This week's persecuted church: Syria

Islamist attacks against Syria’s Christian community, including kidnappings and murder, have occurred almost from the onset of the popular uprising against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad which began in March 2011.

These murders, which have killed over 100 Christians, include the hanging of a 28-year-old man; a 40 year-old father of two shot dead; two young men killed while waiting in line at a bakery; and a 37-year-old father with a pregnant wife, his body cut into pieces and thrown in a river.

Most recently, a car bombing targeted the Christian district in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, killing three and wounding 30.

Thought of the Day:  Dress & Tux
Song of the Day:  He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought

It's My Party

Me:  So what are you doing tomorrow?
Student:  Nothing.  Just studying.
Me:  But it's your birthday!
Student:  What are you doing?
Me:  Working.
Student:  But it's your birthday!
Me:  What about you?!
Student:  I'm a student, so I have to study.  But you're an adult.  You should meet your girlfriend and friends.
Me:  I'm an adult, so I have to work.  You're a student, so you should play!
Student:  But it's your birthday!

I know.

Thought of the Day:  I can cry if I want to.
Song of the Day:  2NE1-Scream

This week's persecuted church: India

A young woman was thrown out of her home this month for daring to give thanks for healing in Christ’s name in a predominantly Muslim village in India’s West Bengal state, and then her parents helped Islamic extremists to beat her nearly unconscious.

The attack on Rekha Khatoon, 22, took place on March 9 in Nutangram, Murshidabad.

“I boldly told those who beat me up that I may leave my parents, but that I will not leave Jesus,” Khatoon said. “Jesus has healed me, and I cannot forget Him.”

Thought of the Day:  수지
Song of the Day:  Eagles-Hotel California

This week's persecuted church: Laos

The first story concerns a man named Khamla, the only Christian in a village in the district of Viengphuka, Luang Namtha province. He is a recent convert, after being cured of a long illness through the fervent prayers recited every day by a friend in a neighboring district. The authorities have repeatedly ordered him to abandon the Christian faith. At his refusal, on 2 March officers faced him with a choice: leave his home and the village, or renounce his faith. This is because, said some witnesses, "the authorities want to keep Christianity away from Viengphuka". At the moment there is no information about his fate because of strict censorship on the issue. 

Thought of the Day: Rings
Song of the Day: Ewan McGregor & Alessandro Safina-Your Song

KONY 2012

I finally saw the Kony video that my brother sent me.  I saw Invisible Children a while back but was surprised to see that it was connected to this 2012 cause.  If you haven't seen it yet,
KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
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Thought of the Day:  표현
Song of the Day:  Wu-Tang Clan-Clan In Da Front

This week's persecuted church: Iran

Media sources from Iran warn that the number of arrested Christians in Iran is on the rise in various cities.

HRA News reports that the arrested, are mostly new Christians who have converted from Islam.

In the city of Esfahan, two women, Shahnaz Zarifi and Maryam Del Aram and a man, Shahram Ghaedi have been arrested.  Reports say that Mr. Ghaedi’s home was searched during the raid and a number of items were taken by the Iranian security forces.

Mr. Ghaedi is a member of the St. Pauls church in Esfahan and a theatrical artist.  He has repeatedly played the role of Jesus in various Iranian theaters.   Those familiar with him and his family say that his whereabouts are currently unknown.

Maryam Del Aram, 56, was also taken from her home on the same day.  Iranian security police searched her home at the time of arrested and took a number of items including her bible with them.  It is said that Mrs. Del Aram suffers from severe illness and is currently deprived of her medication by Iranian regime forces. Multiple attempts by her daughter to give her the medicine in prison has failed.

Shahnaz Zarifi, is a new Christian who converted from Islam and has two children.  She was arrested last week.

Thought of the Day:  Housing!
Song of the Day:  브로콜리 너마저-말

Mess

"You know some of us for whatever reason sometimes think that the only places Jesus is prepared to be are those places that are in perfect order. But the places where Jesus does his best and his deepest work are usually a mess because he loves to transform the mess of our lives when we admit it to him. When it comes out into the open, he loves to transform the mess of our lives into something gloriously, orderly, and purposeful for his honor."
-Sinclair Ferguson

Thought of the Day:  Snakes
Song of the Day:  Ben E. King-Stand By Me

This week's persecuted church: Syria

Syrian dictator Bashar Assad's security forces last week killed Husam al Murra, a Syrian Christian who had joined the Syrian Free Army, which is fighting to topple the regime in Damascus.In recent weeks, several other Christian men have been shot and killed in different parts of the country.

In recent weeks, several other Christian men have been shot and killed in different parts of the country. One of the victims was a priest from the city of Hama, who was killed while trying to provide humanitarian and medical aid to people injured by Syrian army gunfire.

According to a Christian lawyer in Damascus, Assad's security forces have also begun targeting churches, monasteries and schools under the pretext that they were being used as hideouts for "armed gangs."

Many Christians have stopped going to Church on Sundays, and some Christian schools have been forced to shut down out of fear of being targeted by Assad loyalists.

Thought of the Day:  Awesome 집
Song of the Day:  When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

BA-NA-NA

Thought of the Day:  샤브샤브
Song of the Day:  Despicable Me 2 Trailer