses or damaged houses because the administration applies rules absolutely and strictly to the Christians in such a way that the landless will not get allotment of land or they even loose what they have.
c) A man was not allowed to be buried in the village as he did not become a Hindu in village Sarthaguda of Tikabali block.
d) Christians are not allowed to harvest the paddy from their own fields in many Gram Panchayats if they do not become Hindus.
3. Looting of houses, Churches & Religious Houses.As the people had fled out of threat and fear criminals are looting the homes, churches, religious houses, institutions and destroying/burning whatever is left over.
4. Non Acceptance of FIRsFIRs are not accepted in Daringabadi and Sarangoda Police Stations.
5. Attack on Christians is not an Ethnic Conflict.Hindu Fundamentalist groups have been trying to name the communal violence as an Ethnic Conflict between the Tribals and the Pano Christians. A cursory look at facts reveals that this conflict is a calculated and preplanned master plan to wipe out Christianity from Kandhamal district, Orissa, in order to realize the hidden agenda of Sangh Parivar of establishing a Hindu Nation. Therefore to keep the hidden agenda a secret they have tried to manipulate the facts:
- That the victims of attack were Christians
- That not only Panos but Christian Tribals also were killed, their homes and properties burned, destroyed and looted (list attached).
6. Fast Tract CourtWe are happy that the state Govt. has decided to establish FTC at Kandhamal for expeditious trial of cases relating to communal violence. Looking at the geographical area it is suggested that the said Fast Tract Court may be set up at G. Udayagiri as it is centrally located to all the villages that have been affected by violence. Further it is requested that the Judge of the FTC should be from any other religion other than from Christian or Hindu Religion.
Praise the Lord for this new day. Today is Veterans Day, a holiday in the USA. Praise the Lord for our nation, the land the Lord has given to us. Praise the Lord for His abundant provisions. Praise the Lord for His providence. Praise the Lord for all His promises. He has given us every thing we need. He is extravagant in His love and in His care. He invites to live our lives trusting fully in Him. He dispels anxiety from us. He infuses us with His abiding peace.
There is a magazine, “The Smithsonian Institute,” which has said that “we are in the golden age of anxiety.” Pastor Rick Warren came across a study done by Dr. Walter Calvert, giving us the results of the sin of worry. He writes: “Forty percent of what you worry about will not happen. Thirty percent of your worries concern the past. Twelve percent of your worries are health issues. Ten percent of your worries are insignificant and petty issues with only eight percent of your worries having actual legitimate concerns.” “What is worry?” “Worry” or “anxious” (merimnao) means to be troubled in thought and heart so as to cripple you. (The Complete Word Study Commentary; Analytical Lexicon of the Greek, New Testament; Dictionary of Biblical Languages) The application implies to be pulled in different directions. Our hopes and dreams pull one way, but fear takes us another direction, thus preventing or crippling us from enjoying all that God has for us. The Old English root word from which we get our word “worry” means to “strangle.” You and I have fallen into this type of worry, thus we find ourselves not thinking clearly, no longer being productive, and looking for other avenues through which to work. Hours are wasted daily because of this sin and vision is not prayed through to completion. (The Bible Exposition Commentary) From a spiritual point of view, worry is wrong thinking and wrong attitude of heart about circumstances, people, and things. Worry is a great thief of joy. Being surrendered to anxiety binds people and causes them to withdraw, fall into hesitation, cowardice, depression, discouragement, and a defeatist attitude, perform quick and unplanned actions, make unwise and harmful decisions, and suffer physical sicknesses, emotional problems, spiritual backsliding, distrust, and unbelief. C. Kingsley understood the heart of this portion of the message and it is so clearly presented as he wrote, “Be not anxious about tomorrow [or anything]. Do today’s duty, fight today’s temptations [through Christ] and do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things which you cannot see and could not understand if you saw them. Enough for you that the God you serve is just and merciful, for He [rewards] every man according to his [labor]. The heart of this message is that Christians are to be concerned about the things of this present life, but with a heart that enables them to look to the Lord with such a confidence that it frees their minds, strengthens visions and embraces the peace of God through Jesus