MAKING IT KNOWN ... PLEASE PRAY!

09/29/2008: GFA Leaders in India Join Dharna and Peace March Against Persecution


GFA Leaders in India Join Dharna and Peace March Against Persecution
Bishop Simon John is shown being interviewed by the Indian media at the dharna.

Gospel for Asia leaders in India have joined with the heads of other churches, ministries and Christian institutions in a five-day rally in New Delhi to protest the ongoing atrocities against Christians in Orissa and other Indian states, even as GFA President K.P. Yohannan reported new persecution against the beleaguered believers.

Called a dharna, the event is an Indian method of seeking justice, traditionally by sitting at the door of one's debtor or wrongdoer and fasting until justice is obtained. This dharna began Sunday and will last until October 2, Mahatma Ghandi's birthday, when a peace march will end at the Raj Ghat, Ghandi's cremation site.

A one-day dharna was held at Raj Ghat last week to draw the attention of the government to the continuous violence against Christians. Representatives of other minorities joined with the Christians in this peaceful protest, and the decision was made to conduct the longer dharna this week.

"I believe the Lord is going to use this event," Dr. Yohannan said, "and I have instructed our leaders all over India to seek out other Christian leaders and meet with them and stand with them in this time of persecution."

GFA-related leaders participating in the dharna include Bishop Simon John, the Rev. Thomas Varghese, a number of senior staff members from GFA's Delhi office and staff members from a local GFA Bible college.

"Bishop Simon John is one of the most visible Christian leaders in North India speaking out against the abuse of the Christians in Orissa and other states," Dr. Yohannan noted. And at the one-day dharna, he was joined by H. D. Deve Gowda, a former prime minister of India.

Gowda came to New Delhi and sat with the Christian leaders. He criticized what he called "the continuous inhuman acts of the Bajrang Dal," the so-called "Hindu warriors," and appealed to the central government to stop the atrocities against the Christians.

"But sadly," noted Dr. Yohannan, "even as the dharna is going on, the situation in Orissa continues to get worse. But little is being reported to the outside world now because the media is being kept out, even as entire villages are being destroyed."

In a telephone report from India, Dr. Yohannan shared some of what the radical anti-Christian groups are doing.

"The politicians in New Delhi need to know that even now, the radical Hindus are going through many districts, putting a Hindu flag on the Hindu houses to identify them," he explained. "Then they are going to the Christian homes and giving them so many days to convert, or they will destroy their houses. When the Christians refuse to renounce their faith, the Hindus go through and tear down their houses."
Christian leaders from throughout India are participating in a dharna to draw attention to the persecuted Christians in Orissa.

Even late last week, he said, an article on the front page of a leading newspaper called the situation "awful," and reported that the government of Orissa is still not taking action.

"I pray that this dharna, along with the prayers of Christians around the world, will have an effect on the government," Dr. Yohannan declared.

In the meantime, he said, things grow worse, even in the places where Christians are seeking refuge.

"One of the worst things I've heard is that the police are harassing the people in the refugee camps—some 15,000 Christians who fled for their lives—and trying to force them to go back to their villages, where the police know they will be attacked and possibly killed," Dr. Yohannan said. "I just have one thing to say to the Christians in the West: Keep on praying!"

The dharna will end at 2 p.m. Thursday with a peace march to Raj Ghat, where the Christian leaders will present a memorandum to top government officials calling for action to prevent further persecution of Christians and other minorities.

Fireproof

the next movie-to-see. It opens Friday in a theater near you.

what my black purse says about me...lol

What Your Handbag Says About You

You tend to be relaxed throughout the day. You are naturally at peace. You are a high maintenance person. You feel lost outside of your normal environment. You are a very creative person. Your life tends to be a whirlwind, but you always seem to pull it together. You are practical and down to earth. You tend to be a rather reserved and quiet person.

What Does Your Handbag Say About You?

