Ain't Complicated

When Freedom Feels Like a Void

I read this article yesterday. It’s sad, really.

Years ago, I was a Sunday school teacher. Attended church every week. Read the King James Bible for fun. Believed as much as I could, as sincerely as I could.

Then I moved to Portland, an unchurched city in one of the nation’s least religious states, and joined the ranks of people who don’t regularly attend services and barely know where to start. I don’t miss it much…

Suddenly, the blessed freedom of living in an unchurched city feels more like a void.Read it all

Mennonite Businesses in Madras

I don’t know how many Mennonite-run businesses have “set up shop” in Madras, Oregon. At least five, I suspect. Be that as it may, this post is about two owned by preachers.

First, because it’s older, is Eagle Bakery. I’ve been to their store in town…and enjoyed the mighty fine eating and atmosphere. Rob may be a conservative Mennonite but I notice in the archives of the local paper that he and his wife Faye have helped an Adventist school. And despite being non-resistant, they’ve also helped in a nice project for some war veterans. I heartily commend them for their generous spirit.

Then there’s the more-recently launched bent-and-dent store, Miller’s Discount Groceries. I’ve never been in their store but I’m looking forward to doing so the next time I’m in town. (I like that kind of store.)

Next time you’re in Madras, how about you do me a favor and stop by both places? You could even tell them, “Mark Roth said to give you his greetings.” I would like that very much. And they might as well. In fact, you might, too. 🙂

If you go to the grocery store (map) first, you’ll be within four blocks from the bakery. (I suspect it works out to the same distance the other way around also.)

Be Careful in Sonora and Sinaloa

I learned a few minutes ago (thanks, Google Alerts!) that, as of yesterday, there’s a new travel warning for Mexico. (Sonora is of particular interest to me partly because I share responsibility for some people there.) Here are some portions of the travel warning, followed by a link to full deal, which includes sections addressing other states:

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico.

[…]

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day for study, tourism or business and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations.

[…]

There is no evidence that U.S. tourists have been targeted by criminal elements due to their citizenship. Nonetheless, while in Mexico you should be aware of your surroundings at all times and exercise particular caution in unfamiliar areas.

[…]

Due to ongoing violence and persistent security concerns, you are urged to defer non-essential travel to the states of Tamaulipas and Michoacán, and to parts of the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi and Jalisco. Details on these locations, and other areas in which travelers should exercise caution, are below. Read it all

Muslim Democracy and Christianity?

More Christians have been fleeing Iraq in recent months than ever before.

Carl Moeller with Open Doors USA says extremists are calling for the complete extermination of believers in the country.

“We’ve been calling this a ‘religicide’–which is the systematic destruction and elimination of a religious group simply for being that religious group. And we see this now unfolding in a very shocking way,” says Moeller.

The number of Christians in Iraq has dropped dramatically in the last few decades, dropping from 850,000 believers in 1991, to 550,000 believers in 2003, to 345,000 believers in early 2010. Now perhaps less than 250,000 Christians call Iraq home, a number which includes those who have been permanently displaced from their homes.

[…]

At the current rate of the exodus, Iraq will not have any Christians left in three years, according to an Open Doors’ field worker. Read it all

Committed to Dangerous Aid

Turmoil has severely limited food and other necessities in several countries across the Middle East and North Africa. Aid is in high demand. Churches and individual believers are responding, but very much at their own risk.

[…]

In a region where believers are often threatened even during peace time, Christians are especially at risk now–even when they’re doling out desperately-needed aid.

“We think humanitarian effort and helping people in conflict is something everyone will respond to favorably. But they [Christians] know that as they do this, this actually makes them more visible, and it actually puts them in more danger, more in harm’s way,” says BGR’s Jeff Palmer.

[…]

“They choose to do this because the love of Christ compels them,” Palmer explains. “They can’t sit and watch this as people suffer. They can’t watch and not take advantage of what’s happening right now to help people and to make Christ known.”

As believers continue literally to risk their lives for the sake of serving others throughout the Middle East and North Africa, pray for God to provide them with courage and wisdom.

Source: Even Christian aid workers not safe in volatile regions

PS: You could also add love and faithfulness to that prayer list.

Old Light, Still New

Be strong and of a good courage.

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? — He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. — My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

If God be for us, who can be against us? — The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? — Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. — We are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee.

JOSH. 1:18. Psa. 27:1. -Isa. 40:29?31. -Psa. 73:26. Rom. 8:31. -Psa. 118:6. -Psa. 44:5. -Rom. 8:37. I Chr. 22:16.

Thank you, Sam!

Ooops. This was sitting among my drafts since 6:47 am on March 30, 2011.

Faith and the Naked Word of God

Faith has nothing to do with feelings or with impressions, with improbabilities or with outward experiences. If we desire to couple such things with faith, then we are no longer resting on the Word of God, because faith needs nothing of the kind. Faith rests on the naked Word of God. When we take Him at His Word, the heart is at peace.

— George Müller.

HT: Sorry. I forget where I read this almost a week ago. 🙁