Christ. This is done by taking to heart 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on Him [Christ Jesus] because He cares for you.” Once Christians grasp the truth that worry is sin, keeping them from enjoying the true peace of God, they are to pray. “...but in everything, by prayer and petition, …present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Ephesians 6:18 says, ““And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 repeats the theme with advice to, “Pray continually.” Paul stressed that we can take everything to God in prayer. There is nothing too great for the Lord and nothing too small for His attention. Christians may take their disappointments and their triumphs to Him. When no one else will pray, each child of God may take His own petitions, supplications and requests to God. Christians can pray for forgiveness of the past, for their circumstances and for their future. A.B. Simpson wrote, “Our God has boundless resources. The only limit is us. Our asking, our thinking, our praying is too small. Our expectations are too limited.” Thankfulness in tough times begins with not being anxious, by taking everything to God in prayer and by having a heart of thankfulness in all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” To fail to give God thanks is a symptom of unbelief. (Romans 1:21) The true victories enjoyed in this life are obtained through joy, prayerfulness and gratitude. As long as the child of God is joyfully and prayerfully seeking God’s guidance, he can look at aggravations, temptations, afflictions, and persecutions as being opportunities for being transformed into the image of Christ Jesus.
Give Thanks with a grateful Heart,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbRGksthTHQ
Maoist elements threaten to kill four persons
Threeat posters come up in Kandhamal aginst VHP leaders involved in killing of Christians
‘These may have negative impact on peace in other parts of the district’
BERHAMPUR: After the communal violence the Kandhamal district is now shivering under Maoists’ ‘hit list’ .
Despite the massive presence of police including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the district the Maoists are successful in increasing their presence through the tactics of psychological terror. On Sunday posters by suspected Maoists were located at Paburia under Sarangagada police station of Tikabali block of Kandhamal district. Through this poster the Maoist elements had threatened to kill four persons Kabi Bindhani, Sahadev Pradhan, Dilip Pradhan and Sunil Pradhan for their alleged links with the Sangh Parivar. As per the posters these persons would be murdered like the recent killing of Dhanurjaya Pradhani.
This poster has come up five days after the killing of a Sangh Parivar activist Dhanurjaya Pradhani at Kumbharigaon under Brahmanigaon police station of the district. Pradhani was in the hit list of Maoists, which they had posted earlier. Police is in a fix as Paburia has no past record of Maoist movement in the area. Either it means that the naxals have started increasing their base in Kandhamal district despite the heavy presence of police or miscreants are trying to fan communal tension in the area through these threats and killings.
It may be noted that 14 persons who worked for frontal organisations of the Sangh Parivar in Kandhamal district were threatened to be killed by the Maoists after the killing of the VHP leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Pradhani’s name was also in the list. A person named Bikram Raut of Brahmanigaon was recently advised by police to leave Kandhamal for some time. Bikram’s name was also in the hit list. The others in the hit list are also in a state of panic as they were not sure of police security. With the murder of Pradhani the Maoists have also gained ground by proving that they could kill their targeted person despite so called heavy presence of police.
Orissa
Bhubaneswar10th Nov-08
Shri Naveen PatnaikHon’ble Chief MinisterGovernment of OrissaBhubaneswar, Orissa.
Date: 10th November 2008.
Respected Sir,
First of all we want to convey to you our sincere thanks and appreciation for giving us this appointment to meet you.
Further we want to place before you the following points for your kind consideration and necessary action on an emergency basis.
1. The Exodus of Christians from Kandhamal District.There is considerable reduction of refugees in Relief Camps (from 24,000 to 11,000). The claim that those who leave the relief camps are going back to their own villages and settling down in their homes is not true. Most of them have migrated to relief camps in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jhanla, Berhampur and also settled down in rented houses and in the homes of relations, friends, acquaintances etc. It is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 Christians of Kandhamal district are living outside the district.
