Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this Friday. We are a just a week away from the beginning of the Advent Season. This coming Sunday is Christ the King Sunday. We also are in the midst of preparing for the Thanksgiving celebration. The Christian liturgical calendar culminates this coming Sunday, proclaiming Jesus Christ as the King of kings and the Lords of lords. We declare that Jesus is Lord. He is King. He is the mighty Warrior. It is written in Revelation 17 and 19 that He is the mighty Warrior, dressed up for battle. He fights the battles for His own. He is in control. He is in charge. We live lives that are surrendered to Him. There is a wonderful peace in the hearts of those who yield their lives to His authority and dominion.
The longest sermon on record was preached by Rev. Robert Marshall, minister of the Birmingham Unitarian Church, Michigan, in 1976. He preached for 60 hours and 31 minutes. The previous record holder was Robert McKee who preached for 52 hours. Rev. McKee said that it took him two-and-a-half years to write the 500,000-word sermon, "HAVE NO FEAR". (Not from this preacher). What about short quotes?
- Ralph Waldo EmersonAll diseases run into one - old age.
- William ShakespeareLove all, trust a few.
- Lewis CarrollEverything’s got a moral, if only you can find it.
- Malcolm ForbesThe dumbest people I know are those who know it all. - Tom PetersIf you’re not confused, you’re not paying attention. Some good short quotes follow: Pray much. Sing praise. Fear not. Rejoice greatly. Gripe less. Bless others. Commend often. Give thanks. Worship joyfully, Tithe Faithfully, serve with gladness, practice extravagant hospitality, Give hilariously, See good. Stop evil. Praise God. Sin not. Count blessings. Be quiet. Speak less. Listen more. Drink wisely. Eat less. Fast more. Call often. Care much. Love strongly. Hug often. Be friendly. Walk more. Think deeply. Laugh loudly. Smile broadly. Cleanse daily. Work hard. Hold children. Love babies. Live holy. Admire goodness. Speak softly. Exercise often. Share generously. Compliment quickly. Breathe deeply. Be courteous. Open doors. Express gratitude. Remember others. In Scripture, 1 Thessalonians 5 likewise gives us several short, but powerful pieces of advice.
1- Be joyful
2- Pray continually
3- Give thanks
4- Build fire
5- Test everything Join us for our television outreach on Friday evening on Time Warner Channel 4 at 7 PM.
Also, join us on Sunday evening, here at the Union Center UMC, for our Thanksgiving service of praise and worship. The service will begin at 7 PM.
Jesus is Lord,
Brown
Indian-Americans fear Sonal's VHP link may influence US policy
Washington, PTI:
The letter has expressed "dismay and disappointment" that at no time during the 2001 was there any statement from her dissociating herself from dreadful acts of VHP and RSS.
Concerned over reports of President-elect Barack Obama's Transition team member Sonal Shah's links with rightwing Hindu parties, some Indian- Americans have expressed fear that it might possibly influence the US policies towards India.
"... We are legitimately concerned about reports of your personal links with the VHP - whose social values, politics and actions are antithetical to Obama's message of hope and inclusiveness - and how those links might possibly influence your role in the transition team and the new administration's policies towards India and Indian-Americans," a letter written to Shah by the community members said.
The letter welcomed her recent statement that personal politics have nothing in common with the views espoused by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and said: "we fully expect that your actions on the transition team will be faithful to that assertion."
But, it said that her statement does not allay all of their concerns.
The letter has expressed "dismay and disappointment" that at no time during the 2001 was there any statement from her dissociating herself from dreadful acts of VHP and RSS.
"... We are not aware of any assistance from you or by IndiCorps to the thousands of families affected by the 2002 communal pogroms (in Gujarat), nor are we aware of your speaking out against the funding of organisations implicated in these hate campaigns by charities in the US, with some of whom you have been partnering.
"And, more recently, we have not heard any condemnation from you of the spate of violence against Christian Adivasis being orchestrated by VHP, for which the BJP-partnered government in Orissa has been indicted by the National Commission for Minorities," the letter said. "In the face of these facts, your bold assertion that you have 'always condemned any politics of division, of ethnic or religious hatred, of violence and intimidation as a political tool' is deeply troubling," the letter by the Coalition Against Genocide said.
The 1500-world letter dated November 20 said that the Coalition understands her comment that she had been the subject of "ridiculous tactics of guilt by association."
"Your family's connections with the Sangh Parivar have been long, deep, well documented, and presumably continue to this day. So we must respectfully reject any parallels drawn between attempts during the campaign to find President-elect Obama guilty by association and legitimate questions about your past affiliations," it added.
"... Obama set a high standard of openness and personal accountability for himself during the campaign. We note from recent events that he is setting a similar standard of transparency for the transition team. In that spirit, we hope that you too will take personal responsibility for your undeniable past links with the Sangh Parivar and reconcile your recent statement against the VHP and the RSS with your silence amidst the most egregious human rights violations by them in Gujarat and elsewhere," it said.
"We hope that you will unequivocally disown and repudiate your and your family's past and current associations with the VHP and all other Sangh Parivar organisations.
"We have no doubt that you will bring your expertise to bear upon the many difficult decisions that the transition team will have to make in the next few weeks. But we also sincerely hope that your actions on the team will be mindful of the welfare and aspirations of all Indians, including minority communities, which are under unprecedented attacks by Hindu nationalist groups," the letter said.
