I have never tried to hide the fact that I am indeed a DORK.
I’m the only guy to have lettered four years in running in High School that was never on the track team.
I have never tried to hide the fact that I am indeed a DORK.
I’m the only guy to have lettered four years in running in High School that was never on the track team.
Are you kidding me?
what was the price of oil when we went into Iraq?
Are the two related? I don’t know but good Lord, this is getting stupid.
Oil is up to $123 a barrel.
Hey, America, buy a bike!
PRAYERS FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
www. persecution. com
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:5)
Prayers for April 22, 2008
From The Voice of the Martyrs
CHINA
Forty-six Christians Arrested, Two Remain in Detention - China Aid Association
China Aid Association (CAA) reports that the Chinese Communist government recently launched a strategic campaign against house churches in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. As a result of this campaign, on April 13, 46 Christians were arrested by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials during a Bible class and worship service in Kashi City, Xinjiang Province. CAA reported, “Forty-six house church Christians were holding Bible class and worship in the home of Mr. Ding Zhichun when PSB officials intruded into Ding’s home and arrested all of them. Forty-four Christians were released after the trial day, following a 50 Yuan deposit to the PSB, by the family members.” CAA added, “The Christians were mandated to confess their illegal Sunday worship activities and study the government’s handbook on Religious Policy. They were also required to return and recite the policy to officials within one week.” The Voice of the Martyrs supports and stands with Christians in China and encourages you to pray for believers who are living under immense pressure. Ask God to encourage and minister to the two Christians still being held by the police. Pray their testimony will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.
Psalm 91
SOMALIA
Four Christian Teachers Murdered - VOM Sources
On April 13, four Christian teachers, two of them converts from Islam, were murdered by Islamic militants in Beledweyne in south-central Somalia. The four teachers, two British citizens of Somali origin-Mr. Daud Hassan Ali (64) and Ms. Rehana Ahmed (32)-and two unidentified Kenyans, were shot and killed by Islamist insurgents during a midnight raid on the Hakab Private English School. The Islamic extremist group responsible for the violence, alleged that they fired indiscriminately and that the teachers were killed in crossfire. Local people, however, believe the teachers were singled out for their suspected evangelistic work. The wife of Daud Hassan Ali alleged that her husband was targeted because he was a Muslim-born convert to Christianity. Pray the families of those killed will rest in the knowledge that those who die in the Lord will be raised with Him. Pray the perpetrators of this attack will come to repentance and salvation. Pray for wisdom and protection for those serving Christ in Somalia.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
UZBEKISTAN
Pastor Beaten and Jailed in Samarkand - Forum 18 News
On April 3, Pastor Bobur Aslamov was beaten and jailed in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, following a police raid on a house church meeting. According to Forum 18 News, “Other members of the house church were also beaten during the raid. The pastor remains in detention in an unknown location.” At last report, no formal charges had been filed against him. Pray for the release of Pastor Aslamov from prison. Pray Uzbek Christians will continue to share Christ fearlessly despite the ongoing pressure.
Ephesians 6:18-20
..
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
” (Ephesians 6:19-21)
Prayers for April 15, 2008
From The Voice of the Martyrs
IRAQ
Assyrian Orthodox Priest Killed - VOM Sources
On April 5, Father Youssef Adel (40), an Assyrian Orthodox priest, was shot dead by unknown assailants in the district of Karradah, Baghdad. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, “At approximately 11:30 a.m., Adel was driving to a church when gunmen in another car sped past him and opened fire. Adel was the director of a high school that was attended by both Christians and Muslims. He had been the target of threats and intimidation intended to drive him away from his post.” Pray that those who mourn for Father Adel will find strength, courage and peace in Christ. Pray that believers in Iraq will set Christ apart as Lord and not be controlled by fear despite severe persecution. Also pray Christians in Iraq will forgive their persecutors.
1 Peter 3:14-17
INDIA
Christians Attacked, Children Beaten for Distributing Bible Tracts - VOM Sources
On April 2, pastors and members of the Manna Ministry in Krishnapuram, Andhra Pradesh, were beaten by a group of 20 Hindu extremists. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, “Believers were returning from an evangelistic outreach when their car was stopped by the attackers. One of the ministry’s leaders, Pastor Gopal, sustained serious injuries. The militants also tore up the Christians’ evangelistic tracts.” Ask God to heal Pastor Gopal. Meanwhile, on March 17, school children from Toopran School in Telungana Village, Andhra Pradesh, were threatened and beaten by Hindu extremists while they were distributing Bible tracts in the school compound. VOM contacts report, “A group of Hindu extremists stopped the school children from further distribution of tracts. The extremists beat the children and threatened them.” Pray believers in Telungana Village will be encouraged and protected. Pray that Indian Christians will continue to share the gospel with boldness despite increased persecution. Ask God to use their testimonies to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him.