A large number of Christians of Kandhamal district have gone to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat etc. People in the relief camps of the costal belts, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur etc. want to return to their villages, but are afraid because of the reasons (a) They may be attacked on the way or in their own villages (b) They are forced to become Hindus under pain of death or loss of properties. They are told to become Hindus or leave the village, the district or even India (c) Many are unwilling to return because the criminals are still at large and moving about with swords, guns, weapons etc. as in Kothingia/Tiangia of Raikia block and Sarangodo block.
The Christians who have returned to their own villages and homes are forcibly converted to Hinduism; they are forced to accept Hindu Samskaras under oath and under pain of divine punishment. Their movements and meeting with people are restricted by the fanatics for instance in Padangi, Sankarakhol.2. Acts of injustices against Christians.a) Christians are chased away from their homes and villages.
b) Even though the State Govt. had promised to allot land to the landless (after the last attack) it has not yet been done. Many do not get money for the gutted down houses or damaged houses because the administration applies rules absolutely and strictly to the Christians in such a way that the landless will not get allotment of land or they even loose what they have.
c) A man was not allowed to be buried in the village as he did not become a Hindu in village Sarthaguda of Tikabali block.
d) Christians are not allowed to harvest the paddy from their own fields in many Gram Panchayats if they do not become Hindus.
3. Looting of houses, Churches & Religious Houses.As the people had fled out of threat and fear criminals are looting the homes, churches, religious houses, institutions and destroying/burning whatever is left over.
4. Non Acceptance of FIRsFIRs are not accepted in Daringabadi and Sarangoda Police Stations.
5. Attack on Christians is not an Ethnic Conflict.Hindu Fundamentalist groups have been trying to name the communal violence as an Ethnic Conflict between the Tribals and the Pano Christians. A cursory look at facts reveals that this conflict is a calculated and preplanned master plan to wipe out Christianity from Kandhamal district, Orissa, in order to realize the hidden agenda of Sangh Parivar of establishing a Hindu Nation. Therefore to keep the hidden agenda a secret they have tried to manipulate the facts:
- That the victims of attack were Christians
- That not only Panos but Christian Tribals also were killed, their homes and properties burned, destroyed and looted (list attached).
6. Fast Tract CourtWe are happy that the state Govt. has decided to establish FTC at Kandhamal for expeditious trial of cases relating to communal violence. Looking at the geographical area it is suggested that the said Fast Tract Court may be set up at G. Udayagiri as it is centrally located to all the villages that have been affected by violence. Further it is requested that the Judge of the FTC should be from any other religion other than from Christian or Hindu Religion.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Brown's Daily Word & India update11-10-08
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this day. I trust that you had a wonderful and worshipful weekend. It was a good day to be in the House of the Lord, to worship the Lord together, and to celebrate His love and grace displayed toward us.
One of the readings for yesterday was taken from Joshua 24. This is, in a way, the last sermon Joshua preached. Joshua addressed his remarks to the Israelites, urging them to move beyond indecision and restlessness to a clear-cut decision for God. Joshua’s primary concern was crystal-clear: He wanted them to know who the real God is. It is not with the might of their swords or bows that the victory has been won, but by the power of God. God did it all. Nevertheless, people had to choose God for themselves – intelligently, decisively and willingly. This is the God who made heaven and earth. This is this the God who loved man too much to leave him in his sin. This is the God who demonstrated His love by sending His only son to earth to earth to live among us. This is the God who knew that we could never earn our way into heaven by good works, so he went to the cross bearing our sins. This is the God whom the grave could not hold, and who rose victoriously from the grave. This is the God who established the Church and who is coming back in the form of His Son to bring all of human history to a culmination. This is the God whom we are called to serve. “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! (15) And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. …” There can be little doubt about what Joshua was saying here. The word “serve” appears seven times in verses fourteen and fifteen. Joshua that day called for a decision that would help end the spiritual, intellectual, and moral restlessness that marked so many lives. Joshua demanded a commitment when he said, “And now fear the Lord and serve him whole heartedly and without reservation.” Hundreds of years later the prophet Elijah, on Mount Carmel, gave a similar challenge. He said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him,, but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21) One translation of this verse renders it, (RSV) “How long will you go limping with two different opinions.” Reflecting on all that God has done (vv. 1-13) the only reasonable response to overwhelming waves of God’s goodness is to follow Him. The same pattern is repeated in the New Testament, the lavish goodness of God is depicted in Romans 1-11 and then Romans 12:1 calls all men to the only rational response. . “So then brothers, in view of all these mercies that God has bestowed on you, I now make this plea. Present your bodies to God, present them as a sacrifice – a living one, not a lifeless one; a holy one (because it is offered to a holy God), and one in which He will take pleasure. For, when you consider your indebtedness to God, the consecration of your lives in his service is your logical act of worship.” [F. F. Bruce. An Expanded Paraphrase of the Epistles of Paul. (Exeter: Paternoster, 1965) page 223,225] Joshua was at this point 110 years of age. He was a soldier hardened from battle. He bore the scars of long-term commitment. His choice to follow God was not made lightly, nor was it held lightly. In his study of Joshua, Francis Schaeffer points out that when Joshua challenged the people to choose to serve God, and affirmed that this was his settled choice as well, the tense that he used implied more than just a once for all time choosing, as if he could make a choice and be done with it forever. The tense involves continuous action. That is, it involves the past but it also involves the present and the future. It is as if Joshua had said, “I have chosen to serve the Lord; I am choosing the same path of service now; and I will go on choosing to serve God until the very end.” To Joshua, serving the Lord was a daily choice. [Francis Schaeffer. Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1975) page 208] Joshua ended his address with what has become known as one of the most powerful and courageous testimonies and witnesses in all of Scripture. Joshua said, “… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” This statement is the culmination of a life lived in obedience to God and His word. There were times when Joshua had failed. There were times when he was discouraged, but once Joshua had committed his life to God he followed the one true God. Joshua not only influenced his own household but also motivated many others to serve the Lord. For bad or good, our influence always extends beyond our immediate surroundings. Verse sixteen reveals, “So the people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; (17) for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed.”We also are challenged to go on, and by deliberate daily choices to follow Christ in fearless faith just as Joshua did. It may not make us popular but it will make us powerful as the people of God. The book of Joshua ends on a note of affirmation. The people responded, saying, (v. 24) “The Lord our God we will serve and His voice we will obey.” The bottom-line choice of Israel had long lasting results. Verse thirty-one reveals, “Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which he had done for Israel.”
In Christ,
Brown
» 11/03/2008 16:55INDIABishop of Orissa: We are being persecuted like the first Christiansby Nirmala CarvalhoRaphael Cheenath, archbishop of Bhubaneshwar, comments to AsiaNews on the first pastoral letter of the bishops of Orissa following the violence that began at the end of August. The text calls for justice regarding all of the destruction, but also thanks many citizens and Indian and international organizations for their collaboration.
Bhubaneshwar (AsiaNews) - A pastoral letter signed by six bishops of Orissa was read yesterday in all the churches of the state, where for two months a pogrom against Christians has been underway. The letter is the first document published by the pastors since the beginning of the violence.
It is signed by Bishop Thomas Thiruthalil of Balasore; Bishop Alphonse Bilung of Rourkela; Bishop Lucas Kerketta of Sambalpur; Bishop Sarat Chandra Naik of Berhampur; John Barwa, coadjutor bishop of Rourkela; and Raphael Cheenath, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
"Our people are traumatized by these ruthless and barbaric attacks, and we needed to encourage them not to lose hope," Archbishop Cheenath tells AsiaNews. "Moreover, we felt at this point in the history of Orissa to explain to the people the historical background of the persecution of the Church, the history of the Christians who for centuries who have been persecuted for bearing the name of Christ and for the faith. The early Church went through great hardships and martyrdom; its members were often persecuted and massacred. But history has shown that persecution ultimately strengthens the Church."
In the text, published "too late" by the admission of the bishops themselves, the pastors say they are "humbled by your strong adherence to your faith and by your trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. We are proud of you for your ability to withstand all forms of intimidations and threats."
