ATTENTION: SCROLL DOWN to get to today's article entitled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. And PLEASE be sure to note the various PRAYER REQUESTS listed AFTER the posted article. They deserve your intercession. THANK YOU.
ALSO NEWSWORTHY:
"Norma McCorvey, The "Jane Roe" in Roe v. Wade Who Eventually Became A Pro-Life Activist, Dies At 69" - Christine Rousselle : Feb 18, 2017; https://townhall.com/tipsheet/christinerousselle/2017/02/18/norma-mccorvey-the-jane-roe-in-roe-v-wade-who-eventually-became-a-prolife-activist-dies-at-69-n2287726
"Remembering Hal Moore, an American Hero" - Thomas Spoehr / Feb. 13, 2017 / http://dailysignal.com/2017/02/13/remembering-hal-moore-an-american-hero/
Almost nobody knows what’s happening to the Christians of Nigeria—but even fewer care. Here’s why we should.
In Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous country, Christians don’t have time to worry about culture wars. They’re too busy facing a real one instigated by their Muslim neighbors and by a government that has studiously decided to look the other way. The scope of the violence is so vast as to be almost beyond belief, so let me first give you a snapshot of what’s happening on the ground.
Deborah, now 31 and living in a camp for the internally displaced, was captured by the Boko Haram terrorist group and held captive for a year and a half. The Islamists came to her village and slaughtered her husband and family before abducting her and “marrying” her off to a 20-year-old Muslim terrorist, who complained of her argumentativeness while raping and impregnating her. After Deborah was recaptured following an escape, she received 80 lashes as punishment. She told journalist Douglas Murray that she no longer fears death.
“What sort of death would I be running from?” Deborah asks. “I have already died once.”
You could repeat Deborah’s basic story countless times in Nigeria. Operation World estimates that Nigeria, which is an officially secular state with a Muslim president, is 51 percent Christian and 45 percent Muslim. Since 1999, the West African nation of about 158 million people has been convulsed by ongoing attempts at imposing Islamic law in eight northern, mostly Muslim states, as well as in four other states where Christians predominate or where the numbers are fairly even.
Things are particularly bad in the north right now. Unarmed Christian villages there are sitting ducks for Muslim Fulani tribesmen, who have been armed with weaponry provided by elements in the national military. According to The Spectator, it’s religiously motivated genocide, although outside agencies dismiss the violence as tit-for-tat.
“The locals [don't] collect the freshest bodies,” the magazine reports. “Some who tried earlier have already been killed, spotted by the waiting militia and hacked down or shot. The Fulani are watching everything closely from the surrounding mountains. Every week, their progress across the northern states of Plateau and Kaduna continues. Every week, more massacres—another village burned, its church razed, its inhabitants slaughtered, raped or chased away.”
Open Doors USA, as part of its annual World Watch List, says the killings have jumped by a whopping 62 percent in a year. And while Nigeria is No. 12 on the World Watch List of Christian persecution globally, it’s in the top 10 in terms of overall violence.
And yet it’s not all gloom and doom in Nigeria. As Tertullian reminded us, the blood of the martyrs is often the seed of the church. Operation World says the country now boasts a strong prayer movement, dynamic church growth, and a growing missionary movement, with more than 5,000 cross-cultural workers—many of them in Nigeria or in other African nations.
So while much of the world has forgotten about Nigeria’s persecuted Christians, surely those of us in the West cannot. They are our brothers and sisters, and they’re doing great things in the midst of severe trials. Let’s hold them up in powerful, prevailing prayer.
Let’s also speak up to the new administration in Washington, which says it will stand up for persecuted Christians around the world. Let’s remind them of their promises and make sure they follow through.
The Christians of Nigeria need us, and since we are members of the same worldwide Body of Christ, we need them.
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
Further Reading and Information - Click on the links below to find organizations that help persecuted believers worldwide. Then support their efforts financially or physically. To read more about the crisis in the Christian communities of Nigeria, check out the linked resources.