Acts 4:29-31
CHINA
UPDATE: Christian Bookstore Owner Released from Prison - China Aid Association
Praise God! On February 19, Zhou Heng, a well-known house church leader and manager of Yayi Christian Book Room in China was released from prison. According to China Aid Association, Heng was released after a court determined there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him. During his imprisonment, Heng was reportedly beaten severely by inmates and prison guards. He is now recuperating at home with his family. Thank the Lord for Heng’s release. Pray for strength and healing for him. Pray that he will be emboldened by the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good.
1 Peter 2:20-21
Ok, it’s TAX DAY!!!! Yes, the day we throw our hands up in the air and wonder why on earth we are sending so much stinking money to UNCLE SAME!!! UGH!
So I thought I would share a few jokes and stories a friend of mine emailed me…note, none of these are original, so it will be a lot like watching a Dane Cook comedy set.
—
There was a man who computed his taxes for 1997 and found that he owed $3407. He packaged up his payment and included this letter:
Dear IRS:
Enclosed is my 1997 Tax Return & payment. Please take note of the attached article from the USA Today newspaper. In the article, you will see that the Pentagon is paying $171.50 for hammers and NASA has paid $600.00 for a toilet seat.
Please find enclosed four toilet seats (value $2400) and six hammers (value $1029).
This brings my total payment to $3429.00. Please note the overpayment of $22.00 and apply it to the ‘Presidential Election Fund’, as noted on my return. Might I suggest you the send the above mentioned fund a ‘1.5 inch screw’. (See attached article - HUD paid $22.00 for a 1.5 inch Phillips Head Screw.)
It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year. I just saw an article about the Pentagon and ’screwdrivers’.
Sincerely,
—
If a lawyer and an IRS agent were both drowning, and you could only save one of them, would you go to lunch or read the paper?
—
If you love something, set it free.
If it comes back, it will always be yours.
If it doesn’t come back, it was never yours to begin with.
But…
If it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money, and doesn’t appear to realize that you actually set it free in the first place, you either married it or gave birth to it.
Either of which is probably tax deductible.
___
An accountant is having a hard time sleeping and goes to see his doctor.
“Doctor, I just can’t get to sleep at night.”
“Have you tried counting sheep?”
“That’s the problem - I make a mistake and then spend three hours trying to find it.”
I liked those and hope you do too!
Mat 5:7 God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
One of President Abraham Lincoln’s associates scolded him rather severely for being soft on his enemies. “Why do you insist on trying to make friends of them?” he chided. “You should be trying to destroy them.”
To which Lincoln replied gently, “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make them my friends?” In speaking of those who were his enemies during the Civil War, Lincoln is reported to have said, “Insane as it may seem, I hold malice toward none of them. I have neither the time nor the energy in this life to hold that kind of resentment.”
It’s Easter weekend and I’m once again reminded and challenged to TRY and live my life as an example of Christ among us. It isn’t easy, not for me and I imagine not for anyone, regardless of what they will tell you or even what you will tell yourself.
Few things can touch a persons heart, mind and spirit like a song. Over the last 10 years or so I have lost hope for the power of a song. That was until I heard the song “Forgiveness” by Peter Katz.
Listen to FORGIVENESS by Peter Katz by clicking HERE.
Watch the video for FORGIVENESS below
Here is the story behind the song
Here are the words to the song Forgiveness by Peter Katz
You ask me to explain it
Well there’s everything and nothing to say
Some things they happen
And once they do they never go away
They tell you that this life is eye for eye
Well man you know I think that’s all a lie
Oh I will not stoke the fire of this fight, when I know it isn’t right
So I guess I’m going to have to try forgiveness
‘Cause man you know that’s all that I’ve got left
My boy did not deserve this, but neither do the rest
I guess I’m going to have to try forgiveness
You can call me a coward
Call me whatever you chose
Once you could have hurt me
But now, I’ve nothing left to lose
Go on and spite me ’cause I will not curse his name
Tell me though I’m broken, I am to blame
Well go on, but I won’t participate, in spreading all this hate
So I guess I’m going to have to try forgiveness
‘Cause man you know that’s all that I’ve got left
My boy did not deserve this, but neither do the rest
I guess I’m going to have to try forgiveness
They shot at me for speaking out against this tired war
Said “How can you lose one life and not demand one more?”
Well what good will it do us in the end?
There’s nothing that should justify revenge
And I stand now here before you
Living out the hardest test
And still I swear the only answer is: ?forgiveness
Forgiveness
Forgiveness
Oh you know we’ve got to try forgiveness
‘Cause man you know it’s all that we’ve got left
Our boys and girls are watching and they’ve put us to the test
Come let’s show them forgiveness
Forgiveness
