Several years ago, Lina Joy filled out a government form to receive her identification card. There were fields on the card such as name, address, height and religion. Yes. You heard me right. Lina had to put her religion on an identification card. She wrote in Islam. They printed it on her card.
Then she became a Christian.
For the past six years, Lina has been fighting the government of Malaysia to get her religion changed on her identification card. Today, the court rejected her request, and ruled that she is Muslim and will remain Muslim. They said "you can't at whim and fancy convert from one religion to another." Actually, the person I quoted is a a Federal Court Chief Justice named Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim. Does anyone else sense a conflict of interest here?
You may wonder why this is important. Why should she care what her identification card says anyways, I mean, we're just talking about a religious belief, right? Well, in Malaysia, those who have Islam on their identification cards are ruled according to Sharia, the Muslim rule of law. According to the way Malaysia implements Sharia, a Muslim cannot marry a Christian by law. Thus, Lina cannot marry her boyfriend. This is heartbreaking. Could you imagine going to the courthouse to apply for a marriage license, only to be told that according to the religion you wrote down on your card, you're not allowed to marry your lover? Malaysia has no respect for the personal pursuit of happiness.
To make matters worse, Lina has already been disowned by her family and has had to quit her job as a computer salesman.
Please pray for Lina and her boyfriend. Pray that God's peace may surround them in their struggles. Pray for Malaysia, that basic human rights, the rights that should be most fundamentally recognized in any country would be realized. Pray that Malaysia, and other governments that abuse their power and their people would be brought low.
It baffles my mind, the things that humans do to each other.
"Justice" Tun Dato' Sri Ahmad Fairuz bin Dato' Sheikh Abdul Halim, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Read the complete article here.
I took the liberty of noting this ruling here.
30 May 2007
23 May 2007
dalit happenings
Praise God!
It is looking as though the Dalit believers in India may finally be given their chance to take part in normal Indian society.
As a brief recap:
It is looking as though the Dalit believers in India may finally be given their chance to take part in normal Indian society.
As a brief recap:
- Dalits are the lowest strata of the caste system. This basically means they are excluded from normal human privileges and treated lower than animals by those in other castes ("upper castes"). It is injustice, pure and simple - coercion of the less powerful by those with the power. Our God is a God of justice.
- A presidential order in 1950 in India reserves certain privileges only to those Dalits who subscribe to Hinduism. This order was extended in 1956 to include Sikhs, and in 1990 to include Buddhists. Those Dalits who do not subscribe to Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism are excluded from the caste system.
- The Indian Supreme Court will be holding a hearing on June 19th to consider restoring "Scheduled Caste" rights to Christian Dalits.
Obviously, the ideal situation would be a complete obliteration of the caste system as a whole, but this is certainly one step closer to equality, and we should thank God for the forward movement and pray that the rights are indeed restored.
Please, please, please pray for these people. Pray for India, that the caste system would be abolished, and that all people would be able to live equally. This has been going on for too long.
I leave you with a quote from Dr. Joseph D’Souza, the president of the All India Christian Council, recorded on the CD "Share the Well" by Caedmon's Call.
"Every religion in India, for example, is too religious. On one side, the upper caste live. On the other side, the Dalits live. And the Dalit side of the village will not have water, will not have electricity, will not have education. These are the people who are treated less than animals and have to live like animals. They have no access to the temples. They are ostracised. Their properties are taken, butchered, killed, etc. This has been going on for 3,500 years, but today it's a pressing problem, because this group of people, numbering about 250 to 300 million people... the Dalits have themselves risen up and said 'We can't take this anymore.'"
The full story is here.
