…Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look — I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Q:WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT ON YOUR PLANET?
a remote village in africa!
If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden.
Part 4 in series of Joyce Meyer podcasts entitled “What’s Been on Your Mind Lately?”
Sneak peak of my Swaziland article…
Rough copy of what I’ve written so far…Please let me know what you think:
By RACHAEL OSBORNE
Assistant News Editor
MANZINI, Swaziland — Mpile leaned against the tree trunk, using its rough bark as a scratching post to soothe the irritation that covered his bare back.
Nurse Jessie didn’t know his HIV status, but she soon discovered that since birth the dusty 4- or 5-year-old had been living with severe ringworm, a bumpy skin irritation that caused his hair to grow in patches. He likely contracted the condition repeatedly through the soil. She put her hand on his distended belly and felt worms wiggle about within.
Shyly the two exchanged siSwati through sweet whispers and Jessie handed him a medical evaluation form. He stared down at the sheet of paper as if he could read what it said.
One in 3 people are HIV positive here, and most refuse to get tested for fear that in a country crippled by AIDS they will fall victim to the disease. With the lowest recorded life expectancy in the world — just under 32 years old — an entire generation has disappeared, leaving a nation full of teens.
Looking into the crowd of children who surrounded us in the yard at Lutze-Lutze Mercy Centre, statistics I had only ever read about became clear and real. Unless a miracle happens, 1 out of every 5 of these kids will die in the next two or three years.
At that moment, under the shade of the tree, every expectation I had for our time in Swaziland left, and it was quickly replaced by an urgent call to action.
“The Cry from Hell” by David Legge…Wow, this gives me goose-bumps.
Rescue any who need to be saved, as you would rescue someone from a fire. Then with fear in your own hearts, have mercy on everyone who needs it. But hate even the clothes of those who have been made dirty by their filthy deeds.
Where are the Shadrach, Meshach and Abednegos??
PITTSBURGH (AP) — State House officials say they have been inundated with protests about a policy that barred a clergyman from using the word “Jesus” in a prayer that was to open one of the lawmakers’ daily sessions.
The Rev. Gerry Stoltzfoos, of the Freedom Valley Worship Center in Gettysburg, had planned to end his recent prayer with “In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Under the policy then in effect, he was asked by House Speaker Keith McCall’s office to submit the planned prayer in writing and to make sure it was nondenominational.
“They said my prayer was rejected because it contained an offensive word. Just once, in closing, I mentioned Jesus,” he said. “I thought they were kidding. I had carefully crafted the prayer not to be offensive in any way.”
He said he decided not to say the prayer at all rather than omit the name. The incident has sparked a controversy on the Internet including an online petition and denunciations of McCall.
Paul Parcells, McCall’s chief of staff, said the situation has been blown out of proportion.
“We’ve had threats phoned in and a ton of angry e-mail,” said Parcells, who called McCall “a devout Catholic” but said “he doesn’t wear his religion on his sleeve.”
Guest chaplains are sent a letter asking them to use “an interfaith, non-denominational prayer” and to refrain from expressing views on legislative, political or governmental issues. House officials say use of “God” or “Father” is permissible, but they do not want mentions of specific religious figures such as Jesus, Muhammad, or Buddha.
This is ridiculous. Where are the pastors who will stand up for what is right?! Where are the Shadrach, Meshach and Abednegos today??
This is a photo of a new Christian believer in Pakistan. Being a former Muslim, he was warned, “If you get baptized, your arms will be cut off!” His arms were chopped off for his faith, but he got baptized just the same.
This should be a very important reminder to us of the price some people pay for believing in Jesus. Imagine what you would do if you were in this man’s position. They said if he got baptized, they would cut off his arms! And he got baptized anyway. And they cut his arms off.
If only we were so bold!
We are beyond blessed that we don’t have to face this type of persecution in America, yet we too often keep our faith to ourselves, and we keep it inside our churches. I am guilty of this, too.
As Christians, it is our obligation to share the truth with people that Jesus is the only way to receive salvation. It might not be popular, and we might face a tiny bit of persecution, but we don’t have to face what this man faced.
Let’s stand up for the truth! It is the ONLY hope people have.
South Africa is on my heart strong today.
