Anyone who has had any contact with Christians living in Muslim countries knows that the Christians who dare to stand for what they believe have a very hard time. This ‘hard time’ depends on the Muslim country, as some are more open (e.g. Jordan, Indonesia etc.) than others (Saudi Arabia etc.).
Here is the case of a Christian brother from Egypt. His name is Hani Nazeer. Unfortunately, (and this is also typical, especially for Evangelical Christians) he is hated by both Islamists and “Christians”, as the article states:
“Hani is in between the hate of the Islamists and the hate of the Christians,” he said. “The Islamists of course are against him, and the church [leadership] is against him, so he’s being badly squeezed between the two.”
Let’s pray for Hani that he remains strong in his faith, and that many will come to faith through his witness!
Pastor Chris
As a Romanian-American, I am happy that Romanian-born Hertha Müller won the Nobel prize for Literature.
Now I would like to read her books, especially the ones written in Romania. She was born about 50 km from where I was born.
As a Romanian- American I am puzzled that Obama won the Nobel prize for Peace.
The following quote from Bill Kristol captures something of both of these events rather well – 
:):
“News flash — Sarah Palin will be awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. No one has read her book yet, but there are a lot of people who are excited about it and inspired by the thought of it, and so they will retract the prize from that Romanian and give it to her.”
Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. After all – I am really happy that Hertha won it!
Chris
A recent discussion about the last things (eschatology) by John Piper, Sam Storms, Doug Wilson, and Jim Hamilton can be found here .
I am not sure how to insert this script…?
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So everywhere we are determined and defined by Him who breathed into us his breath and called us by our name. And when all grows silent and empty about us, when we are restless and lost in a gloomy maze, when we cry out in the dark and none seems to answer, let us remember the saying of Pascal:
I would not seek thee, O God, if thou hadst not already found me. Even my restlessness and my longing show me that thou art at work upon me.
Or we can pray: If in the madness of my passion and the wild commotion of my life I forget thee, do not thou forget me.
God is always greater that our faith, because the breath of His Spirit is stronger than the dust of the earth. And with this certitude one can live.
Truly this is something you can live by.
If I know this, then I know the theme, the point of my life; then my life can succeed.
[From How the World Began - by Helmut Thielicke, pp. 85-86]
Since Yom Kippur is around the corner (starts at sundown the 27th), a post on this is appropriate.
See the information below from Hebrew Online on Yom Kippur. For some useful clips on the Yom Kippur War (1973), see this.
Yom Kippur (יוֹם כִּפּוּר, Day of Atonement) is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. On this day, G-d seals our fate for the coming year. The Torah commands us to spend this day fasting and praying for G-d’s forgiveness and a good year.
In Israel, this day feels very special – the businesses are closed, there are no vehicles driving in the streets and no broadcasting on the radio or TV; many people, dressed in white walk to and from synagogues, and children enjoy the empty roads by riding bicycles.
This is an interesting debate (though I wish it was much longer and better) between Richard Dawkins and John Mackay.
Mackay certainly holds his own…but this is far too incomplete to declare a winner (in my opinion).
The interview was allegedly edited in favor of Dawkins (?).
I just listened to a very useful podcast from Michael Duduit.
It is an interview with George Barna about one of his latest books: The Seven Faith Tribes: Who They Are, What They Believe, and Why They Matter.
The tribe of most concern to me (as a teacher and pastor) is the Christian one (the rest are of secondary interest). Unfortunately, the Christian tribe is split in two: the casual Christians (67%) and the “captive Christians” (only 16%). The former group consists of Christians “who would not cross the street” to share the gospel with an unbeliever. It is a group which “is not excited about sharing their religious belief…” They do not create their lifestyle around their faith, rather let their faith “sip into their lifestyle.”
Wow. What a challenge (weighty errand – to use Spurgeon’s expression) for pastors who stand up in their churches every week and preach to a large percentage of “casual Christians.” The goal must be to get the casual Christians become “captive Christians” (these are Christians who are really serious and knowledgable about their faith). These are the ones “caricatured in the media, for whom their faith is everything.”
But who is adequate for this task? No one. Apart from the grace of God and the power of the Spirit we have no chance of success! How great is the need for prayer before preaching and reaching out! Please pray for your pastor, he needs a lot of help from above!
Which tribe are you from? Listen to this podcast (if you don’t buy the book). It may be eye opening!
On a more personal note, David Calvin (our second son) was born more than one month ago (July 31st). He eats a lot and sleeps (of course he cries too!).
As most of you know, David Calvin Rata was born 500 years (to the month) after Jean Calvin and that is the reason for his middle name (NO – he is NOT named for Calvin Klein )!
My wife has done an excellent job of posting all kinds of great pictures with our family. Take a look when you have some time.
So – why did we name him Calvin? Is it because Calvin once mattered?
["There can be no serious doubt that Calvin once mattered. Any honest historian of any point of view and of any religious conviction would agree that Calvin was one of the most important people in the history of western civilization."]
YES he was named after Calvin because of who Calvin was. But he is also named Calvin because Calvin Still Matters!
Please pray with us that David Calvin will be a talented poet like David, and a man with a passion for the glory of God (like Jean Calvin)! AMEN!
I am excited about a new book I just bought: Ancient Christian Devotional (Lectionary Cycle C).
This book is from the InterVarsity Press FORMATIO series (Tradition – Experience – Transformation).
FORMATIO books from InterVarsity Press are about “being transformed by Christ and conformed to his image,” and they intend to integrate God’s Word with spiritual practice by prompting its readers “to move from inward change to outward witness.”
“We believe that each of us is made with a deep desire to be in God’s presence. Formatio books are intended to help “fulfill our deepest desires and to become our true selves in light of God’s grace.”
I must say that the goals of the FORMATION series are most worthy, and I am looking forward to ’swimming’ in this book. After all, St. Chrysostom gives very good advice (quoted on the first page of this book):
Listen carefully to me. Procure books [of the Bible] that will be medicines for the soul….Don’t simply dive into them. Swim in them. Keep them constantly in your mind. (Homilies on Colossians 9)
This is a book for Christians who lack the grounding in the riches of church history…who are rootless and are drifting in a barren secular and ecclesiastical landscape.
If you are one of those – consider this book to get rooted in the WORD!
Pastor Chris