17 May 2007
a history of vietnam on may 11, 2007
Rev. Nguyen Thanh, from Vietnam, spoke to Congress. He mentioned the filth of the prisons that prisoners of conscience in Vietnam are required to endure. He spoke of the gross human rights violations in Vietnam ranging from the sale of underage girls to prostitution rings, to the arrest and imprisonment of anybody claiming any religion other than atheism (including Buddhism and Christianity), to the mass confiscation of property by the Communist government, to the physical silencing of those who would speak against the Communist party in any way shape or form. He failed to mention the plight of the Montagnards in northern Vietnam who are marginalized, and left without proper food and water.
At the very same moment, in Vietnam, two lawyers, Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thai Cong Nhan were sentenced to five and four year prison terms, respectively. They are in prison for their work to end the human rights violations in Vietnam, only a few of which were mentioned before Congress.
They will never get those years back.
Pray for Vietnam, write your congressman and senators. There is great joy in being God's hands, feet, and voices to our brothers and sisters in Christ who have lost theirs.
The article about the lawyers is here, and the Reverend's speech is here. I encourage you to read them both.
At the very same moment, in Vietnam, two lawyers, Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thai Cong Nhan were sentenced to five and four year prison terms, respectively. They are in prison for their work to end the human rights violations in Vietnam, only a few of which were mentioned before Congress.
They will never get those years back.
Pray for Vietnam, write your congressman and senators. There is great joy in being God's hands, feet, and voices to our brothers and sisters in Christ who have lost theirs.
The article about the lawyers is here, and the Reverend's speech is here. I encourage you to read them both.
14 May 2007
the new global economy
"It is not a human right to stare, not fight, while broken nations dream. Open up our eyes so blind, that we might find the mercy for the need."
- Hillsong, from the song "Solution" (on the upcoming album All of the Above)
It is said of the German civilians during WWII, that they were willfully ignorant regarding the concentration camps. They were aware of the camps, but supressed the truth and went through the motions of a "normal", "civilized" life, while nearby, thousands of Jews were being tortured and killed. These outrages happened locally. In the 1940's the world was filled with national economies.
Now we are economically and informationally global. Wouldn't it follow then, that if we hear about injustice anywhere, and we ignore it, we are no better than peaceful civilians near Auschwitz, whose silence and lack of action caused the death of millions?
You are not helpless. God gave you resources. Use them, and be his hands and feet in bringing justice to those without voices. There are links to some sites further down on the left column of this page. Visit some of them and learn how you can help.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
- Hillsong, from the song "Solution" (on the upcoming album All of the Above)
It is said of the German civilians during WWII, that they were willfully ignorant regarding the concentration camps. They were aware of the camps, but supressed the truth and went through the motions of a "normal", "civilized" life, while nearby, thousands of Jews were being tortured and killed. These outrages happened locally. In the 1940's the world was filled with national economies.
Now we are economically and informationally global. Wouldn't it follow then, that if we hear about injustice anywhere, and we ignore it, we are no better than peaceful civilians near Auschwitz, whose silence and lack of action caused the death of millions?
You are not helpless. God gave you resources. Use them, and be his hands and feet in bringing justice to those without voices. There are links to some sites further down on the left column of this page. Visit some of them and learn how you can help.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
11 May 2007
ever heard of juche?
Adherents.com estimates that 19 million people in the world profess Juche (pronounced "joo-cheh"), making it the number 10 most adhered-to world religion - two spots up from Judaism. Ever heard of it? Me neither, until I read an article about it on International Christian Concern's website.
It appears that Juche's main tenet is that "man is the master of everything and decides everything". Frankly, it doesn't sound much different than our American philosophy of "The self-made man." That's pretty much it.
Except for the part about worshipping Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Yes, you read it right. The North Koreans are now worshipping the father and the son, their king, who has come bringing wisdom.
They even have their own calendar. It starts on Kim Il Sung's birthday April 15, 1912 AD.
It really doesn't take much to deceive us. God, forgive us for selling our beliefs to the highest bidder!