About 30 community leaders signed the letter.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Brown's Daily Word & India update11-20-08
Good Morning.
We are a just one week away from Thanksgiving Day. John Reynolds, in his anecdotes of the Rev. John Wesley (1828), tells the story of Wesley’s student days at Lincoln College in Oxford. A porter knocked on Wesley’s door one evening and asked to speak with him. After some conversation, Wesley noted the man’s thin coat (it was a cold winter night), and suggested that he had better get a warmer one. The porter replied: "This coat ... is the only coat I have in the world - and I thank God for it." When asked if he had eaten, he replied: "I have had nothing today but a draught of spring water ... and I thank God for that." Wesley, growing uneasy in the man’s presence, reminded him that the headmaster would lock him out if he did not soon return to his quarters. "Then what shall you have to thank God for?" Wesley asked. "I will thank Him," replied the porter, "that I have dry stones to lie upon." Deeply moved by the man’s sincerity, Wesley said, "You thank God when you have nothing to wear; ... nothing to eat ... [and] no bed to lie on. I cannot see what you have to thank God for." The man replied, "I thank God... that he has given me life and being, a heart to love Him, and a desire to serve Him." The man left with a coat from Wesley’s closet, some money for food and words of appreciation for his living testimony. Wesley later wrote these words in his Journal, "I shall never forget that porter. He convinced me there is something in religion to which I am a stranger." Psalm 65 is one of the Thanksgiving Psalms. "Praise awaits you." (literally, “To you, silence [is] praise"). A difficult phrase, this may imply that “silence is praise”. It may sometimes be the height of worship, in other words, to fall silent before God in awe at his presence and in submission to his will. "Our vows will be fulfilled is Israel’s response to God, for the blessing of answered prayer and forgiveness that he gives them." The Israelites believed that blessing was reciprocal; as God blessed them they had to respond in order to complete the cycle. Therefore, in this verse, they respond to his blessing by honoring the vows they made (at time of their prayer of need). "To you all men shall come. All humanity can find grace and forgiveness from God. . . [How fortunate] are those you draw near to you." This implies that not everyone accepts God’s grace, though it is available to all. God fills those who draw near to him with the good things of their house (i.e., abundantly blessed).The God of grace reaches out to his people when sin overwhelms them; and that is worth celebrating! The emphasis in the Psalm now turns to the God of might, that is, the Lord of nature and man. His power to put the unruly in their place is as welcome as it is formidable. "The hope of all" (verse 5)… does not imply that all men trust in God, but rather, that they should. The mountains, which seem awesome and secure, and the sea that roars with all its power, are still subject to their Creator. Nature, regardless how impressive and daunting, is under the control of the God of might. The God of might subdues even the warring nations, frightful and ruthless in their pursuits. The whole expanse of the earth, from east to west, praises its Creator. In the Psalm, Israel offers praise to the Lord for his omnipotence. He is the all-powerful God, greater than any of the pagan gods. He is so powerful is he that both nature and nations revere him. It is hard to surpass the Psalmist’s imagery of the fertile earth given in vv. 9-13. It begins with an analytical description, and then moves to poetry, where the hills and fields put on their finest clothes and make merry together. The imagery is spectacular. It is best to read portions like this slowly if you want to absorb the majesty the Biblical writer intended. That "the God of plenty provides all that the earth needs to bring forth crops to feed its inhabitants" is impressive, given the understanding of the pagan nations around Israel. Ancients believed in fertility gods, who, when properly manipulated, caused crops to grow. Good harvests meant that the gods were happy; lean years meant they were angry. Pagan worshippers, in this model, became responsible for the outcome of their crops. Their works directed their outcome. The Psalmist roundly contradicts this fallacy, declaring the God of plenty as Creator and sustainer of the earth, bringing forth the crops on His own accord. So good is God to the earth, and so healthy and vibrant does the earth feel that she "joins Israel in songs of praise"! Imagine the hills, meadows and seas singing their praises to God! When the community of Israel gathered to worship, they gave thanks to God for his grace, might and providence. It is the God of Grace who, when they were overwhelmed in sin, forgave them mercifully. The God of Might preserved them amid threats from warring nations and natural disasters. The God of Plenty fed the earth so that it might feed the people. Israel worshipped the magnificence of his providence; giving thanks for the past and future. We are a people prone to notice what is missing, rather than what is present. Our goal must be to give thanks to him who controls every aspect of creation, to respond to his blessing with thanks, praise, adoration, offerings; reciprocating to his blessing with fervor and delight, facing each day in the presence of Almighty God. The porter’s response to Wesley’s cynicism was, "I thank God... that he has given me life and being; a heart to love Him, and a desire to serve Him." Wesley’s journal entry was "I shall never forget that porter. He convinced me there is something in religion to which I am a stranger."
With Great Gratitude,
BrownThe Bible on One page
http://www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm
Orissa: Britain to put pressure on India
Hasan Suroor
LONDON: Britain and other European Union countries are to put pressure on the Indian government to protect Christians in Orissa and to ensure that victims of recent violent attacks by right-wing Hindu groups are able to return to their homes.