Voice of the Martyrs - http://www.persecution.com/
Freedom House - https://freedomhouse.org/
International Christian Concern - http://www.persecution.org/
Christian Solidarity International - http://csi-usa.org/
Contact the White House - https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact#page
Contact the State Department - https://register.state.gov/contactus/
Contact your representatives in Congress - http://congress.org/issues/basics/
Resources
"Who will protect Nigeria’s northern Christians?" - Douglas Murray The Spectator February 4, 2017 - http://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/02/who-will-protect-nigerias-northern-christians/
"'A Blast of Hell'" - Stan Guthrie, ChristianityToday.com, October 7, 2002 - http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/october7/15.28.html
"‘Worst Year Yet’: The Top 50 Countries Where It’s Hardest to Be a Christian" - Jeremy Weber ChristianityToday.com January 11, 2017 - http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2017/january/top-50-countries-christian-persecution-world-watch-list.html
"Nationalism in Asia, Islamic extremism in Africa" – the 2017 World Watch List
World Watch Monitor Open Doors January 11, 2017 - https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2017/01/4847479/
"World Watch List persecution ranking graphic" - Open Doors 2017 - https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/news/4812440/4812457/4837428
URGENT: 12/13- American Center For Law and Justice: On trial for their faith, two Christian pastors in Sudan face death. Christian Pastors Hassan Abduraheem and Kuwa Shamal have been brutally imprisoned for nearly a year – 359 days – in deplorable conditions. Their trial has been delayed time and time again.Their churches miss them. Their families need them. They face possible death sentences because they are Christians. At the ACLJ, we've launched a massive international legal advocacy campaign for their freedom. We're preparing critical legal letters to Sudan, raising their case with world leaders, and preparing action at the U.N. They could be sentenced to hang for their faith if the world is silent. Christian Pastors Hassan and Kuwa need your voice now. Time is of the essence, as the trial continues. Our silence could be their death.Other Christians facing death in Sudan are now free because you spoke out. Demand Sudan free Pastors Hassan and Kuwa now. Sign Our NEW Petition: Save Christian Pastors from Death...https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-pastors-from-possible-death?
URGENT: 2/7 American Center for Law and Justice: American Pastor Andrew Brunson still languishes in a Turkish prison. He’s one of 19 prisoners in a 10-person cell. He’s the only Christian. Pastor Andrew has been falsely charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” He has served and loved the people of Turkey for more than two decades. Now this U.S. citizen is in extreme danger – falsely charged for his Christian faith. We are representing his family and have launched an aggressive global campaign demanding that Turkey – a fellow member of NATO – release him immediately. We’re working on Capitol Hill with our nation’s leaders, through our international offices, and around the globe to secure the release of Pastor Andrew. Now, we are preparing to send a critical legal letter to Turkey’s president in the next few days. Time is of the essence. Sign our letter before we send it. Join the fight. Be Pastor Andrew’s voice. He needs it now more than ever.Sign Our Petition: Free American Pastor Andrew Brunson.https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/free-american-pastor-andrew-brunson
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: 1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
SUPREME COURT: PRAY 1) that the Senate will quickly confirm Judge Gorsuch for the Supeme Court, and 2) that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION
(...because ALL Babies Matter!)
: Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/
Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:
Go to:"Tactics" -
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983
Only 17 days until the ...
https://secure.ministrysync.com/ministrysync/event/website/?m=3177616
PRAY FOR AND SUPPORT JUDGE GORSUCH FOR THE SUPREME COURT
Only 17 days until the ...
I've signed up again this year to help raise funds for a local crisis pregnancy center, Thrive Orlando. Would YOU please consider sponsoring me for whatever amount the Lord leads you? Any amount will be appreciated as I try to reach a goal of $500. I hope to reach that goal by the Walk date of March 11th. THANK YOU for whatever you give.