Here's a quote from the same article on Asia Times Online:
Reporter Liu Fang quizzed a young student and checked on the degree of deification of the Dear Leader by asking questions that very much sounded like a Sunday-school teacher asking her pupil about the bedtime prayer. "Do you spare a particular time of the day, such as before you go to bed, for Kim? Do you talk to Kim? Does he talk to you?" The young student's answer to all these questions was, "Yes."
Right now, there are approximately 50,000 to 100,000 "Daniels" locked up because they won't worship King Kim Jong Il. In addition to that, there are 19 million people blindly following Kim Jong Il. North Korea needs the light of Christ.
Please pray for North Korea right now before you browse away.
It appears that Juche's main tenet is that "man is the master of everything and decides everything". Frankly, it doesn't sound much different than our American philosophy of "The self-made man." That's pretty much it.
Except for the part about worshipping Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Yes, you read it right. The North Koreans are now worshipping the father and the son, their king, who has come bringing wisdom.They even have their own calendar. It starts on Kim Il Sung's birthday April 15, 1912 AD.
It really doesn't take much to deceive us. God, forgive us for selling our beliefs to the highest bidder!
Here's a quote from the same article on Asia Times Online:
Reporter Liu Fang quizzed a young student and checked on the degree of deification of the Dear Leader by asking questions that very much sounded like a Sunday-school teacher asking her pupil about the bedtime prayer. "Do you spare a particular time of the day, such as before you go to bed, for Kim? Do you talk to Kim? Does he talk to you?" The young student's answer to all these questions was, "Yes."
Right now, there are approximately 50,000 to 100,000 "Daniels" locked up because they won't worship King Kim Jong Il. In addition to that, there are 19 million people blindly following Kim Jong Il. North Korea needs the light of Christ.
Please pray for North Korea right now before you browse away.
07 May 2007
church family
It's 9:00 in the morning on a Sunday as you pull up to the church. You walk in anticipating the fellowship and worship you've grown to know and love. A little under a year ago, you started attending after a friend of yours showed you the gift Christ brought us. You came into community and began to learn to love others. The sweetness of Christian fellowship now surrounds you as you're building memories with those you love. You're single, and in the last two months, you've begun dating another follower of Christ with whom you have much in common. Chiefly though, you share a common faith. You seek to know the heart of Christ, and to follow Him as you walk together.
The sun has risen this morning, and it's tracing its track across the sky. Sometimes it shines unencumbered, and sometimes it flies behind the clouds that stretch across the eastern sky - miles away over the water. Fair weather clouds. A pleasant day.
As you sit to worship, the pastor opens with a word of prayer, and worship songs are sung. You look around the room. You think of the mustard seed that grew into a huge tree. Something you read yesterday morning. You see just a small part of what you are certain is a much larger, global family of believers. All present seem to revere the task of worship as though it is the highest task attainable by man.
The pastor speaks. He preaches a sermon on the ever-enduring, ever-persevering love of Christ. In every sermon, he always brings it back to the good news of Christ's death and resurrection. His words are direct, but caring and fatherly. He calls out a blessing over all and dismisses you.
People begin to leave. Just then you hear some shouts. Someone is barking orders outside. The line of people leaving the church begins to slow, and comes to a complete stop. Two men with guns guard the exit to the church, while other men escort people out, one by one, separating husbands and wives into guarded buses. They tell you you're wanted for questioning as they pull your friend away from you. Uncontrollable tears flow down some people's faces, while some are staring blankly in shock. Cold eyes look on from all sides. Men in uniforms. Men with guns. There are no police to run to. There is no government to look to. This is the government and these are the police.
The busses pull out. As you look back through the bus windows guarded by the metal mesh cage, through the cloud of dust and smog spit out by the bus you see a few policemen lingering around the church like ants on candy. They talk to each other as though it's just another day at the office. You pray this isn't happening.
These are our brothers and sisters in Christ. 80 of them in Eritrea a week ago were arrested by the government for worshipping God.
We should be taking this personally.
The story is here.
