Thursday, September 29, 2011

Buy British

I found this on Facebook and contextualised.


‎ALWAYS READ THE LABELS ON THE FOODS YOU BUY--NO MATTER WHAT THE FRONT OF THE BOX OR PACKAGE SAYS, TURN IT OVER AND READ THE BACK---CAREFULLY!

With all the food and pet products now coming from China , it is best to make sure you read label at the grocery store.
Many products no longer show where they were made, only give where the distributor is located.
It is important to read the bar code to track it's origin.

How to read Bar Codes .... interesting!
This may be useful to know when grocery shopping, if it's a concern to you.
GREAT WAY TO BUY UK AND NOT FROM EUSSR!!

If the first 3 digits of the barcode are 690 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN CHINA.
471 is Made in Taiwan .
This is our right to know, but the government and related departments never educate the
public, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves.

Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products "MADE IN CHINA ", so they don't show from which country it is made.

However, you may now refer to the barcode - remember if the first 3 digits are:

690-692 ... then it is MADE IN CHINA
00 - 09 ... USA & CANADA
30 - 37 FRANCE
40 - 44 GERMANY
471 .... Taiwan
49 ... JAPAN
50 ... UK

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881- 1938) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

You heroes, who shed your blood and lost your lives. You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country, so rest in peace. There is no difference as far as we're concerned between the Johnnies and Mehmets who lie side by side in this country of ours. You mothers, who sent your sons to a far away country, wipe the tears from your eyes for your sons are now lying in our bosom and are at peace. After having lost their lives in this land, they have become our sons, as well.-Ataturk at Gallipoli

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

IRAN – Pastor could be executed for 'apostasy' tomorrow

The pastor, who was given the death sentence for 'leaving Islam' in September 2010, has appeared in court in Rasht already this week – and has twice refused to renounce his faith. If he does so a third time today, he can then be executed at any point, in accordance with Iran's interpretation of Islamic law.

The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence in June but ruled that Pastor Yousef's case should be referred back to the lower court in Rasht to establish whether or not he was ever a practising Muslim (Prayer Alert, July 1, 2011). The Supreme Court's written verdict allowed for the death sentence to be annulled if he recanted his faith.

Judges in Rasht, Gilan province, ruled that Pastor Yousef had not in fact ever been a Muslim – but upheld the death sentence because of his 'Muslim ancestry'.

Pastor Yousef's lawyer pointed out to the court in Rasht that the judges' verdict contravened current Iranian and international law – a point that they acknowledged. But they declared that the Supreme Court's verdict was final.

Pastor Yousef was arrested in Rasht on October 13, 2009, while he was trying to register his church. Initially, he was charged with 'protesting', reportedly against Islam's monopoly over children's religious education in Iran. Later, charges against him were changed to 'apostasy' and 'evangelising'.

Middle East Concern reports that the last known judicial execution of an Iranian church leader was in December 1990 when Rev Hossein Soodman was hanged.

Religious rights charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that Pastor Yousef's lawyer, Mr Mohammed Ali Dadkhah, is also facing legal difficulties. He is currently appealing against a nine-year jail sentence, delivered in July, for 'actions and propaganda against the Islamic regime'.

Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Middle East Concern, The Washington Post)

For a country profile and more news about Iran, click here

Act
• Write a brief, polite email to the Iranian Ambassador in London appealing for clemency for Pastor Yousef. Religious rights charity Christian
Solidarity Worldwide has set up a webpage to allow you to do this direct. Please first read its guidance on how best to word your email.Click here

Pray
• Pray that the Iranian authorities will pardon Pastor Yousef. Pray that staff at the Iranian Embassy in London will pass on messages of concern from
UK citizens to the Iranian Government in Tehran.
• Ask God to fill Pastor Yousef, his wife, Fatemeh, and their two young sons with His peace and His love. Pray that they will know God as their strong
tower (Proverbs 18:10). Pray too for the success of Mr Dadkhah's appeal.



The information in this email can be reproduced in church magazines and news bulletins, provided the source is acknowledged

Release International, PO Box 54, Orpington, BR5 9RT, UK
Tel: 01689 823491
General enquiries: info@releaseinternational.org
Website address: www.releaseinternational.org

Through our international network of missions, Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles; and working for justice.

Registered Charity (England No. 280577) and company ltd by guarantee (England No. 1506576) Registered office: Times House, Throwley Way , Sutton , SM1 4JQ

To donate to the work of Release International, click here.

