GOD HEARS YOU! -

"Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to
my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips. May my
vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right."
Psalm 17:1-2

I believe that this Psalm may describe you today. I think of Jesus
in the Garden of Gethsemane where He cried out to God for His cup of
sorrow to pass from Him. Is that not what you would like to have
happen to you for your marriage today? Lord, remove this cup from
me. Allow your Lord to come to your defense for you regarding your
marriage problems. Nothing is too hard for Him.

"Lord, remove all these circumstances from my life. I do not know
what to do. I hurt so much. I can not believe what is happening to
me, to my marriage and to our children. Lord, not my will, but Your
will be done in my life. Lord, be my advocate as You know the truth
and may my vindication come from You. Amen."

"Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you
test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will
not sin. As for the deeds of men—by the word of your lips I have
kept myself from the ways of the violent. My steps have held to
your paths; my feet have not slipped." Psalm 17:3-5

As I read these verses of scripture this week, I prayed them as a
prayer that you and all standers around the world will seek to live
a life of holiness and righteousness. Bob and I understand that you
may living in a house where there is hurt, pain, or turmoil due to
your marriage problems. You may be raising your children by
yourself at the present time or you may not see your children only
certain times a week. Do you have peace in your home or has strife
come into your home? Is there more yelling than talking or teaching
your children right from wrong? Stop. Think about it and ask the
Holy Spirit to examine your heart and choose to control your tongue
to not sin and become the Christ-like mother/father and wife/husband
that you need to become.

"I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will
put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my
presence." Psalm 39:1

"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is
pure and right." Proverbs 20:11

Walk in faith knowing that your Lord God does and will answer
prayer. I pray that you will know personally God's unfailing love
for His children. Never forget that your Lord is your refuge and
protection from the enemy, who is trying to steal, kill and destroy
your marriage.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my
unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace
be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you....All your
sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's
peace. In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be
far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far
removed; it will not come near you. If anyone does attack you, it
will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to
you....no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will
refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the
servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,"
declares the Lord." Isaiah 54:10,13-15,17

What promises! The Lord wants you to know how much He loves you.
He wants you to know that He will care for your children, if you
will bring them to Him each and every day. You and I can not be
with our children twenty-four hours a day, but our Lord can be. Our
Lord wants us to walk in peace and have peace when we establish His
righteousness in our lives.

What are you anxious about today? May I share a scripture that
became a guideline of how to live my life when I was a single parent
with all the bills and a tight budget. Later it had special meaning
when Bob called me and during a conversation the Lord revealed to me
that He was working on my husband's heart. Bob's conversation went
similar to this: "I know that I am never coming home. Never, but if
I did, I have been thinking of all that you and I have gone through
that we could share and help other people like us. In fact, I
thought of the name, "Rejoice Ministries." As he spoke, I was
praising the Lord, as Bob was double-minded, but God was softening
his heart. The Lord was answering my prayers and God's vindication
was coming from His mighty hands. God's truth will prevail. Now let
me share the special scripture that is very powerful when you apply
it to your daily life.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is
true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned
or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9

My prayer for you today is that you through prayer will make a new
commitment and trust in knowing your Lord's faithfulness to His
children. Believe in the power of prayer. Give your Lord all your
worries, anxieties and problems. Thank Him in advance that He is
going to guide and direct your steps, giving you wisdom, knowledge
and understanding of what to do about mountains of circumstances.
Praise the Lord for His love and compassion for you, your spouse and
family. Then start thinking about good the things of life and not
about all your circumstances. Learn from the Lord and put into
practice what you study and read from God's Word and the God of peace
will be with you every day, even after your marriage is restored!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust
in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

God Bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp

He gave me no answer....!

"I called Him, but He gave me no answer."-Song of Solomon 5:6

Prayer sometimes tarrieth, like a petitioner at the gate, until the
King cometh forth to fill her bosom with the blessings which she seeketh.
The Lord, when He hath given great faith, has been known to try it by
long delayings. He has suffered His servants' voices to echo in their
ears as from a brazen sky. They have knocked at the golden gate, but it
has remained immovable, as though it were rusted upon its hinges. Like
Jeremiah, they have cried, "Thou hast covered Thyself with a cloud, that
our prayer should not pass through." Thus have true saints continued
long in patient waiting without reply, not because their prayers were not
vehement, nor because they were unaccepted, but because it so pleased
Him who is a Sovereign, and who gives according to His own pleasure. If
it pleases Him to bid our patience exercise itself, shall He not do as
He wills with His own! Beggars must not be choosers either as to time,
place, or form. But we must be careful not to take delays in pra!
yer for denials: God's long-dated bills will be punctually honoured; we
must not suffer Satan to shake our confidence in the God of truth by
pointing to our unanswered prayers. Unanswered petitions are not unheard.
God keeps a file for our prayers-they are not blown away by the wind,
they are treasured in the King's archives. This is a registry in the
court of heaven wherein every prayer is recorded. Tried believer, thy Lord
hath a tear-bottle in which the costly drops of sacred grief are put
away, and a book in which thy holy groanings are numbered. By-and-by, thy
suit shall prevail. Canst thou not be content to wait a little? Will
not thy Lord's time be better than thy time? By-and-by He will
comfortably appear, to thy soul's joy, and make thee put away the sackcloth and
ashes of long waiting, and put on the scarlet and fine linen of full
fruition.

Yet learned He obedience.....

"Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He
suffered."-Hebrews 5:8

We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through
suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being
perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too.
Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the
body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through
seas of His own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven
dryshod in silver slippers? No, our Master's experience teaches us that
suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would
not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in
the fact of Christ's "being made perfect through suffering"-it is, that
He can have complete sympathy with us. "He is not an high priest that
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." In this sympathy
of Christ we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, "I
can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and He suffers in me now; H!
e sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of
this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen
you as you follow in His steps. Find a sweet support in His sympathy;
and remember that, to suffer is an honourable thing-to suffer for Christ
is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do
this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to
suffer with Christ, just so far does He honour us. The jewels of a
Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath
anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not,
therefore, shun being honoured. Let us not turn aside from being exalted.
Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. "If we suffer, we shall also
reign with Him."

What have you done with Jesus?

The answer could be multiple choice:

* You depend on Jesus for your every decision. As the old hymn
says, "He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way."

* You acknowledge the power of Jesus, but do not have a personal
relationship with Him. He is, in effect, your last resort in times
of crisis.

* Jesus is known to you only as a good man or a historical figure.

* You are sensing the call of Jesus on your life and on your stand.

* You are asking, "Who is Jesus?"

Tuesday evening, it was nearing midnight when we saw Dr. Smith
drawing the net, or extending an invitation to the people in that
crowded church to confess their sins, and to enter into a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ. He especially called for people with
secret sin in their lives to respond. We watched as scores of people
streamed to the altar of the church.

Many were responding from out of the choir. These people were not
off the streets, but had been within the church for at least long
enough to join the choir. I suspect that some could have sat through
years of sermons, yet God chose that specific night, that time, to
touch their hearts.

