fredag 30 november 2018

Azerbaijan, Belarus - dictators

Dictators have a tendency to stick together. Belarus is in the heart of Europe.

"Azerbaijan is preparing a contract to supply another consignment of Belarusian military equipment, Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev informed the journalists after the with Lukashenka in Minsk on November 19."


Charter 97: "Aliyev: Azerbaijan to purchase new batch of military equipment from Belarus
https://charter97.org/en/news/2018/11/19/313409/?fbclid=IwAR2VJ1ooZwYRL7zw_CMCjdj4wDUz5VMCBxC49PA1TR5Us7m6Dz-ikG8Gi-E
“In the shortest possible time it will be transformed into a contract to purchase another consignment of military equipment from Belarus,” Ilham Aliyev said.

As reported, in June and September, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, despite all the protests of Armenia, received from Belarus a heavy long-range missile systems "Polonez". 301-millimeter "Polonez" was adopted by the Azerbaijani army in 2018. The maximum target range is 300 km.

Ilham Aliyev also thanked Lukashenka for his stance to the issue of resolving the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“On behalf of the Azerbaijani people and personally, I would like to thank Belarus for its stance on the settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,” said Ilham Aliyev."

onsdag 28 november 2018

Russia will do its best to keep Ukraine from defending its independence, becoming a democratic European state

Ukraine. "The world should realize that it's not mostly about safety and survival of Ukraine, but also Europe"

A very interesting (insider) interview by Polskie Radio with Andrei Sannikov, the leader of European Belarus campaign, ex-deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and former belarusian presidential candidate.

"For several months Russia has been preparing to an aggression in the Sea of Azov.

On Sunday morning the Russian navy attacked Ukrainian ships directing at the Ukrainian sea port of Mariupol."

 - "It may indicate the aggression continuation, Andrei Sannikov stated. Russia, in his view, may try to occupy other territories in the south of Ukraine. ---  For several months Russia has been expanding its military presence and trying to push Ukraine back from its sea ports, first of all from one in Mariupol. --- This is a strategic step. Russia wants the Sea of Azov to become its inner sea, to make it closed first of all for the Ukrainian navy. This is the tragedy. --- Russia will do its best to keep Ukraine from defending its independence and becoming a democratic European state. It will continue doing this in future. --- The West must deliver an appropriate response. The world should realize that it's not mostly about safety and survival of Ukraine, but also Europe, the world and about preventionism."




Charter 97: "Andrei Sannikov: Strict sanctions against Russia and military assistance to Ukraine required" (full text)
https://charter97.org/en/news/2018/11/27/314325/





Photo: KL



tisdag 27 november 2018

Belarus - Former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich sentenced after facebook post

Belarus. Chain of Memory-event. The “Chain of Memory” participants were holding portraits of the executed and candles.

"Mikalai Statkevich was sentenced to five days of arrest for the “Chain of Memory” event, which took place near the KGB on October 29. The politician said in his comment to Radio Svaboda that he was sentenced for his post on Facebook, where he called on people to come to this event."




Charter 97: "Mikalai Statkevich sentenced to five days of arrest for “Post on Facebook”
https://charter97.org/en/news/2018/11/26/314241/
"The “Chain of Memory” event took place near the KGB building in the evening of October 29. This event was dedicated to the 81st anniversary of the so-called “black night,” when more than 100 representatives of the Belarusian intelligentsia – writers, scientists, statesmen – were shot. The “Chain of Memory” participants were holding portraits of the executed and candles."










Photos: KL

måndag 26 november 2018

China - Church warned not to allow children in services

China aid:

"Authorities in China’s eastern Anhui province warned an unregistered church that its attendees would be prohibited from coming to church if children continued to attend their church.

An anonymous person who attends Caili Church said, “Recently, the district religious affairs bureau sent officials to our village, warning us that kids shouldn’t attend any services. They said that Christians would be prohibited from services if kids were attended.”


