Sunday, July 30, 2006

COMMISSION OF NOBEL LAUREATES TO THE NIGER DELTA

Professors Wole Soyinka & David Phillips will lead an Advance Team of the special "COMMISSION OF NOBEL LAUREATES TO THE NIGER DELTA" into Nigeria on Monday July 31, 2006, to begin a two-days consultations and assessments visit into that country's Niger Delta region.

The Advance Team will hold discussions with a select group of 50 Niger Delta Leaders at an Intimate-Meeting to be hosted by Bayelsa State's Governor Goodluck Jonathan, visit sample-communities in Bayelsa and Rivers States, meet with Senior Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission and prepare an Independent Report on Security, Logistics etc. realities, that will guide the activities of the fuller "Commission of Nobel Laureates" when they eventually come into Nigeia to commence their much-anticipated positive intervention aimed towards expediting the process of justice, peace, stability and development in this beleaguered region and nation.

The Commission's activities are being facilitated within Nigeria by a Local Support Team (LST) coordinated by Tony I. Uranta, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria-based civil society group, Positive Partners.

All international, national, local & specialist media are hereby invited to cover the Commission's adtivities commencing from their arrival at Port-Harcourt Airport at 8:30am on Monday July 31, 2006. Media Enquiries may be made to Ibiba Don-Pedro, LST Head of Media, on 08037279489.

SHALOM!!!

Bad Alliances

by Os Hillman,
"Woe to the obstinate children," declares the Lord, "to those who carry out plans that are not Mine, forming an alliance, but not by My Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting Me; who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge." - Isaiah 30:1-2

Have you ever entered a business relationship with someone you knew you were not supposed to? Throughout the history of Israel, the people were called to come out of an old way of life. Egypt represented that old way; when things got tough, the Israelites reverted to what was comfortable. They always knew they could take a trip to Egypt and find what they lacked. Perhaps this was their reasoning: "If we can't get it accomplished under the new way, why not go back to the way we used to do it? At least we know we can get it there."

When God calls us into a walk of faith, we can expect to be tested in this walk. If we enter into alliances that God has not ordained, it will only bring heartache. Such was the case for Israel. "But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace" (Is. 30:3).

Beware what you perceive as an alliance that may advance your business. It may actually bring you great distress if God has not directed you to align it. Ask yourself what the motive is behind this possible alliance. Make sure that it is not based on fear or a quick fix. Get confirmation that God is leading you to make such an alliance. Then you will not end up in the way of Israel, experiencing shame and disgrace.

"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." -John 6:37

No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but, "I will in no wise cast out." The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out." The text means, that Christ will not at first reject a believer; and that as He will not do it at first, so He will not to the last.

But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him." But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but He will "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; He will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow"; "From all their iniquities will I cleanse them."

"Once in Christ, in Christ for ever,
Nothing from His love can sever."

"I give unto My sheep," saith He, "eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." What sayest thou to this, O trembling feeble mind? Is not this a precious mercy, that coming to Christ, thou dost not come to One who will treat thee well for a little while, and then send thee about thy business, but He will receive thee and make thee His bride, and thou shalt be His for ever? Receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father! Oh! the grace of these words: "I will in no wise cast out."

Scriptures that help us breathe

I like to think of certain verses in Scripture as those that help us breathe. By that I mean they encourage true freedom. They liberate! I suggest that all who wish to be free—truly free from bondage traps and legalistic prisons—read these verses again and again and again. I would suggest you type them on three–by–five cards and tape them to your bathroom mirror. Read them aloud each morning. They will help awaken grace within you on a daily basis. Here are a few that I often quote and claim:
It was for freedom that Christ set us free. (Galatians 5:1)
For he who has died is freed from sin. (Romans 6:7)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free. (Romans 8:2)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31–32)
So if the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
Chuck Swindoll

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Is Your Daughter's Wardrobe Too Sexy?