A EU delegation will visit Orissa next month to study the situation and make recommendations. Orissa would also be on the agenda of the next India-EU human rights dialogue to be held soon.
This was stated by Lord Bach, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Ministry of Justice, while speaking during a debate on Orissa in the House of Lords. He said the British government “unequivocally” condemned the incidents and urged New Delhi to uphold the right to freedom of religion.
However, Lord Bach rejected calls for an inquiry into the activities of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the U.K. on the ground that the organization was not “proscribed” either in India or Britain.
“The U.K. government doos not consider the VHP to be a terrorist organization under our law. The organization is proscribed neither here nor in India, nor does the Indian government classify it as a terrorist organization. Obviously, decisions on proscription must be proportionate and based on evidence that a group is involved in terrorism as defined in the Terrorism Act 2000,” he told a member who said the VHP, registered as a charity in Britain, had made a number of inflammatory statements.
Responding to members’ concern on the situation in Orissa, Lord Bach said: “The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the recent violent attacks against Christians that have led to deaths, injuries and widespread displacements in Orissa. We have expressed our concerns to the appropriate Indian authorities in Delhi and London. The U.K. will continue to urge the Government of India to uphold the right to freedom of religion. Our High Commission in Delhi, along with European and other partners, continues to monitor the situation in Orissa.”
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Restore confidence, Central team tells Orissa govt.
Bhubaneswar (PTI): The Orissa government was on Wednesday urged to restore peace in violence-hit Kandhamal district, where the situation remained tense in the aftermath of attacks on Christians, and to ensure that a bandh was not held on Christmas.
"We have requested the chief minister (Naveen Patnaik) to make efforts to stop such a bandh on December 25, a major festival day," leader of a central ministerial team and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters here after meeting Patnaik.
On Pawar's suggestion, Patnaik said "there should not be a bandh on December 25."
Patnaik, however, did not make any appeal to the Sangh Parivar which has called the statewide bandh on the day to refrain from it.
Pawar said, "While the minority community is afraid of returning to their villages, tribals have left their villages for jungles out of fear of the police."
He suggested that village heads along with police and block level officials should be made members of the peace committees, which would help in restoring peace at the grass-roots level.
"We need to provide just the confidence," Pawar said, adding that the people should feel that their life and property was fully protected.
The central team also comprised Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah and Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar. Disapproving of the December 15 deadline given by the Sangh Parivar to nab the killers of VHP leader Laxamanananda Saraswati, which led to the outbreak of the violence, the Pawar urged the state government to gear up the investigation.
We are a just one week away from Thanksgiving Day. John Reynolds, in his anecdotes of the Rev. John Wesley (1828), tells the story of Wesley’s student days at Lincoln College in Oxford. A porter knocked on Wesley’s door one evening and asked to speak with him. After some conversation, Wesley noted the man’s thin coat (it was a cold winter night), and suggested that he had better get a warmer one. The porter replied: "This coat ... is the only coat I have in the world - and I thank God for it." When asked if he had eaten, he replied: "I have had nothing today but a draught of spring water ... and I thank God for that." Wesley, growing uneasy in the man’s presence, reminded him that the headmaster would lock him out if he did not soon return to his quarters. "Then what shall you have to thank God for?" Wesley asked. "I will thank Him," replied the porter, "that I have dry stones to lie upon." Deeply moved by the man’s sincerity, Wesley said, "You thank God when you have nothing to wear; ... nothing to eat ... [and] no bed to lie on. I cannot see what you have to thank God for." The man replied, "I thank God... that he has given me life and being, a heart to love Him, and a desire to serve Him." The man left with a coat from Wesley’s closet, some money for food and words of appreciation for his living testimony. Wesley later wrote these words in his Journal, "I shall never forget that porter. He convinced me there is something in religion to which I am a stranger." Psalm 65 is one of the Thanksgiving Psalms. "Praise awaits you." (literally, “To you, silence [is] praise"). A difficult phrase, this may imply that “silence is praise”. It may sometimes be the height of worship, in other words, to fall silent before God in awe at his presence and in submission to his will. "Our vows will be fulfilled is Israel’s response to God, for the blessing of answered prayer and forgiveness that he gives them." The Israelites believed that blessing was reciprocal; as God blessed them they had to respond in order to complete the cycle. Therefore, in this verse, they respond to his blessing by honoring the vows they made (at time of their prayer of need). "To you all men shall come. All humanity can find grace and forgiveness from God. . . [How fortunate] are those you draw near to you." This implies that not everyone accepts God’s grace, though it is available to all. God fills those who draw near to him with the good things of their house (i.e., abundantly blessed).The God of grace reaches out to his people when sin overwhelms them; and that is worth celebrating! The emphasis in the Psalm now turns to the God of might, that is, the Lord of nature and man. His power to put the unruly in their place is as welcome as it is formidable. "The hope of all" (verse 5)… does not imply that all men trust in God, but rather, that they should. The mountains, which seem awesome and secure, and the sea that roars with all its power, are still subject to their Creator. Nature, regardless how impressive and daunting, is under the control of the God of might. The God of might subdues even the warring nations, frightful and ruthless in their pursuits. The whole expanse of the earth, from east to west, praises its Creator. In the Psalm, Israel offers praise to the Lord for his omnipotence. He is the all-powerful God, greater than any of the pagan gods. He is so powerful is he that both nature and nations revere