Please go to : https://secure.ministrysync.com/ministrysync/event/website/?m=3177616
PRAY FOR AND SUPPORT JUDGE GORSUCH FOR THE SUPREME COURT
President Trump has nominated Judge Neil GorsuchMoments ago, President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Judge Gorsuch is an excellent choice to fill the late Justice Antonin Scalia's seat on the Supreme Court. He is a remarkably qualified nominee with a conservative judicial philosophy and a strong track record of upholding the rule of law and the Constitution. Radical obstructionists - dedicated to defeating a constitutional conservative - are already threatening to filibuster Judge Gorsuch. He is supremely qualified. In fact, the Senate unanimously confirmed him as a judge on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Now it's time for the Senate to do its job and confirm Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court without delay. Learn More About Judge Gorsuch, Supreme Court Nominee. https://aclj.org/supreme-court/the-senate-must-confirm-judge-gorsuch-to-the-supreme-court?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=d-01312017_top-SC_seg-
Sign the Petition Now - https://aclj.org/supreme-court/confirm-judge-gorsuch-to-the-supreme-court-now?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=d-01312017_top-SC_seg-N_typ-PT Encourage Your U.S. Senator to Support Judge Gorsuch
ALSO NEWSWORTHY:
"Norma McCorvey, The "Jane Roe" in Roe v. Wade Who Eventually Became A Pro-Life Activist, Dies At 69" - Christine Rousselle : Feb 18, 2017; https://townhall.com/tipsheet/christinerousselle/2017/02/18/norma-mccorvey-the-jane-roe-in-roe-v-wade-who-eventually-became-a-prolife-activist-dies-at-69-n2287726
"Remembering Hal Moore, an American Hero" - Thomas Spoehr / Feb. 13, 2017 / http://dailysignal.com/2017/02/13/remembering-hal-moore-an-american-hero/
THIS SUNDAY – The Academy Awards: Whether or not you
end up watching it, take time to PRAY for the movie industry in America that
has such a powerful (these days, usually negative impact) on our culture and
that of the world. PRAY that those who would do creative film projects that
reflect the best of American values would hold greater sway and that the many
who don’t walk with you will have someone
in their circle of influence who will tell them of the Savior. Rather than simply condemn the darkness, let’s
light a candle through our prayers. - Stan
PERSONAL UPDATE: 2/14 - Please see the JOURNAL section on the right side of this blog page for the latest. I REALLY appreciate all your prayers!
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"NIGERIA'S FORGOTTEN CHRISTIANS - STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS" - by: Eric Metaxas, February 21, 2017; http://www.breakpoint.org/2017/02/breakpoint-nigerias-forgotten-christians/
In Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous country, Christians don’t have time to worry about culture wars. They’re too busy facing a real one instigated by their Muslim neighbors and by a government that has studiously decided to look the other way. The scope of the violence is so vast as to be almost beyond belief, so let me first give you a snapshot of what’s happening on the ground.
Deborah, now 31 and living in a camp for the internally displaced, was captured by the Boko Haram terrorist group and held captive for a year and a half. The Islamists came to her village and slaughtered her husband and family before abducting her and “marrying” her off to a 20-year-old Muslim terrorist, who complained of her argumentativeness while raping and impregnating her. After Deborah was recaptured following an escape, she received 80 lashes as punishment. She told journalist Douglas Murray that she no longer fears death.
“What sort of death would I be running from?” Deborah asks. “I have already died once.”
You could repeat Deborah’s basic story countless times in Nigeria. Operation World estimates that Nigeria, which is an officially secular state with a Muslim president, is 51 percent Christian and 45 percent Muslim. Since 1999, the West African nation of about 158 million people has been convulsed by ongoing attempts at imposing Islamic law in eight northern, mostly Muslim states, as well as in four other states where Christians predominate or where the numbers are fairly even.
Things are particularly bad in the north right now. Unarmed Christian villages there are sitting ducks for Muslim Fulani tribesmen, who have been armed with weaponry provided by elements in the national military. According to The Spectator, it’s religiously motivated genocide, although outside agencies dismiss the violence as tit-for-tat.
“The locals [don't] collect the freshest bodies,” the magazine reports. “Some who tried earlier have already been killed, spotted by the waiting militia and hacked down or shot. The Fulani are watching everything closely from the surrounding mountains. Every week, their progress across the northern states of Plateau and Kaduna continues. Every week, more massacres—another village burned, its church razed, its inhabitants slaughtered, raped or chased away.”
Open Doors USA, as part of its annual World Watch List, says the killings have jumped by a whopping 62 percent in a year. And while Nigeria is No. 12 on the World Watch List of Christian persecution globally, it’s in the top 10 in terms of overall violence.
And yet it’s not all gloom and doom in Nigeria. As Tertullian reminded us, the blood of the martyrs is often the seed of the church. Operation World says the country now boasts a strong prayer movement, dynamic church growth, and a growing missionary movement, with more than 5,000 cross-cultural workers—many of them in Nigeria or in other African nations.
So while much of the world has forgotten about Nigeria’s persecuted Christians, surely those of us in the West cannot. They are our brothers and sisters, and they’re doing great things in the midst of severe trials. Let’s hold them up in powerful, prevailing prayer.
Let’s also speak up to the new administration in Washington, which says it will stand up for persecuted Christians around the world. Let’s remind them of their promises and make sure they follow through.