Hayley DiMarco
Author

Editor's Note: The fashion industry doesn't make it easy for our daughters to choose clothes that are both attractive and modest today. In her recent book, Sexy Girls, purity expert Hayley DiMarco gives girls suggestions on how to determine if their clothes are too sexy, and how to remedy the situation without compromising their sense of style or breaking the family budget.

What I want you to do is get a friend or two together and show off your wardrobe. Do a fashion show of all your stuff and talk about each item. How does it fit with your new PR campaign? Do you think guys are going to be all hot and bothered seeing you in it? Is the old man down the street drooling every time you walk by in this particular skirt?

Pull out all the stops. It’s like doing a What Not to Wear party for your wardrobe. Nothing should be left out. You and your friends can make popcorn, put on some funky tunes, and do a little show, just for girls. You might even want to invite an adult, maybe a youth leader or a female youth pastor—someone who can help you make those hard calls on the stuff you really, really like that just isn’t compatible with your new way of thinking and dressing. This isn’t a time to go all Amish on me and throw out everything but turtlenecks and baggy pants; you still need to look girlish and cute. You still have a right to love your clothes—just be smart about them. Which ones show off too much skin? Which ones will lead guys and men down a path of destruction?

Also look for fun ways to mix things you might never have thought of. Take a look at some of these examples that will make you cute without drawing all eyes to your skin:

• Spaghetti-strap top too revealing? Add a little T-shirt underneath to cover up your cleavage.

• Pants too low-waisted, showing off your sexy belly? Why not put a dress over the top of your pants? They can make great funky tops that no one else will have.

• Skirt too short? Why not try it on over some of those tight jeans? It will cover up your sexy behind and make your legs look really long.

•Layer! Layer! Layer! A lot of things don’t have to be thrown away if you just think of ways to layer them. Put a long-sleeved tee under your short baby doll tee to cover up your stomach.

• Get creative.

The cutest girls who make the biggest statement are girls who experiment with clothes. The key is really just to always be wearing something unique. A funky hat or weird shoes will set you off better than low-rise pants and a tank top. Think about adding personality to your wardrobe by going to a thrift store and buying something funky. Think 1970s, or pick another era that you like. There are all kinds of ways to be totally cute and not compromise on your image. So get a group together, do your dressing party, and check out new ways to be really cute without being sexy.

Arab leaders fear rise of Hezbollah

By Roger Hardy
BBC Middle East analyst

Hezbollah is riding a wave of popularity on the Arab street. Not since it played a role in forcing Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon in 2000 has it enjoyed such adulation.
Its leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is enjoying something akin to a personality cult.

At a time when Arab governments are seen as largely powerless to influence events, Hezbollah is seen as taking on the Israelis - and behind the Israelis, the American superpower.

This has put Arab leaders - in particular those allied to the United States - in a difficult quandary.

At the start of this crisis the rulers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan did not hide their view that Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers was "reckless adventurism".

This was unusual enough, but they also openly directed their displeasure at the group's backers, Syria and Iran.

Their stance pleased the Bush administration but was roundly criticised at home.

They were seen as siding with the Israelis against the new champions of the Palestinian cause.

Dark warnings

Now there is a distinct shift.

Washington's Arab friends are pressing urgently for an immediate ceasefire.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has warned darkly of the danger of a wider regional war.

Saudi television this week organised a day-long appeal - or "telethon" - which raised some $29 million (£15.55 million) for Lebanon.


The Saudi media made much of the fact that the king and the crown prince made handsome personal donations.

In addition the Saudi state has given $1.5 billion (£800 million) to support the Lebanese pound and help rebuild the shattered country.

It is not that these rulers have changed their minds.

They fear the growing influence of Iran and Hezbollah.

They believe the regional balance of power is shifting in Iran's favour.

They think Iran and Hezbollah are trying to hijack the Palestinian cause.

Some Saudi religious figures have gone much further. For them the issue is not so much political as sectarian.

One well-known sheikh, Abdullah bin Jabreen, has issued a fatwa, or religious ruling, declaring it illegal for Muslims to join, support or even pray for Hezbollah.

