Home church leaders imprisoned while we misplace our Bibles…

Five More Christian Leaders Sentenced

Arbitrary administrative decision sends church leaders to re-education labor camp.

LOS ANGELES, December 3 (CDN) — Bypassing the court system, China arbitrarily sentenced five more leaders of the Fushan Church in Linfen City, Shanxi Province, on Monday (Nov. 30), this time to re-education labor camps for two years, according to China Aid Association (CAA).

A Chinese court last week sentenced five house church leaders to three to seven years in prison after they were arrested en route to Beijing to file a complaint about an attack on their church, according to the advocacy organization. The five leaders sentenced to labor camps this week were accused of “gathering people to disturb the public order” after they organized a prayer rally of 1,000 people the day after military police and others attacked their church members and building on Sept. 13. 

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Throw Down Bibles and Paul of Tarsus (maybe?)

As an update to my adventure in the Maverick County Jail.   After clicking, the saga begins at the bottom and reads forward as you scroll up.  Confusing?  Sorry. 

I was finally invited by the court to meet the judge.  God provided a lawyer through my “father-in-law” at a public defender price.  The help will cost me a couple hundred dollars instead of thousands.  God is the great provider.  He continues to confirm He has a plan and it is not all about me, although it feels like it.

 

I have shared with my blog friends about my “Throw Down Bibles“.  While waiting for court to start, I met the guy you see in the picture.  He went into court, came back out and sat next to me.  I had a “Throw Down” copy of The Message sitting on top of some documents I needed.  He asked what The Message was? It was funny.  I thought he was talking about my cell phone and a text message. 

 

He pointed to my Bible and I explained it was an easy to read version of the New Testament.  I asked him what he was reading and he pulled a couple of books from beneath his robe.  One was a physics book and another book with spiritual guidance I think.  I’m not sure. 

 

I had to enter the court room at that point, so I gave him my Bible as a gift.  He was surprised and appreciative.  I saw him again as I left the courtroom.  He and I waved.  He had a great smile.  I’m hoping he will accept the FREE Gift found on P.198.  via John 3:16 and possibly he will drop me note on this blog.

 

I know many of my friends were praying about my court appearance.  Thank you!  Continue to keep my family and I in your prayers as this chapter in our life winds down….  It has been quite the adventure, full of God Spots.   It is looking hopeful the case will be dismissed. 

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Surf to: http://www.freshc.org for a Fresh Connection…

Jesus loves me. This I know.

I am so impressed with Jesus and His love for me.  What else can I say?  Jesus loves me.  This I know.

I have a challenge tomorrow.  It impacts my future in a dramatic way.  I have a choice.  Shall I believe God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do or should I wrestle the issue away from God and handle it myself?  Isn't that a stupid question?  What would you do?

I have been running with God the last couple years.  I think I will continue the race with God.  If you think about me tomorrow morning.  Pray.  I'll let you know how things work out.  Did I mention?  Jesus loves me.  This I know.

Thank you.  

archie

Surf to: http://www.freshc.org for a Fresh Connection…

God is still the Great Physician

I love God Spots.   A long time friend needed God in the worse way for the health of her adult son. This is her report…

First report: Claudia has much to be thankful for today! Chris is communicating with hand squeezes; his temp is down; he is on no “machines” (had his “turkey and dressing” through a feeding tube; responds to many commands (cough, say “hi” which sounds like Darth Vadar); IMPROVEMENT! Still a long way to go. Richard is having symptoms of his rheumatoid arthritis coming out of remission. We still need everyone’s prayers. Bless you all.

Second report: Claudia is thanking the Lord for miracles today! Chris woke up talking! He sat up in a chair for 3 hr. Dr. said 90% of those who have this serious of a stroke do not survive. He is leaving ICU for CCU when a bed is available. Medical personnel are amazed. Chris is doing great!!

You can follow God’s hand on Claudia’s family by clicking on her link to Facebook. Be encouraged to leave her encouragement comments here, also.