China aid: "Church warned not to allow children in services"
http://www.chinaaid.org/2018/11/church-warned-not-to-allow-children-in.html
"According to this Christian, the bureau “reached an agreement with the village committee that the village committee would monitor us.”



***

Follow what is happening in China:

China aid:
http://www.chinaaid.org/


***






Photo: KL

lördag 24 november 2018

Den dagen

...och sabbaten gick in.

Inför Domsöndag lånar jag ord av Menighetsprest Asbjørn Hjorthaug (Den Lutherske Menighet, Knapstad/ELBK) Texten är på norska:



"Nå kommer ikke dommens resultat overraskende for deg som tror på Jesus.

Du er allerede frikjent.

Jesus tok straffen i ditt sted. Gud har gitt deg hele Kristi rettferdighet som dåps gave.

I dagens episteltekst i brevet til de kristne i Tessaloniki har Paulus en miniversjon

av doms fortellingen. Han konstaterer: «Dette er et varsel om Guds rettferdige dom.

Når den kommer, skal dere finnes verdige til Guds rike, som dere nå lider for.» 2 Tess 1,5

De som ikke har kjærligheten til Jesus: «Straffen deres blir en evig fortapelse borte fra Herrens ansikt og fra hans herlighet og makt»

Men for disse som elsker han og tror på ham:

«den dagen han kommer for å bli lovprist blant sine hellige og hyllet av alle som tror. Og dere har trodd det vitnesbyrdet vi ga dere.»

I GT teksten står det: «Hos Herren vår Gud er barmhjertighet og tilgivelse;» Dan 9,9

Om dette ikke er nok til å trøste og gi deg håp og gode forventninger, så blir vi i

dagens introitussalme oppmuntret med følgende løfte":

«Kall på meg på nødens dag, så vil jeg utfri deg, og du skal gi meg ære.» Sal 50,15





ELBK:
https://elbk.org/predikningar-och-foredrag.aspx


***

Från Norge kommer alltid evangeliet om Guds nåd, som lyser och vi måste få höra det igen och igen.

Fotocollage: KL

( »Jag bönhör dig i behaglig tid, och jag hjälper dig på frälsningens dag.» Se, nu är den välbehagliga tiden; se, nu är frälsningens dag. 2 Kor. 6:2 )


"Salige visshet" (Via Vitae) i Pedersöre kyrka:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xVdcjnoZMI

"Jag har hört om en stad ovan molnen" (Sommarmöte, Luleå Domkyrka 2014, M Wargh):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiobxJzNV3U


"Gud, i dina händer" (Nederluleå ungdomskör):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckEOxVRdK4c




***


fredag 23 november 2018

Kyrgyzstan - Uplift the spirits of Eldos and Aygul

Open doors, writing campaign (write or pray).

"God’s Word is filled with an abundance of gracious words. Words that can heal wounded spirits and broken hearts, ease worried minds, and instil hope in trying times."



"Eldos Satar Uluu from Kyrgyzstan, is a young believer from a Muslim background. He was terribly beaten up by three radical Muslim men, last month, in an attempt to force him to return to Islam."











Open doors: "UPLIFT THE SPIRITS OF ELDOS AND AYGUL" (full text):
https://www.opendoors.org.za/writing/uplift-spirits-eldos-aygul/
"Shortly after the beating he was taken to hospital with multiple injuries – a damaged eye, bleeding, a severe brain concussion, knocked-out teeth, a jaw fracture and possible bleeding on the brain. He has since undergone several surgeries. --- To add to the stress of the situation, Eldos oldest sister, Aygul*, witnessed her brother being attacked. She was six months pregnant but sadly lost the baby due to the stress of what happened to Eldos… She is in absolute shock and feels lost. She refuses to speak to anyone and cries a lot…You can send Eldos and Aygul words of comfort and strength during this difficult time of pain and loss. You can also pray for God’s comfort for them and their family as they work through the trauma of the attack as well as the emotional trauma of Aygul losing her baby."