This reflects the view of conservatives in the Saudi religious establishment that the Shia are not proper Muslims and are not to be trusted.

Joining the bandwagon

But the critics of Hezbollah find themselves in the minority.


Al-Qaeda does not want to be upstaged


The predominant view in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world is overwhelmingly supportive of Hezbollah.

For most people, the Palestinian cause transcends sectarian differences.

Even al-Qaeda, no friend of the Shia, has felt obliged to speak out.

The group's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has issued a video saying no Muslim can stay silent in the face of events in Lebanon.

Al-Qaeda does not want to be upstaged.

Friday, July 28, 2006

When the Lord Tarries

by Os Hillman

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. - Habakkuk 2:3

God has a storehouse of blessings that He has reserved for you and me. However, our timing to receive those blessings may not be the same as our Lord's. God has a specific timetable that He requires to accomplish His purposes in the life of the believer. Sometimes that timetable seems excruciatingly cruel and painful, yet it is needful.

When we read that Joseph remained a slave in Egypt and was then placed in prison after being wrongfully accused, it would be easy to second-guess the God of the universe. Oh, how cruel and uncaring, we might think. Joseph thought he was going to be delivered from prison when he interpreted a dream for a court official, but then he was forgotten another two years. Why? An early release would have disrupted God's perfect plan.

God takes time to develop character before anything else. God could not afford to have a prideful 30-year-old managing the resources of an entire region of the world.

We can sometimes delay this timetable if we refuse His correction.

Although it is sometimes difficult to understand, the Lord is just and gracious in His dealings with His children. When He does decide to move on our behalf, we will appreciate the delay and will often understand the reason it was needed. Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! (Is. 30:18)

If you are awaiting the fulfillment of a vision in your life, ask the Lord for His grace to sustain you. It will be worth the wait.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Malawi's ex-president is arrested

Malawi's former President Bakili Muluzi has been arrested on the orders of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
He was escorted on Thursday morning from his home in Blantyre to the ACB's offices for questioning about financial transactions during his time in office.

A spokesman for Mr Muluzi's United Democratic Front (UDF) party said the arrest did not come as a surprise, and called it "political persecution".

Mr Muluzi fell out with his successor Bingu wa Mutharika after polls in 2004.

ACB Director Gustave Kaliwo confirmed in an earlier interview that "we have some issues Mr Muluzi needs to explain regarding some of his financial dealings while in power".

In October, anti-corruption agents raided Mr Muluzi's home and removed papers.

Mr Muluzi has denied any wrongdoing.

Crowds gather

The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre says Mr Muluzi was not handcuffed when he left his house, and was allowed to travel in his personal car to the ACB's offices.


Our correspondent says that as news of the arrest has spread, a crowd of curious onlookers and supporters has gathered outside the ACB's offices.

Mr Muluzi's lawyer, Shabir Latif, confirmed to the BBC that the ACB had served an arrest warrant on the former president. But he did not give details of the charges.

The UDF's publicity secretary Sam Mpasu said the development was "a continuation of political persecution".

Mr Muluzi stepped down as president after serving two terms in office in 2004.

He hand-picked Mr Mutharika to run for president on the UDF ticket.

But eight months after his victory, the new president resigned from the UDF over what he says was hostility to his anti-corruption campaign.

In April, Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha, who is close to Mr Muluzi, was arrested and charged with treason.

He is on bail under strict conditions and may not leave his house without permission from the president.

The crucible of crisis

God's Word is filled with examples of those who believed God and "commenced prayer." David certainly did." I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm" (Ps.40:1–2).

Paul and Silas experienced the same thing in that ancient Philippian prison when all seemed hopeless (Acts 16:25–26). And it was from the deep that Jonah cried for help. Choking on salt water and engulfed by the Mediterranean currents, the prodigal prophet called out his distress:

"Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, 'I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; Thou didst hear my voice . . . All Thy breakers and billows passed over me . . . But Thou has brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God'" (Jonah 2:1–6).

Often it is the crucible of crisis that energizes our faith. Think it over.