I wish it were possible to track each person who was in that church
on a Sunday night 30 years ago. Some went on to mature and to grow
in the Christian faith. There are probably men who are now pastors
who were saved on that night. Others began the walk of a Christian,
but somewhere fell away. A few might have stayed as no more than
church members. I suspect there are people who, at that service,
once more hardened their heart to the calling of the Holy Spirit. A
few might have even crossed one of God’s three deadlines, and are in
Hell today.

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed,
some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the
air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants
withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among
thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other
seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred
times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He
who has ears to hear, let him hear." Luke 8:5-8

I wonder if there were standers or prodigal spouses in the great
service. How fervently was someone praying for their prodigal to
repent? Did they continue to pray until God touched their prodigal,
or did they grow weary and give up? How much would they be praying
today–if they had not stood by a casket sometime in these past 30
years?

The answer to your every question, to your every decision, to your
every valley experience, is Jesus. He is waiting patiently to be
your Friend, your Companion, your Comforter, and your Savior.
Following Jesus is not one way to restore a marriage; it is the only
way to restore a marriage. Anything else is a counterfeit.

Once you have reconciled your life with Jesus, Charlyne and I pray
that you will continue to pray until every member of your family also
knows Jesus personally. Your prayers and your stand can mean the
difference between Heaven and Hell for someone you love.

What have you done with Jesus? If you are unsure, we invite you to
visit the most important web page on the Rejoice site -
http://rejoiceministries.org/salvation.html

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Praying that you will find Christ sufficient,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries,

Let us search and try our ways

"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the
Lord."-Lamentations 3:40

The spouse who fondly loves her absent husband longs for his return; a
long protracted separation from her lord is a semi-death to her spirit:
and so with souls who love the Saviour much, they must see His face,
they cannot bear that He should be away upon the mountains of Bether, and
no more hold communion with them. A reproaching glance, an uplifted
finger will be grievous to loving children, who fear to offend their
tender father, and are only happy in his smile. Beloved, it was so once with
you. A text of Scripture, a threatening, a touch of the rod of
affliction, and you went to your Father's feet, crying, "Show me wherefore Thou
contendest with me?" Is it so now? Are you content to follow Jesus afar
off? Can you contemplate suspended communion with Christ without alarm?
Can you bear to have your Beloved walking contrary to you, because you
walk contrary to Him? Have your sins separated between you and your
God, and is your heart at rest? O let me affectionately warn yo!
u, for it is a grievous thing when we can live contentedly without the
present enjoyment of the Saviour's face. Let us labour to feel what an
evil thing this is-little love to our own dying Saviour, little joy in
our precious Jesus, little fellowship with the Beloved! Hold a true
Lent in your souls, while you sorrow over your hardness of heart. Do not
stop at sorrow! Remember where you first received salvation. Go at once
to the cross. There, and there only, can you get your spirit quickened.
No matter how hard, how insensible, how dead we may have become, let us
go again in all the rags and poverty, and defilement of our natural
condition. Let us clasp that cross, let us look into those languid eyes,
let us bathe in that fountain filled with blood-this will bring back to
us our first love; this will restore the simplicity of our faith, and
the tenderness of our heart.

WHO WILL GET THE PRAISE AND GLORY? -

"Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we
may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise
be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD." Psalm 106:47-48

I just did a Google search for the term "marriage restoration." Over
nine million web pages were returned. I can only imagine what a
hurting and abandoned spouse faces when they are selecting their
source of help from nine million choices.

From the onset, let me say that Charlyne and I do not pray that
everyone will find our web site. We only want the people that God
sends our way to find us. My wife and I do not have all the
answers, so we pray that people will find a marriage restoration
site where Jesus Christ is exalted.

Charlyne and I do not restore marriages. We are unable to heal
hurting relationships. Our assignment from God is to point wounded
people to Him, for His healing touch, and for us to provide hurting
people with encouragement along the way.

To help you better understand the two distinct types of marriage
restoration organizations, I first need to ask you a question. It is
a question that every first year Bible college or seminary student
can answer. In fact, it is such a basic question that every mature
Christian should be able to answer it. Here it is: What is the
purpose of man?

The Bible is clear in the answer. The purpose of man is to give
glory to God. It is that simple, yet it is not simple at all. Giving
glory to God includes holy living, striving to be more like Jesus,
and telling others about Him every day. It also includes our praise
to Him.

Let’s look at a few fictional web sites. Suzy Saleslady widely
promotes her secular site and her marriage restoration workbook. The
name of God is not even part od her restoration equation. It is all
about what she knows, not what God can do. Assuming an individual
purchased Suzy's workbook, and did everything exactly like Suzy
said to do it, and their spouse comes home, who would get the glory,
Suzy or God? If God is not going to be praised by the results, why
would He have an interest in Suzy’s plans for marriage restoration?
Would He not be working in marriages where people are praying, and
looking to Him, ready to praise Him when the marriage is restored?

Dr. Ima Bigshot also has a web site. On it, he cites how 99% of
divorces have been stopped when people have bought his material and
followed his plan. No mention is made, in the book, nor on the web
site, of what our Lord God can do for a hurting couple.

"A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to
his steps." Proverbs 14:15

Let’s look at one more web site from those nine million. The creator
of this organization uses the title, "Reverend" before his name, and
refers to his activities as a "ministry," Nevertheless, there is an
obvious absence of scripture. There are no references to our Lord
Jesus. To be acceptable to the world, some of this man’s work is
available without spiritual reference. The "God" he writes about is
a strange and distant one, unlike the Holy Spirit that a Bible-
based church or organization teaches is walking every step of this
journey with you today. This site even mention prayer, but it is
strangely silent about a God who will answer prayers.

Who gets the glory when a follower of that "ministry" has a spouse
return? Does that couple praise God or that man?

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe
that—and shudder." James 2:19

A few years ago, Charlyne received a call from the producer of a
nationwide secular television program. We were being invited to come
to New York to appear as guests on an upcoming show about adultery.
The producer’s offer included limousine transportation, airline
tickets, hotel, meals, and more. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Charlyne began to explain how our marriage had been restored by the
power of the Holy Spirit. The producer said, "We believe in God and
everything." We had seen that program, and knew that anything we
said about Jesus would be edited out. God would not be praised
through our appearing. As difficult as it was to say no to the
invitation, we declined.

"Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does
marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the
whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." Psalm 72:18-20

As stated in the beginning, neither the Steinkamps, nor Rejoice
Marriage Ministries, has all the answers. Our assessment from God is
to lead you to Christ, helping you to understand how the Holy Spirit
of God is waiting to help you, guiding you and protecting you through
your marriage troubles.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If
anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of
God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God
provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus
Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen"
1 Peter 4:10-12

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of
God." That is an overwhelming thought; that God wants the Steinkamps
to minister to hurting spouses "...as one speaking the very words of
God."