The demographic jihad

This is from a Nigerian Anglican friend. Liberals dispute the threat but it seems clear to me.

'A recent programme on Al-Jazeera or Press TV about madrassas in Europe and a "Judo-Christian-Islamic Europe" claims that in addition to immigration, 50% of births in Europe are Muslim. That implies that in the next 25years, over half of the youths in Europe will be Muslim!

The Church has no strategic plan to win the nations. The Church is consumed with local Congregational growth and non-missiological missionary outreaches for winning SOULS but not winning SOCIETIES, CITIES and NATIONS.

Jesus said in Mat 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach (disciple) all NATIONS, ..."

And Jesus also said in Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in JERUSALEM, and in all JUDEA, and in SAMARIA, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The Church has lost the apostolic KINGDOM and missiological vision to sit on thrones and judge/rule our tribal PROVINCES for Christ all round but focussed only on pastoral ECCLESIASTICAL and denominational vision to stand on pulpits and preach to temporarily gathered CONGREGATIONS. However, Islam-ism, Aquarian-ism (New Age), Computer-ism and Secularism are more missiological and not as naive as the Church. Even the word "missiology" has gone extinct and so no longer in dictionaries and encyclopaedias!!!

The Church has pursued non-scriptural, strange and fruitless "spirituality". This is because we lack social action and no longer have heavenly standards of brightness and saltiness. Thus we have gotten trampled-upon and swallowed-up by the world's darkened standards. Worse still, the Church is dissipated by intra and extra controversies. Every standard the Church has ever tried to bring into the world has been violently trampled upon and vehemently torn apart by this generation.

As you think and pray about your role in these things, spend a couple of minutes to read this article below. It was forwarded to me by a brother and friend.

MODUS OPERANDI OF ISLAM
Adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond's book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The
Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat


Islam is not a religion, nor is it a cult. In its fullest form, it is a complete, total, 100% system of life, a government.

Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. The religious component is a beard for all of the other components. Islamization begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to agitate for their religious privileges. When politically correct, tolerant, and culturally diverse societies agree to Muslim demands for their religious privileges, some of the other components
tend to creep in as well.

Here's how it works:


As long as the Muslim population remains around or under 2% in any given country, they will be for the most part be regarded as a peace-loving minority, and not as a threat to other citizens. This is the case in:


United States -- Muslim 0..6%

Australia -- Muslim 1.5%

Canada -- Muslim 1.9%

China -- Muslim 1.8%

Italy -- Muslim 1.5%

Norway -- Muslim 1.8%


At 2% to 5%, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs.


This is happening in:


Denmark -- Muslim 2%

Germany -- Muslim 3.7%

United Kingdom -- Muslim 2.7%

Spain -- Muslim 4%

Thailand -- Muslim 4.6%


From 5% on, they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. For example, they will push for the introduction of halal (clean by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature halal on their shelves -- along with threats for failure to comply. This is occurring in:


France -- Muslim 8%

Philippines -- 5%

Sweden -- Muslim 5%

Switzerland -- Muslim 4.3%

The Netherlands -- Muslim 5.5%

Trinidad & Tobago -- Muslim 5.8%


At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves (within their ghettos) under Sharia, the Islamic Law.
The ultimate goal of Islamists is to establish Sharia law over the entire world.

When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. In Paris, we are already seeing car-burnings. Any non-Muslim action offends Islam, and results in uprisings and threats, such as in Amsterdam, with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam. Such tensions are seen daily, particularly in Muslim sections, in:


Guyana -- Muslim 10%

India -- Muslim 13.4%

Israel -- Muslim 16%

Kenya -- Muslim 10%

Russia -- Muslim 15%


After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, such as in:


Ethiopia -- Muslim 32.8%


At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and ongoing militia warfare, such as in:


Bosnia -- Muslim 40%

Chad -- Muslim 53.1%

Lebanon -- Muslim 59.7%

From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of nonbelievers of all other religions (including nonconforming Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon, and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels, such as in:


Albania -- Muslim 70%

Malaysia -- Muslim 60.4%

Qatar -- Muslim 77.5%

Sudan -- Muslim 70%


After 80%, expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some State-run ethnic cleansing, and even some genocide, as these nations drive out the infidels, and
move toward 100% Muslim, such as has been experienced and in some ways is ongoing in:

Bangladesh -- Muslim 83%

Egypt -- Muslim 90%

Gaza -- Muslim 98.7%

Indonesia -- Muslim 86.1%

Iran -- Muslim 98%

Iraq -- Muslim 97%

Jordan -- Muslim 92%

Morocco -- Muslim 98.7%

Pakistan -- Muslim 97%

Palestine -- Muslim 99%

Syria -- Muslim 90%

Tajikistan -- Muslim 90%

Turkey -- Muslim 99.8%

United Arab Emirates -- Muslim 96%


100% will usher in the peace of 'Dar-es-Salaam' -- the Islamic House of Peace. Here there's supposed to be peace, because everybody is a Muslim, the Madrasses are the only schools, and the Koran is the only word, such as in:


Afghanistan -- Muslim 100%

Saudi Arabia -- Muslim 100%

Somalia -- Muslim 100%

Yemen -- Muslim 100%


Unfortunately, peace is never achieved, as in these 100% states the most radical Muslims intimidate and spew hatred, and satisfy their blood lust by killing less radical Muslims, for a variety of reasons.


'Before I was nine I had learned the basic canon of Arab life. It was me against my brother; me and my brother against our father; my family against my cousins and the clan; the clan against the tribe; the tribe against the world, and all of us against the infidel. -- Leon Uris, 'The Haj'


It is important to understand that in some countries, with well under 100% Muslim populations, such as France, the minority Muslim populations live in ghettos, within which they are 100% Muslim, and within which they live by Sharia Law. The national police do not even enter these ghettos. There are no national courts, nor schools, nor non-Muslim religious facilities. In such situations, Muslims do not integrate into the community at large. The children attend madrasses. They learn only the Koran. To even associate with an infidel is a crime punishable with death. Therefore, in some areas of certain nations, Muslim Imams and extremists exercise more power than the national average would
indicate.

Today's 1.5 billion Muslims make up 22% of the world's population.
But their birth rates dwarf the birth rates of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, and all other believers. Muslims will exceed 50% of the world's population by the end of this century.

Venerable Dr I. U. Ibeme

http://www.scribd.com/ifeogo

Websites: http://priscaquila.6te.net/

http://priscaquila.t35.com/ http://priscaquila.blogspot.com/

JESUS LOVES YOU: HE died for you.

YOU can live for Him.


HAVE YOU HEARD THIS? It's a powerfully saving TRUTH!
The coming of Christ (The Messiah) marked the time for the fulfillment of all prophecies about God's loving promise to "BLESS (i.e. grant Eternal SALVATION from sin and Eternal Life from death to) all Nations" {through THE MESSIAH Who is the "Seed" of Abraham (Gal 3:8) and of David (Act 13:33-35)}.

This "BLESSING" comes as:
REMISSION of sin and shame

DELIVERANCE from demons and damnation),
BESTOWAL of the Holy Spirit, Who
ASSURES us of RECEPTION into God's heavenly heritage as SONS (Gal 4:1-7) and
EMPOWERS us unto CONFORMING to the image of Christ as sons of God (John 1:12; Rom 8:9-17).

This blessing/salvation is FREELY GIVEN to anyone who
REPENTS of sin/ignorance,
BELIEVES in and SUBMITS to Jesus as "The Christ" or "The Messiah"
{i.e. the One divinely ANOINTED to be the SON of God (Lk 1:35; Heb 1:5), LORD, and SAVIOUR of all (Isa 49:6) and shall come to be the JUDGE of all}: as prophesied by all the Prophets and proved by Him in His life, death and resurrection (Act 17:31; Rom 1:4).

IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO, Believe this and you are reconciled to God and saved in Christ; AND YOU ARE BORN FROM ABOVE i.e. GIVEN THE POWER TO BE A 'SON' OF GOD (John 1:12; 3:5,16).'

Nancy Astor (1879 -1964) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

I can conceive of nothing worse than a man-governed world- except a woman-governed world. -- Nancy Astor

One reason I don't drink is that I want to know when I am having a good time. - Nancy Astor

The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything - or nothing.- Nancy Astor

The only thing I like about rich people is their money.- Nancy Astor

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Next 24 hours critical to stop the execution of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani

I

CSW is urgently calling for action on behalf of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani who faces execution anytime from Thursday onwards after refusing to renounce his faith.

Pastor Nadarkhani is currently on trial in Rasht. He has appeared in court three times this week and each time has refused to renounce his faith when asked to do so by the court.