him. It is hard to surpass the Psalmist’s imagery of the fertile earth given in vv. 9-13. It begins with an analytical description, and then moves to poetry, where the hills and fields put on their finest clothes and make merry together. The imagery is spectacular. It is best to read portions like this slowly if you want to absorb the majesty the Biblical writer intended. That "the God of plenty provides all that the earth needs to bring forth crops to feed its inhabitants" is impressive, given the understanding of the pagan nations around Israel. Ancients believed in fertility gods, who, when properly manipulated, caused crops to grow. Good harvests meant that the gods were happy; lean years meant they were angry. Pagan worshippers, in this model, became responsible for the outcome of their crops. Their works directed their outcome. The Psalmist roundly contradicts this fallacy, declaring the God of plenty as Creator and sustainer of the earth, bringing forth the crops on His own accord. So good is God to the earth, and so healthy and vibrant does the earth feel that she "joins Israel in songs of praise"! Imagine the hills, meadows and seas singing their praises to God! When the community of Israel gathered to worship, they gave thanks to God for his grace, might and providence. It is the God of Grace who, when they were overwhelmed in sin, forgave them mercifully. The God of Might preserved them amid threats from warring nations and natural disasters. The God of Plenty fed the earth so that it might feed the people. Israel worshipped the magnificence of his providence; giving thanks for the past and future. We are a people prone to notice what is missing, rather than what is present. Our goal must be to give thanks to him who controls every aspect of creation, to respond to his blessing with thanks, praise, adoration, offerings; reciprocating to his blessing with fervor and delight, facing each day in the presence of Almighty God. The porter’s response to Wesley’s cynicism was, "I thank God... that he has given me life and being; a heart to love Him, and a desire to serve Him." Wesley’s journal entry was "I shall never forget that porter. He convinced me there is something in religion to which I am a stranger."
With Great Gratitude,
BrownThe Bible on One page
http://www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm
Orissa: Britain to put pressure on India
Hasan Suroor
LONDON: Britain and other European Union countries are to put pressure on the Indian government to protect Christians in Orissa and to ensure that victims of recent violent attacks by right-wing Hindu groups are able to return to their homes.
A EU delegation will visit Orissa next month to study the situation and make recommendations. Orissa would also be on the agenda of the next India-EU human rights dialogue to be held soon.
This was stated by Lord Bach, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Ministry of Justice, while speaking during a debate on Orissa in the House of Lords. He said the British government “unequivocally” condemned the incidents and urged New Delhi to uphold the right to freedom of religion.
However, Lord Bach rejected calls for an inquiry into the activities of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the U.K. on the ground that the organization was not “proscribed” either in India or Britain.
“The U.K. government doos not consider the VHP to be a terrorist organization under our law. The organization is proscribed neither here nor in India, nor does the Indian government classify it as a terrorist organization. Obviously, decisions on proscription must be proportionate and based on evidence that a group is involved in terrorism as defined in the Terrorism Act 2000,” he told a member who said the VHP, registered as a charity in Britain, had made a number of inflammatory statements.
Responding to members’ concern on the situation in Orissa, Lord Bach said: “The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the recent violent attacks against Christians that have led to deaths, injuries and widespread displacements in Orissa. We have expressed our concerns to the appropriate Indian authorities in Delhi and London. The U.K. will continue to urge the Government of India to uphold the right to freedom of religion. Our High Commission in Delhi, along with European and other partners, continues to monitor the situation in Orissa.”
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Restore confidence, Central team tells Orissa govt.
Bhubaneswar (PTI): The Orissa government was on Wednesday urged to restore peace in violence-hit Kandhamal district, where the situation remained tense in the aftermath of attacks on Christians, and to ensure that a bandh was not held on Christmas.
"We have requested the chief minister (Naveen Patnaik) to make efforts to stop such a bandh on December 25, a major festival day," leader of a central ministerial team and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters here after meeting Patnaik.
On Pawar's suggestion, Patnaik said "there should not be a bandh on December 25."
Patnaik, however, did not make any appeal to the Sangh Parivar which has called the statewide bandh on the day to refrain from it.
Pawar said, "While the minority community is afraid of returning to their villages, tribals have left their villages for jungles out of fear of the police."
He suggested that village heads along with police and block level officials should be made members of the peace committees, which would help in restoring peace at the grass-roots level.
"We need to provide just the confidence," Pawar said, adding that the people should feel that their life and property was fully protected.
The central team also comprised Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah and Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar. Disapproving of the December 15 deadline given by the Sangh Parivar to nab the killers of VHP leader Laxamanananda Saraswati, which led to the outbreak of the violence, the Pawar urged the state government to gear up the investigation.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Brown's Daily Word & India update11-19-08
Good morning,
This is the day the Lord has made. . . Hallelujah! One of the Church fathers said, "We are doubly blessed". He said that we are blessed first when God created us, and second, though we fell in sin He redeemed us. We read in Ephesians 1:3-8, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us." We praise the Lord, for He blessed us through the ministry of the Continentals last Friday evening. Their presentation of DREAMER was anointed and very powerful. We praise the Lord for the way he provided for the meal for them. One of our local Indian chefs fixed a five course Indian meal for them. Many of our church family hosted them overnight, and were blessed.
Saturday was our annual Thanksgiving Banquet at the church. We praise the Lord for the Marthas of the church for their work of faith and labor of love in preparing, serving, and cleaning up the turkey dinner, complete with all of the trimmings. It was an abundant and delicious feast. It was abundance beyond belief. We were able to send the speaker (who came from Elmira) home with a full turkey, and the dinner to go with it, for his family.
Praise the Lord for His abundance of grace, love, and mercy. The story is told of two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my old friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars." "That’s a lot of money." "But, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear." "Sounds like you’ve been blessed...." "You don’t understand!" he interrupted. "Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million." Now he was really confused. "Then, why do you look so glum?" "This week... nothing!" That’s the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. This is the “entitlement" mind-set many suffer with. We have been blessed to live in a land of plenty and, as a result, we become complacent and many times we are completely unwilling to give thanks to anyone for anything. We have been blessed by God in ways too many to number. Perhaps you aren’t feeling too blessed today. Maybe you cannot see the gifts that God has given you. Maybe the pain of life has overwhelmed you to the point where you can no longer see how blessed you truly are. Like so many people today, maybe you have been so blessed that even those blessings don’t look all that good anymore. As we look around us at the land of plenty in which we live, it is my prayer that we will see through new eyes each day the ways that God has blessed us and never take God or those blessings for granted. This year, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, may we each see God for who he really is. May we also see ourselves as who we really are, people who have been blessed beyond measure and people who NEED to give thanks to the giver of all good gifts.
Let us give thanks with a grateful heart,
Brown
"Just a quick note to ask you to add Linda's Dad, George Cameron, to the prayer list. He was taken to the ER of Fletcher Allen Hospital last night somewhat incoherent and unstable on his feet. His blood pressure was dangerously low. At first they thought it was just one more "tweek" the blood pressure control medicines, but after a few more diagnostics they concluded that he is bleeding somewhere internally. He is now in intensive care, has received at least one transfusion, his blood counts continue to drop and they have yet to locate the source of the bleeding. The family is beginning to gather in case ..."
Your prayers are always appreciated.
Warren
Wed, 19/11/2008 - 9:25am Echo in British Parliament
British Parliament condemns the Kandhamal riot saying the UK would continue to urge India to uphold the right to freedom of religion. “The UK unequivocally condemned recent violence attack against Christian and wide spread displacements in Orissa”.
Britan’s Parliamentary under secretarial state, Ministry of Justice, Lord Bach said responding to a debate.
posted in: Current Issue, Religion, Other Countries
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Wed, 19/11/2008 - 9:23am G20 leaders too stocked Kandhamal says Pawar
The Prime Minister’s report embarrassment on Kandhamal did not end with his meeting to French President Nicholas Sarkozy some months back.Union Agricultural Minister Sharad Pawar today revealed that several leaders, during the recent G20 Summit in Washington, did broach it with Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India.
Critizing those who want to make Kandhamal violence and election issues, Pawar said they once succeeded in Gujarat and have no set an agenda to the entire country. Kandhamal is one of the forest areas in the country and situation will change there only by development.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Wed, 19/11/2008 - 9:05am Regressive Politics threat to Constitution, says Chief Justice of India
19 Nov 2008,
NEW DELHI: With mindless violence unleashed by Raj Thackeray’s MNS against north Indians fresh in the mind, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnanon Tuesday condemned regressive politics as the biggest threat to the Constitution of India.
Voicing his concern at the belligerent posture struck by political parties over divisive issues, Mr Balakrishnan told a conference here that the regressive brand of politics was contrary to principles that “our Constitution stands for.”
“There have been several instances of senseless violence in recent times to polarise the nation for the flimsiest of reasons,” he said addressing a conference on National Value Crisis and Redressal.
posted in: Current Issue, , North India
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Wed, 19/11/2008 - 8:49am Orissa- Raped nun disposed before Orissa police in Delhi
The nun who was allegedly raped during communal violence in Kandhamal in Orissa on Tuesday recorded her statement with Orissa police in Delhi. However, she is unlikely to attend the much-awaited test identification parade (TIP) of the accused persons scheduled to be held on Wednesday.''Both the nun and Father Thomas Chelan appeared before the crime branch team in Delhi and recorded their statements in connection with the rape and other incidents this afternoon,'' Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archbishop Raphael Cheenath said.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Tue, 18/11/2008 - 2:26pm Orissa police to question raped nun in Delhi
17 Nov 2008,
BHUBANESWAR: A crime branch team of the Orissa police is likely to head to New Delhi soon to question the nun who was raped during the communal violence in Kandhamal district in August, officials said on Monday.
"A team of five or six police officers may go to Delhi on Monday or Tuesday to question her," a senior crime branch said.
The crime branch, which is investigating the crime, has already arrested 10 people in this connection, but officials say the probe is not progressing because of the non-cooperation of the nun.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Tue, 18/11/2008 - 9:22am Govt. of Orissa Okays guidelines for riot damages
Compensation to shrine and churches range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000. Orissa State government has finally prepared a guideline for giving compensation to churches and other shrines damaged during the communal violence in Kandhamal district after the visit of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as per the complaint lodged with the conversion by GCIC.
According to the guideline, which got the finishing touches, shrines would be given compensation ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 depending on the degree of damage.