The bottom line is our trademarked comment that "God Heals Hurting
Marriages." We have it on everything from billboards to books. He
alone is the source of your restored marriage. Be sure to give Him
alone all the praise and glory after you prodigal returns, as well as
every step along the way to restoration.

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to
the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the
purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope
in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were
included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a
seal, the promised Holy Spirit." Ephesians 1:11-13

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear
God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
Ecclesiastes 12:13

Blessings,
Bob Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries

"I will accept you with your sweet savour."-Ezekiel 20:41

The merits of our great Redeemer are as sweet savour to the Most High.
Whether we speak of the active or passive righteousness of Christ,
there is an equal fragrance. There was a sweet savour in His active life by
which He honoured the law of God, and made every precept to glitter
like a precious jewel in the pure setting of His own person. Such, too,
was His passive obedience, when He endured with unmurmuring submission,
hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, and at length sweat great drops
of blood in Gethsemane, gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to
them that plucked out the hair, and was fastened to the cruel wood,
that He might suffer the wrath of God in our behalf. These two things are
sweet before the Most High; and for the sake of His doing and His
dying, His substitutionary sufferings and His vicarious obedience, the Lord
our God accepts us. What a preciousness must there be in Him to
overcome our want of preciousness! What a sweet savour to put away our i!
ll savour! What a cleansing power in His blood to take away sin such
as ours! and what glory in His righteousness to make such unacceptable
creatures to be accepted in the Beloved! Mark, believer, how sure and
unchanging must be our acceptance, since it is in Him! Take care that you
never doubt your acceptance in Jesus. You cannot be accepted without
Christ; but, when you have received His merit, you cannot be unaccepted.
Notwithstanding all your doubts, and fears, and sins, Jehovah's
gracious eye never looks upon you in anger; though He sees sin in you, in
yourself, yet when He looks at you through Christ, He sees no sin. You are
always accepted in Christ, are always blessed and dear to the Father's
heart. Therefore lift up a song, and as you see the smoking incense of
the merit of the Saviour coming up, this evening, before the sapphire
throne, let the incense of your praise go up also.

US pushes Nigeria on Taylor trial

The United States has urged Nigeria to ensure that former Liberia President Charles Taylor is sent to face trial on war crimes charges.
Nigeria and Liberia have publicly disagreed over how Mr Taylor should be sent from exile in Nigeria to a UN-backed court in Sierra Leone.

Nigeria says Liberia should pick him up but now the US has backed up Liberia, which says it is up to Nigeria.

Mr Taylor faces 17 charges for allegedly backing Sierra Leone rebels.

He stepped down as Liberian leader in 2003 and went into exile in Nigeria as part of a deal to end the civil war he had begun 14 years earlier.

But there is uncertainty over whether he still remains in his luxury residency in the south-eastern city of Calabar.

The BBC's Mark Doyle in Freetown says there are powerful political forces at play over Mr Taylor's fate.

Custody

Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo is due to meet US President George W Bush in Washington on Wednesday.


Nigeria must urgently take steps to tighten security around Taylor's villa in Calabar and should immediately take him into custody
Richard Dicker, Human Rights Watch


"It is incumbent upon the Nigerian government now to see that he [Mr Taylor] is conveyed to the international court," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

"Obviously, we have talked to President Obasanjo about this."

But on Monday, Mr Obasanjo's spokeswoman said Nigeria's job was done and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had been told she "is free to come and take President Taylor into her custody".

But Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf said she wanted her predecessor to be sent directly to Sierra Leone, as he had not been indicted by a Liberian court.

'Fled'

Desmond de Silva, chief prosecutor of the war crimes court in Sierra Leone, has called for Mr Taylor's arrest in Nigeria, saying he was worried that the former Liberian leader may flee.

He also described Mr Taylor as one of the three most important wanted war crimes suspects in the world.


TAYLOR TIMELINE
1989: Launches rebellion
1991: RUF rebellion starts in Sierra Leone
1995: Peace deal signed
1997: Elected president
1999: Lurd starts rebellion to oust Taylor
June 2003: Arrest warrant issued
August 2003: Steps down, goes into exile in Nigeria


Joseph Ushigiale, spokesman for the Nigerian state where Mr Taylor is living, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that he was "under very good protective custody" and had taken part in the just-ended census in Nigeria.
"We can assure you Mr Taylor will not just walk away."

A number of Mr Taylor's supporters have been detained in Liberia amid fears they may stage an armed uprising.

Tens of thousands of people died in the interlinked conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Mr Taylor is accused of selling diamonds and buying weapons for Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front rebels, who were notorious for hacking off the hands and legs of civilians during a 10-year war.

He also started the Liberian civil war in 1989, before being elected president in 1997.

AREF Mediates in Niger Delta Crisis.

Ambassador Segun Olusola, mni, OFR has expressed joy and relief, on behalf of the international humanitarian society, at the release this morning of the three oil-workers who had been held hostage by militants in the oil-rich region of the Niger Delta; whilst thanking all national and international mediators who facilitated this positive development.

In a Statement released to the Press today, the Founder/Patron of the UNHCR-affiliated African Refugees Foundation (AREF) called on all parties to the ongoing crisis in the Niger Delta to exercise the utmost restraint in the interest of national and international peace and stability, even as he referred to the recent worrying intelligence report delivered by the USA’s National Security Adviser to the US Senate, to the effect that this crisis in Nigeria could lead to a civil war, and to a historically-unprecedented massive outflow of tens of millions of refugees, that could destabilise Africa and Europe, and possibly dislocate the UN’s crisis-management mechanisms.

He empathised with the impoverished peoples of the Niger Delta, whilst calling on the youths to eschew violence and embrace dialogue to enthrone peace and progress in Nigeria. He also averred that his appeal is in furtherance of AREF’s “PROJECT C.O.M.P.A.C.T.” (Corps Of Mediators, Peace-Makers And Promoters of Culture-of-Peace Training Programme), and calls on all stakeholders in the Niger Delta and the Nigerian entity to sheathe swords, and commence immediate and sincere actualisation of the “YENAGOA ACCORD” resultant from the 10th-11th February 2006 Special Niger Delta Consultative Forum held at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

“AREF believes”, according to Chief Olusola, “that speedy actualisation of the recommendations arrived at during that Special Niger Delta Consultative Forum are achievable, given the political will to so do, since the stakeholders who were parties to the YENAGOA ACCORD included very senior representatives of Nigeria’s Federal and Niger Delta States’ governments, five relevant foreign governments (including Britain and the USA), major oil multinationals (Chevron, ENI-NAOC, Shell etc.). national and global development agencies (e.g. NDDC and UNDP), Niger Delta traditional rulers, elders, women and youth activists, and other community leaders.”


The AREF chieftain continues to vigorously employ all available diplomatic and other avenues to expedite positive action (by both the governments of Nigeria, on the one hand, and the Niger Delta peoples, on the other hand) towards a holistic solution of the challenges of this volatile and vital region of Nigeria.

Tony I. Uranta
AREF Consultant (Peace & Mediation)
Tuesday, March 28, 2006.