The results of the violence since August 23 have been extensive: more than 60 people killed amid horrible torture; more than 180 churches (Catholic and Protestant) destroyed; thousands of homes burned; convents, youth hostels, hospitals, and social centers devastated; at least 50,000 Christians who fled the massacre living in the forests or in unsafe refugee camps set up by the government.
In recent days, Archbishop Cheenath presided over the funeral for one of the martyrs of Orissa, Fr. Bernard Digal, who died of complications from the beating he suffered, for hours, from Hindu fundamentalists in the district of Kandhamal, where the series of attacks began. The bishop says that "Now [in the the district of Kandhamal] there are no attacks because there is nothing left to be destroyed, burnt or looted - the extremists have razed everything to the ground - there are no burnings or destruction as nothing remains. Now our people are terrified of returning to their homes and villages because firstly, they will be attacked, and beaten up, their lives are still in danger - even though the new district administration is doing much to provide safety to the Christians. Secondly, our people are frightened of being forced to change their religion. Thousands have been tonsured and forced to embrace Hinduism as a prerequisite to return to their villages, as they have been warned that they can stay only as Hindus. And thirdly, many of the Kandhamal Christians have been forced to surrender their land and property, and this is a bleak future for our people."
The pastoral letter asks the government for security; for justice and for punishment of the guilty; for adequate compensation for those who have lost their property. But above all, the letter highlights the reasons for the persecution: "The Church has been standing by the side of the poor and the marginalized. Through education, health, housing and employment programmes, the Church has been bringing in awareness and awakening among the vulnerable communities. They in turn are demanding their rights. This is not liked by the powers that are since they fear their position being challenged by the poor people. Hence, they have taken to violence. But we condemn this and restate our resolve to continue the services of the Church."
The letter thanks "individuals, organisations, civil society organizations, media persons and houses, NGOs, academics, political activists, conscientious citizens" in India and abroad for their support for Christians.
According to Archbishop Cheenath, there has also been a change in the district administration of Orissa. "Christians have suffered," he says, "because of the inaction and at times complicity of the administration and police, but now with the new collector, and the change in attitude, the bishops of Orissa felt we needed to speak to our people." In recent weeks, the police have arrested a number of extremists held responsible for the violence.
Sat, 08/11/2008 - 7:13pm Obama team member, Sonal, a world Hindu council activist(VHP)
New Delhi: US President-elect Barack Obama may have cultivated a left-of-center image for himself, but Sonal Shah, the Indian-American advisor in his transition team, has well established rightwing VHP leanings.
The 40-year-old economist has been associated with the overseas activities of the Sangh Parivar. She was a national coordinator of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America campaign to raise funds for Gujarat earthquake victims in 2001.
Her father Ramesh Shah, a vice-president of the Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), had campaigned for LK Advani in Gandhinagar during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. He had also briefly traveled with Advani during his Bharat Udaya Yatra, countrywide election tour.
Sonal’s brother Amit and sister Rupal are now based in Ahmedabad, running a voluntary organisation, indicorps. Its website says its aim is to “engage the most talented young Indians from around the world on the frontlines of India’s most pressing challenges”.VHP has involved directly in the killing of Dalits in Orissa and involved in the large scale violence against christians
Praise the Lord for this day. I trust that you had a wonderful and worshipful weekend. It was a good day to be in the House of the Lord, to worship the Lord together, and to celebrate His love and grace displayed toward us.