Use the form below to email the Iranian embassy, urging them not to go ahead with the execution following the trial.

The facts:

- Pastor Nadarkhani is repeatedly being asked by the court in Rasht to renounce his faith in order to avoid execution and that the last chance he will be given to do so is tomorrow (Wednesday 28th September), after which he could be executed at any time.

- Pastor Nadarkhani has been charged, and faces execution, solely on the basis of his adopting Christian faith. As such, the Islamic Republic of Iran is violating its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 18 includes a provision for the right to “have or to adopt” a religion, which has been interpreted authoritatively by the UN Human Rights Committee as including the right to change one’s religion.

- Iran’s constitution sanctions Christianity as a legitimate minority faith and asserts that Christians are allowed to freely carry out their religious rites. Article 23 asserts that no one may be “reprimanded simply because of having a certain belief”.

Requests:

- You should address your email to “Your Excellency, the Ambassador of Iran” and don’t forget to thank him for passing on your appeal, as a sign of respect.

- Express concern over the latest developments in Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani’s case.

- Express your hope that the Iranian judiciary will cease to pursue their current course of action against Pastor Nadarkhani and will acquit him of all charges, in accordance with Iranian and international law.

- Request that the Ambassador passes your appeal on to the Iranian Government as a matter of urgency.

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Fred Astaire (1899 - 1987) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any. -- Fred Astaire (Friedrich Emanuel Austerlitz)

Monday, September 26, 2011

Books read in September 2011

1. Jonah : Prophet and Patriot by David Ephraim Hart-Davies

First published in 1925 this is an excellent evangelical exposition of Jonah. After establishing the historicity of the book, the author examines Jonah's reason for disobedience before he expounds the text. He looks at the miracles in the book and at the One grater than Jonah. This is an fine Christ centred short commentary.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Use this video to challenge others to speak out for Asia Bibi



Dear friends,

In July, VOM launched an online petition to help free Asia Bibi, a Christian wife and mother convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death in Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people from around the world have signed the petition for her release atwww.CallForMercy.com.

If you haven't yet spoken out for Asia Bibi, please GO NOW and sign the petition.

Asia Bibi is still in prison, and we have not yet reached our goal of 1 MILLION SIGNATURES calling for justice.

To help spread the word of Asia's unjust sentence, VOM also launched a video contest. We invited readers to post a video on YouTube telling the story of Asia Bibi and asking viewers to sign the petition, which we will soon be delivering to the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, D.C. Among the excellent and creative entries, David K. earned the top prize with this 97-second video.

This video and the others in the contest are excellent tools for telling others about Asia Bibi and encouraging them to sign the Call For Mercy petition. You may want to post a video on your Facebook page or website, show it in your church or Sunday School class, or e-mail a link to your friends.

THANK YOU for helping us raise A CALL FOR MERCY on behalf of Asia Bibi. We will not be silent until she is free.

The Voice of the Martyrs

LoveJos conference

Saturday 24th September 2011 at 3pm prompt I was at KICC, 468 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London E17 9AH. I was responding to the conference publicity which said,

'Attacks on Christians and Churches in Northern and Central Nigeria have intensified. Jos in Plateau state, Maiduguri, Borno, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Adamawa, Jigawa, Niger, Yobe, Zamfara and other areas have such gruesome violence almost impossible to recount. These disturbing religious and sectarian violence predate the recent presidential elections. They have only worsened as the terror continues unabated with lives and property lost in fresh bomb, gun and machete attacks. Many communities are crying out for help.

The key objectives of this far reaching conference are to explore opportunities for advocacy, reconciliation and how practical help might be offered to victims of persecution. The conference will not support violent retributions, nor would we engage in speech likely to inflame passions on either side of the Christian / Muslim divide. Enough blood has been shed on both sides already and enough is simply enough.

ABOUT LOVEJOS

LoveJos is a new UK-based group of Christians who pray for peace and advocate freedom of religion for all. Join this movement to bring succor to the suffering and practical help to the afflicted.'

This was my first visit to Kingsway International Christian Centre, Walthamstow, Britain's largest local church congregation of 12,000 people. They cannot possibly pack even one tenth of that number into the old cinema where they meet. They kindly hosted he conference and their pastor, Matthew Ashimolowo who hails from Kaduna addressed the conference with an impressive passion He said that the CIA predicts Nigeria splitting into two countries within five years. To prevent this Christians must act now for the Jos Plateau is the front line of the confrontation with political Islam in Nigeria.