AREF Mediates in the Niger Delta Crisis.

PRESS RELEASE
Ambassador Segun Olusola, mni, OFR, has called on all parties to the ongoing hostage-crisis in the Niger Delta to exercise the utmost restraint in the interest of national and international peace and stability, even as he referred to the recent worrying intelligence report by the USA’s National Security Adviser to the US Senate, to the effect that the current crisis in the Niger Delta could lead to a civil war and a historically-unprecedented massive outflow of tens of millions of refugees, that would destabilise Africa and Europe, and possibly dislocate the UN’s crisis-management mechanisms!

The Founder/President of the African Refugees Foundation (AREF) empathised with the peoples of the Niger Delta, whilst calling on the youths of the region to eschew violence and embrace dialogue. He fervently appealed to the militants holding the two USA and one UK citizens hostage to show the world that they have good intentions by, first, allowing the hostages to speak on phone “live-and-direct” with their distraught families, just as he strongly advised the Federal government against trying to resolve this stand-off through the use of force.

Ambassador Olusola, whilst averring that his appeal is in furtherance of AREF’s “PROJECT C.O.M.P.A.C.T.” (Corps Of Mediators, Peace-Makers & Promoters of Culture-of-peace Training Programme) called on all stakeholders in the Niger Delta and the Nigerian entity to sheathe swords, and commence immediate and sincere actualisation of the YENAGOA ACCORD resultant from the 10th –11th February 2006 Special Niger Delta Consultative Forum held at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

“AREF believes”, Chief Olusola concluded, “that speedy actualisation of the recommendations arrived at during the Special Niger Delta Consultative Forum are achievable, especially since the stakeholders who were party to the YENAGOA ACCORD included very senior representatives of Nigeria’s Federal and Niger Delta states’ governments, five relevant foreign governments (including Britain and the USA), major oil multinationals (Chevron, ENI-NAOC, Shell etc.), national and global development agencies (e.g. NDDC and UNDP), Niger Delta traditional rulers, elders, women and youth activists, and other community leaders.”

The AREF chieftain is currently employing all available diplomatic and other avenues to expedite positive action by both governments and the Niger Delta youths towards holistic solution of the challenges of this volatile region, including the release of the hostages.



Ambassador Segun Olusola, mni, OFR
Founder/Patron, AREF
Monday, March 27, 2006

THE YENAGOA ACCORD

A Communiqué issued at the end of the Special Niger Delta Consultative Forum Held at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State from the 10th to 11th of February 2006.

Participants were drawn from Representatives of Federal and State Governments of the Niger Delta (Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers State), Representatives of the oil companies (ENI – NAOC, Chevron, NLNG, Brass LNG, SPDC), Representatives of Foreign Governments (U.S.A, British, French, South African and the Dutch) and Development Agencies including the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC and UNDP, Representatives of the Niger Delta communities (elders, traditional rulers, women and youth).

The Forum was declared open by the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (represented by Senator J.K. Brambaifa) and had in attendance the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as well as the Deputy Governors of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers States; and the Commissioner of Works, Lands and Housing Ondo State who represented the Governor of Ondo State. Also in attendance were senior members of the Federal Government, which include members of the National Assembly, the Minister of State for Defence, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Senior Representatives of NNPC joint venture companies. Others include Representatives of the Military and Security Services. The people of the Niger Delta, leading Youth and Women activists, Community Leaders and traditional rulers.

The Forum was held against the background of the recent hostage crisis in the Niger Delta and was intended to create a platform for frank discussions to proffer practical solutions to the problems of the Niger Delta.

The participants made various observations including:

1. The recent hostage crisis has again brought to focus the need for urgent attention to the problems of the Niger Delta. e.g. the resurgence of youth restiveness, vandalization of oil installations and insecurity

2. There is absolute need to contend with issues associated with environmental degradation, lack of opportunities for participation in the oil industry, lack of employment opportunities in the oil industries even for jobs that do not require specialized technical skills, lack of proper political participation as evinced by the recent disregard of Niger Delta issues at the National Political conference.

3. The brazen insensitivity of the Federal Government and oil industry operators to the developmental needs of the Niger Delta particularly the non-dualisation of the East West Road, (traversing Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta & Edo States) amongst others.

4. That the Federal Government, State Government, Intervention Agencies (NDDC), our Local Governments have not shown enough commitment and determination in addressing the problems of the Niger Delta.

5. The two tiers of Government of the Niger Delta themselves have not created the enabling environment in such areas as good governance, prudent and transparent management of resources and infrastructural development to attract complimentary development from the oil industry.

6. Escalation of tension in the Niger Delta as a result of deployment of troops.

7. The need to redouble efforts on issues related to women and their empowerment, being the most vulnerable group at times of crisis in the Niger Delta.

Arising from the two days of discussions, which included plenary and interactive sessions, THE WAY FORWARD for the Niger Delta was identified as follows –

That due to its environmental peculiarity and economic importance to the entire world, the Niger Delta should be declared a SPECIAL DEVELOPMENTAL AREA that must receive the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the International Community.

That the Federal Government must show greater political will and dedication to the problems of the Niger Delta.
That the international community especially government and donor agencies from countries with economic interests in the Niger Delta MUST, as a matter of urgency now come in and show practical interest in the development of the area

That oil companies, must as a matter of urgency, review their recruitment policies by taking on board qualified persons from the Niger Delta. In particular, the Human Resources Manager and the External Relations Officer or their equivalents.

That operating oil companies must quarterly publish their employment statistics for public knowledge as a way of monitoring compliance with the above decision.

That oil companies, must as a matter of urgency, make pronouncements on their plans for infrastructural development of oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta. Efforts should be made to integrate their workers with their host communities.

That State Governments in the Niger Delta and the NDDC are hereby advised to utilize the available resources prudently for infrastructural development of the Niger Delta.

That the Federal and State Governments, oil companies and NDDC are put on notice to desist from the practice of impoverishing the people of the Niger Delta by using mainly non indigenes of the area to execute projects.

That the syndicate in the Niger Delta responsible for pipeline vandalization, hostage taking and other acts of instability must exercise restraint and total ceasefire, to give room for the implementation of development projects.

While this Forum believes in the indivisibility of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the supremacy of the rule of law; this Forum requests that Alhaji Asari Dokubo and Barrister Uche Okwukwu be released immediately.

That the Federal Government should immediately consider a programme of steady withdrawal of troops from the Niger Delta to allow community leaders play more roles in building peace and restoration of communal confidence.

That all stakeholders should rededicate themselves to the pursuit of peace, development, progress and regular dialogue in the Niger Delta.

This Forum frowns seriously at the slow pace of the Brass LNG project especially in view of the fast track development of the Olokola LNG project; which has almost stalled the Brass project. Let it be on notice that the Niger Delta people shall not guarantee the supply of gas to the OKLNG if the above scenario is ascertained or confirmed.

The NNPC must take immediate steps to implement the Local Content policy with particular emphasis on a Niger Delta Content which must not be less than 50% of the total Local Content.