The sun has risen this morning, and it's tracing its track across the sky. Sometimes it shines unencumbered, and sometimes it flies behind the clouds that stretch across the eastern sky - miles away over the water. Fair weather clouds. A pleasant day.
As you sit to worship, the pastor opens with a word of prayer, and worship songs are sung. You look around the room. You think of the mustard seed that grew into a huge tree. Something you read yesterday morning. You see just a small part of what you are certain is a much larger, global family of believers. All present seem to revere the task of worship as though it is the highest task attainable by man.
The pastor speaks. He preaches a sermon on the ever-enduring, ever-persevering love of Christ. In every sermon, he always brings it back to the good news of Christ's death and resurrection. His words are direct, but caring and fatherly. He calls out a blessing over all and dismisses you.
People begin to leave. Just then you hear some shouts. Someone is barking orders outside. The line of people leaving the church begins to slow, and comes to a complete stop. Two men with guns guard the exit to the church, while other men escort people out, one by one, separating husbands and wives into guarded buses. They tell you you're wanted for questioning as they pull your friend away from you. Uncontrollable tears flow down some people's faces, while some are staring blankly in shock. Cold eyes look on from all sides. Men in uniforms. Men with guns. There are no police to run to. There is no government to look to. This is the government and these are the police.
The busses pull out. As you look back through the bus windows guarded by the metal mesh cage, through the cloud of dust and smog spit out by the bus you see a few policemen lingering around the church like ants on candy. They talk to each other as though it's just another day at the office. You pray this isn't happening.
These are our brothers and sisters in Christ. 80 of them in Eritrea a week ago were arrested by the government for worshipping God.
We should be taking this personally.
The story is here.
05 May 2007
endurance
There was a recent story on persecution.org about three Turkish believers (here) who were murdered and killed for the sake of Christ. I received an email recently that that I felt I needed to share. This was written from a Christian who was at the funeral. It's very touching. If you haven't read my link to the actual story, please go there and read it before you read this. It sets the stage for what you're about to read. This is a story meant to bless the Christian world everywhere.
Last Saturday, approximately 500 believers (national and foreign) gathered in a demonstration of solidarity, to honor the lives of these colleagues. Despite the heavy police and media coverage in a country that is 99.9% Muslim, each of us had determined that is was worth the risk and exposure, to stand together for our Lord. After all, it seemed a small sacrifice, compared to the loss experienced by the wives, children and fiancé of the deceased.
What we witnessed has changed our lives! As the body was carried into the courtyard, high upon the shoulders of our Turkish brothers, spontaneous applause burst forth! I leaned over to my national friend and queried, “Is this normal for funerals, in your culture?” “No,” he asserted, “it’s because he’s a martyr!” As the casket continued its journey toward the front, beautiful worship music erupted—somewhat reminiscent of a Gregorian chant. Then everyone joined together in the singing of praise songs in the native tongue. However, what followed nearly took our breath away! Approximately ten National leaders proclaimed openly the Gospel in front of television cameras, newspaper reporters, police officials and several other important officials. Fearlessly, yet with gentle strength each shared his faith in Christ, and His forgiveness of those who had committed the heinous murders! Additionally, they shared that Christ had won the Victory, and at this very hour the martyrs were standing before the very throne of God! Several mentioned that the lives of these men were perhaps the seeds that must be planted in order for a harvest to come forth. One pastor passionately exclaimed, “We will spread this message, God’s Word, because we are children of the Word! You may kill us all, but we will spread this message, because we love you and because Jesus loves you! We forgive the attackers, because we too, have been forgiven.” Powerful applause, “Amens” and “Hallelujahs” erupted from among the scores of nationalities represented there! It was awesome!
However, what happened next.....can only be explained by the supernatural love and strength that God alone can give. Spontaneously, in an unplanned moment-- Necati’s wife asked if she could speak. “Amid her tears she spoke of her forgiveness of the very men who had tortured and killed her husband, and the father of her children! In an emotion filled voice, she asserted: “I know my Necati was praying for them, even while he was being tortured.” She also spoke of the wonderful love they shared as a family and their joy in serving the Lord together. Lastly, she stated “I loved my husband very, very much---but, I love my Jesus even more. And that is how I can face tomorrow.” Again thunderous applause burst forth! We were spell bound!