Mrs Esther Ibanga from Jos gave a brief history of recent troubles in and around the city starting in 1991 when on Christian was beaten to death. 1992 saw a similar murder by Muslims. In 1994 16 died in riots after local elections 2001, 2002 and 2003 all saw disturbances when the dead were counted in hundreds. In 2008 as many as 1648 families may have lost and 71 churches destroyed. December 2009 saw Christians burned to death in a Yelwa church over 100 miles south of Jos and subsequently over a hundred deaths in the city followed by more trouble in January when over 500 ( a figure which other sources say is inflated) mainly women and children were butchered in Dogon Nahawa, a village near Jos. This marked the start of mutilation of bodies and targeting of the vulnerable in Plateau villages. Allegations are made that Hausa/Fulani have attacked from Bauchi State with the army at best failing to protect Christians and at worst, complicit in massacres which are continuing with increased frequency with whole families being killed and farms destroyed. In response Christian women have marched in protest. They fear the army is divided and incapable of protecting them. ( I believe the figures given may be Christian dead and Muslim numbers are not recorded here).

We were shown two videos of the present situation. Both had footage of mutilated bodies so it was no surprise to hear the only TV to broadcast these was KICC's own channel. They are not suitable viewing for children and would never be on mainstream TV channels. They are too horrific.

Mark Lipdo lives in Jos. He is from Langtang south of Jos where we lived 1975 to 1978. I had never met him before but his in laws have been our friends for over 40 years. He works for Stefanos Fellowship and gave a helpful presentation of the historic origins of the troubles going back to Muslim attitudes to independence in 1960. They wanted to rule all of newly independent Nigeria and knew they must dominate the Middle Belt. Time constrained a more comprehensive historical overview which has to start with Hausa/Fulani Muslim jihad under Usman Dan Fodio in the 18th century when Muslim cavalry could not subjugate hill tribes. Then from 1900 and the colonisation of the North, Islam got its big helping hand from Pax Britannica which kept Christian missions from evangelising Muslims but allowed Is lam to spread peacefully where it had failed to dominate by the sword. Now Hausa/Fulani are attacking Berom villages on the Plateau as well as Jos Christians many of whom are from southern states. Since elections earlier this year 764 northern church buildings have been destroyed.

Baroness Caroline Cox our doughty fighter on behalf of oppressed believers told us that Jos is at the front line of the confrontation with Islam. She showed pictures of her visit to Jos and Bauchi telling of local hero, Archbishop Ben Kwashi. The Anglican leader when away from home had his wife sexual assault by some say by Islamists looking to murder him. Others say the criminals were not Islamists but more likely Christian thugs hired by the (Christian) political establishment who were mad with Ben for saying that he would rather be ruled by an honest Muslim than a dishonest Christian. He says, 'If we have a faith worth living for we have a faith worth dying for. Don't you compromise the faith that we are living and dying for........ If you do not resist (Islam) now your grandchildren are going to have to fight a battle you do not have courage to fight.

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali gave a message of encouragement and support on video. The conference also had the practical help and support of Christian Concern For The Nation.

David Hill of Release International spoke of his visit to Jos and Maiduguri and asked for financial aid to be sent through any of the organisations represented at the conference.

We over ran our finishing time by at least an hour. We were definitely on Nigerian time. KICC kindly provided refreshments afterwards so there was a time to meet attendees. I met a lady from Langtang who identified herself as daughter of the former chief of the Tarok and the sister of Nigeria's former foreign minister. LoveJos video interviewed me and I sent my message of encouragement to Plateau Christians in Hausa. I am surprised I can still manage it unrehearsed. I only spoke it for 11 years ending 29 years ago.


Saturday, September 24, 2011

NIGERIA: Attack on Christian village in northern Nigeria

21/09/2011 - from C.S.W.

Extra soldiers and riot police have been drafted to Bitaro Village, Southern Kaduna following a religiously-motivated attack by armed Fulani tribesmen.

Village attacked

Soldiers and riot police have been drafted to Bitaro Village in southern Kaduna State following an armed attack that occurred in the early hours of Sunday. Four people were killed and over ten injured when armed Fulani tribesmen stormed the village in Jaba Southern Kaduna, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

Persisting tensions since April’s post-election violence

There has been continuing tension in Kaduna State since April, when hundreds were killed and thousands displaced in deadly post-election violence initiated by supporters of the unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) party. The violence erupted in 18 of Kaduna’s 23 Local Government Areas – each equivalent to a London borough, and quickly took on a sectarian dimension. Tensions were further raised following the electoral victory of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial (state governorship) candidate, the first elected Christian governor in Kaduna’s history.