That 25% derivation is a minimum demand made by this Forum in the review of the 1999 constitution.

That this Forum strongly urges the FG to move the Head Quarters of NNPC and its subsidiaries to any of the states in the Niger Delta just like the FG succeeded in relocating the NPA, NMA and Shippers Council and National Inland Waterways to Lagos and Lokoja; for the ease of operations.

That all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta should move their Head Quarters to their major operating bases.

That the Federal Government should publish all allottees of oil blocks in Nigeria since the inception of oil operations and this Forum demands a minimum of 50% future oil blocks allocation as a form of inclusion to create a sense of belonging for the people from the Niger Delta.

That the activities of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) are at variance with the expectations of the people of the Niger Delta with respect to their scholarship awards. The Forum demands for 50% award of scholarship to the indigenes of the Niger Delta

That the three new refineries proposed by the Federal Government should be sighted in the Niger Delta area as a matter of urgency.

This forum commends SPDC for partnering with NDDC to construct the road between Ogbia and Nembe which will cost about N 9. 7 billion naira and we recommend that other oil companies should emulate such initiatives.

That this forum hereby sets up a monitoring committee made up of two representatives each from the Niger Delta States, two nominees of all oil companies and NDDC; to ensure the implementation of the decisions of this forum.

11th February 2006.


MEMBERS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

BAYELSA STATE DELTA STATE
1. Prof. Nelson Brambaifa 1. Dr. Lucky Akaruese
2. Dr. Emmanuel Isukul 2. Dr. Pius Esenebe

RIVERS STATE CROSS RIVERS STATE
1. Miabiye Kuromiema 1. Col Paul Edor Obi (Rtd)
2. Hilda Dokubo 2. Chief Eyo Etim Nyong

AKWA IBOM STATE ONDO STATE
Dr. Godwin Ikitde 1. Hon. D. I. Kekemeke
Chief Okonkon Okpo J.P 2. Hon. (Chief) Olusola Oke

EDO STATE
Hon (Mrs) Florence Gbinigie Erhabor
Senator Daisy Danjuma

Boycott shuts down Nigeria courts!

Lawyers say they have shut down court proceedings across Nigeria, claiming their boycott is a complete success.
The Nigerian Bar Association says the protest is over the "failure of the government to comply with court orders and the violation of human rights".

President Lanke Odogiyon said disregard for the rule of law was reminiscent of Nigeria under the military.

He said the only case in the capital, Abuja, was the government failing to get a court order to stop the strike.

The Bar Association says most of its 50,000 membership followed the call on the first day of the two-day boycott and stayed away.

Political battles

The Bar Association said it wanted to demonstrate what would happen if the justice system in Nigeria ceased to function.

The lawyers say national and state governments routinely ignore court orders they do not like.

"The problem of disobedience towards court orders by members of the executive arm at all tiers of government... which was prevalent during the military dictatorship, has reared its ugly head under the present democratic dispensation," Mr Odogiyon said.

He said the problem was not just limited to disobeying court orders.

Every day, he said, defenceless citizens were shot dead by members of the security services and law enforcement agencies.

The government disputes all this and has called on Nigerian lawyers to ignore the boycott.

The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says the protest is a public display of dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in Nigeria.

He says a further concern is that political battles in Nigeria are often fought in court, and with general elections due in 2007, lawyers want to know that judgements will be obeyed.

"Strong in faith."-Romans 4:20

Christian, take good care of thy faith; for recollect faith is the only
way whereby thou canst obtain blessings. If we want blessings from God,
nothing can fetch them down but faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers,
from God's throne except it be the earnest prayer of the man who
believes. Faith is the angelic messenger between the soul and the Lord Jesus
in glory. Let that angel be withdrawn, we can neither send up prayer,
nor receive the answers. Faith is the telegraphic wire which links earth
and heaven-on which God's messages of love fly so fast, that before we
call He answers, and while we are yet speaking He hears us. But if that
telegraphic wire of faith be snapped, how can we receive the promise?
Am I in trouble?-I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten
about by the enemy?-my soul on her dear Refuge leans by faith. But take
faith away-in vain I call to God. There is no road betwixt my soul and
heaven. In the deepest wintertime faith is a road on which the !
horses of prayer may travel-ay, and all the better for the biting
frost; but blockade the road, and how can we communicate with the Great
King? Faith links me with divinity. Faith clothes me with the power of God.
Faith engages on my side the omnipotence of Jehovah. Faith ensures
every attribute of God in my defence. It helps me to defy the hosts of
hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my enemies. But
without faith how can I receive anything of the Lord? Let not him that
wavereth-who is like a wave of the Sea-expect that he will receive anything
of God! O, then, Christian, watch well thy faith; for with it thou canst
win all things, however poor thou art, but without it thou canst obtain
nothing. "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that
believeth."

Fountain of life!

"The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence
overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up dissension,
but love covers over all wrongs." Proverbs 10:11-12

Your mouth is a fountain of life. You can choose to speak life or
death every minute of every day. (Beware-what you type on your
computer as that counts.) In Ezekiel, Chapter 47 we read about
Ezekiel's vision seeing water coming out from the temple. As it
flowed, it grew in depth and width, giving life and fruitfulness to
everything that it was touching. The purpose of the river was to
bring abundant life and healing from God to the land and to the
people. Now allow your mouth of righteousness to become a fountain
or river of life as in Ezekiel 47:1-12. Dear stander and Christian,
do not allow the enemy to deceive you in sinning in different ways
other than unfaithfulness. That is another one of satan's lies,
tricks and deceptions. Allow your mouth speak unconditional love,
hope and forgiveness for the healing of your marriage.

"...Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty,
let him come to me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living
water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit
whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that
time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been
glorified." John 7:37-39

Divorce is rampant around the world. You and I must be the
lighthouses in the ungodly, evil world of darkness that we are
living in. You and I must know the power of our Lord God and the
presence of the Holy Spirit being with us every day. When the enemy
tries to attack you in many different ways, you have to stop long
enough to be able to seek God's Word and listen for His voice of
direction instead of falling into the trap of the world's ways that
are so common to everyone.

That is how I fell into sin, when Bob had become deceived and had
fallen into unfaithfulness. Satan was not satisfied with just one
person. Satan was going to go after our entire family and he never
stops trying until we are home in Heaven. I did not walk in
unconditional love, but pride, anger, rage, jealousy, and strife. I
had fallen into sin myself by the temptations of other sins. Let me
share two scriptures that we could read every day:

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and
self-controlled so that you an pray. Above all, love each other
deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." I Peter
4:7-8

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on
the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Ephesians 6:10-13

What two powerful scriptures! Be clear minded and self-controlled
regardless of what you are facing today with your spouse, your
family or other circumstances in your life. Your spouse is not your
enemy. Never forget the power of God's love in your life. God's
love covers over sins. Never forget the power of God's agape love
in I Corinthians 13:4-8. Do you have that scripture memorized?
Read it again today. You will not like the words, if you are facing
difficult circumstances, but that is God's instructions for you
today. Also, go to Romans Chapter 12 and read from verses 9 to the
end of the chapter.