***

Is. 41:13 (ESV) "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

***

"Nothing but the blood of Jesus": 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW6rS1PoLGk


"You raise me up":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeUJ4Y-XOeY










Photos: KL

tisdag 20 november 2018

OFWI standing for the truth, standing with the Jewish people, helping vulnerable people

OFWI. Majed el Shafie "working with heroes" and speaking from personal experience to the persecuted and to vulnerable people (rescuing 600 girls from ISIS). Shukran!

November update 2018. Persecution goes on every day "in Egypt, Pakistan, China..." - "pray every single day for the persecuted Christians. The enemy is strong, but our persecuted Christians have the candle of the living Hope; Lord God Almighty." (Majed el Shafie)

Conclusion: "Reaching a deal with people that do not respect human rights is the heart of the problem, not the solution." --- "when you are silent about a crime you are part of it (Egyptian regime, Pakistan...") - What about incitement in schoolbooks?



"November 2018 @OFWI Global Snapshot: Christian persecution" (Video 6:11) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRZlVCl3uy8
"Rev. El Shafie speaks to the Christian persecution we are seeing around the world including the blasphemy law case of Asia Bibi in Pakistan and the attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt."



One Free World International (OFWI) "Freedom of religion conference Catch the fire" (video!)
https://ofwi.org/action-alerts/2018/11/4/freedom-of-religion-conference
"On November 4 One Free World International hosted a Freedom of Religion Conference at Catch the Fire Toronto.

You can watch Rev. El Shafie’s keynote address and meet some of the survivors of the genocide by ISIS here" (video 24:20 in the link above)









Photo: KL 

måndag 19 november 2018

Shalom! Uppdatering från ECI: nedslående beslut angående granskning av palestinska skolböcker vilka uppviglar till hat

Israel och Mellanöstern/Finland. Curriculum examination following the UNESCO-standard of peace and tolerance.

ECI/Bryssel, Europeiska koalitionen för Israel, Månadsrapport - November 2018 (se utdrag nedan).  - Vad kommer den finländska regeringen, som leder de internationella givarländernas kommitte för utbildningskoordinering, att göra för att främja freden i Mellanöstern? Man har utlovat en oberoende internationell granskning pga radikaliseringen av de nya palestinska skolböckerna och UM har sagt att man inte accepterar hatretorik! Hur ska man undvika att stöda terroristers verksamhet? 

European report November 2018 (video) - Interesting update on the curriculum examination with positive changes in the Middle East: Morocco, Tunis, Jordan, Egypt and Israel. The changes are worse in Turkey, Iran, Syria and PA. The Palestinian authority has the most radical curriculum. 



Saxat från ECI: månadsrapport november/2018 (e-post):

"Europaparlamentet har avslagit rekommendationen från sitt budgetkontrollutskott att frysa medel till palestinska myndigheten på 15 miljoner euro tills antisemitiskt hat och glorifiering av jihadism avlägsnas från palestinska skolböcker. Det nedslående beslutet fattades vid plenum i Strasbourg i medlet av oktober när europaparlamentsledamöterna med knapp majoritet röstade för att avslå rekommendationen. Majoriteten utgjordes inte bara av socialisterna och de gröna-vänstern, utan också av vissa medlemmar ur centern-högern. Men detta är inte de enda dåliga nyheterna.

I oktober träffade Europeiska koalitionen för Israel de tjänstemän som ansvarar för Israel och den palestinska myndigheten vid Europeiska utrikestjänsten (EU:s utrikesministerium) för att höra sig för om hur den utlovade internationella granskningen av palestinska skolböcker (se september månadsrapport) framskred. Det gjordes då klart att ingen dylik granskning kommer att göras trots tidigare tillkännagivande i juli i underhuset i London om att en sådan granskning kommer att presenteras i september nästa år. --- Det har inte kommit några kommentarer från Westminster eller från den finländska regeringen i Helsingfors som leder de internationella givarländernas kommitté för utbildningskoordinering. Båda regeringarna utlovade i somras en oberoende internationell granskning efter att ECI och andra organisationer hade lyft upp frågan om radikalisering av de nya palestinska skolböckerna som togs i bruk förra hösten"


