This week's persecuted church: Bangladesh

His journey towards conversion began abroad, far from Bangladesh. It led him first to baptism in the Presbyterian Church. After that, he fell in love with a Catholic woman, married her and then converted to her faith. Once they were back in Bangladesh, Vincent and his wife were welcomed by threats and violence. Members of his community beat him almost to death.

After almost two months in hospital, Vincent is back home. But the same Muslims who followed him and held him in high esteem when he was their imam now cannot accept his new "status".

Beating is also not enough. Other forms of violence can be used. Both husband and wife have been ostracised, forced to move from home to home. Vincent eventually lost his job and now has to do odd jobs to survive.

Thought of the Day:  Lotte World
Song of the Day:  Small Talk

This week's persecuted church: Laos

A Lao student and six Thai Christians are still being jailed for participating in worship services in Luang Namtha district of Luang Namtha province. On March 24, 2012, Lao police went to Tribal School in Phonsawang village and arrested a Lao student, known by his first name as Ala, for religious involvement. The police authorities also arrested six Thai Chrisitans who visited Ala. It has been 25 days that Thai Christians, known by their first names as Ayo, Sanon, Tawit, Taweesak, Sarlapong, and Piloo, hve been waiting in prison in order to be charged formally. Later today (April 17, local time), Lao officials are expected to informally charge Thai Christians and also to inform those charges to the Lao Christian leaders in Luang Namtha province.

Thought of the Day:  Curtains
Song of the Day:  Amazing Grace

Finding Neverland

Last week, I had to read The Wizard of Oz.  This week, I had to read Peter Pan.  Although there were many obvious similarities with their movie versions, the books had all kinds of details that the movies left out.  There is a lot more violence.  Both Dorothy and Peter are supposed to be significantly younger.  The antagonists are much more evil.  But through it all, I really hated how I couldn't get the movie versions out of my head while reading the stories.

One thing that surprised me though about Peter Pan was how sad and profound the story was.  The lost boys long for a motherly figure which would eventually become Wendy.  Wendy and Tinker Bell long for Peter's love.  Self-centered Peter longs for his own mother that he can't remember yet refuses to give in to a life of maturity and responsibility.  The mature and responsible characters of the book, Mr. and Mrs. Darling, long for their children to come back home.  Even the evil Hook longs to put an end to Peter's cockiness.  Everyone is longing for something...

But no one seems to be able to find a solution to their heart's desire.  Even Neverland doesn't suffice Peter who continues to come back to Wendy's bedroom over the generations.  I felt a lingering melancholy while reading this book intended for children.  There was no resolution.  The ending was not a happy one.

But as Keller points out in his sermon series on Esther, none of the characters are longing for the wrong things.  They're all desiring good things but looking for them in the wrong places.  There is nothing wrong with seeking things like acceptance, comfort, beauty, and honor.  But there is something horribly wrong when we seek these things outside of Christ.

Peter Pan, you need Jesus just like the rest of us.

Thought of the Day:  Friday
Song of the Day:  Norah Jones-Don't Know Why

This week's persecuted church: India

On Easter Sunday in Chamrajnagar (Karnataka), police went to the home of Rev Rajesh, 27, a pastor in the Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) who had just finished a prayer service. They asked him under what authority he conducted the service at his home. Then, they insulted and eventually ordered him to vacate his home.

Later that day, Rev Rajesh and five other pastors went to the local police station to file a complaint about the incident. As they were briefing the attending officer, about 100 activists from the Bajrang Dal stormed the station and attacked the clergymen and a parishioner. The latter, named Babu, was wounded to the head and needed 24 sutures. Police present at the scene stood idly by.

Thought of the Day:  Suit
Song of the Day:  The Beach Boys-Barbara Ann

Original American english teacher

My student, John, and I share the same birthday.  Last week, I gave him Naruto comic book #54 and a monkey key chain for his birthday.  Although he didn't "pre pare" my present, I have a strong feeling it wouldn't have beat receiving this letter.  I wish you guys could see the cut up envelope he stapled and stickered up with Angry Birds.

He has a fascination with American names.  Why are there middle names?  How can 'Henry' be a last name too?  Is Nicholas the real name or is it Nick?  He loves the name 'Hiccup' like from How to Train Your Dragon.  He wishes his name was Dink.  Haha. Not Dinko.  He can't get enough of hearing me say the name Sheba.  He isn't the best English student I've ever had in my life, but he's up there on my good list.  Thanks, John.  I hope to see your english wings soar!

Thought of the Day:  Running
Song of the Day:  FF 8-Fisherman's Horizon

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

This week's persecuted church: Nigeria

Police discovered the body of a 79-year-old Christian woman killed in northeast Nigeria, with a note in Arabic left on her chest reading: "We will get you soon," a witness said Thursday.