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse....Live in
harmony with one another...Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be
careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is
possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with
everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for
God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will
repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry,
feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing
this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:9,
14,16-21

Are you sinning? The enemy will try to use your spouse, your
children or employer to push your buttons to have you react with
jealousy, becoming angry, having unforgiveness, lying, swearing, or
gossiping. Beware of the tricks of satan. You have a choice every
day, becoming more Christ-like seeking to have a pure heart or
believe a lie that it does not matter with God.

"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands
is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his
word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we
know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as
Jesus did." I John 2:3-6

Never forget, regardless of your past, or knowing what you are
saying and doing each day, God loves you with an everlasting love.
He sent His son to die on the cross for your sins and for all
sinners. What you and I must do every day is confess your sins,
repenting which means changing and not going back and doing them
again and asking for forgiveness. Jesus can set you free from any
sin or stronghold. Now pray believing for your spouse and children
to be touched by the Holy Spirit and your marriage to be rebuilt by
the power of the Holy Spirit.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive
us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

God bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp

And "my dear model" died! Farewell Maama!!! I love you....

"Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me
where I am."-John 17:24

O death! why dost thou touch the tree beneath whose spreading branches
weariness hath rest? Why dost thou snatch away the excellent of the
earth, in whom is all our delight? If thou must use thine axe, use it upon
the trees which yield no fruit; thou mightest be thanked then. But why
wilt thou fell the goodly cedars of Lebanon? O stay thine axe, and
spare the righteous. But no, it must not be; death smites the goodliest of
our friends; the most generous, the most prayerful, the most holy, the
most devoted must die. And why? It is through Jesus' prevailing
prayer-"Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me
where I am." It is that which bears them on eagle's wings to heaven. Every
time a believer mounts from this earth to paradise, it is an answer to
Christ's prayer. A good old divine remarks, "Many times Jesus and His
people pull against one another in prayer. You bend your knee in prayer
and say 'Father, I will that Thy saints be with me where I am'; !
Christ says, 'Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me,
be with Me where I am.'" Thus the disciple is at cross-purposes with his
Lord. The soul cannot be in both places: the beloved one cannot be with
Christ and with you too. Now, which pleader shall win the day? If you
had your choice; if the King should step from His throne, and say, "Here
are two supplicants praying in opposition to one another, which shall
be answered?" Oh! I am sure, though it were agony, you would start from
your feet, and say, "Jesus, not my will, but Thine be done." You would
give up your prayer for your loved one's life, if you could realize the
thoughts that Christ is praying in the opposite direction-"Father, I
will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am."
Lord, Thou shalt have them. By faith we let them go.

I YIELD TO GOD...but still saying "Father hear my cry"!

"And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and
prayed."-Matthew 26:39

There are several instructive features in our Saviour's prayer in His
hour of trial. It was lonely prayer. He withdrew even from His three
favoured disciples. Believer, be much in solitary prayer, especially in
times of trial. Family prayer, social prayer, prayer in the Church, will
not suffice, these are very precious, but the best beaten spice will
smoke in your censer in your private devotions, where no ear hears but
God's.

It was humble prayer. Luke says He knelt, but another evangelist says
He "fell on His face." Where, then, must be THY place, thou humble
servant of the great Master? What dust and ashes should cover thy head!
Humility gives us good foot-hold in prayer. There is no hope of prevalence
with God unless we abase ourselves that He may exalt us in due time.

It was filial prayer. "Abba, Father." You will find it a stronghold in
the day of trial to plead your adoption. You have no rights as a
subject, you have forfeited them by your treason; but nothing can forfeit a
child's right to a father's protection. Be not afraid to say, "My
Father, hear my cry."

Observe that it was persevering prayer. He prayed three times. Cease
not until you prevail. Be as the importunate widow, whose continual
coming earned what her first supplication could not win. Continue in
prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

Lastly, it was the prayer of resignation. "Nevertheless, not as I will,
but as thou wilt." Yield, and God yields. Let it be as God wills, and
God will determine for the best. Be thou content to leave thy prayer in
his hands, who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give,
and what to withhold. So pleading, earnestly, importunately, yet with
humility and resignation, thou shalt surely prevail.

BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD -

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret
when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked
schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it
leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who
hope in the Lord will inherit the land." Psalm 37:7-9

Are your circumstances that you are facing seem overwhelming? What
should you do? Pray, do not worry, and trust in the Lord. Believe
in His love for you, your spouse and your family. Believe in His
power knowing that He can do far more than anyone can imagine.
Your Lord can rebuild and restore your marriage if you will only "Be
still and wait patiently."

We received a poem from a stander who has given us permission to use
it to encourage others. May this poem be the cry from your heart.

STILL -

Though my dreams fall apart
And my world crashes down,
Still I will worship You.

Though my husband betray me,
And my children rebel,
Still I will trust in You.

Though my friends turn against me
And loneliness screams in my soul,
Still I believe in You.

Though my days are too long
And sleepless nights never end,
Still I have hope in You.

Though I fight back my tears
And my heart bleeds with pain,
Still I will sing praises to You.

Though all promises are broken
And lies seem as truth,
Still I will be faithful to You.

Though no love can I find
In ones I held so dear,
Still I will ever know Your love for me.

Though I feel I can't go on
And the world offers relief,
Still I will wait upon You.

Though I reach my lowest point
And I feel I can go no lower,
Still I will humble myself before You.

Though my enemy tempt me
And offer promises untold,
Still You alone will be my God.

Though all may seem lost
With no rainbow in sight,
Still I will believe in miracles.

Though I am battle-weary
And fall down to the ground,
Still You are my Weapon, My Shield.

Though everything is against me
And it seems I've lost all odds,
Still Your promises I hold fast to.

"Be still, and know that I am God."
I will be still,
For You are my God!

Signed,
The heart of a Christian
By Charlette H.

This poem says it all for every stander waiting on the Lord for
restoration of their marriage. Never give up on your Lord God.
Today give your heart, your life and marriage to your Lord. Praise
Him that He is greater than any of your circumstances. Be still
before the Lord knowing and believing in His mighty power for the
restoration of your marriage!