One of the readings for yesterday was taken from Joshua 24. This is, in a way, the last sermon Joshua preached. Joshua addressed his remarks to the Israelites, urging them to move beyond indecision and restlessness to a clear-cut decision for God. Joshua’s primary concern was crystal-clear: He wanted them to know who the real God is. It is not with the might of their swords or bows that the victory has been won, but by the power of God. God did it all. Nevertheless, people had to choose God for themselves – intelligently, decisively and willingly. This is the God who made heaven and earth. This is this the God who loved man too much to leave him in his sin. This is the God who demonstrated His love by sending His only son to earth to earth to live among us. This is the God who knew that we could never earn our way into heaven by good works, so he went to the cross bearing our sins. This is the God whom the grave could not hold, and who rose victoriously from the grave. This is the God who established the Church and who is coming back in the form of His Son to bring all of human history to a culmination. This is the God whom we are called to serve. “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! (15) And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. …” There can be little doubt about what Joshua was saying here. The word “serve” appears seven times in verses fourteen and fifteen. Joshua that day called for a decision that would help end the spiritual, intellectual, and moral restlessness that marked so many lives. Joshua demanded a commitment when he said, “And now fear the Lord and serve him whole heartedly and without reservation.” Hundreds of years later the prophet Elijah, on Mount Carmel, gave a similar challenge. He said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him,, but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21) One translation of this verse renders it, (RSV) “How long will you go limping with two different opinions.” Reflecting on all that God has done (vv. 1-13) the only reasonable response to overwhelming waves of God’s goodness is to follow Him. The same pattern is repeated in the New Testament, the lavish goodness of God is depicted in Romans 1-11 and then Romans 12:1 calls all men to the only rational response. . “So then brothers, in view of all these mercies that God has bestowed on you, I now make this plea. Present your bodies to God, present them as a sacrifice – a living one, not a lifeless one; a holy one (because it is offered to a holy God), and one in which He will take pleasure. For, when you consider your indebtedness to God, the consecration of your lives in his service is your logical act of worship.” [F. F. Bruce. An Expanded Paraphrase of the Epistles of Paul. (Exeter: Paternoster, 1965) page 223,225] Joshua was at this point 110 years of age. He was a soldier hardened from battle. He bore the scars of long-term commitment. His choice to follow God was not made lightly, nor was it held lightly. In his study of Joshua, Francis Schaeffer points out that when Joshua challenged the people to choose to serve God, and affirmed that this was his settled choice as well, the tense that he used implied more than just a once for all time choosing, as if he could make a choice and be done with it forever. The tense involves continuous action. That is, it involves the past but it also involves the present and the future. It is as if Joshua had said, “I have chosen to serve the Lord; I am choosing the same path of service now; and I will go on choosing to serve God until the very end.” To Joshua, serving the Lord was a daily choice. [Francis Schaeffer. Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1975) page 208] Joshua ended his address with what has become known as one of the most powerful and courageous testimonies and witnesses in all of Scripture. Joshua said, “… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” This statement is the culmination of a life lived in obedience to God and His word. There were times when Joshua had failed. There were times when he was discouraged, but once Joshua had committed his life to God he followed the one true God. Joshua not only influenced his own household but also motivated many others to serve the Lord. For bad or good, our influence always extends beyond our immediate surroundings. Verse sixteen reveals, “So the people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; (17) for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed.”We also are challenged to go on, and by deliberate daily choices to follow Christ in fearless faith just as Joshua did. It may not make us popular but it will make us powerful as the people of God. The book of Joshua ends on a note of affirmation. The people responded, saying, (v. 24) “The Lord our God we will serve and His voice we will obey.” The bottom-line choice of Israel had long lasting results. Verse thirty-one reveals, “Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which he had done for Israel.”
In Christ,
Brown
» 11/03/2008 16:55INDIABishop of Orissa: We are being persecuted like the first Christiansby Nirmala CarvalhoRaphael Cheenath, archbishop of Bhubaneshwar, comments to AsiaNews on the first pastoral letter of the bishops of Orissa following the violence that began at the end of August. The text calls for justice regarding all of the destruction, but also thanks many citizens and Indian and international organizations for their collaboration.
Bhubaneshwar (AsiaNews) - A pastoral letter signed by six bishops of Orissa was read yesterday in all the churches of the state, where for two months a pogrom against Christians has been underway. The letter is the first document published by the pastors since the beginning of the violence.