Her killers slit the woman's throat, then wrote a note with red pen they left on her chest, witness Audu Ibrahim said. Ibrahim said the woman's family believes the message is for her son, who is a pastor of a local church where the 79-year-old sang in the choir.

Thought of the Day:  LH
Song of the Day:  Panic-내 낡은 서랍 속의 바다

This week's persecuted church: Eritrea

A friend of Ruta’s sister, Zula, likewise attracted attention because of her ‘strange’ behaviour – she had refused to drink and dance at a military camp party. When asked about this, she admitted that she was a “Pente” and was immediately taken to prison.

Zula and Yonas were offered the chance to sign a statement, Ruta says, promising to abstain from practising their faith as a condition for release.

Both declined. Whereas Yonas spent two years in prison and returned to the army, Zula remains in custody.

“Until now, five years later, while my sister has been studying and has achieved so many things, Zula is still in prison because she decided to follow Jesus,” Ruta says.

According to USCIRF’s Annual Report 2011, there are between 2,000 and 3,000 people being held hostage by the authorities on religious grounds. Prisoners face horrendous conditions, such as being kept in airless metal containers in the desert heat or herded like animals in underground cells without toilet facilities.

Many contract diseases due to the lack of hygiene, while others die from starvation and hunger. The ones who do survive are tortured on a daily basis.

“It is physical but most of all mental punishment”, Ruta says. “There are so many things they do to the prisoners.”

She explains that prisoners are forced to do “ridiculous things”, like counting the grains of sand in the burning sun in the middle of the desert. The heat and the humiliating work makes some of them “lose it”.

For her there are only two options: “Either you come out stronger or you get crazy.”

Yonas’ experience has strengthened his faith and he told Ruta that the more they punished him, the more he loved God.

Thought of the Day:  Dominoes
Song of the Day:  BoA-Eat You Up

Dejuj Kries

Student:  Teacher, what is Dejuj Kries?
Me:  Where did you hear that?
Student:  My teacher she always said, "Believe in Dejuj Kries!"

So apparently, my student had a substitute teacher who always taught about Jesus in his computer and math class.  She ended up getting fired because she wasn't really teaching what she was supposed to be teaching.  A clear breach in state and church.  But what was interesting was how upset my atheistic student was with these "strong believers" of Christianity.  He began to tell me about another negative experience he had with a woman who was evangelizing to him on the street and saying that he would suffer painfully in hell for not believing in God.  My student is just entering 6th grade.  As you can imagine, he has a pretty bad image of evangelistic Christians.

Brennan Manning said that "the greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians..."  I remember hearing that for the first time in middle school and being surprised by such a profound idea and statement.  But through the years of being surrounded by both Christians and non-Christians, the surprise has only been replaced by sadness.  When people ask me questions about the Bible, my answers are inadequate and poor.  When people view my life, it is inconsistent with what I profess to believe.  When people see my Christian brothers and sisters, they don't see a community of believers.  I'm sad because I know that I too am a cause of atheism in the world today.

But thank goodness that God is greater than my failures and even the poor preaching and presentation of Dejuj Kries.

Thought of the Day:  STOP NORTH KOREAN REFUGEE EXECUTION!
Song of the Day:  Taru-Summer Day

The Jeremy Lin Show

My my my.

This week's persecuted church: Saudi Arabia

A Christian leader from Saudi Arabia explained: “The Saudi officials are accusing the Christians of committing the crime of mixing of sexes because if they charge them with meeting for practicing Christianity, they will come under pressure from the international human-rights organizations as well as Western countries. In fact, when an employer of one of the detainees asked for the reason for their employee’s arrest, the Saudi official told him that it was for practicing Christianity.”

Saudi officials strip-searched all the women and subjected them to an abusive body-cavity search, and assaulted the men. In a remarkable prison interview with the Voice of America’s Amharic-language service, one of the women, who contracted an infection from the search, attested: “We are traumatized by the strip search. They treated us like dogs because of our Christian faith. While talking about me during a recent visit to the prison medical center, I overheard a nurse telling a doctor ‘if she dies, we will put her in a trash bin.’”

Thought of the Day:  Resource Conflict
Song of the Day:  Humming Urban Stereo-넌 그날 (Gros Câlin Mix)

This week's persecuted church: India

Hindu extremists barged into a prayer meeting led by a pastor and beat him and stripped him naked.  They shouted at the Christians in coarse language as they started beating and kicking the pastor before parading the naked pastor in a procession throughout the village.  At about midnight they tied the pastor to a tree near a temple and sent for police.  The police took him into custody for questioning, was charged and locked up, but was later released the same night.

Thought of the Day:  Wedding Fairs
Song of the Day:  SNSD-Mr. Taxi