Soul and Spirit | Ain't Complicated

Egypt: Fasting and Prayer

While many fear the Muslim brotherhood could hijack Egypt’s revolution, one organization says there’s a spirit of hope for Christians in that predominately-Muslim nation.

President of IN Network USA Rody Rodeheaver says, “There is a rejoicing. I think there is a genuine joy on their part that [President] Mubarak has stepped down and that there is some hope for change and maybe some real freedom and a voice in the country.”

[…]

Rodeheaver says Christians have set aside the next three days for fasting and prayer “that the revisions of the constitution will not shut out the Christians.”

[…]

Rodeheaver also says Christians are reaching out to help Egyptians adversely affected by the poor economy caused by the riots. “They used to be poor, and now they’re extremely poor and quite destitute. So our staff is reaching out to these people and trying to provide groceries.”

Source: Egypt: a window for the Gospel

California SB 48: Excluding Mennonites

This bill would require instruction in social sciences to also include a study of the role and contributions of Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, and other ethnic and cultural groups, to the development of California and the United States.

Why aren’t Mennonites in the new list? 😯 😆

Existing law prohibits instruction or school sponsored activities that reflect adversely upon persons because of their race, sex, color, creed, handicap, national origin, or ancestry. Existing law prohibits the State Board of Education and the governing board of any school district from adopting textbooks or other instructional materials that contain any matter that reflects adversely upon persons because of their race, sex, color, creed, handicap, national origin, or ancestry.

This bill would revise the list of characteristics included in these provisions to include race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, and sexual orientation, or other characteristic listed as specified.

Source: SB 48 Senate Bill – INTRODUCED

How about slipping in political orientation somewhere just for the generosity and multi-something-or-other of it? 🙄

And that is my news update for you.

Pew on Egypt: Apostates, Beware

Behold a little bit of what the Pew Global Attitudes Project found on the general subject of Muslim Publics Divided on Hamas and Hezbollah

At least three-quarters of Muslims in Egypt and Pakistan say they would favor making each of the following the law in their countries: stoning people who commit adultery, whippings and cutting off of hands for crimes like theft and robbery and the death penalty for those who leave the Muslim religion. Majorities of Muslims in Jordan and Nigeria also favor these harsh punishments.

Well, maybe that 75%+ is accurate or maybe it’s only for polling purposes.

In addition to the above link, you might also be interested in these:

Crazy Behind the Wheel

Or on the sidewalk.

Or in Walmart.

I hope I get pulled over for illegal cell phone usage; then I can tell the officer what I was really doing. Maybe plant a seed.

[…]

My son who lives in the heart of Philly says it’s no good now with everybody packing a cell phone and moving their lips as they walk down the street alone: “You can’t tell who the crazies are anymore.” Personally, I find the whole development liberating. I can talk to God all I want while cruising down Easton Road and nobody cares anymore. Between the tweeters and drunkards and prayers, it’s hard to tell who is crazy.

I like that!

And if you are a Christian, you really ought to read the rest of Andrée Seu’s piece at World Magazine Blog.

Egypt: Away from the Cameras

While no one knows the political result of the unrest in Egypt, Christians are already feeling the effects of riotous distraction.

According to Assist News, the carnage took place in the village of Sharona near Maghagha, Minya province. Two Islamists groups, aided by Muslim neighbors, descended on the roof of houses owned by Christians, killing 11, including children, and seriously injuring four others.

The report stated the massacre has nothing to do with the mayhem in Egypt, but the murderers took advantage of the lack of police protection and thought they could commit their crime and no one would notice.

[…]

So far, the protests have focused on jobs, free speech and democratic elections, not religion, but a few radicals are using this distraction to attack Christians.

Read it all

Driven by What Purpose, This?

…The physicians who crafted the program apparently don’t share the church’s professed evangelical beliefs, espousing instead various forms of Eastern mysticism and the tenets of a Christian cult, Swedenborgism.

Vowing to lose 90 pounds, Warren said he placed himself under the care of Drs. Mehmet Oz, Daniel Amen and Mark Hyman last fall and worked with each to develop “The Daniel Plan.”

Oz, host of the Emmy-winning “Dr. Oz Show” and professor of surgery at Columbia University, says he is inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th century cult founder who taught that all religions lead to God and denied orthodox Christian beliefs such at the atonement of Christ for sin, the trinity and the deity of the Holy Spirit.

Best-selling author Amen, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California at Irvine, teaches Eastern religious meditation and the New Age energy-based practice of Reiki.

Hyman, a four-time New York Times best-selling author, promotes mystical meditation based on Buddhist principles.

More of the story: Rick Warren Hosts Cult Celebrity Doctors

Deceived on Purpose

How to Pray for Egypt

Early this morning via their Facebook page, Operation World presented one Egyptian’s nine-item list of How to Pray for Egypt:

We have just received the note below from an Egyptian friend who has been involved in the prayer ministry in Egypt, but also involved on government level. This note is really helpful to understand the situation in Egypt and helps us to pray with insight. Please read it and pray fervently for this very special nation:

"Thank you for your messages and prayers for the Nation of Egypt. I have been in a state of disbelief and a little confused and now amazed as to what is taking place.

Many have asked me how we should pray for Egypt and to be honest I was not sure. The news is conflicting at the same time the things said do not match with my knowledge and understanding of the reality of Egypt and the people.

The past two days, listening to news on Al jezeera, BBC, and talking to parents and then talking to friends…. Each one had their own analysis and view about what is going on to an extreme… Confusion, confusion, confusion…

But one thing I sensed with them and agreed on is that last Friday, evil was unleashed in Egypt.

The Protest started as [….]

So, please Pray for:

A peaceful transition of power. Wisdom and revelation for the leaders and to the way they address the people of Egypt.
A quick end to this protest and the economic crisis accumulating.
That the evil unleashed will hit a wall, and the plans of the enemy to start a civil confrontation will not succeed.
Peace and security to return to the streets of Egypt
A restraining of the Muslim Brotherhood and other political parties who have evil hidden agendas.
For the Church to have a prophetic voice at this critical time. For Wisdom and revelation from the father to speak life and revealed truth to the Church and the Nation.
The Church to move prophetically and know how to handle this difficult time with confidence and boldness.
That Egyptians will not be taken lightly or mistreated any longer.
That President Mubarak will leave with dignity and honor, and non of His family will be harmed.

Source: How to Pray for Egypt

HT: Stener Dahle Fagerlie (a Facebook friend)