The district administration has been asked to complete the assistance process by November 25th. For the fully and partly damaged big churches and prayer halls, the assistance amount would be Rs. 2,00,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 respectively.
This is the day the Lord has made. . . Hallelujah! One of the Church fathers said, "We are doubly blessed". He said that we are blessed first when God created us, and second, though we fell in sin He redeemed us. We read in Ephesians 1:3-8, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us." We praise the Lord, for He blessed us through the ministry of the Continentals last Friday evening. Their presentation of DREAMER was anointed and very powerful. We praise the Lord for the way he provided for the meal for them. One of our local Indian chefs fixed a five course Indian meal for them. Many of our church family hosted them overnight, and were blessed.
Saturday was our annual Thanksgiving Banquet at the church. We praise the Lord for the Marthas of the church for their work of faith and labor of love in preparing, serving, and cleaning up the turkey dinner, complete with all of the trimmings. It was an abundant and delicious feast. It was abundance beyond belief. We were able to send the speaker (who came from Elmira) home with a full turkey, and the dinner to go with it, for his family.
Praise the Lord for His abundance of grace, love, and mercy. The story is told of two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my old friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars." "That’s a lot of money." "But, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear." "Sounds like you’ve been blessed...." "You don’t understand!" he interrupted. "Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million." Now he was really confused. "Then, why do you look so glum?" "This week... nothing!" That’s the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. This is the “entitlement" mind-set many suffer with. We have been blessed to live in a land of plenty and, as a result, we become complacent and many times we are completely unwilling to give thanks to anyone for anything. We have been blessed by God in ways too many to number. Perhaps you aren’t feeling too blessed today. Maybe you cannot see the gifts that God has given you. Maybe the pain of life has overwhelmed you to the point where you can no longer see how blessed you truly are. Like so many people today, maybe you have been so blessed that even those blessings don’t look all that good anymore. As we look around us at the land of plenty in which we live, it is my prayer that we will see through new eyes each day the ways that God has blessed us and never take God or those blessings for granted. This year, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, may we each see God for who he really is. May we also see ourselves as who we really are, people who have been blessed beyond measure and people who NEED to give thanks to the giver of all good gifts.
Let us give thanks with a grateful heart,
Brown
"Just a quick note to ask you to add Linda's Dad, George Cameron, to the prayer list. He was taken to the ER of Fletcher Allen Hospital last night somewhat incoherent and unstable on his feet. His blood pressure was dangerously low. At first they thought it was just one more "tweek" the blood pressure control medicines, but after a few more diagnostics they concluded that he is bleeding somewhere internally. He is now in intensive care, has received at least one transfusion, his blood counts continue to drop and they have yet to locate the source of the bleeding. The family is beginning to gather in case ..."
Your prayers are always appreciated.
Warren
Wed, 19/11/2008 - 9:25am Echo in British Parliament
British Parliament condemns the Kandhamal riot saying the UK would continue to urge India to uphold the right to freedom of religion. “The UK unequivocally condemned recent violence attack against Christian and wide spread displacements in Orissa”.
Britan’s Parliamentary under secretarial state, Ministry of Justice, Lord Bach said responding to a debate.
posted in: Current Issue, Religion, Other Countries
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Wed, 19/11/2008 - 9:23am G20 leaders too stocked Kandhamal says Pawar
The Prime Minister’s report embarrassment on Kandhamal did not end with his meeting to French President Nicholas Sarkozy some months back.Union Agricultural Minister Sharad Pawar today revealed that several leaders, during the recent G20 Summit in Washington, did broach it with Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India.
Critizing those who want to make Kandhamal violence and election issues, Pawar said they once succeeded in Gujarat and have no set an agenda to the entire country. Kandhamal is one of the forest areas in the country and situation will change there only by development.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Wed, 19/11/2008 - 9:05am Regressive Politics threat to Constitution, says Chief Justice of India
19 Nov 2008,
NEW DELHI: With mindless violence unleashed by Raj Thackeray’s MNS against north Indians fresh in the mind, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnanon Tuesday condemned regressive politics as the biggest threat to the Constitution of India.
Voicing his concern at the belligerent posture struck by political parties over divisive issues, Mr Balakrishnan told a conference here that the regressive brand of politics was contrary to principles that “our Constitution stands for.”
“There have been several instances of senseless violence in recent times to polarise the nation for the flimsiest of reasons,” he said addressing a conference on National Value Crisis and Redressal.
posted in: Current Issue, , North India
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Wed, 19/11/2008 - 8:49am Orissa- Raped nun disposed before Orissa police in Delhi
The nun who was allegedly raped during communal violence in Kandhamal in Orissa on Tuesday recorded her statement with Orissa police in Delhi. However, she is unlikely to attend the much-awaited test identification parade (TIP) of the accused persons scheduled to be held on Wednesday.''Both the nun and Father Thomas Chelan appeared before the crime branch team in Delhi and recorded their statements in connection with the rape and other incidents this afternoon,'' Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archbishop Raphael Cheenath said.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Tue, 18/11/2008 - 2:26pm Orissa police to question raped nun in Delhi
17 Nov 2008,
BHUBANESWAR: A crime branch team of the Orissa police is likely to head to New Delhi soon to question the nun who was raped during the communal violence in Kandhamal district in August, officials said on Monday.