World 'backs Lebanon offensive'

Israel says diplomats' decision not to call for a halt to its Lebanon offensive at a Middle East summit has given it the green light to continue.
"We received yesterday at the Rome conference permission from the world... to continue the operation," Justice Minister Haim Ramon said.

His comments came ahead of an Israeli cabinet meeting to decide whether to intensify the military offensive.

There have been more Israeli air raids and fighting continues in the south.

Foreign ministers attending crisis talks on the violence in Rome on Wednesday failed to unite in calling for an immediate ceasefire, vowing instead to work with "utmost urgency" for a sustainable truce.





Speaking on Israeli army radio, Mr Ramon - a close confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - said "everyone understands that a victory for Hezbollah is a victory for world terror".

He said that in order to prevent casualties amongst Israeli soldiers battling Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, villages should be flattened by the Israeli air force before ground troops move in.

'All southerners terrorists'

He added that Israel had given the civilians of southern Lebanon ample time to quit the area and therefore anyone still remaining there can be considered Hezbollah supporters.

"All those now in south Lebanon are terrorists who are related in some way to Hezbollah," Mr Ramon said.

Mr Ramon's call for the use of greater firepower came as the Israeli cabinet was set to decide whether to broaden its military offensive.


LEBANON TWO WEEKS ON
Three airports bombed
62 bridges destroyed
Three dams and ports hit
5,000 homes damaged


The chief of Israel's northern command, Maj Gen Udi Adam, has warned that he expects the fighting to "continue for several more weeks".

The BBC Jim Muir in Tyre says that the progress of Israeli ground troops has not been as fast as expected as they battle through the difficult terrain of southern Lebanon.

They still have not managed to capture the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil, where they have suffered their worst losses.

An Israeli military official told the BBC that Israel has destroyed 50% of Hezbollah's weapons arsenal, but nonetheless the group's ability to inflict damage appears undiminished - on Wednesday they fired some 150 rockets into Israel, more than on any other day of the conflict.

Pursuing Mr Olmert's plan of pushing Hezbollah back from border areas, in order to prevent them continuing to fire rockets into Israeli territory, and establishing a "security zone" in the south will take many weeks, our correspondent adds.

'Suicide mission'

Meanwhile, Israel's attacks on Lebanon have continued with air strikes on a Lebanese army base and a radio relay station north of Beirut.

Fighting is continuing around the town of Bint Jbeil, in south Lebanon, where nine Israel soldiers died on Wednesday.


And in Tyre the bombing of nearby areas, combined with last night's raid on apartments right inside the city, has sparked a civilian exodus.

In a separate development, Australia has said it will withdraw a contingent of 12 UN peacekeepers, following the death of four UN observers in an Israeli air strike, whom the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, says were "apparently deliberately targeted".

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, speaking at the Asean conference in Malaysia, said sending an international peacekeeping force into southern Lebanon while the conflict continues would amount to a "suicide mission".

Foreign ministers attending crisis talks on the violence in Rome on Wednesday agreed on the need for an international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, but not on when and how such a force should be deployed.


I cannot believe the level of force with which Israel has decided to retaliate in Lebanon
Glen, Edinburgh


The meeting was overshadowed by outcry over the deaths of the UN observers, whom UN officials say had asked Israel repeatedly to stop attacking them before they were killed by an Israeli war plane.

At least 405 Lebanese and 51 Israelis have died in violence since Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid on 12 July.

The BBC's Clare Bolderson in Jerusalem says that despite the escalating death toll public opinion in Israel remains solidly behind the government.

Israelis believe Hezbollah is a threat to their state's existence, our correspondent says, and though there are signs of a weariness with the rockets launched daily at Israel's northern towns, there is no indication they want the bombing to stop.

A poll published by Israel's Maariv daily newspaper on Thursday, has 82% saying they back the continuing offensive and the number saying "Israel's reaction to Hezbollah attacks is justified" remained unchanged at 95%.

The poll was conducted before the death of nine Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon on Wednesday - the biggest loss of Israeli life in a single incident so far during the conflict.

"Exceeding great and precious promises."-2 Peter 1:4

If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises, and
enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are
promises which are like grapes in the wine-press; if you will tread them the
juice will flow. Thinking over the hallowed words will often be the
prelude to their fulfillment. While you are musing upon them, the boon
which you are seeking will insensibly come to you. Many a Christian who
has thirsted for the promise has found the favour which it ensured gently
distilling into his soul even while he has been considering the divine
record; and he has rejoiced that ever he was led to lay the promise
near his heart.

But besides meditating upon the promises, seek in thy soul to receive
them as being the very words of God. Speak to thy soul thus, "If I were
dealing with a man's promise, I should carefully consider the ability
and the character of the man who had covenanted with me. So with the
promise of God; my eye must not be so much fixed upon the greatness of the
mercy-that may stagger me; as upon the greatness of the promiser-that
will cheer me. My soul, it is God, even thy God, God that cannot lie,
who speaks to thee. This word of His which thou art now considering is as
true as His own existence. He is a God unchangeable. He has not altered
the thing which has gone out of His mouth, nor called back one single
consolatory sentence. Nor doth He lack any power; it is the God that
made the heavens and the earth who has spoken thus. Nor can He fail in
wisdom as to the time when He will bestow the favours, for He knoweth when
it is best to give and when better to withhold. Therefore, see!
ing that it is the word of a God so true, so immutable, so powerful,
so wise, I will and must believe the promise." If we thus meditate upon
the promises, and consider the Promiser, we shall experience their
sweetness, and obtain their fulfillment.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Keep your light "on" and your saltshaker tipped!

Charles R. Swindoll

God calls us to be salt–and–light Christians in a bland, dark society. We need to remember salt must not lose its taste and light must not be hidden. Let me suggest three statements that declare and describe how to fulfill this role:

"I am different." We should not become like the world. We must guard against being sucked into the prevailing culture and conforming to society's expectations.
"I am responsible." Every once in awhile we need to ask some hard questions: Are we making contact with others? Are we seeking isolation? It's up to us to spread the salt and light.
"I am influential." Let's not kid ourselves. The very fact that we belong to Christ — that we don't adapt to the system, that we march to a different drumbeat — gives us an influence in this society of ours. We are influencing others in our every behavior, be it good or bad. Even when we aren't trying, out comes the salt and on comes the light.

Remember to keep your light "on" and your saltshaker tipped!

Making a Case for Dating

Michael Smalley, M.A.
Smalley Relationship Center

Genesis 29:17-19: Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel." Laban said, "It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me."

Mark 12:33: To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:17: This is my command: Love each other.

Romans 12:9: Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:10: Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 13:9: The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

1 Corinthians 13: 1-13: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The list of verses mentioned above outlines what love is about, and what I want to stress is that the Bible, to my knowledge, doesn't directly speak about a specific stance on dating. If you're looking for something that says, unequivocally, "dating is wrong" or "dating is right," you won't find it. The Bible tends to address ways of living and how to treat others.

All the verses above talk about love and how we should go about the business of love. Nowhere does it say that "dating" is an abomination of God's will or that "dating" is the wrong way to go about courting a potential mate. What the Bible tells us is how we should treat anyone we do choose to date.

If you read the above verses, and you followed God's blueprint for love, your dating experience would be a blessing! I believe that if we follow what the Bible says about loving each other, dating or not, our relationships would be healthy, satisfying and glorifying to God.

Would you seriously discourage your child, or yourself, from dating if you were to follow God's instruction on loving others? I seriously doubt it because when we follow God's will, we are exactly where we ought to be. That is when life is the most satisfying and healthy.

If I choose to be sincere, devoted, protecting, trusting, hopeful, persevering, and never failing, I believe my dating years would be incredible years. Just because a relationship does not end in marriage, doesn't mean we are now less capable of giving someone else just as much honor, love, patience, kindness and trust.

I recently had a discussion with a trustworthy gentleman who tends to agree with my stance on dating. He said something that stood out to me. If we are telling our children that dating is bad because they can get hurt or hurt people deeply, are we not saying that they have no ability for self-control?

By ignoring dating entirely, we are telling ourselves that we are incapable of dating in the manner God intends us to date. We are capable of living how God instructs us to live. God has given us the blueprint to having a great dating experience. All we have to do is follow God's direction.

Being an Overcomer

by Os Hillman, July 26, 2006

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

"Why does it seem that those involved in Christian enterprise find the way so hard? It seems as though it is harder for those who are committed Christians in business. Have you found this to be true?" This was the comment from a business associate recently. My answer was a definite yes. In fact, if you were not a Christian and sought to do a similar business without regard to maintaining a biblical philosophy, the way would be much smoother sailing. It makes us think of the prophet who asked, "Why do the wicked prosper?" (see Jer. 12:1)

It is a spiritual principle of which we speak. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan before they entered the Promised Land, they fought only two battles. Then after they entered the Promised Land, they fought 39 battles. The way of the cross is not paved with lilies; it is paved with grace. When we seek to honor God in our business life, we will be met with opposition from the spiritual forces of this world. This is why each of us must commit ourselves to walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and to be as gentle as doves but as wise as serpents.

Do not be surprised when you find the way harder as a believer than when you were a non-believer. You now have more at stake among the spiritual forces that desire you to be defeated and ineffective.

Stand firm against the evil forces that desire to keep you from walking in freedom in the Promised Land. Jesus is your victory for every battle you will encounter. Call on His name.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Nobel Laureates sending Advance Team into Nigeria: July 31 - August 2, 2006

COMMISSION OF NOBEL LAUREATES ON THE NIGER DELTA
(David Phillips’ Visit to Nigeria July 31 – Aug 2, 2006: Proposed Programme)
Monday, July 31
1. Arrival-MM-Airport, Lagos (Received by WS & TIU)
2. Leave for Port-Harcourt (PH), Lagos
3. Arrival PH-Airport, PH (Received by LST & Protocol/Security Detail)
4. Leave for Yenagoa
5. Arrival Yenagoa (Check-Into Lodgings)
6. Meeting with Local Support Team (LST), Yenagoa (15mins)
7. Meeting with Dr. G. Igali, Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government (SSG), Yenagoa (15mins)
8. Courtesy-Call on H.E. G. Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor, Yenagoa / Intimate Meeting with Gov. Jonathan & select-few Stakeholders of the Niger Delta, Govt. House, Yenagoa (1hr)
9. Retire for the night, Yenagoa
Tuesday, August 1
10. Meeting with LST & SSG, Yenagoa (10mins)
11. Community visits: Imiringi (Bayelsa State); K.Dere, Kweniama (Rivers State)
12. Retire for the night, PH
Wednesday, Aug 2
12. Courtesy-Call on H.E. P. Odili, Rivers State Governor, Govt. House, PH (30mins)
13. Meeting with NDDC Chairman, & Management, PH (30mins)
14. Depart PH-Airport
15. Arrive MM-Airport, Lagos
16. Depart MM-Airport

Darfur rebel to meet US president

US President George Bush is due to hold talks in Washington with the leader of the main rebel group in western Sudan's Darfur region, Minni Minnawi.
Mr Minnawi heads the SLA, which was the only rebel organisation to sign a peace deal with Sudan's government in May.

The talks are intended to show US support for the peace deal and the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force in war-torn Darfur.

Some 2m people have fled their homes in Darfur and violence continues.

Two other Darfur rebel groups refused to sign up to the peace deal saying the terms were inadequate.

The Sudanese government remains strongly opposed to the idea of a UN force replacing the current African Union force, which is seen as too small and too poorly funded to be effective.

Darfur has been in the grip of violence since the rebellion was launched three and a half years ago.

While the peace agreement has had an effect in some areas, the UN says that fighting between the rival rebel factions is bringing renewed violence.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Singled Out for Him: Remaining Morally Pure

Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Author

In today's world, we are bombarded with sensual advertisements and entertainment urging us to fulfill the natural lusts of our flesh.

The temptations that confront us today are really not so different from those that faced the first man and woman in the garden or our Savior in the wilderness.

We are encouraged to indulge our natural, fleshly appetites and assured that there will be no negative consequences – only happiness and fulfillment. We are duped into thinking that our deepest and most critical needs are physical and sensual rather than spiritual. We are led to believe that God's laws are outmoded, irrelevant and unreasonable – that He really doesn't understand us or have our best interests at heart. And we are encouraged to fulfill our God-created desires in ways that bypass the laws He has built into the universe.

What we are not told is that the one making those appeals to our flesh is our archenemy – that he is a deceiver, a defiler, and a destroyer. We are not told that what he presents as the way to freedom and happiness is actually the pathway to bondage, misery and destruction.

Lack of moral discipline is one of the greatest disqualifiers of those who run the Christian race. On the other hand, a commitment to moral purity is essential to experiencing the fullness of blessing that God intends for us. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). The Apostle Paul makes it clear that the will of God for every believer is that we be morally pure, that we abstain from every form of immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3f).

I have made only a few vows in my life. A vow is a sacred, binding commitment to God. It is not to be made lightly, for it cannot be broken without serious consequences. There is no vow that I take more seriously than the vow to be morally pure. Although I grew up in a godly home, have had the best possible training, and have been graciously protected by God, moral purity is not something I take for granted. I believe it would be foolish to assume that anyone is ever beyond sinning against God in this realm.

In a world that has been ravaged by the sexual revolution, I want to share a special burden with those readers who are women. I believe there is not a man alive who doesn't have the potential for moral failure, and that, as Christian women, there is much we can do to establish a climate where men are motivated to be morally pure. At the same time, you and I as women can be the instrument of causing any man to fall morally.

Many years ago, I was sobered by the passage in Proverbs 7 that says, speaking of the woman with an immoral heart, "Many strong men have been slain by her" (v. 26 NIV). Think of it – many men; many strong men – destroyed by a woman who is not morally pure. What incredible influence and responsibility we have as Christian women!

Undoubtedly, the prayer I have prayed more than any other in my life is "Oh, God, please guard my heart." I know that I will never outgrow my need for Him to protect my heart and my desires. In addition, I pray that God will make me wise, prudent, and discreet in my relationships with men. I ask God to make me an encourager and a blessing to the men with whom I am in contact, to use my life to edify and build them up in their faith.