Homeless for the Holidays

Cora and I went grocery shopping for the holidays and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to chat with Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. They are homeless. They have a camp up the hill a couple of miles from the grocery store. Lee was sitting at a bench outside the grocery store while his wife was shopping at the party store.

Lee and his wife were very friendly and were eager to share their stories. Lee found Jesus a couple years, ago. Since that time, he has totally kicked his drug habits and does not manufacture meth any more. His wife is also clean, but alcohol is still a part of their daily existence.

Although life had been hard on the two of them, they were incredibly positive. They were eager for company and offered to take me to their camp to show me around. I declined but got their phone number in case I changed my mind. I wish I could remember his wife’s name, but sadly can’t. I asked if she had ever seen God do anything for her. She
very excitedly asked me how many times would I like to hear about?

She then sang me a pretty song. It was her best “Valley Girl” rendition of a song she had written about Adam and Eve in the garden. She had previously sung this song to a prostitute and drug addict  while locked up at the county jail. She saw God in the song and believed it a strong witness to her friends. It probably was. Lee loved to hear her sing.

You likely will find this statement odd, but I don’t know if I have ever met any couple as excited about God and His place in their life.  They were really pumped and it was hard for me to get away. They just wanted to keep talking about God in their life as they shared a bottle.

The experience does make me wonder. Why did I expect less out of a homeless person, then I’d expect in talking to any other stranger.  Why was I surprised they had a relationship with God? No matter how I slice it, I was blessed in the opportunity to meet the Andersons.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from 37stories!

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When you break a rule, sometimes it’s best to keep your head down….

RULE BREAKER #1: Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start
walking.” The man was healed on the spot.

RULE BREAKER #2: He picked up his bedroll and walked off. That day
happened to be the Sabbath.

BUSTED: The Jews stopped the healed man and said, “It’s the Sabbath.
You can’t carry your bedroll around. It’s against the rules.” But he
told them, “The man who made me well told me to. He said, ‘Take your
bedroll and start walking.’” They asked, “Who gave you the order to
take it up and start walking?”

KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN: But the healed man didn’t know, for Jesus had
slipped away into the crowd.

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Code Red! Only God…

I remember a time in my life when all hell broke loose.

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Life is not always easy.  In fact, is it ever easy?  It was in this bad time, I wondered if I would live or die.  I really didn’t know.  I think this time was as much for me as it was for you.  Without the dark time, it would be hard for me to understand the tough times in your life.

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I know how cheap it may sound for someone to say, “I’ll pray for you” and the pain doesn’t get any better.  I know what it’s like for someone to ask in passing how things are going and you start to tell them and they see someone else they’d rather talk to.  I know what it is like to see nothing but darkness.  I was there.

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I have earned the right to say and with expectations that you will listen, “There is hope!”  There is a God alive and well that loves you.  He is big enough for you to not need to pretend to be Holy.  He is there for you in the midst of your anger,  your pain, your embarrassment,  and your feeling of defeat.  God has a plan.

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Yes.  He really does.  God created you with a plan and purpose.  God chooses that you will worship Him in the good times and the bad.  What will you choose?  Will you tell God to go to hell or will you tell the evil one to go to hell?  In the midst of your pain, who will you choose?

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If you choose God, He will be there with you.  He will encourage you.  He will be with you in the fire.   He will save you.  I know this to be true because I have been there.  Turn to truth.   Turn to God.  This is your day!  Make it God’s day.

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If I can help, post a comment and let’s make a Fresh Connection.

“Change your life, not just your clothes.
Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful.
He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love,
always ready to cancel catastrophe.

Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now,
maybe he’ll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all’s said and done,
there’ll be blessings full and robust for your God!”~Bible

Getting better

Hi Archie

I have been sick for about 3 years….doctors did not put enough thought into me, but thankfully, God did.

God gave me the wisdom to help myself, when doctors just dismissed me as having nothing wrong.

I have had an adverse drug reaction that attacked my nervous system.   I solved this now by going to the right specialist,  and having the Rx changed to a different drug…also something milder.