It is signed by Bishop Thomas Thiruthalil of Balasore; Bishop Alphonse Bilung of Rourkela; Bishop Lucas Kerketta of Sambalpur; Bishop Sarat Chandra Naik of Berhampur; John Barwa, coadjutor bishop of Rourkela; and Raphael Cheenath, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
"Our people are traumatized by these ruthless and barbaric attacks, and we needed to encourage them not to lose hope," Archbishop Cheenath tells AsiaNews. "Moreover, we felt at this point in the history of Orissa to explain to the people the historical background of the persecution of the Church, the history of the Christians who for centuries who have been persecuted for bearing the name of Christ and for the faith. The early Church went through great hardships and martyrdom; its members were often persecuted and massacred. But history has shown that persecution ultimately strengthens the Church."
In the text, published "too late" by the admission of the bishops themselves, the pastors say they are "humbled by your strong adherence to your faith and by your trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. We are proud of you for your ability to withstand all forms of intimidations and threats."
The results of the violence since August 23 have been extensive: more than 60 people killed amid horrible torture; more than 180 churches (Catholic and Protestant) destroyed; thousands of homes burned; convents, youth hostels, hospitals, and social centers devastated; at least 50,000 Christians who fled the massacre living in the forests or in unsafe refugee camps set up by the government.
In recent days, Archbishop Cheenath presided over the funeral for one of the martyrs of Orissa, Fr. Bernard Digal, who died of complications from the beating he suffered, for hours, from Hindu fundamentalists in the district of Kandhamal, where the series of attacks began. The bishop says that "Now [in the the district of Kandhamal] there are no attacks because there is nothing left to be destroyed, burnt or looted - the extremists have razed everything to the ground - there are no burnings or destruction as nothing remains. Now our people are terrified of returning to their homes and villages because firstly, they will be attacked, and beaten up, their lives are still in danger - even though the new district administration is doing much to provide safety to the Christians. Secondly, our people are frightened of being forced to change their religion. Thousands have been tonsured and forced to embrace Hinduism as a prerequisite to return to their villages, as they have been warned that they can stay only as Hindus. And thirdly, many of the Kandhamal Christians have been forced to surrender their land and property, and this is a bleak future for our people."
The pastoral letter asks the government for security; for justice and for punishment of the guilty; for adequate compensation for those who have lost their property. But above all, the letter highlights the reasons for the persecution: "The Church has been standing by the side of the poor and the marginalized. Through education, health, housing and employment programmes, the Church has been bringing in awareness and awakening among the vulnerable communities. They in turn are demanding their rights. This is not liked by the powers that are since they fear their position being challenged by the poor people. Hence, they have taken to violence. But we condemn this and restate our resolve to continue the services of the Church."
The letter thanks "individuals, organisations, civil society organizations, media persons and houses, NGOs, academics, political activists, conscientious citizens" in India and abroad for their support for Christians.
According to Archbishop Cheenath, there has also been a change in the district administration of Orissa. "Christians have suffered," he says, "because of the inaction and at times complicity of the administration and police, but now with the new collector, and the change in attitude, the bishops of Orissa felt we needed to speak to our people." In recent weeks, the police have arrested a number of extremists held responsible for the violence.
Sat, 08/11/2008 - 7:13pm Obama team member, Sonal, a world Hindu council activist(VHP)
New Delhi: US President-elect Barack Obama may have cultivated a left-of-center image for himself, but Sonal Shah, the Indian-American advisor in his transition team, has well established rightwing VHP leanings.
The 40-year-old economist has been associated with the overseas activities of the Sangh Parivar. She was a national coordinator of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America campaign to raise funds for Gujarat earthquake victims in 2001.
Her father Ramesh Shah, a vice-president of the Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), had campaigned for LK Advani in Gandhinagar during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. He had also briefly traveled with Advani during his Bharat Udaya Yatra, countrywide election tour.
Sonal’s brother Amit and sister Rupal are now based in Ahmedabad, running a voluntary organisation, indicorps. Its website says its aim is to “engage the most talented young Indians from around the world on the frontlines of India’s most pressing challenges”.VHP has involved directly in the killing of Dalits in Orissa and involved in the large scale violence against christians
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