Sisters in Iran

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. (1 John 5:4 NKJV)

I received the following via the Voice of the Martyrs this morning.

Maryam Rustampoor, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, were arrested and sent to Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran. The two women did not rob a bank, kill a man or beat up someone.

Their crime? Loving Jesus. And it is for this reason alone they arestill imprisoned.

In August during a court hearing, the two were questioned repeatedly about their faith. They were told to return to Islam.

"We love Jesus," was their reply. Prosecutors asked the women, who had already spent five months in prison, if they regretted being Christians.

"We have no regrets," they said. "We will not deny our faith."

The judge sent them back to Evin Prison - notorious for its brutality - to "think about" their decision.

"We have already done our thinking," they told him.

Maryam and Marzieh are among dozens of Iranian Christians arrested, detained or interrogated in Iran in recent months. The harassment is the radical Islamic government's response to an Iranian revival that has thousands of Iranians coming to Christ each month.

What a wonderful reminder! In the midst of all the bad news about Iran, let us remember to pray for the Christians who are there... and the revival that is occurring. What a reminder! In spite of the evil of its leadership and the animosity of its culture to the gospel of Jesus Christ, nonetheless Christianity survives... thrives... even flourishes. What a reminder! We need to be busily sharing the love of Jesus Christ everywhere we go... here in America. It survives... thrives... even flourishes here, no matter what you might read in the news.

Pray for Muslims Today

I read the following in the Associated Press today:

More than 50,000 Muslims are expected to take part in the event (a large prayer gathering on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol) Friday on Capitol Hill. Pat Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, says it is sad that some Christians have been hostile to the Muslims planning to gather Friday.

Mahoney says while some Christians may be uncomfortable at the prospect of the prayer event, he believes it shows the greatness of America.

"It is important to send a clear message that the Christian community loves the Muslim community. That we do not hate Muslims, that our heart is not set against Muslims, and that with the heart and compassion of Christ, we are to reach out and build bridges," he adds.

Agreed - we who name then name of Jesus Christ DO love muslim people. But that love is not demonstrated by accepting their faith, but by doing everything in our power to win them to Christ. For there is no salvation in Allah. Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

Today is a day of prayer for muslims, and a great muslim prayer meeting is planned in Washington D.C. today. Let us join our muslim friends and pray... but let us pray properly - that they might be delivered from the false doctrine they are enslaved to, and find the peace and salvation that only comes in knowing Jesus Christ. Let us pray for muslims to be saved today!

The Clock is Ticking!

Less than 24 hours to go before the Campfire Fellowship at the Johnson Ranch. Bring your fishing poles, your lawn chairs, your covered dish to pass, and come on over for a great evening of fun and fellowship. The Corn Hole tournament is a go, and for us old timers we'll have the horseshoe pit set up, too. And of course, the volleyball madness continues.

Only 2 more chances to attend one of these before summer and fall are flown by. Join us, Saturday evening at 6:00 (or earlier if you want... we'll be set up well before 6!)

Piper on Prayer

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10 NKJV)

I'm in the middle of reading John Piper's book, Desiring God, and I'm reading his chapter on prayer. Great stuff. He pointed out Jesus' words to the woman at the well, quoted above. Jesus said, "If you knew who I am, you would have asked." So often we forget the resource we have in God! He WANTS to hear and answer our prayers. If we could just remember that He owns all, is all, and wants to give us all... we would ASK!

Piper says, "A prayer less Christian is like a bus driver trying alone to push his bus out of a rut because he doesn't know Clark Kent is on board. A prayer less Christian is like having your room wallpapered with Saks Fifth Avenue gift certificates, but always shopping at Goodwill because you cannot read."

Let's not be prayer less Christians! Let's remember how much the Lord wants our prayers, and how great are His resources for those who will pray.

Midweek prayer meeting is Wednesday at 6:30 PM. We pray for each other. Will you join us?

Oh, and don't forget the Farmer's Market this Saturday from 9:00 - noon. Lot's of veggies, and great opportunities to meet folks in the community.

Making it a Habit

As I surveyed my face in the mirror, I couldn't help but loathe the idea of scraping a razor across it for the gazillionth time. "I'll just forgo shaving today," I thought. After all, the stubbly look is in... it's Friday... I'll fit in just fine. Proceeding with my morning ablutions, I was amused to notice a few minutes later that I was shaving! Sheer force of habit. When it came time to shave I started doing it automatically and without thinking.

I was reminded of how powerful habits are - both good and bad.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny."

We'd all like to avoid bad habits. The key to avoiding bad habits is to not start down the road to sin, even sinful thought, in the first place!

But on the other hand, we'd all like to develop good habits! How wonderful when good habits develop. When we find ourselves drawn to our Bible reading time almost automatically. When giving one day in seven to the Lord on Sunday is not something we have to think about, but rather something that is automatic! Habits like these come from performing the actions over and over and over - just like shaving.

WELL... we have an opportunity to reinforce the habit of "preferring one another" in Christian fellowship this weekend! The next Campfire Fellowship will take place at Charlie and Deeanna's place on Saturday, 8/15, at 6:00 PM. Rain or shine! Bring a dish to share, and your lawn chairs. Sharpen up your skills at corn hole, volleyball, bocce ball, or just come and sit around the campfire and visit with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

ALSO... we have an opportunity to reinforce the habit of "going into all the world" with the gospel, as we welcome missionary Emily Colledge from India Gospel League to our worship service this Sunday at 10:30 AM.

Join us! You have friends at Friendship Bible Church!

Here We Go Again!

It's another busy weekend here at FBC. You've probably already got this on your calendar, but let me remind you of what's happening, just in case!

Saturday - 9:00 AM - NOON - The Randolph Farmer's Market. If you're signed up to help this week, we will set up our booth at 8:45. Even if you're not signed up to help, stop by and say hello. We'll be there giving out coffee and water, and hopefully living water as well!

Saturday - 6:00 PM - Our second campfire fellowship of the summer. Join us for food, fun and fellowship at the home of Bud and Linda. Bring a covered dish to share and your lawn chairs. Oh, and limber up those corn hole and horse shoe throwing muscles, for their will be opportunity to use them. And the volleyball tournament is on, if you dare. See you there!

Sunday - We will hear from missionary John James with Village Missions. John will be sharing the unique and interesting ministry of this mission organization in both his message, and his video presentation.

You might be on TV

If you attended our recent campfire fellowship, that is...

If you have Time Warner Cable, check out channel 528 - the Local Events section. Interesting! Thanks to Sister Linda for this! The next Campfire Fellowship is only a few days away. Join us!

For those who are following the Pastor's Masters with baited breath, it will interest you to know that the standings are really tightening up. And believe it or not, the Pastor actually beat out everybody to win round 2!

The next round of the Pastor's Masters will take place in August. Join us!

As always, don't forget this week's events -

Wednesday Evening Prayer Meeting - 6:30 PM
Saturday Morning - Farmer's Market - 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM