Paris attacks darkning the world

Dena Johnson last weekend watched in horror as terror unfolded in Paris, France. Bombings. Hostages. Shootings. Innocent people targeted. Her heart broke for the people of Paris.

For lives lost. For lives shattered, forever changed.

Her writing for Christianity.com Daily Update shows unnecessary fear.

As I watched the non-stop news coverage, I began to wonder what kind of world my kids will inherit from us. What dangers are lurking behind every corner? Will they be forced to live in seclusion for their own safety? Will they fear for their lives every time they are on the street? Will they be targeted simply because they choose Christ?

It’s almost more than a mama’s heart can handle. Watching the news on a regular basis makes me fearful for my kids. Gone are the days of solid Christian morals, where seeking to follow Christ is the accepted norm.

The people in France were not targeted because they choose Christ. Many were no believers in Christ or in any god and others worshipped Allah as faithful Muslims.

She thinks the world is invaded by terrorists, but they are still in the minority.
She writes

Citizens struck at a soccer game and a concert. Shootings in the middle of a church service. We even had a beheading last year right here in Oklahoma as a woman simply went about doing her job.

How do we deal with the fear? How do we teach our children to live boldly in an increasingly dangerous world? How do we live in light of the terror that surrounds us? How do we shine our lights for Christ when we know that we could easily be targeted for our faith?

All people who have a strong opinion and or a faith they want to hold on strongly, can be a useful target because the opponent knows they can be hurt. Jesus Christ also warned those who wanted to follow him they would be target of mocking, bullying and even worse having the possibility to having to give their life for their faith.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the dangers and immorality in this world. It’s easy to wonder if God really sees us, understands our plight. It can be confusing to sort through the myriad of emotions, to know where we should stand on certain issues. Do we lean toward compassion or do we choose discernment? Both are present in scriptures. Both are necessary.

Christian, Jew or Muslim should follow their Holy Scriptures and should get to know them properly, knowing we may not kill innocent people and do have to respect every creation of God.

From the beginning of times man riposted. Already very early man went against the commandments of God and let evil come into his heart.

Evil has existed in the human heart since time began. Nothing. Has. Changed.

There’s still incredible evil in this world. And there are still heroes of the faith. While ISIS prowls around looking for lives to devour, God is raising up an army of believers with faith that shines bright. While terror seems to be the constant news of the day, Christians around the world are standing strong in their faith, determined to let their lights shine in the midst of the darkness.

We must trust that God is our salvation, our fortress, watching over and protecting us. We must trust that he sees and knows the truth about this world, about our hearts. We must trust that he has the power to protect us, to rescue us from these very real troubles. We must remain confident that he is able, he is greater than this world.

We must cry out to him for wisdom, discernment, direction. We must seek to know him deeply, intimately. We must strive to follow him, every step, every day. We must wait patiently, expectantly, for him to rescue us. We must cling to every word, every promise, he has made. We must be brave and courageous, knowing that he has overcome the world.

The darker this world gets, the brighter our light shines. Hang on to God, my friends. He is our hope.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

The one thing I ask of the LORD—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music.

Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Psalm 27:1-6, 11-14 (NLT)

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Preceding:

Trump brand of migrant demonization #1

Trump brand of migrant demonization #2 

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Additional reading

1. Brussels-born Salah Abdeslam key suspect Paris terrorist attacks
2. Refugee crisis, terrorist attacks and created fear
3. Are people willing to take the responsibility for others
4. Can We Pay The Price To Free Humanity? 
5. Human tragedy need to be addressed at source 
6. Vatican against Opponents of immigration

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• Intellectuals: Are Europe and France Losing a Long-standing Lead to the US?
• I Am With You
• A Love That Endures
• The Rule of Love
• TERROR IN PARIS: Eiffel Tower Closed When Authorities Spotted Jihadist Suspect Holding This
• Showing respect where respect is due
• Buhari needs God-fearing, patriotic ministers - Iman
• The New Threat from Islamic Militancy by Jason Burke review - important and impressive
• Muslim Suicide Bomber Bursts into Tears Before Carrying Out Mission

Agape, a love to share with others from the Fruit of the Spirit

Yesterday we talked about the brotherly love which is important for the follower of Christ.

The brethren in Christ want to share the love of Christ with others around them. What would be the difference between a non-believer, an atheist, a paganist or a heathen doing good works and a Christian if there is not something more in the love for others?

The son of God radiated the love of his Father. God is righteous and full of love, wanting all the best for whole His creation. Though His Creation is not always interested in Him, He is always interested in His Creation and follows it up. He is willing to guide and help those who are interested in Him and His works. those who love Him also want to let others know the Works of God, feel and grow in the love of God and share it with others.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance" Galatians 5:22,23

 

Tatjanka Tara Cuko says: the believers of God do not hurt person, no doubt about their imaginations but respect and Treat Just Like A Member Of Family every time, every where. God is love. And love transmitted in act not to hurt anyone or scoff, or mock but to help not to despise. Wealthy is not everything but Love of God is Everything.

 

If you believe in God you must respect others and must treat just like a member of your family. I know the Gos Is Love. And believers must have a sensible spirit not to go their imagination what they think and doubt about others. These people do not believe in God. They believe only what their brain imagination. Who believes in God do not hurt other person and see him/ her about wealthy.

 

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Find related:

Not all christians are followers of a Greco-Roman culture

Christadelphians or Messianic Christians or Messianic Jews

 

 

Martin Luther King's Dream Today

Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King jr., spoke on June 22nd 2010, at a meeting of the Working Group on Human Dignity, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Please read her thoughts on the role of civil rights movements and the protection of life, which is a main topic of interest for her.

Martin Luther King's Dream Today - Thoughts by his Niece

Dr. Alveda King

“The message I share comes from my heart, from love of life and family, and from an inherited sense of duty to defend the most vulnerable in society.

My talk today and my work as a civil rights activist are based on three very simple truths –

* that every human being is worthy of respect by virtue of his being human;

* that at no time does anyone’s life become less human or more human;

* that each human life begins at its physical beginning

As a result of these three propositions, every single human being, born or unborn, has rights and those rights should be respected by society and protected under law.

Repentance is the first step in a soul being saved; it’s also the first step in a culture being changed. I know this because I have seen my culture, my America, change in my lifetime.

So much bloodshed and heartache happened because some people in the United States thought that African Americans were not worthy of respect. We were spat upon. We were clubbed and beaten. And we were lynched. We were killed because we were regarded as less than fully human. So it is with the lives of unborn babies – who are womb-lynched today.

But racism not only oppressed African Americans, it seared the consciences of the oppressors. People found that the fabrications of racists made their own lives more comfortable, more convenient, and they became invested in those falsehoods. They depended on those falsehoods. And so they believed, what they knew in their hearts to be untrue. So it is with the lies of abortionists today.

Today’s unborn are yesterday’s blacks – best kept out of sight and out of mind lest they remind us of the injustices we commit. The problem for abortionists and their supporters, though, is the same problem racists and segregationists faced: reality. Unborn babies won’t go away. So the work of the abortion industry has been to deny the humanity of those they exploit and discriminate against.

But what if, like the Texas abortion clinic director who recently quit her job when she saw the ultrasound image of the baby she was helping to abort, we can no longer rationalize away what we’ve been doing all these years? What if the truth becomes so clear and so compelling that society simply can’t go on being indifferent or complicit in the big lie? Well, that’s when we have to do what is against our nature – we have to humble ourselves, admit our wrongs and change our ways.

And that, in fact, is what my country did because of the civil rights movement. America changed because Americans were touched in their hearts – hearts that the Bible tells us are inscribed with God’s law. We can try to deny our consciences, indoctrinate or medicate our minds so that we can’t or won’t think, but a sense of right and wrong has been given to each and every one of us. It is that very moral awareness that changed America’s culture on racism.

I believe it is that same moral awareness that can change any culture on abortion. It won’t happen overnight. But it is already happening.

In our hearts, we know this. For too long, though, we have looked the other way. We have not wanted to get involved. We have convinced ourselves that people will never change when it comes to abortion. I’m here to tell you that this is not true. I have seen change, in myself, in others, and in my nation. What happened with slavery and racism is now happening with abortion. Those in power who can speak up for the persecuted must do so, we are our brothers’ keeper and what happens to him, happens to us.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote from a jail cell, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Whether a child is aborted in Birmingham, Alabama or Birmingham, England, that abortion is an assault on what my Uncle Martin called the Beloved Community.

My Uncle Martin had a dream. He dreamt that we would live out that which is self-evident – that all men are created equal. He called on America to admit our wrongs and turn from them.

Today, I call on all of us, regardless of nationality, race or religion, to admit our wrongs and turn from them. I believe that the denial of the right to life is the greatest injustice we face in the world today. There is no compassion in killing. There is no justice in writing people out of the human race.

I only ask: How can such a dream live on - the dream of equality for all - if we kill our children? How can the dream live on if we deny others their basic human dignity and respect? How can the dream live on if we do not act on their behalf?”

- "Europe for Christ!"

The truest greatness lies in being kind

"The truest greatness lies in being kind,
the truest wisdom in a happy mind."
- Unknown

"A kindhearted woman gains respect,
but ruthless men gain only wealth."
Proverbs 11:16
God give that I always can remain humble and friendly
and that I may gain insight.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > De ware grootsheid ligt in het vriendelijk zijn

Moeten christenen andere godsdiensten 'respecteren'?

Op CIP (het Christelijk Informatie Platform) is er als reactie op de pauselijke houding bij het bezoek aan Israël de vraag gesteld hoe christenen moeten reageren tegenover andere godsdiensten.
"De wereld waarin wij nu leven wordt gekenmerkt door religieus pluralisme en botsende wereldbeelden. De moderne wereld brengt individuen en groepen met verschillende geloven zowel bij elkaar als in conflict. Hoe moeten christenen reageren wanneer hen hierover gevraagd wordt? Moeten christenen andere religies 'respecteren'?"
In het artikel wordt er ook beschreven hoe het Rooms Catholiscisme zou aanvaarden dat oprechte moslims kunnen worden opgenomen in Christus' verlossing door hun trouw aan het monotheïsme en de islam. Dus, wanneer de paus spreekt over de islam respecteren, doet hij dat op een manier die orthodoxe christenen niet kennen. Maar die volgens CIP de evangelischen ook niet kennen. In de reacties zegt men ook dat "Wie de Zoon niet heeft, heeft ook de Vader niet,omdat men de Geest niet heeft ontvangen.En niemand kan belijden dat Jezus Christus de Heer is dan door de Heilige Geest."
Onterecht zeggen ze dat de islam mensen gevangen neemt  en verstoken is van de echte hoop en verlossing. Volgens hen betekent de Drie-eenheid ontkennen een andere God aanbidden. Wat zou betekenen dat ik als Christen een andere God aanbid dan jullie. En in zekere zin zou dat kunnen kloppen. Want indien jullie Jezus aanbidden, bidden jullie tot de zoon van God terwijl je slechts één God mag aanbidden en dat is de Vader. Islamieten aanbidden ook die ene ware God. Moslims hebben geen "afgod als Allah" (Allah is het Arabish voor God en is de titel van JHWH of Jehovah of Jahweh).
Volgens Paulus is het Christen zijn de navolging van Jezus: “Want als uw mond belijdt, dat Jezus de Heer is, en uw hart gelooft, dat God Hem van de doden heeft opgewekt, zult gij gered worden.” (Ro 10:9 WV78)
Het Christen zijn houdt volgens ons in Jezus te volgen en te aanvaarden als Messias. Hierin omvat zit ook het respect te tonen naar andere gemeenschappen, gelovigen als niet gelovigen.