Iran Pastor Facing Execution!

Iran pastor facing execution any day, but supporters still hopeful

Posted on Feb 23, 2012 | by Michael Foust

WASHINGTON (BP) -- The White House Thursday increased the international pressure on Iran to release a Christian pastor sentenced to death, as several reports seemed to confirm his execution order had been issued.
The pastor, Yousef (also spelled Youcef) Nadarkhani, was sentenced to death in 2010 for converting from Islam to Christian in a case that began in 2009.

The statement from the Obama administration is its strongest yet from the White House in Nadarkhani's case. 

"The United States stands in solidarity with Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all those who seek to practice their religion without fear of persecution -- a fundamental and universal human right," the statement read. "The trial and sentencing process for Pastor Nadarkhani demonstrates the Iranian government's total disregard for religious freedom, and further demonstrates Iran's continuing violation of the universal rights of its citizens. The United States calls upon the Iranian authorities to immediately lift the sentence, release Pastor Nadarkhani, and demonstrate a commitment to basic, universal human rights, including freedom of religion."  Click "Here" for the complete story.
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When part of the body of Christ is hurting, the whole body hurts.  Please pray for Pastor Yousef that the Lord will intervene and deliver him from his executioners.  Pray for comfort and peace for his family and friends.

Rejoice In the Lord!

The word happiness evokes visions of unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning, strolling hand in hand with the one you love, being surprised on your birthday, responding with unbridled laugher to a comedian, or vacationing in an exotic locale.  Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit: spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences.  But if happiness depends on our circumstances, what happens when the toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen, and the party’s over?  Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives – that He will be there no matter what!  Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ.

Philippians is Paul’s joy letter.  The church in that Macedonian city had been a great encouragement to Paul.  The Philippian believers had enjoyed a very special relationship with Paul, so he wrote them a personal expression of his love and affection.  They had brought him great joy (Philippians 4:1).  Philippians is also a joyful book because it emphasizes the real joy of the Christian life.  The concept of rejoicing or joy appears sixteen times in four chapters, and the pages radiate this positive message, culminating in the exhortation to “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

CEO Claims Her Work is ‘Sacred’!

New Planned Parenthood CEO claims work is ‘sacred’

BY SARAH CRAWFORD

Fri Feb 10, 2012 18:43 EST

A Planned Parenthood affiliate’s newest president and CEO said in an official statement that she regards her work for the biggest abortion business in America to be a holy profession.

Melaney Linton, who will now oversee Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, is determined to further the Life-ending work of Planned Parenthood:

“I am honored and humbled to be entrusted with such a sacred duty…I pledge to do everything in my power to fight back against the ideological attacks on Planned Parenthood and women, so that no teen will ever say she didn’t know how she got pregnant, no one will ever be denied basic reproductive health care, and no woman will ever be forced to bear children she cannot adequately support.”

Komen Donations Soar!

Komen donations soar after cutting

ties with Planned Parenthood

BY BEN JOHNSON
Thu Feb 02, 2012 09:30 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 2, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation is reporting a massive uptick in fundraising ever since the women’s health organization announced it is cutting ties with Planned Parenthood.

In a conference call on Thursday its founder, Nancy Brinker, told reporters donations to the Komen foundation have increased 100 percent over the last two days.

Brinker said the organization would cease most of its funding for the abortion provider, because “wherever possible we want to grant to the provider who is actually providing the life-saving mammogram.”

“Planned Parenthood does not do breast cancer treatment and does not do mammograms, contrary to what some news outlets, including Fox News, are reporting,” Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, told LifeSiteNews.com. “They just do the manual exam that women can do at home, and then they charge women for it.” 

Click "Here" for the complete article.

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I find this article very interesting regarding the Komen donations increasing 100 percent after cutting ties with Planned Parenthood.  What are some of your thoughts regarding Planned Parenthood and their function in society today?  

Continue to pray for the unborn babies that are killed daily in abortion clinics throughout the world.  May our Lord have mercy on the souls of those who continue to advocate death to the unborn and to the elderly.

Related Story:  After cutting ties with Planned Parenthood, Komen donations up 100 percent

Are You Blessed by God?