"...Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance
the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you
will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only
to be still." Exodus 14:13-14

God bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp

"I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would

But could the stones cry out? Assuredly they could if He who opens the
mouth of the dumb should bid them lift up their voice. Certainly if
they were to speak, they would have much to testify in praise of Him who
created them by the word of His power; they could extol the wisdom and
power of their Maker who called them into being. Shall not we speak well
of Him who made us anew, and out of stones raised up children unto
Abraham? The old rocks could tell of chaos and order, and the handiwork of
God in successive stages of creation's drama; and cannot we talk of
God's decrees, of God's great work in ancient times, in all that He did
for His church in the days of old? If the stones were to speak, they
could tell of their breaker, how he took them from the quarry, and made
them fit for the temple, and cannot we tell of our glorious Breaker, who
broke our hearts with the hammer of His word, that He might build us
into His temple? If the stones should cry out they would magnify the!
ir builder, who polished them and fashioned them after the similitude
of a palace; and shall not we talk of our Architect and Builder, who has
put us in our place in the temple of the living God? If the stones
could cry out, they might have a long, long story to tell by way of
memorial, for many a time hath a great stone been rolled as a memorial before
the Lord; and we too can testify of Ebenezers, stones of help, pillars
of remembrance. The broken stones of the law cry out against us, but
Christ Himself, who has rolled away the stone from the door of the
sepulchre, speaks for us. Stones might well cry out, but we will not let
them: we will hush their noise with ours; we will break forth into sacred
song, and bless the majesty of the Most High, all our days glorifying
Him who is called by Jacob the Shepherd and Stone of Israel.

British Iraq hostage Kember freed

Briton Norman Kember and two Canadian fellow peace activists held hostage in Iraq for almost four months have been freed by multinational forces.
Mr Kember, 74, of north-west London, James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, were three of four men seized in Baghdad in November.

Mr Kember said in a statement: "It is great to be free, and I'm looking forward to getting back to the UK."

The men's US colleague, Tom Fox, was found dead in Baghdad two weeks ago.

The three men are believed to have been rescued at 0800 local time (0500 GMT), following a weeks-long operation led by British troops and involving US and Canadian special forces.

Officials have revealed few details of the operation, but it is known that none of the captors was present, no shots were fired and no-one was injured.


I've demonstrated, but I feel that's what I'd call cheap peacemaking
Norman Kember


Anita David, a member of the US and Canada-based peace group Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), which the men had been working for in Iraq when they were kidnapped, met Mr Kember and his two colleagues in Baghdad's high security Green Zone for lunch on Wednesday.

She described the men as "remarkably well" and said they had been eating ice-cream and drinking orange juice.

She told how they had tried to keep fit during their ordeal.

"Harmeet told me that he did sit ups every day and that he ran the steps.

"He ran up and down stairs each day as part of his commitment to physical good health.

"He told me that Jim Loney did stretching exercises each day and I don't know whether or not they had books to read or anything like that. They really didn't mention anything like that."

'Reasonable condition'

According to BBC correspondent Andrew North, in Baghdad, they did not talk about the mens' rescue.


It's tremendously good and so unexpected - we really did fear that each one would be killed
Reverend Alan Betteridge
Kember family friend

A US Army spokesman said the three men had been found tied up in a house in western Baghdad.

The rescue had followed intelligence obtained from a detainee, the spokesman said.

Mr Kember was said to be in a "reasonable condition", while the two Canadians were taken to hospital.

A spokeswoman at the British embassy in the Iraqi capital said Mr Kember was "quite relaxed", but all three men were still acclimatising to freedom.


The real good news here is that thankfully none of the families of the servicemen who rescued these people are receiving bad news of their loved ones
Ryan, Rome, Italy


Mr Kember, who has spoken to his wife over the phone, is expected back in Britain in the next two days, according to British Embassy officials.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he had spoken to Mr Kember's wife Pat and that she was "absolutely delighted, elated with this news".

Brother Ian Kember, in Taunton, Somerset, said: "It's a wonderful thing, and it's obviously a great relief, but beyond that I haven't come to terms with it yet."

Mr Kember's family also said in a statement that it was grateful for all the support given "from so many people" since he was taken hostage.

"We also thank everyone who has worked so hard for him to be set free," it added.


Christian Peacemaker Teams co-director Doug Pritchard said: "Together we have endured uncertainty, hope, fear, grief, and now joy during the four months since they were abducted in Baghdad."

The Reverend Alan Betteridge, a friend of Mr Kember's for more than 40 years, told BBC Five Live: "It's tremendously good and so unexpected after the killing of Tom Fox a couple of weeks ago, when we really did fear that each one would be killed eventually."

Planned operation

Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was delighted by the news, and congratulated everyone involved in the operation.

It had followed "weeks and weeks of very careful work by military and coalition personnel in Iraq and many civilians as well", Mr Straw said.


Some of the grief and pain we have been through is a daily thing for Iraqis
Tim Nafziger
Christian Peacemaker Teams

The four men were abducted on 26 November by a previously unknown group calling itself the Swords of Truth Brigade.
The group had issued threats to kill the men if the US and Iraqi authorities did not meet their demand of releasing all Iraqi prisoners.

Fifty-four-year-old Mr Fox was found shot dead on 9 March in the Mansour district of the Iraqi capital.

Following the rescue, Mr Straw said it remained "a matter of great sorrow to everybody" that Mr Fox had been murdered.

Massoud Shadjareh, of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said joy at the three men's release was mixed with sadness for other hostages and people being killed by continuing violence in Iraq.

"Norman went there to stop this madness and this madness is still continuing," he said.

Tim Nafziger, a London-based CPT member, said: "Some of the grief and pain we have been through is something that is a daily thing for Iraqis."

Militants in Niger Delta need global empathy!

HEAR YE O MANKIND!
If the world truly cares for humanity and for its own selfish energy issues, it should empathise with the misery facing the militants and others of the Niger Delta in Nigeria and enjoin the Nigerian leader President Obasanjo to be less authoritarian in dealiong with the grouse of this vital region's millions of impoverished citizens who watch strangers (both Nigerian and foreign milking their resources dry daily!)...

....before it is too late to cry...after the head is off!!!

verbum sat

SHALOM!!!

Indications That Your "Marriage-Dow" May Be Dropping !

* You become so busy that something has to give, and first to go is
your devotional time and your time alone with the Lord.

* You listen to the opinions of others more than you listen to our
Lord God.

* A favorite comment has become, "I don’t see any change."
(Remember, miracles and faith are working where we cannot see a
thing.)

* You allow the Enemy to bring tiredness to you. Instead of planning
how you can get rested, you fold up your stand.

* You still subscribe to marriage restoration newsletters, but you
no longer read them very often.

* You no longer listen to your collection of tapes and read the
books about God’s miracle of marriage restoration. (Where you once
were thrilled to receive a new tape, and almost wore it out in the
first week, new tapes now sit unopened.)

* Your wedding band is temporarily removed, for a good reason, but
then never goes back on your hand.

* A personal head knowledge of standing exceeds your heart
knowledge of walking daily with Jesus, allowing Him to guide you.

* You allow the line between the sacred and the secular to no longer
exist.

* You think (or say) "This is too hard." (All you are doing is
living a married lifestyle, while you become more like Jesus,
praying for Him to touch your prodigal. If that is too hard, your
Dow may be about to crash).

* You start to fantasize about specific people of the opposite sex.

* The email you send is more about the bad circumstances than about
what God has promised to you.

* The computer replaces your Bible and you are spending more time
online than in local church activities. (No, they are not the same.)

* You unintentionally emphasize the faults of your spouse to
justify your own actions.

