Saturday, December 12, 2009

Pope's policies 'theologically eccentric', says head of blissfully united Anglican Communion – Telegraph Blogs

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Impact of Yesterday's Bombings in Baghdad.

UPDATE FROM THE FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND RECONCILIATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

PO Box 229

Petersfield
Hampshire
United Kingdom

GU32 9DL

office@frrme.org
www.frrme.org
+44 (0) 1730 267 673

Canon Andrew White writes...

The Impact of Yesterday's Bombings

Dear Friends,

The bang was huge; the church and compound shook violently. The Children around started to cry, they were afraid the bang was to signal the same sort of devastation as the October bombings. Then we waited; where was today's explosion? David was not with me. He had gone to the Chaldean Patriarchs home, to arrange Monday's meeting with the Bishop. I tried to phone him but could not make contact. An hour later he turned up. One of the bombs had been very close to Cardinal Deli. David had just left there when the close bomb exploded. He was thrown off his feet, lost his phone, but was not injured.

We then learned that there was not one bomb but four. Our members and friends live in all the areas affected and we still do not know if they are alright. The news started to come through of the enormity of the tragedy; the air was black with billowing smoke and once again we were reminded of the agony and tragedy of the place.

After leaving the church, I was joined by the police and army, as well as Dr Majeed and his assistant. We were due to travel to Lebanon for Stem Cell treatment for my American friends and me. The traffic jams in Baghdad were terrible, driven to a total halt by the bombs. With our huge convoy, we moved through the Green Zone and then onto the private road to the Airport. We eventually got to there and sat in the departure lounge with the masses, watching the tragedy of the bombings on TV.

We eventually arrived in Lebanon and Dr. Majeed commenced my treatment. Over two hours my stem cells were taken, then injected in my neck and already I feel so much better.

So I praise G-d for my continuing progress. Please pray for the other patients being treated this week. They are all wonderful, committed Christians.

Please pray for all in Baghdad as the people struggle on with the tragedy.

With every blessing,

Andrew White

Rev. Canon Andrew White
St George's Church, Baghdad

For more information on the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East please visit our website

www.frrme.org

Foundation for Relief & Reconciliation in the Middle East | P.O Box 229 | Petersfield | GU32 9DL | United Kingdom

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Missionary Who Wouldn't Retire | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The grass withers, the flower fadea, but the word of our God lasts forever Is 40:8 (@worldprayr)

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FW: J.John's eLetter 07 December 2009

7th December 2009

Dear Friends,

13th December is the Feast Day of St Lucy (have you heard of her?!) Lucy's name means 'light'; it has the same root as 'lucid', meaning 'clear, radiant and understandable'. Unfortunately for us, Lucy's history does not match her name. All we really know for certain is that this brave woman – who lived in Syracuse, Sicily – lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. The early church venerated her and by the sixth century her courage in defence of the faith was widely recognised.

Legends arose in an attempt to shed light on Lucy's bravery. One tells the story of a young Christian woman whose mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. But Lucy had vowed her life to the service of Christ. Knowing that her mother would not be convinced by a young girl's vow, she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life. After praying, her mother's long illness was miraculously cured. The grateful mother was now ready to listen to Lucy's desire, which was that she should give her money to the poor and commit her life to God. Unfortunately, the rejected bridegroom – possibly jealous at the loss of money that would have come to him on their marriage – betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. This governor tried to send her into prostitution as a punishment but the guards who came to take her away found her stiff and too heavy to move. They tried to burn her alive but she was miraculously preserved, dying in the end by the sword. Another legend arose in which Lucy's eyes were put out before her death. This legend concludes with God restoring Lucy's eyes. However, it was the meaning behind her name that was significant in Lucy being named as the patron saint of the blind.

Many Christians endured incredible torture and died a painful death for their faith during Diocletian's reign. Lucy may not, in fact, have been burned or had a sword thrust through her throat but many Christians did suffer such a fate and in one way or another her faith certainly withstood tests that we can barely imagine. Whatever the facts, the truth is that her courage to stand up and be counted as a Christian in spite of torture and the threat of death is the light that should lead us on our own journeys through life. Joshua 1:9 says, 'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.'

Saint Lucy did not hide her light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for people all down the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in the way that she did, but we are still called to let the light of Christ illumine our daily lives. Let us have the courage to bring our faith into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation and every part of our day.

A Bible passage that reminds us of this is John 1:1-5. 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … In him was life, and that life was the light of men and women. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.'

Agapé,

Philo Trust
Website www.philotrust.com