***

ECI/European report november 2018 (two videos)
https://www.ec4i.org/european-report-november-2018/?fbclid=IwAR0ciQw1SWtujvv2AbwhdNignAaCcul1JM48z4PuaY3kNAzlaCR-iyunknM
"EU’s funding of Palestinian textbooks (incitement). Simon Barrett is joined by MEP Anders Primdahl Vistisen, Chief Executive Officer of Impact-se, Marcus Sheff, and ECI Founding Director Tomas Sandell."

In the second video (25:14) interesting update on the situation in the Middle East. Curriculum examination in following countries with important positive changes: Marocco, Tunis, Jordan, Egypt and Israel. The changes are worse in Turkey, Iran, Syrian and under the Palestinian authority.

The curriculum examination is made in order with the UNESCO-standard of peace and tolerance: respect for the other, peacemaking to resolve conflicts, no hate and economic prosperity. 



***

ECI (European Coalition for Israel)
https://www.ec4i.org/

***

Earlier on my blog: "One of the worst chapters in Palestinian schoolbooks"
https://minkristnasamhllsblogg.blogspot.com/2018/11/one-of-worst-chapters-in-palestinian.html


"ECI: EP Budgetary Committee to freeze EU funding to PA"
https://minkristnasamhllsblogg.blogspot.com/2018/10/eci.html


"Utrikesministeriet: Finland accepterar inte hatretorik i palestinskt skolmaterial"
https://minkristnasamhllsblogg.blogspot.com/2018/08/eci.html


lördag 17 november 2018

Memorial Moment

Memorial Moment

"We can be convicted, that is, absolutely certain of what the gospel gives because the gospel's power does not depend on us but upon God. What I think about God is made certain by what He thinks about me. And I know and am convinced about what He thinks about me through the Word of the gospel, expressed in preaching, absolution, and holy baptism." (Rev. Dr Scott R. Murray)



Convicted

"Conviction" is a word we now use primarily to refer to the outcome of a criminal trial. In that use it is entirely negative to be convicted. For example, Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh shooter, is hoping he does not hear the word "conviction" in the future; he has pleaded "not guilty" to the multiple criminal counts against him. Unfortunately, the conviction of sin and the accusation of the law is the odor that remains from the word "conviction" as we use it. However, the Bible also uses the word "conviction" positively. Conviction in the Bible means to be fully convinced.

Conviction comes from God through His Word as a gift of the Holy Spirit. We Christians are convicted about the gospel. This means we trust fully and absolutely the message that proclaims and gives to us salvation. In it there are no accusations. In it there is no law. It does not accuse of sin but frees us from sin and all its penalties. We can be convicted, that is, absolutely certain of what the gospel gives because the gospel's power does not depend on us but upon God. What I think about God is made certain by what He thinks about me. And I know and am convinced about what He thinks about me through the Word of the gospel, expressed in preaching, absolution, and holy baptism."



Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray
Memorial Lutheran Church


1 Thess. 1:2-10 (ESV)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+1%3A2-10&version=ESV



Martin Luther:

"It is a right and sure Spirit who makes us sure concerning the will of God, who does not allow us to doubt but carries out what Paul admonishes: 'Let everyone be fully convinced in his own mind' (Rm 14:5). Likewise in 1 Thessalonians 1: 'Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction' (1Th 1:5). This certitude is necessary in every kind of teaching, especially in sacred teaching. For I must be certain what I am to think about God, or rather what He thinks about me. It was a horrible error of the papal doctrine which caused men to become doubtful of the forgiveness of sins and grace. 'You should acknowledge that you are a sinner,' they said, 'and a sinner of such a kind that you cannot be certain of your salvation.' Thus the whole world was submerged in doubt and in erroneous opinions about God.
"Therefore, one must learn that God is not uncertain, ambiguous, equivocal, and slippery like a wavering reed, but that He is unequivocal and certain. He says: 'I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; I absolve you of your sins, etc.' Here the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit make no mistake; they are not tossed about by the wind but are rocks and Selah, as God is often named in the Psalms because He is absolutely firm. You may rely solidly on Him and say: 'I am holy and saved; I am God's son and heir, because I have been baptized.'"