I also had a kidney infection (past 6 months) that was either denied by doctors or they gave the wrong medicine……I thought I was going to loose my kidney……I solved this in 2 steps….I went to a friend’s lab and used their microscope to identify what was there….then I went home, and happened to find a left over Rx from a tooth infection in my daughters’ drawer that happen to match what I needed.    So God had already provided for me….I just had to go on a treasure hunt in my house to find it.

Trust God, not man

For the first time, I feel better. I told the Lord that if he wanted me to do anything useful, he would have to heal me.     Otherwise, I was going to be pretty limited. So since I am getting better, I guess he has something for me. Wonder what that is.?

Anyhow, I praise God for the little miracles he does in our lives….with patience, the answer will always come.

blessings
Marianne

When God Rejects Us

GUEST POST by: Marianne

We pray for legitimate help.   We wait, and there is nothing……..

Why?

Those who insist that every prayer is met with victory, if you pray hard enough, or tithe long enough, are wrong.

Jesus prayed to avoid the cross, but he died on it anyhow. The apostles were faithful in prayer, yet most were also crucified, as Jesus was, or put to death for their faith.

People get depressed when God does not seem to answer, or His answer is obviously “no.”

Sometimes God helps, sometimes He doesn’t. Why?

I have found that the longer I know the Lord, the less He helps me.

That does seem opposite of what I would expect.

But as I mature in faith, my faith is tested more. And I have to wait longer for anything, if I am to get it at all. God is present to help me grow in faith. If he answers too quickly, then my faith stays where it is at.

Many of us have legitimate situations. We are in serious difficulty: unemployed for years, out of money, terminal illness, etc.

We have to accept the reality of our situation.

If it is meant to be cured, then it will. If it goes on too long, we will die because of the situation.

Sometimes, we do not get another job in time, before we lose our house, and sometimes we do not survive cancer.

But this is the time to draw closer to God anyhow, because he may be all we have left. We need to also accept that it is not God rejecting our prayers for help.

God gives life and he takes it away. Our life is in His hands.

Maybe it is our time to go and be with Him.

Our heavenly reward will not be based on our success in life, or how well we got God to answer our prayers, or quickly overcoming an earthly problem.

It will be based on our faithfulness during a testing time, when God does not give us what we want.

It is the dark times when we are nothing, our life is nothing, and we have nothing, that we earn our crowns.

So when you see this happening to you, just look up to Him. He is watching you grow, and he knows the pain you are in.

He has allowed it, so that you will not only come to know Him and His sufferings, but also a greater weight of glory when you meet Him.

Do not give up. Be encouraged. God is not rejecting you.

You are closer to Him now, than you ever have been before. No matter how hard it is, just rest in Him.

Christians are wimps! Don’t argue. Go!

“…the Master said, Don’t argue. Go! I have picked Saul as my personal representative… And now I’m about to show him what he’s in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job." archie paraphrase

What ever made you think that being a believer of “the way” meant you would not suffer?  Do you think God made you and gave you eternal life so you could have the world massage your feet and feed you grapes? 

Get over it.  It is tough being a believer.  It is even tougher to be faithful and be a believer. 

God made you to bring Him glory and lay it at His feet.  God made you to love Him.  He has loved you from the beginning of time.  It is your time to return His love by bringing Him glory in the midst of the raunchy circumstances you find yourself in.  Praying to your version of the magic slot machine in the sky is not God’s idea of you gifting Him.

Bringing Him glory is praising Him for what He has done for you in sacrificing His Son on the cross.  That is but a minimum.  Getting past the minimum is sharing His love with others through kind acts, Words and thoughts. 

When you lead a lost person to a knowledge and appreciation of God’s love, you hit a home run with God!  Really!  That is why you are here.  You are here to share Christ with others, which places glory at God’s feet.

So get out of the batters box and do what you were designed for.  Praise God.  Then, show others “the way”.  God bless.