"A team of five or six police officers may go to Delhi on Monday or Tuesday to question her," a senior crime branch said.
The crime branch, which is investigating the crime, has already arrested 10 people in this connection, but officials say the probe is not progressing because of the non-cooperation of the nun.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Tue, 18/11/2008 - 9:22am Govt. of Orissa Okays guidelines for riot damages
Compensation to shrine and churches range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000. Orissa State government has finally prepared a guideline for giving compensation to churches and other shrines damaged during the communal violence in Kandhamal district after the visit of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as per the complaint lodged with the conversion by GCIC.
According to the guideline, which got the finishing touches, shrines would be given compensation ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 depending on the degree of damage.
The district administration has been asked to complete the assistance process by November 25th. For the fully and partly damaged big churches and prayer halls, the assistance amount would be Rs. 2,00,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 respectively.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
India update 11-18-08
Tue, 18/11/2008 - 9:22am Govt. of Orissa Okays guidelines for riot damages
Compensation to shrine and churches range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000. Orissa State government has finally prepared a guideline for giving compensation to churches and other shrines damaged during the communal violence in Kandhamal district after the visit of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as per the complaint lodged with the conversion by GCIC.
According to the guideline, which got the finishing touches, shrines would be given compensation ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 depending on the degree of damage.
The district administration has been asked to complete the assistance process by November 25th. For the fully and partly damaged big churches and prayer halls, the assistance amount would be Rs. 2,00,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 respectively.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Tue, 18/11/2008 - 9:09am Central team takes stock, to visit Kandhamal today
Central team on Kandhamal, led by Union Agriculture Minister Sri. Sharath Pawar, wanted to know about the security provided to VHP leader swami Laxmananda Saraswati who was killed in Jalespata Ashram on 23rd August 2008.
The team which attended a high level meeting at the Orissa Secretariat to assist the progress in reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes in the riot hit Kandhamal district also wanted to be apprised about the nun rape case.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Mon, 17/11/2008 - 4:54pm Pastor jailed in Bangalore, Karnataka
R.S.S & V.H.P on 16th November disrupt Christian worship, attack pastor and drag him to police station and made false complaint of forcible conversion against him in at Vangasandra on Hosur Road, Bangalore, Karnataka.
Around 11.00 a.m., as Worship was going on Hindu radicals entered the house-church of Pastor Sujnanamm aged 34yrs of Bhirian Baptist Bible College, beat him up in front of the Believers. The radicals abuse the believers and thrashed another believer who tried to come to the aid of Pastor Sujnanamm
The fundamentalists dragged the pastor to the Madivala Police Station and charged him with forceful conversion. The police filed an FIR under section 295A and 506 against the pastor & Dr. Advin S. Chilly President of the Bhirian Baptist Bible College. The pastor was subsequently sent to the Bangalore Center jail.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
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Mon, 17/11/2008 - 8:39am Kandhamal Christian refugees face inclement weather
BERHAMPUR: Winter chill stepped into south Orissa along with the drizzle caused by the low pressure in Bay of Bengal. The life in the refugee camps is miserable.
There was a sudden fall of temperature in the city accompanied by continuous drizzle since Saturday evening. It disrupted day to day life in the city. The markets at this trading centre remained deserted. The waves of the sea seemed dangerous at Gopalpur beach resort. The traditional fishermen were restrained from entering the sea. But the sudden entry of winter chill brought in some hopes for sell of winter garments in the city. The Tibetan woollen market managed to get a good amount of customers. People who had packed up their rain coats were compelled to take them out as the chilly wind was more harsh than the rain.
Sky remained overcast in Kandhamal district. Which however warmed up the atmosphere slightly. The temperature had started to fall in this area since past one week. It is felt a shower due to the recent low pressure may lead to a chilly winter in the district, said S.Patro of Phulbani.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Sun, 16/11/2008 - 11:57am " ORISSA BANDH ON THE DECEMBER 25TH, 2008 " VHP threatens
BubhaneswarThe President of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Samiti Dr. Ratnakar Chaini on 15th November , notice to Orissa Govt.that, to arrest the murderers who killed their Swamiji otherwise there shall be " ORISSA BANDH ON THE DECEMBER 25TH, 2008 " which he declared , nobody can stop .Sangh parivar delared that Hindus are in majority. They also demanded to release the Hindu leaders arrested for in connection with the murder of christians and rioting in Kandhamal immediately. They also shouted against Christians , demanded,cow slaughter and cattle trading to be completely stopped
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Sun, 16/11/2008 - 11:40am Mumbai VHP activists strip Pastor and lock up worshippers
MumbaiNearly 20 VHP activists on Nov 15th, attack Church in Bhayander, Mumbai around 12.30 PM, stripped the pastor and thrashed him after accusing him of converting people.
According to the police, eight men have been arrested for the attack on the prayer hall which belongs to the Church of God (from the Pentecostal Church). Incidentally, the prayer hall is adjacent to the Navghar police station at Bhayander, a bustling township just outside the city limits. The attackers, who also damaged the prayer hall and confined 20 persons attending the prayer meeting.
Raj Jaiswal (30), an eyewitnesses, told that around 20 people, including 15 women, were in the prayer when someone knocked at the door. "We opened it presuming that more people may have come for the prayer," he said.
