The Maxson Homepage on the WWW
I just wanted to let everyone know that this post on christian persecution in Saudi Arabia was edited at the request of the copyright holder (bosnewslife). It seems that they are a subscription based service, and because I didn't know this (I received the information via a third party.) I posted it trying to help alert others to the situation.
In a way, this is exciting (they found me somehow!) and disheartening (why don't they make information free. Especially this type of information.)
My sister sent me this link today. It looks cool. At first, I thought it was Cooking Foreigners, Anyway, enjoy!
Have an analytical mind? Like to cook? This is the site to read!
Eritrean Christians Call for Day of Prayer:
Eritrean Christians are calling for a worldwide day of prayer and fasting for Christians prisoners in Eritrea on Aug. 5, according to a UK-based Christian persecution watchdog group.
“On this special day, we are calling all to pray and fast for Christians and Ministers of the gospel who are behind bars of Eritrean Prisons,” the organizers stated in their website, www.erishalom.com. “Through the information we are getting everyday […] we have learnt that the condition of Christians who are detained is getting worse and worse.
I don’t know anything about the group, but we ought to remember our brothers and sisters who are suffering for the cause of Christ in the world today.
Here are some facts about Eritrea.
[Update 2012-12-26 15:13:40] The news story link needed updated. I’ve done that.
18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
The verses above are from today's reading. Oswold Chambers has this to say about it:
We begin by trusting our ignorance and calling it innocence, by trusting our innocence and calling it purity; and when we hear these rugged statements of Our Lord's, we shrink and say – But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart. We resent what Jesus Christ reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme Authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust His penetration, or do I prefer to trust my innocent ignorance? If I make conscious innocence the test, I am likely to come to a place where I find with a shuddering awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I shall be appalled at the possibility of evil and wrong in me. As long as I remain under the refuge of innocence I am living in a fool's paradise. If I have never been a blackguard, the reason is a mixture of cowardice and the protection of civilized life; but when I am undressed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis.
The only thing that safeguards is the Redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will hand myself over to Him, I need never experience the terrible possibilities that are in my heart. Purity is too deep down for me to get to naturally: but when the Holy Spirit comes in, He brings into the centre of my personal life the very Spirit that was manifested in the life of Jesus Christ, viz., Holy Spirit, which is unsullied purity.
This goes back to the roots of salvation. Are we saved by praying a prayer, going to church, and getting our "fire insurance"? No. The christian life is one of relationship. A relationship with the Almightly God of the Universe. He wants to be our friend. He wants us to love Him. He wants to lead and guide us. If only we would allow Him.
When we went to the Outer Banks, I had wanted to do a century. We arrived on Saturday evening. I took Sunday off. Monday, I went for a 34 mile ride from Rodanthe to Avon. The ride down was into the wind and horrible. It took me a skooch over 2 hours 30 min.
Tuesday, I rode north. It was away from the wind the trip up. I rode from Rodanthe to Naggs Head. That trip was 50.75 miles. It took me a bit over 4 hours 15 minutes. It was a great ride. The trip up the island was wonderful. The trip back was ok. If I had it to do over again, I would take an extra food stop on the way back. I think that would have helped the situation alot.
My pedal broke on the trip Tuesday and I didn't have any tools to fix it, so I couldn't ride any more that week. What a bummer.
What Every Christian Ought To Know is another book I finished while on vacation. This is a good solid book outlining some basic beliefs every christian ought to know and have settled. I would highly recommend it.
The Great Commission Lifestyle is one of seceral books I read on vacation. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to live their life with a kingdom focus.
Meeting the World — Ministering Cross-Culturally is yet another book I was able to read while on vacation. It deals with ministering/witnessing to people of other cultures and religions. I would recommend it to anyone interested in witnessing to others.
Empowering Kingdom Growth to the Ends of the Earth is a book I had started prior to vacation but was able to finish while on vacation. Basically, it explains the vision/mission of the International Mission Board to everyone. I would highly recommend this book to any Southern Baptist.
Empowering Kingdom Growth is a book I had on my bookshelf since the convention last year. I picked it up because it was signed by the author. This book is a must read for any christian. Especially anyone wondering why they are here. In fact, I would go so far as to say that a church should do the 40 days study of this book instead of 40 Days of Purpose. Here is why…EKG focuses on God and how we relate to Him, our purpose here, etc…. I see 40DOP as focusing more on people.
I'm only 1/2 way through right now, but I'll post a complete review once I get done.