In the closing moments of this incredible service, one of the pastors shouted “Afferin Necati!!! Afferin Tilman!!! Afferin Ugur!!!---Which translated means--- “Well done Necati!! Well done Tilman!! Well done Ugur!! As we looked up, we noticed that the media stood utterly dumbfounded! We were quite certain they had never witnessed anything like this before. Yet, as believers we knew we had been in the very presence of the Lord.
Praise God. Until the end, these believers held fast their confidence in Christ.
Hebrews 10:35-39 says:
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay.
But my righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him."
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
What is the confidence in? Is it found in our power to perform? No. Is it found in our power to impress? No. Is it found in our power to bring people to Christ? No. Is it found in our power to think good theological thoughts? No.
It is only found in Christ alone. The Holy Son of God, who gave his life for us, and is forever faithful.
Our confidence, our faith, is found only and ever in God's faithfulness. He will hold us fast. Praise God for his grace!
Last Saturday, approximately 500 believers (national and foreign) gathered in a demonstration of solidarity, to honor the lives of these colleagues. Despite the heavy police and media coverage in a country that is 99.9% Muslim, each of us had determined that is was worth the risk and exposure, to stand together for our Lord. After all, it seemed a small sacrifice, compared to the loss experienced by the wives, children and fiancé of the deceased.
What we witnessed has changed our lives! As the body was carried into the courtyard, high upon the shoulders of our Turkish brothers, spontaneous applause burst forth! I leaned over to my national friend and queried, “Is this normal for funerals, in your culture?” “No,” he asserted, “it’s because he’s a martyr!” As the casket continued its journey toward the front, beautiful worship music erupted—somewhat reminiscent of a Gregorian chant. Then everyone joined together in the singing of praise songs in the native tongue. However, what followed nearly took our breath away! Approximately ten National leaders proclaimed openly the Gospel in front of television cameras, newspaper reporters, police officials and several other important officials. Fearlessly, yet with gentle strength each shared his faith in Christ, and His forgiveness of those who had committed the heinous murders! Additionally, they shared that Christ had won the Victory, and at this very hour the martyrs were standing before the very throne of God! Several mentioned that the lives of these men were perhaps the seeds that must be planted in order for a harvest to come forth. One pastor passionately exclaimed, “We will spread this message, God’s Word, because we are children of the Word! You may kill us all, but we will spread this message, because we love you and because Jesus loves you! We forgive the attackers, because we too, have been forgiven.” Powerful applause, “Amens” and “Hallelujahs” erupted from among the scores of nationalities represented there! It was awesome!
However, what happened next.....can only be explained by the supernatural love and strength that God alone can give. Spontaneously, in an unplanned moment-- Necati’s wife asked if she could speak. “Amid her tears she spoke of her forgiveness of the very men who had tortured and killed her husband, and the father of her children! In an emotion filled voice, she asserted: “I know my Necati was praying for them, even while he was being tortured.” She also spoke of the wonderful love they shared as a family and their joy in serving the Lord together. Lastly, she stated “I loved my husband very, very much---but, I love my Jesus even more. And that is how I can face tomorrow.” Again thunderous applause burst forth! We were spell bound!
In the closing moments of this incredible service, one of the pastors shouted “Afferin Necati!!! Afferin Tilman!!! Afferin Ugur!!!---Which translated means--- “Well done Necati!! Well done Tilman!! Well done Ugur!! As we looked up, we noticed that the media stood utterly dumbfounded! We were quite certain they had never witnessed anything like this before. Yet, as believers we knew we had been in the very presence of the Lord.
Praise God. Until the end, these believers held fast their confidence in Christ.