A mob of about 20 rushed in, shouting slogans such as, 'Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra', said Jaiswal, a real estate broker who attended the prayer meeting. "They claimed to be from the VHP and said they had information that conversions were happening here. They hurled fithy abuses at us and beat us up," said Jaiswal.The mob stripped pastor Philip Fernandes and thrashed him "for trying to convert people". Jaiswal said that he then phoned a TV channel for help.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, West India
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Compensation to shrine and churches range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000. Orissa State government has finally prepared a guideline for giving compensation to churches and other shrines damaged during the communal violence in Kandhamal district after the visit of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as per the complaint lodged with the conversion by GCIC.
According to the guideline, which got the finishing touches, shrines would be given compensation ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 depending on the degree of damage.
The district administration has been asked to complete the assistance process by November 25th. For the fully and partly damaged big churches and prayer halls, the assistance amount would be Rs. 2,00,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 respectively.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Tue, 18/11/2008 - 9:09am Central team takes stock, to visit Kandhamal today
Central team on Kandhamal, led by Union Agriculture Minister Sri. Sharath Pawar, wanted to know about the security provided to VHP leader swami Laxmananda Saraswati who was killed in Jalespata Ashram on 23rd August 2008.
The team which attended a high level meeting at the Orissa Secretariat to assist the progress in reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes in the riot hit Kandhamal district also wanted to be apprised about the nun rape case.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Mon, 17/11/2008 - 4:54pm Pastor jailed in Bangalore, Karnataka
R.S.S & V.H.P on 16th November disrupt Christian worship, attack pastor and drag him to police station and made false complaint of forcible conversion against him in at Vangasandra on Hosur Road, Bangalore, Karnataka.
Around 11.00 a.m., as Worship was going on Hindu radicals entered the house-church of Pastor Sujnanamm aged 34yrs of Bhirian Baptist Bible College, beat him up in front of the Believers. The radicals abuse the believers and thrashed another believer who tried to come to the aid of Pastor Sujnanamm
The fundamentalists dragged the pastor to the Madivala Police Station and charged him with forceful conversion. The police filed an FIR under section 295A and 506 against the pastor & Dr. Advin S. Chilly President of the Bhirian Baptist Bible College. The pastor was subsequently sent to the Bangalore Center jail.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
newsman's blog add new comment
Mon, 17/11/2008 - 8:39am Kandhamal Christian refugees face inclement weather
BERHAMPUR: Winter chill stepped into south Orissa along with the drizzle caused by the low pressure in Bay of Bengal. The life in the refugee camps is miserable.
There was a sudden fall of temperature in the city accompanied by continuous drizzle since Saturday evening. It disrupted day to day life in the city. The markets at this trading centre remained deserted. The waves of the sea seemed dangerous at Gopalpur beach resort. The traditional fishermen were restrained from entering the sea. But the sudden entry of winter chill brought in some hopes for sell of winter garments in the city. The Tibetan woollen market managed to get a good amount of customers. People who had packed up their rain coats were compelled to take them out as the chilly wind was more harsh than the rain.
Sky remained overcast in Kandhamal district. Which however warmed up the atmosphere slightly. The temperature had started to fall in this area since past one week. It is felt a shower due to the recent low pressure may lead to a chilly winter in the district, said S.Patro of Phulbani.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Sun, 16/11/2008 - 11:57am " ORISSA BANDH ON THE DECEMBER 25TH, 2008 " VHP threatens
BubhaneswarThe President of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Samiti Dr. Ratnakar Chaini on 15th November , notice to Orissa Govt.that, to arrest the murderers who killed their Swamiji otherwise there shall be " ORISSA BANDH ON THE DECEMBER 25TH, 2008 " which he declared , nobody can stop .Sangh parivar delared that Hindus are in majority. They also demanded to release the Hindu leaders arrested for in connection with the murder of christians and rioting in Kandhamal immediately. They also shouted against Christians , demanded,cow slaughter and cattle trading to be completely stopped
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
read more newsman's blog 1 comment
Sun, 16/11/2008 - 11:40am Mumbai VHP activists strip Pastor and lock up worshippers
MumbaiNearly 20 VHP activists on Nov 15th, attack Church in Bhayander, Mumbai around 12.30 PM, stripped the pastor and thrashed him after accusing him of converting people.
According to the police, eight men have been arrested for the attack on the prayer hall which belongs to the Church of God (from the Pentecostal Church). Incidentally, the prayer hall is adjacent to the Navghar police station at Bhayander, a bustling township just outside the city limits. The attackers, who also damaged the prayer hall and confined 20 persons attending the prayer meeting.
Raj Jaiswal (30), an eyewitnesses, told that around 20 people, including 15 women, were in the prayer when someone knocked at the door. "We opened it presuming that more people may have come for the prayer," he said.
A mob of about 20 rushed in, shouting slogans such as, 'Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra', said Jaiswal, a real estate broker who attended the prayer meeting. "They claimed to be from the VHP and said they had information that conversions were happening here. They hurled fithy abuses at us and beat us up," said Jaiswal.The mob stripped pastor Philip Fernandes and thrashed him "for trying to convert people". Jaiswal said that he then phoned a TV channel for help.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, West India
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