CSW fact-finding visit sees tensions first hand

During a recent visit to both northern and southern Kaduna, a team from CSW noted palpable tensions and heightened security, even in Kaduna City, the state capital. On the evening of 3 September, four Hausa-Fulani youths were detained by a team from Operation Yaki, the joint security unit charged with counter-terrorism, as they scouted out the mainly Christian neighbourhood of Malali, situated in a predominantly Muslim area of Kaduna City.

In the disused classrooms of a police barracks in Dankande, the team encountered 63 displaced families from four villages destroyed during the April violence, who were living in squalid conditions with inadequate food and water and were under threat of eviction. In every area visited, survivors of the April violence consistently described extensive looting occurring prior to the torching of their properties, and the deliberate targeting of church leaders and church-owned buildings. Several reported finding their possessions and clothing in the homes or on the persons of local Fulanis. In Soba LGA in northern Kaduna, 85 homes were destroyed, 22 churches razed and five girls were raped. The victims reported their attackers had been bussed in from elsewhere, adding that several local Muslims hid Christians in their homes and assisted in fighting the fires.

Last Sunday’s attack on Bitaro Village comes as Nigerian news agencies report a tightening of security in Kaduna and Kano States following information indicating that Gaddafi loyalists may have arrived in those states.

CSW continues to advocate for those in highly tense areas of Nigeria, particularly in northern and central states, where religiously-motivated violence often goes underreported or is ignored.

Please join our day of prayer and fasting for Nigeria.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Dame Margot Asquith (1864 - 1945) - christiansquoting.org.uk/

The 't' is silent, as in 'Harlow.' Dame Margot Asquith (1864 - 1945), to Jean Harlow, on the pronunication of "Margot."

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Herbert Henry Asquith (1852-1928)- christiansquoting.org.uk/

[The War Office kept three sets of figures:] one to mislead the public, another to mislead the Cabinet, and the third to mislead itself. Herbert Henry Asquith (1852-1928)

Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life. - Herbert Henry Asquith (1852 -1928) 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, KG, PC, KC

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Cynthia Asquith (1887 – 1960)- christiansquoting.org.uk/

Oh why was I born for this time? Before one is 30 to know more dead than living people.-- Lady Cynthia Asquith, _Diaries 1915-18, 1968

This quote by a then young woman sums up the horror of WWI.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Equality Now!

The Kingdom of Man is like a man who decided to go on a long journey. He called his employees together. To one he gave $30,000, to another he gave $12,000, and to the third he gave $6,000, according to each man's ability. He left immediately.

The one who received the $30,000 opened a small shop where he sold fine jewelry, some of which he made himself. He was honest and hard-working, and soon became known for his service and the quality of his merchandise.

He was often up long hours, studying the trade journals, and reading business reports. He often made wearisome journeys to seek out the best stones and workmanship. He had many sleepless nights. but after some ups and downs his business was successful and provided jobs for thirty people. He provided health insurance for his employees, and set up college scholarships for the children of his employees. He generously provided scholarships for young people from his community, built a new wing for the local hospital, and funded an alcohol and drug addiction center. In spite of all he gave away, his net worth increased.

The one who received the $12,000 used it to begin a repair service for cellular phones. He too worked long hours, sometimes 14 to 18 hours a day. His business was very shaky for a time, but he continued to study, made friends, and improved his skill. Steadily his reputation grew. He guaranteed his work, did repairs on time, and would work overtime to see that the needs of his customers were met. “I work for you,” was the motto that appeared on all his literature, and he worked hard to make it good. After a few years, he too had a successful business and provided jobs for six people. He contributed generously to his church, and helped fund a new Christian elementary school.

He still doubled his net worth. “The Lord has been good to me,” he told one of his friends one evening.

“What can I do with a lousy six grand,” the third complained. “The economic system is unfair. The corrupt rich class has all the advantages, and the system is prejudiced in their favor. Guys like me don't even have a chance. I should have had more than a lousy six thousand dollars. I didn't have a fair deal. How can I be expected to do anything with such a deal. I have been treated unfairly, and I am going to put a stop to it. This is America, and I have a right to economic liberty. I hate the Boss. He is unfair.”