Hebrews 10:35-39 says:
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay.
But my righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him."
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
What is the confidence in? Is it found in our power to perform? No. Is it found in our power to impress? No. Is it found in our power to bring people to Christ? No. Is it found in our power to think good theological thoughts? No.
It is only found in Christ alone. The Holy Son of God, who gave his life for us, and is forever faithful.
Our confidence, our faith, is found only and ever in God's faithfulness. He will hold us fast. Praise God for his grace!
03 May 2007
please pray for sudan / the two witnesses
I don't even know how to begin writing this, so I suppose I'll just have to say it. Four evangelists were killed last Friday in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. Three of them were Sudanese, and one of them was Egyptian. At least five others were injured.
At the moment, the details are unclear as to whether the motive of the killing was a religious one or a simple robbery.
Please pray for the safety of the missionaries in that region. Pray that God would sovreignly protect their bodies as they witness. Pray the church universal would rally around them and support them.
On another note, this kind of persecution is why I no longer believe in the dispensational viewpoint of the book of Revelation. I believe the book of Revelation is meant to be a comfort to those who are faithfully following in the face of persecution, and it would make very little sense to those Christians in the confines of a North Korean labor camp to say to them "Well, I have good news! You won't need to go through the great tribulation!"
Even more important than that thought, I believe the amillenial view to be much more Scripturally consistent. If you choose to follow me further in this post, I will explain to you why this viewpoint brings great hope.
The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:1-12)
The view you've probably heard of this section of Revelation is that these are two literal witnesses who will appear during half of the seven-year tribulation period. I would suggest a less literal, more figurative and (I think) more consistent view. You should know I am not alone in this viewpoint, and indeed, this is the viewpoint most commonly believed in non-western culture.
The two witnesses represent the members of the church who bring the Gospel to those who do not believe. They are witnesses not to any secret revelation of God, but rather to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They prophecy, calling out to people saying that the Lord will be returning, and urging people to follow Him. These men have the power of God in them, the very power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. (Romans 8:11). I do not believe the 1,260 days, 42 months or 3 1/2 days are to be taken literally in the passage.
When these believers have finished their testimonies, preaching through their lifetimes the glory of God, the beast (Satan) will come up out of the abyss, attack them, overpower them, and kill them. Their bodies will lie as constant reminders of their message. Men from everywhere will look upon their bodies, and refuse to bury them. The world hates them, just as Christ hates them, and just as He faced persecution and death, so they have also shared in Christ's sufferings. Indeed, the inhabitants of the earth will actually gloat over these believers, because they had tormented their consciences.
But, after three and a half days, they will be raised. The very breath of God, eternal and just, will enter them and they will stand up straight. Those who see them will be terrified, and the Lord will call them to Himself, saying "Come up here."
On a cloud they will ascend, graciously glorified, and following in the path of their beloved Lord, Savior and Friend.
My God be glorified when three Sudanese and one Egyptian believer are raised from the dead, glorified, and ascend to the Father, just as their hero, Jesus has already done. Oh, how gracious is our God and King to reward those he loves!
The full story can be found here.
At the moment, the details are unclear as to whether the motive of the killing was a religious one or a simple robbery.
Please pray for the safety of the missionaries in that region. Pray that God would sovreignly protect their bodies as they witness. Pray the church universal would rally around them and support them.
On another note, this kind of persecution is why I no longer believe in the dispensational viewpoint of the book of Revelation. I believe the book of Revelation is meant to be a comfort to those who are faithfully following in the face of persecution, and it would make very little sense to those Christians in the confines of a North Korean labor camp to say to them "Well, I have good news! You won't need to go through the great tribulation!"
Even more important than that thought, I believe the amillenial view to be much more Scripturally consistent. If you choose to follow me further in this post, I will explain to you why this viewpoint brings great hope.