Martin Luther, Lectures on Genesis,
41.32


Prayer:

"Lord Christ, I have believed therefore have I spoken. Grant that I might always faithfully share the Christian truth with those who need the conviction of the holy gospel that they too would be certain of Your love for us, which is revealed in Your suffering, death, and resurrection. Amen."

fredag 16 november 2018

No "both sides to blame" excuse for Hamas escalation

Israel 1 (2)
Algemeiner November 16, 2018

"...let me be clear: there is no ‘both sides.’ There is Hamas that attacks and fires over 460 missiles at civilians, and there is Israel that protects its people.”

“The Security Council must condemn Hamas for its aggressive assault and finally designate it as a terrorist organization."










"Israel’s envoy to the United Nations has urged the UN Security Council to avoid the trap of “blaming both sides” for the escalation on Jewish state’s border with the Gaza Strip that resulted in a ceasefire on Tuesday evening."

The Algemeiner: "No ‘Both sides to blame’ excuse for Hamas escalation, Israeli envoy tells UN as Gaza ceasefire takes hold
https://tinyurl.com/yc3xexvv
“Certain morally bankrupt members of the Security Council will jump to blame Israel, and others who pretend to be objective will call for restraint on both sides,” Danon added. “But let me be clear: there is no ‘both sides.’ There is Hamas that attacks and fires over 460 missiles at civilians, and there is Israel that protects its people.”

“The Security Council must condemn Hamas for its aggressive assault and finally designate it as a terrorist organization,” the ambassador concluded."



Photo: KL

The words we speak

Words.

"Great minds discuss ideas, average minds events, small minds other people”.











Photo: KL

onsdag 14 november 2018

"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation"

Rom. 1:16


"Create in me a clean heart" (Keith Green)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD847UcRbL4


"Don't let your heart be hardened" (Petra)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rldw0DrX54


***

Beautiful words (Ps. 51 KJV)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51&version=KJV


Rom. 1:16 (ESV) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."









”Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord...”

Photo: KL

måndag 12 november 2018

Vitryssland (Belarus)

Det är inte ofta som media i Finland skriver om Vitryssland, eller som det egentligen heter; Belarus, men nu har Yle en artikel på svenska om landet och om de grymma fängelseförhållandena.

Svenska Yle: "Oleg tillbringade 6 år i en stank av avföring, svett och smuts – Vitrysslands fångar lever i omänskliga förhållanden och de dödsdömda arkebuseras"
https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2018/11/12/oleg-tillbringade-6-ar-i-en-stank-av-avforing-svett-och-smuts-vitrysslands-fangar?fbclid=IwAR1N60vNdOLjzWxDXv1JvfrPNLSEZ8ssMr5005-GUgixcXUPtii5xEV9vbU
"Alena Pankratava har sett fängelser både utomlands och hemma i Vitryssland. När hon talar om skillnaderna är det inte bara de praktiska omständigheterna hon beskriver utan också ideologin bakom fängelserna.

- Hos oss förekommer nästan ingen socialisering, rehabilitering eller utbildning i fängelserna, fångarna får inga färdigheter för livet utanför, säger Alena.

Hon vet vad hon talar om för hon har i många år studerat fängelselivet och intervjuat fångar. I år kom hennes bok Fängelse, man och kvinna ut. Nu reser hon runt i landet, berättar om sin bok och diskuterar fängelser och fångar."