The Christians of Nigeria need us, and since we are members of the same worldwide Body of Christ, we need them.
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
Further Reading and Information - Click on the links below to find organizations that help persecuted believers worldwide. Then support their efforts financially or physically. To read more about the crisis in the Christian communities of Nigeria, check out the linked resources.
Voice of the Martyrs - http://www.persecution.com/
Freedom House - https://freedomhouse.org/
International Christian Concern - http://www.persecution.org/
Christian Solidarity International - http://csi-usa.org/
Contact the White House - https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact#page
Contact the State Department - https://register.state.gov/contactus/
Contact your representatives in Congress - http://congress.org/issues/basics/
Resources
"Who will protect Nigeria’s northern Christians?" - Douglas Murray The Spectator February 4, 2017 - http://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/02/who-will-protect-nigerias-northern-christians/
"'A Blast of Hell'" - Stan Guthrie, ChristianityToday.com, October 7, 2002 - http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/october7/15.28.html
"‘Worst Year Yet’: The Top 50 Countries Where It’s Hardest to Be a Christian" - Jeremy Weber ChristianityToday.com January 11, 2017 - http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2017/january/top-50-countries-christian-persecution-world-watch-list.html
"Nationalism in Asia, Islamic extremism in Africa" – the 2017 World Watch List
World Watch Monitor Open Doors January 11, 2017 - https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2017/01/4847479/
"World Watch List persecution ranking graphic" - Open Doors 2017 - https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/news/4812440/4812457/4837428
------------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory." - Stan
URGENT: 12/13- American Center For Law and Justice: On trial for their faith, two Christian pastors in Sudan face death. Christian Pastors Hassan Abduraheem and Kuwa Shamal have been brutally imprisoned for nearly a year – 359 days – in deplorable conditions. Their trial has been delayed time and time again.Their churches miss them. Their families need them. They face possible death sentences because they are Christians. At the ACLJ, we've launched a massive international legal advocacy campaign for their freedom. We're preparing critical legal letters to Sudan, raising their case with world leaders, and preparing action at the U.N. They could be sentenced to hang for their faith if the world is silent. Christian Pastors Hassan and Kuwa need your voice now. Time is of the essence, as the trial continues. Our silence could be their death.Other Christians facing death in Sudan are now free because you spoke out. Demand Sudan free Pastors Hassan and Kuwa now. Sign Our NEW Petition: Save Christian Pastors from Death...https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-pastors-from-possible-death?
URGENT: 2/7 American Center for Law and Justice: American Pastor Andrew Brunson still languishes in a Turkish prison. He’s one of 19 prisoners in a 10-person cell. He’s the only Christian. Pastor Andrew has been falsely charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” He has served and loved the people of Turkey for more than two decades. Now this U.S. citizen is in extreme danger – falsely charged for his Christian faith. We are representing his family and have launched an aggressive global campaign demanding that Turkey – a fellow member of NATO – release him immediately. We’re working on Capitol Hill with our nation’s leaders, through our international offices, and around the globe to secure the release of Pastor Andrew. Now, we are preparing to send a critical legal letter to Turkey’s president in the next few days. Time is of the essence. Sign our letter before we send it. Join the fight. Be Pastor Andrew’s voice. He needs it now more than ever.Sign Our Petition: Free American Pastor Andrew Brunson.https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/free-american-pastor-andrew-brunson
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: 1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
SUPREME COURT: PRAY 1) that the Senate will quickly confirm Judge Gorsuch for the Supeme Court, and 2) that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.
Other World-Wide Prayer Requests:
A Christian Mother's Mandatory Death Penalty Could Be Overturned. PRAY and Sign the Petition Now! - https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution?
Learn about Christian Persecution; Check out the World Watch List:
http://live.opendoorsusa.org/wwl/?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=content-banner&utm_campaign=may-2016
PRAY for the ON-GOING crisis now happening in IRAQ/SYRIA. Pray that coalition forces will be able to destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
This is a photo of 3 of Asia's daughters holding a picture of their imprisoned mother.
A Christian Mother's Mandatory Death Penalty Could Be Overturned. PRAY and Sign the Petition Now! - https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution?
Learn about Christian Persecution; Check out the World Watch List:
PRAY for the ON-GOING crisis now happening in IRAQ/SYRIA. Pray that coalition forces will be able to destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
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