* You define "stander" as anyone wishing they had a spouse at home.
(We use that name to describe a group of men and women, sold out to
Jesus Christ, "standing" with Him, and praying to Him for the miracle
of marriage restoration His way, regardless of the circumstances.

* It is easier to talk about a far-off God than to tell others about
your personal relationship with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

* You become bitter and judgmental over the marriage restoration of
others. You cannot rejoice in their miracles, thinking "Mine might
be next!"

* You are more concerned with your personal happiness than with your
personal holiness. (Does the Word say God wants you holy or happy?)

* Your prodigal mate’s eternal destiny falls off the radar screen.
Forgiveness becomes something for others, not for your prodigal.

* You no longer pray for the other person your spouse is involved
with.

* You justify your actions and reactions, not based on the Word of
God, but on the world’s standards and the opinions of people.

* You feel comfortable having phone chats and talking online with
people of the opposite sex.

* You go out with the opposite sex, but pass it off as "only coffee
with a friend."

* When there is a crisis, you run to people, and the computer,
instead of running to God in prayer.

* You spend more time requesting prayer than you do actually praying.

* You have become comfortable with your single lifestyle.

* You look for encouragement from people, instead of asking God for
special verses from His Word.

* You are no longer certain that you want even your prodigal home.


The "Dow" of a marriage starts to fall when a strong stander-for-marriage forgets
where the line between light and darkness lies. They become more
comfortable with the world's solutions than with God's ways. Left
unchecked, that line will totally disappear.

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved
darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." John 3:19

When the "Dow" of a marriage begins to fall, and nothing is done to
change it, the person who once prayed so faithfully will wake up one
day and realize their entire stand has vaporized. Many go on to
other relationships, which they will later call a "painful detour."
Some will later get back on track to re-build their stand.

Twenty years ago, when we were divorced, and Charlyne was standing
and praying for me, she must have had her moments when she
mused, "Why am I doing this?", but I never knew about them. I thank
God that He gave me a praying, standing wife, with her priorities in
order, and who worked at keeping her personal "Dow" closing higher
every day. That, my friend, is how marriages are restored!

"Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales;
rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of
some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding
promise for both the present life and the life to come."
1 Timothy 4:7-9

Blessings,
Bob Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.®
Post Office Box 10548
Pompano Beach, FL 33061 USA

Please pray for Nigeria!

Please pray for Nigeria... you've probably heard of the massacres that we've experienced since the cartoons-of-Mohammed appeared in Denmark; and, more pointedly, of the kidnappings of US & Other world citizens in the oil-rich but dirt-poor Niger-Delta region of Nigeria...I had seen this coming & tried to alert you all, plus the world, of impending terrorism strikes in the region & Nigeria as a whole!

We are very busy here fighting a monster that threatens the very existence of 150millions of my Nigerian peoples & could add more than 50million refugees to the world's already teeming population of les miserables(God forbid!?!?...)...! God help us!!

NO SHAKING!!

Shalom!!!

Knowledge + Action = Faith

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. - Hebrews 4:2

The people of Israel were called out of the bondage of Egyptian slavery. God said they would be brought out of 400 years of slavery so that they might worship Him. God desired to bring them into a place of milk and honey - the Promised Land. Yet that generation never entered into the Promised Land. Why? They never took what they knew in their head and transferred it to their heart. Finally, it never resulted in actions that were based on what they believed.

When I was a new Christian I heard an illustration of what belief and faith looked like when combined. If you were a trapeze artist and were skilled at walking across tightropes over high places, you might even be willing to walk across Niagara Falls. In fact, I would have confidence that you could because I had seen your abilities as a trapeze artist. However, if you asked me if you could push me in a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls, you would be challenging me to put my beliefs into action. This requires faith, participation, and risk, which, until now, was based only on mental assent.

The writer of Hebrews is telling us that if we believe God but do not enter in to those promises, we are like the man who chooses not to get into the wheelbarrow. If we don't act on our beliefs, then we remain in the desert like the people of Israel who never received God's promises. They did not combine what they knew in their head with a faith that was put into action.

Has God spoken to you about an area in your life that requires a step of faith? Let God provide the courage, as He does the knowledge, to act in faith on what you believe.

...Os Hillman, March 4, 2006
SHALOM!!!

"My grace is sufficient for thee."-2 Corinthians 12:9

If none of God's saints were poor and tried, we should not know half so
well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who
has not where to lay his head, who yet can say, "Still will I trust in
the Lord," or when we see the pauper starving on bread and water, who
still glories in Jesus; when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in
affliction, and yet having faith in Christ, oh! what honour it reflects on
the gospel. God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and
trials of believers. Saints bear up under every discouragement,
believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of
apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring-that their God will
either work a deliverance for them speedily, or most assuredly support
them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This
patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace. There is a
lighthouse out at sea: it is a calm night-I cannot tell whether the e!
difice is firm; the tempest must rage about it, and then I shall know
whether it will stand. So with the Spirit's work: if it were not on many
occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we should not know that
it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow upon it, we should not
know how firm and secure it was. The master-works of God are those men
who stand in the midst of difficulties, stedfast, unmoveable,-

"Calm mid the bewildering cry,
Confident of victory."

He who would glorify his God must set his account upon meeting with
many trials. No man can be illustrious before the Lord unless his
conflicts be many. If then, yours be a much-tried path, rejoice in it, because
you will the better show forth the all-sufficient grace of God. As for
His failing you, never dream of it-hate the thought. The God who has
been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end.

"They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy
house."-Psalm 36:8

Sheba's queen was amazed at the sumptuousness of Solomon's table. She
lost all heart when she saw the provision of a single day; and she
marvelled equally at the company of servants who were feasted at the royal
board. But what is this to the hospitalities of the God of grace? Ten
thousand thousand of his people are daily fed; hungry and thirsty, they
bring large appetites with them to the banquet, but not one of them
returns unsatisfied; there is enough for each, enough for all, enough for
evermore. Though the host that feed at Jehovah's table is countless as
the stars of heaven, yet each one has his portion of meat. Think how
much grace one saint requires, so much that nothing but the Infinite could
supply him for one day; and yet the Lord spreads His table, not for
one, but many saints, not for one day, but for many years; not for many
years only, but for generation after generation. Observe the full
feasting spoken of in the text, the guests at mercy's banquet are satisf!
ied, nay, more "abundantly satisfied;" and that not with ordinary fare,
but with fatness, the peculiar fatness of God's own house; and such
feasting is guaranteed by a faithful promise to all those children of men
who put their trust under the shadow of Jehovah's wings. I once thought
if I might but get the broken meat at God's back door of grace I should
be satisfied; like the woman who said, "The dogs eat of the crumbs that
fall from the master's table;" but no child of God is ever served with
scraps and leavings; like Mephibosheth, they all eat from the king's
own table. In matters of grace, we all have Benjamin's mess-we all have
ten times more than we could have expected, and though our necessities
are great, yet are we often amazed at the marvellous plenty of grace
which God gives us experimentally to enjoy.

SHALOM!!!