***
Viasna: "В Минске презентовали книгу «Тюрьма, мужчина и женщина»
Во вторник, 19 июня, в офисе Партии БНФ прошла презентация книги из серии Радио Свобода Елены Струве «Тюрьма, мужчина и женщина. Как сидят в белорусских тюрьмах»."
http://spring96.org/ru/news/90144








Foto: KL

Dagens bön

Söndag 11.11.2018.

Dagens bön för 25 s e pingst:

"Allsmäktige Gud, himmelske Fader: tack för att vi genom Din enfödde Son äger löftet om uppståndelse från de döda och evigt liv. Vi ber Dig: bevara oss fasta i tron på Kristus, så att vi i Hans gemenskap renas från all sorts falskhet och orättfärdighet, i den Helige Andes kraft bär god, bestående frukt, och slutligen går in i livets land med Kristus och alla Dina andra utvalda, heliga. Genom Din Son, Jesus Kristus, vår Herre. Amen."

(Pastor Markus Engström)

onsdag 7 november 2018

One of the worst chapters in Palestinian schoolbooks

"If you want to know why Palestinian children believe that killing Israelis is model behavior, all you have to do is look at a chapter in one of their schoolbooks."


PMW/The Jerusalem Post: "One of the worst chapters in  Palestinian schoolbooks"
http://www.palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=26575&fbclid=IwAR1z999l4dr5gtDaMwoVrQLXXtBbdLGN0yOnkEaXwCSdX3ul0MZk03-7OZU
"So if it weren't scary enough for the children to be told they have to go out and kill, PA educators teach them that "heroes" are willing to fearlessly die as martyrs. --- the schoolbook presents the 10 people who PA educators promote as the role models Palestinian children should emulate. The list of Palestinian heroes includes no scientists, no doctors, no engineers, no singers, no athletes, nor any artists. There have been three Muslim Nobel Prize laureates in science and two in literature, but they are not on the list of Palestinian heroes.
Who are the Palestinian heroes then according to the PA schoolbook? They are 10 Muslim combatants from the first century of Islam through the 21st century. And possibly the worst name on this list of role models is terrorist mass-murderer Dalal Mughrabi.

Mughrabi led a team of terrorists who hijacked a bus in 1978 and murdered 25 adults and 12 children."

lördag 3 november 2018

"Helig, helig, helig"

Alla helgons dag. Allhelgonahelg. IDOP-söndag (Egypt, Pakistan), Dagens bön, Trishagion (Kyrkans förbön: Gud är trefalt helig). * Fokus 4.11.2018 uppdatering


Open doors: Bönekalender 2018
http://www.open-doors.se/be?fbclid=IwAR0-yF1yiJBjo7w4SpV22nDE7uOxjypK0woBxhYN0knqkiDZvMX01M6tY-I


I Allhelgonadagens mässa ingick Trishagion som allmän kyrkobön (Kyrkans förbön):

- "Helige Gud, helige starke Gud, helige odödlige Gud. Förbarma dig över oss.

Om våra själars frälsning,
om din kyrkas utbredande över hela jorden,
om alla kristnas enhet,
om skydd åt detta hus och alla som här inträder,
om herdar och själasörjare efter ditt sinne,
om liv av din Ande genom ordet och sakramenten.

- ber vi dig, o Herre.
Hör oss, milde Herre Gud.

Om frid i hjärta och hem,
om kraft åt de unga att vandra din väg,
om fred åt folken på jorden,
om din visa ledning åt rikets president,
om välsignelse och skydd för land och folk,
om allt som vi här i livet behöver

ber vi dig, o Herre.
Hör oss milde Herre Gud.

Om bistånd åt fattiga och sjuka,
om räddning för dem som är i nöd och fara,
om ståndaktighet åt dem som lider för sin tro,
om din närvaro där sorg och lidande råder,
(om välsignelse för dem som har bett om din kyrkas förbön,)
om en salig död och en jublande återförening med våra bortgångna kära

ber vi dig, o Herre,
Hör oss, milde Herre Gud.

