My Epic Journey

I was sent this e-mail by one of our teaching pastors with a comment on when this kind of persecution would reach the US. I hate to think that this would probably NEVER reach the US because we as American Christians have become so complacent about our faith and are to apathetic to stand up for what we believe in, that the enemy (Satan) doesn’t even see us as a threat.

May we become even bolder in our walk with GOD!!!!

Voice of the Martyrs News and Prayer Update: January 23, 2007

“But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’”(Jeremiah 7:23)

ETHIOPIA
Homes of Christians Burned, Christian Man Killed - VOM Sources
On January 8, the homes of three Christian families were burned by Muslims in the village of Begge. Even though the family belongings were burnt, no one was injured in the attack. At last report, the police had not yet investigated the incident or taken any action to bring the arsonists to justice. In the same area, 10 Christian youths have been living in a church building in Begge three months after fleeing from their homes. They were chased from their homes after their families threatened to execute them for converting from Islam. In a separate incident, a Christian man was killed by an unknown person in the town of Kofele. The father of five was hit on the head with a metal iron rod. His family believes he was killed by Muslims, since the Kofele area is dominated by Muslims. Pray God will comfort this brother’s family in their grief. Ask God to encourage the Christian families who are homeless, so they can have deep assurance of God’s love in the midst of tough times. Ephesians 3:14-19

NORTH KOREA
A North Korean evangelist has been executed for possessing and distributing a Korean New Testament. World Bible Translation Center has confirmed the incident, even though the details of the death are not available. Pray for the family and friends of this evangelist. Ask God to comfort them and encourage them, knowing that to be absent in this natural body, is to be present with the Lord. Also pray Christians in North Korea will entrust themselves to Christ and preach the gospel without hesitation. II Timothy 1:7-12

INDIA
Christian Dies after Being Thrown from Train in India - VOM Sources/ Asia News
On January 12, Bansi Lal died after being thrown from a train in the Devas district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is believed that Lal was returning from a Pentecostal meeting when he was thrown off the train. While police quickly ruled his death a suicide, Indian Christians believe his death was caused by members of a militant Hindu youth organization. Lal converted to Christianity two years ago and since then had received threats. Pray God will comfort those who mourn Lal’s death. Ask that his story will bring others to Christ and pray for Christians in India to walk in love towards those who persecute them. Romans 12: 14, 21

NIGERIA
Christians Attacked while Rebuilding Burnt Church - Compass Direct News
Christians in Nasarawa state were attacked by more than 200 Islamists as they were trying to rebuild a Reformed Church building that Muslims burnt down two years ago. The Nasarawa state government has since banned reconstruction of the facility. The church was planted more than a century ago by missionaries. Pray God encourages, protects and gives wisdom to believers in Nigeria as they find ways to rebuild their church. Acts 14: 21-23

I don’t know if the person who anonymously gave money to help pay Noah’s school tuition reads this blog, but if they do–THANK YOU!! That means more to us than you will ever know!!!!!!!

Have you ever felt like you are just a puppet on a string which is being moved around by God? Have you ever felt perhaps their really isn’t anything that we do on ourselves but only do that which God MAKES us do?

My wife and I have had a very confusing and draining two weeks. Between family situations (Emma hurt her leg, finances, car situation) and youth group we have spent many hours crying to God that He would make sense to us what He wants in our life.

We felt like maybe things were coming together, until the past couple of days when things ‘popped-up’ that have made us question, once again, what God is doing in our life.

So we sit, cry, laugh (out of confusion) and get angry because we SOOOO want to do the will of God and yet are so confused as to what that is that we are afraid we are going to disappoint Him instead. And the last thing we want to do is disappoint our Father.

Please pray for us that we would see clearly what God wants us to do, not only with the BIG things of life, but more importantly with the little things of life.