One day he ran across his co-worker, who had received $30,000. “I know how you can invest the $6,000, and get a good return. At least you can put it in the bank and earn interest on it,” the first said.

“I do not know anything about that stuff,” the third replied. “I never had a chance; how should I know? Why should I have to listen to guys like you. You think you are so great. You're such a Righteous One. But it isn't fair. This is a terrible world, and I am going to try to do something about it. You guys are a pain to people like me. This world stinks.”

As a result, he organized Equality Now!, for the purpose of promoting “Justice for All,” as he so often would say. Before long, there were chapters in every state in the United States. “How can we enjoy the American dream,” he said, “when there is so much economic injustice?”

“There are a great many poor and disadvantaged people in this country. The rich are in charge of everything. They do not contribute their fair share to America, but just get richer and richer. Just look at those guys I used to work for. Their profits are immoral, and something ought to be done about it. It just isn't fair.”

There were other restless people who felt as he did. “Why should the rich have everything,” they said. “It isn't fair. People are created equal, and no one should make that much money. Besides, it isn't possible to make that kind of money honestly. There must be something crooked going on. Nobody cares about us, or does anything for us. We demand equal treatment. Besides, we are tired of hearing about hard work and diligence. We need more tolerance for diversity. We want our share of the pie.”

A few preachers spoke out, trying to warn the people of the politics of envy, but nobody paid any attention.

Congress and the President heard the ground-swell coming from the nation, and responded. “People who made these immoral profits over the past years are going to have to pay their fair share,” the President announced to the nation. “We have a new program that will lift the poor out of the cycle of poverty, and put them on the road to economic liberty. It will be paid for by a generous increase in the contributions of those who earn more than $12,000. It is time for them to pay. People have been victimized by the injustice of our system, and it is time that wealth be taken from those who have profited so generously, and given to those who need it so much. I have appointed the founder of Equality Now! to the Cabinet as Secretary of Equality. He will see that people are treated fairly. He knows what it means to be the victim of the rich. We need to construct a just system, so that all can have economic liberty.” He never said anything about the hospital wing or the scholarships.

Far away, the Master said, “How different my kingdom is from theirs. In my kingdom, those that have, receive more; and those that do not have, lose even what they think they have. Men refuse to understand, but soon I will return to reward my faithful servants, and to punish the wicked and the lazy.”

Great darkness descended upon the kingdom, and there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. No one seemed to know why. See Matthew 25:14-30


Note: This parable is only superficially about money.

Wilma Askinas - christiansquoting.org.uk

There is no better measure of a person than what he does when he is absolutely free to choose. --Wilma Askinas

A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view.- Wilma Askinas


Monday, September 19, 2011

CHRISTIAN FAMILIES KILLED AS VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN NIGERIA

A pregnant woman in labour was among 14 members of an extended Christian family killed by Muslims in Nigeria, as brutal violence continues in Plateau State and the death tally tops 100.

Gunmen carried out a midnight raid on the village of Vwang Kogot on 10 September; they shot or hacked to death the 14 family members.

President_Goodluck_Jonathan-4X3.jpg
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the military to restore order
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5

In another attack, gunmen killed seven children, their father and a neighbour in the mainly Christian village of Barkin Ladi, on 8 September.

More than 100 people have been killed in the sectarian violence that has beset Plateau State for more than two weeks.

On 12 September, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan ordered the military to “take all necessary actions” to stop the ethnic and religious unrest in Plateau State. But there have also been reports from eyewitnesses of military complicity in much of the violence. Survivors of the assault on Vwang Kogot reported that the assailants were accompanied by men in military uniform.

Tensions began to rise in the state capital, Jos, as the end of Ramadan approached. Fighting broke out over Muslim plans to pray at a disused Muslim prayer ground in the road where deadly anti-Christian bombings had been carried out on Christmas Eve 2010. At least 16 people were killed, including a pastor, who was mutilated and burnt; properties and vehicles were destroyed, including a church in Sarkin Mangu.

Plateau State in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where the predominantly Muslim north meets the mainly Christian south, is often beset by sectarian tensions. The violence is widely seen as religiously motivated, but there are other factors at work too, including political rivalry; Christians mostly support the People’s Democratic Party while Muslims generally back the opposition.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in sectarian violence in Jos over the past two years.

Barnabas Fund: hope and aid for the persecuted church