Konungarnas konung, du som älskar oss
och genom din Sons blod har löst oss från våra synders straff,
dig tillhör äran och makten och starkheten i evigheternas evigheter.
Amen."

(Ur Psalmbok med tillägg s. 921)



Bilder från Allhelgonadagens mässa i Jakobstad (pastor J. Krokfors, trumpet, se bla. den stora och fina menoran). Vi påmindes om den vita rättfärdighetsdräkten vi får i dopet och om nattvardens innebörd. Och vilka är helgonen: Upp. 7:14 ”De som tvättat sina kläder och gjort dem vita i Lammets blod.” (Lit. J Krokfors).












Dagens bön:

Dagens bön för Alla helgons dag:

"Allsmäktige, helige Gud, himmelske Fader: tack för att Din enfödde Son har besegrat döden genom sin egen död och för att Du har krönt Honom som de levandes och dödas Herre, genom sin segerrika uppståndelse från de döda. Tack för att Du har gjort oss heliga genom denna allraheligaste tro i Jesus Kristus. Ge oss nåden att leva renhjärtat och ödmjukt under korset i Hans efterföljd, och för oss slutligen till himlens evigt glada hem, tillsammans med alla Dina utvalda, heliga. Genom Jesus Kristus, vår Herre. Amen."

(pastor Markus Engström)


Open doors (Nov. 2) Egypt: "BREAKING: AT LEAST 7 KILLED IN ATTACK ON CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT"
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/egypt-minya-attack-seven-christians-killed/?fbclid=IwAR30hDHj8bL30XLRXykELOkcBr0zvTjEZbaDFoVOCuBgIIg0E4fITVQ-_Fg

Release International: "ASIA BIBI’S HUSBAND CALLS FOR PROTECTION AS PAKISTAN CUTS DEAL WITH PROTESTERS"
https://releaseinternational.org/asia-bibis-husband-calls-for-protection-as-pakistan-cuts-deal-with-protesters/


"There is a Redeemer" (Keith Green):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QATVav7Vn3g


Min kristna samhällsblogg (2013) saknar - miss them
http://minkristnasamhllsblogg.blogspot.com/2013/11/saknar.html





* Liten fokusuppdatering 4.11.2018

Fokus 17.00 i kväll gästades av Martyrkyrkans vänner med Johan Candelin i spetsen (pastor J Krokfors tolkade). Candelin hade med sig en man och en kvinna (ett nygift par) som kommit till Finland från Iran. Kristna konvertiter. Mannen verkade inom en huskyrka i Iran och hade blivit svårt misshandlad och fängslad för sin tro. Kvinnan har kommit till tro i Finland. Hon berättade att kristen tro främst praktiserad i kärleksfull handling öppnar hjärtats dörr för kristen tro och bibelundervisning hos henne och hennes icke-troende landsmän. Att hålla fram att Gud är en: Jesus säger: "Det största är detta. Hör Israel! Herren vår Gud, Herren är en." (Mark. 12:29) är också viktigt. (Jesus är inte skapad utan född). Treenigheten kan läras ut, men inte förstås med förnuftet, bara i tro. Båda har fått asyl i Finland. Välbesökt möte. Stora salen praktiskt taget full. Gripande att höra dem berätta. Vacker sång av Kadosh. Camilla W. var mötesledare och betonade i sin inledning vikten av bön och förbön. Johan Candelin visade bilder från ett flertal länder och förmedlade nyheter från MKV tex. om Asia Bibi (Pakistan), Nepal, flyktinghjälp i Asien, Farc osv. positiva nyheter om mänskor man kunnat hjälpa via MKV. Johan berättade även om hur IDOP (International Day of Prayer for Persecuted christians) startade år 1998 och de första länderna som kom med var Vietnam (en liten hemlig kyrka i djungeln) och G Bush m stab i Vita Huset och sedan har böneuppropet fortsatte över hela världen.