In His longest recorded sermon, Jesus began by describing the traits He was looking for in His followers.  He called those who lived out those traits blessed because God had something special in store for them.  Each beatitude is an almost direct contradiction of society's typical way of life.  In the last beatitude, Jesus even points out that a serious effort to develop these traits is bound to create opposition.  The best example of each trait is found in Jesus Himself.  If our goal is to become like Him, the Beatitudes will challenge the way we live each day.

Starbucks backs "Gay Marriage"

BREAKING: Starbucks coffee co. officially backs gay ‘marriage’


BY JOHN-HENRY WESTEN
Mon Jan 30, 2012 16:12 EST

SEATTLE, January 30, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In news that will come as a heavy blow to many coffee lovers, Starbucks has officially backed homosexual ‘marriage.'  

In a January 24 letter to U.S. partners, Kalen Holmes, Starbucks executive vice president, expresses support for the homosexual “marriage” legislation in Washington State.  The “important legislation,” says Holmes “is core to who we are and what we value as a company.”

The legislation has been decried by pro-family advocates as a major threat to freedom, since it would force religious institutions to open the doors of their facilities for homosexual “marriages.”

The letter, which boasts of the company’s LGBT activism begins, “Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples.”  The letter concludes: “We look forward to seeing this legislation enacted into law.

Click "here" for the complete article.

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Let every believer in our Lord continue to pray for those who feel that God has re-defined marriage and lowed His standards to accommodate the Worlds view of morality.  

President Obama's LGBT Agenda

International backlash begins against Obama’s LGBT agenda
BY WENDY WRIGHT
Thu Jan 19, 2012 20:55 EST

NEW YORK, January 20 (C-FAM) - The citizens of several countries are pushing back against President Obama’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender foreign policy imperative. Leaders in El Salvador launched a website on “Obama’s Corrupting Foreign Policy” and are asking the U.S. Senate to reject Obama’s nominee for ambassador to their country.

President Obama announced in December that the promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) behavior is a top foreign policy priority, even for the U.S. military overseas.  At the same time, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a high-profile speech at the UN equating LGBT status with religion. The State Department told oambassadors worldwide to recognize “gay pride month,” and it released a list of “accomplishments” including the fact that a U.S. ambassador had published an OpEd promoting the LGBT agenda on behalf of the United States.


Click "here" for the complete article.

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I don't know about you, but sometimes when I read articles like this where the Obama Administration is pushing the LGBT agenda as a foreign policy priority; it makes me wonder how other countries view the United States when it comes to "One Nation under God".  It would be interesting to get feedback from other folks who live outside the U.S. regarding their views on this topic.

Please continue to pray for our president and our country.

The Gift of Righteousness

Romans 5:8

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Romans 5:9-11)

All three members of the Trinity are involved in salvation.  The Father loved us so much that He sent His Son to bridge the gap between us (John 3:16).  The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to fill our lives with love and to enable us to live by His power (Acts 1:8).  With all this loving care, how can we do less than serve Him completely!

Who is The LORD?

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:11-13)

Moses made excuses because he felt inadequate for the job God asked him to do (Exodus 3:10). It was natural for him to feel that way. He was inadequate all by himself. But God wasn't asking Moses to work alone. He offered other resources to help (God Himself, Aaron, and the ability to do miracles). God often calls us to tasks that seem too difficult, but He doesn't ask us to do them alone. God offers us His resources, just as He did to Moses. We should not hide behind our inadequacies, as Moses did, but look beyond ourselves to the great resources available. Then we can allow God to use our unique contributions.

Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish all of my blogging friends a MERRY CHRISTMAS.  You have all been a blessing in my life and it is my hope that this blog is a blessing too you. 

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ always remain the focus of our lives.  In everything we do we will always give God the honor and glory that He so richly deserves.  May God bless each and every one of you with His love, joy, comfort, and peace this coming year.

Humbly I pray for all who are still hurting and suffering that our Lord will touch you with His healing hands and give you comfort and peace just knowing that He is near.

God bless, Lloyd