A matter of the heart

So when I was putting my computer away last time I wrote in my blog, I overheard some news that I was just too tired to write about that same night. So, I will comment on this now. I heard that a young lady is selling her virginity on ebay! Seriously! There are various reasons why I was so conserned when I heard this. One, what have we as a society made of values? Do we determine success with money and a career or family and health? A little off track, a president (running our nation) being payed less than a celebrity!!! And this young lady, who wants to pay off her loans to move to her masters, has she no other option to accomplish her goals? Another concern of mine is for the young lady herself. Does she know how worthy she is? Not because of her virginity (which I give her credit for now a days that is rare), but because of who she is. She is obviously smart...moving to her masters! She is made in the image of God, like we all are. I think she has not reflected on her worth. The third reason why I am so concerned with these news is because if the authority is enforcing the control of prostitution on the streets, what is the difference with doing this in the streets and doing it thru the internet? Once again, where are our values and ethics? Where is our heart? I would, if I could, pay her the biggest bid so that she would keep her virginity. For as you should know, when you have intercourse with another person, you become one with the other person. So, if she sells herself to a guy who does not value her, or himself, or even the act of love, then... that says much about what she will end up being.

copy of my "The need and freedom to express myself" article

Thursday, September 11, 2008
The need and freedom to express myself


So I need to just simply write everything that has stirred me lately.

1. When I heard a republican or democrat say "everyone goes thru troubles" (or something similar) in regards to the disaster that the hurricanes had caused in cuba or somewhere. The news reported on how these politicians were having great parties at night. No, not only a one night gathering, or even a ball, it was parties. Full blown out, drinking, rich women, smoking, dancin, rich men, having fun (I believe in night clubs). Ahhhhhhh! he made me soooooo angry mad. I cannot someone could say this with no regrets. Or maybe he did regret it, hopefully, when he woke up probably with a hang over. We speak about how we are so priviledged and blessed here in the United States, and some of us feel even the need and drive to help others; however, this man, did not find compassion in his heart for those who might have lost not only material things, a home, but even a family member. Ahhhhh! I am sooo upset.

2. Diplomatic Immunity!!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhh! Ok so, if you don't do anything wrong you should not be afraid of any law. This immunity allows diplomats to not be charged with any criminal acts. Does not sound to bad right? It was created to protect diplomats from a bad reputation from people making up stories about them. So, all of the information here, except for my biased feelings, opinions, etc. I watched it yesterday on 20/20. During the programming, at least three women spoke out about how they were mistreated, enslaved, by their owners. They would clean their mansions, and these women said that they would get paid a very small amount of money, their passports were taken away and therefore they could not leave. This is our world. Emancipation Proclamation? REALLY? Where? For how long? Because these individuals are obviously in the 21st century living without it.

3. Ok, so please somebody tell me what happens when something blows up? what happens when something explodes? I do not think that you need much time to tell me the results. Explosions = Destruction and brokeness. So when I watched the news and the particular story covering the possibility to prove true the big bang THEORY in regard to atoms coming together and creating living creatures... including you and I... I was disturbed. My heart felt low, and even little doubts shot thru. However, God tells us not to forget about logic ( Proverbs 3:21 My child, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight); and well, like I and you know, explosions do not create - they destroy. Another thing to think about, if there was an explosion, and the perfect environment was there for life to occur, then we obviously need that environment to continue living, right? Well if we have the same environment, because we are obviously living, then, can someone tell me why living creatures are not generated with every explosion that we have had on Earth. Can you imagine = explosions creating life? I don't think so, no, I know so, this theory is a LIE.

4. I pray that God blesses everyone, that He may heal the broken hearted, and may they take the opportunity to seek His help. In rememberence of all the courageous men and women who fougth to save many others while they themselves knew that they would probably not make it out safe. May God bless the children, mates, families, and friends of these remembered and highly appreciated courageous people. As well, thanks to the women and men who are truly fighting for our freedom, I appreciate it, I could not do it, thank you all for your sacrifice.