The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:1-12)
The view you've probably heard of this section of Revelation is that these are two literal witnesses who will appear during half of the seven-year tribulation period. I would suggest a less literal, more figurative and (I think) more consistent view. You should know I am not alone in this viewpoint, and indeed, this is the viewpoint most commonly believed in non-western culture.
The two witnesses represent the members of the church who bring the Gospel to those who do not believe. They are witnesses not to any secret revelation of God, but rather to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They prophecy, calling out to people saying that the Lord will be returning, and urging people to follow Him. These men have the power of God in them, the very power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. (Romans 8:11). I do not believe the 1,260 days, 42 months or 3 1/2 days are to be taken literally in the passage.
When these believers have finished their testimonies, preaching through their lifetimes the glory of God, the beast (Satan) will come up out of the abyss, attack them, overpower them, and kill them. Their bodies will lie as constant reminders of their message. Men from everywhere will look upon their bodies, and refuse to bury them. The world hates them, just as Christ hates them, and just as He faced persecution and death, so they have also shared in Christ's sufferings. Indeed, the inhabitants of the earth will actually gloat over these believers, because they had tormented their consciences.
But, after three and a half days, they will be raised. The very breath of God, eternal and just, will enter them and they will stand up straight. Those who see them will be terrified, and the Lord will call them to Himself, saying "Come up here."
On a cloud they will ascend, graciously glorified, and following in the path of their beloved Lord, Savior and Friend.
My God be glorified when three Sudanese and one Egyptian believer are raised from the dead, glorified, and ascend to the Father, just as their hero, Jesus has already done. Oh, how gracious is our God and King to reward those he loves!
The full story can be found here.
01 May 2007
the psalms were not meant for you
Most Psalms are not written for suburban Americans. That means they're not written for me.
I've always taken an Americentric approach to Psalms. Psalms about enemies never made sense to me, because I don't have many, and those who might be aren't trying to kill me. Phrases like "strangers have risen against me" (Psalm 54:3) don't make sense to me, so I spiritualize the meaning, projecting my sin onto spiritual entities I don't understand. ("Demons have risen up against me and won't let me succeed at not sinning"). At times I associate "evil men" and "oppressors" with a coworker or a boss who may not be the easiest person to work for. Somehow this never sat right with me though, because no matter how much I try to make the Psalm fit my situation, it just doesn't. As long as I remember, I've had freedom. Psalms don't apply.
Recently at the IJM dinner (read my notes here), Mr. Martin spoke about forced child prostitution. He said that one of these girls, who after having her virginity auctioned off, and was subsequently raped eight to twenty times nightly, had scrawled the first three verses of Psalm 27 onto the wall of her room in the brothel.
I challenge you to read the Psalm from her perspective:
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, "Seek my face."
My heart says to you,
"Your face, LORD, do I seek."
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the LORD will take me in.
Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
May their cries not go unanswered.
I've always taken an Americentric approach to Psalms. Psalms about enemies never made sense to me, because I don't have many, and those who might be aren't trying to kill me. Phrases like "strangers have risen against me" (Psalm 54:3) don't make sense to me, so I spiritualize the meaning, projecting my sin onto spiritual entities I don't understand. ("Demons have risen up against me and won't let me succeed at not sinning"). At times I associate "evil men" and "oppressors" with a coworker or a boss who may not be the easiest person to work for. Somehow this never sat right with me though, because no matter how much I try to make the Psalm fit my situation, it just doesn't. As long as I remember, I've had freedom. Psalms don't apply.
Recently at the IJM dinner (read my notes here), Mr. Martin spoke about forced child prostitution. He said that one of these girls, who after having her virginity auctioned off, and was subsequently raped eight to twenty times nightly, had scrawled the first three verses of Psalm 27 onto the wall of her room in the brothel.
I challenge you to read the Psalm from her perspective:
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, "Seek my face."
My heart says to you,
"Your face, LORD, do I seek."
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the LORD will take me in.
Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
May their cries not go unanswered.
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