Recovering Assurance through Faith

Albert Mohler
Traumatic world events and nagging questions of belief sometimes cause Christians to be troubled in spirit and to question their assurance of faith. In every generation, believers have struggled with the question of assurance in salvation. As always, the church confronts this issue as both a pressing theological question and as an urgent pastoral concern. Answering these questions anew, we are reminded once again that all doctrine is practical and that the great biblical truths of the Christian faith are meant not only for our intellectual acceptance, but for our spiritual health.
Many Christians suffer from an absence of Christian assurance. They lack confidence in their salvation and are troubled by nagging doubts, perplexing questions, and a lack of clarity about whether assurance of salvation is actually possible. At the same time, the church has always faced the reality of false professors and those who fall away. These are problems that trouble the soul and raise unavoidable theological questions.
Clearly, now is the time for clarification and for the recovery of a biblical concept of assurance. Beyond the immediate questions of assurance and false professors, the church must also confront superficial and inadequate understandings of assurance -- concepts that can actually mislead and confuse.
The Apostle Paul assured the Christians in Philippi of his absolute confidence "that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" [Philippians 1:6]. The logic of that passage is of vital importance. Paul's confidence was not that the Philippians would be able to preserve themselves. To the contrary, Paul's confidence was established in Jesus Christ and in the promise that Christ would complete the work He had surely begun in them.
Coming to the end of his own life, Paul expressed personal confidence that the Lord would "bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom" [2 Timothy 4:18]. Without this confidence, how could Paul have faced the prospect of his own death? His desire was for fellow believers to experience this same confidence and assurance.
Jesus taught His disciples a great deal about the believer's assurance, ultimately establishing assurance in the Father's promises to the Son. In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches that "this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I would lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day" [John 6:39]. This is a magnificent promise, and one that makes sense only in light of Jesus' straightforward revelation concerning the Father's authority in salvation: "All that the Father gives to Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out" [John 6:37]. Those who are in Christ's hands will never be lost, for they have been called, drawn, and given to Him by the Father Himself. As Jesus the Good Shepherd said in John 10, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand" [John 10:27-29].
Thus a consistent biblical theme emerges from the scriptural text. Jesus assured His disciples that their salvation was rooted in the eternal purposes of God and that those who truly come to faith in Him are safe within God's mercy. No one is able to snatch believers out of the Father's hand, and all who come to the Son are preserved by the Father.
Christians should find great comfort in the biblical promises of assurance. This is because these promises are founded ultimately in the eternal purposes of God, in the Son's accomplished work, and in the Father's vindication of the Son. Those who truly come to Christ by faith are guarded, preserved, and kept by the power of God. Our Lord did not intend His people to be trapped in a maze of doubt and insecurity. To the contrary, Christ instructed His sheep to trust in Him and His promises.
Assurance of salvation is indeed possible -- and is a Christian responsibility. Pernicious doubt concerning salvation may be an indication that the believer does not truly trust the character, power, and purposes of God. Thus a believer's insecurity -- sometimes disguised as an artificial humility -- can be evidence of a heart that does not adequately trust in the promises of God.
At the same time, saving faith is demonstrated in a transformed life. Peter, for example, instructed believers to observe their lives, looking for the evidence of authentic faith and the marks of true discipleship. Peter summarizes his exhortation with these unforgettable words: "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall" [2 Peter 1:10].
How are believers to make their "calling and election sure?" There can be no question that Peter expected Christians to look and strive for the characteristics which should mark those who have been transformed by the power of God. Thus, the believer's calling and election--the very foundation of the salvation experience--would be evident in a new heart and a transformed life.
Paul also repeatedly warned Christians not to abandon their faith or to fall prey to false teachers. He even went so far as to identify some who had "nullified" the grace of God [Galatians 2:21] and others who had fallen away and abandoned their faith. Demas, for example, "in love with the present world," had deserted Paul and the gospel [2 Timothy 4:10]. Hymanaeus and Alexander had "made shipwreck of their faith" and thus had been handed over to Satan by Paul "that they may learn not to blaspheme" [1 Timothy 1:20].
In pondering biblical warnings like these, most Christians think of the passages in Hebrews which have spawned so many different interpretations. How are we to understand these warnings -- particularly as found in Hebrews 6:4-8? No doubt this is a crucial question, for how we interpret this passage is inextricably tied to larger theological issues -- including our understanding of the church itself. The warnings of Hebrews 6 are seen in the clearest light when put alongside Jesus' parable of the sower and the soils as found in Matthew 13 and Luke 8. Comparing the human heart to soils of the field, Jesus pointed to the reality that the church would encounter those who would "believe for a while," but would fall away under testing or persecution. When Jesus identified the shallow soil, He was certainly speaking of those whose faith would be, as described by the Puritans, a temporary or false faith. Thus, those who are described as falling away in Hebrews 6 are those who falsely confessed faith in Christ. As with the soil that bore fruit for a time but withered, so with those who have "tasted the heavenly gift" but fall away. Theirs was not a genuine and enduring faith, but a fickle and false faith. This is an urgent and sober warning.
In the final analysis, the gift of assurance rests on the biblical doctrine of perseverance. This doctrine teaches that true believers are those who persevere in and by faith. Their endurance -- having been preserved by the power of God -- becomes the demonstration of their salvation and the mark of authenticity. The biblical doctrine of perseverance corrects misunderstandings implied by more superficial conceptions of the believer's state. Some teach that anyone who has at any time made a profession of faith in Christ or exercised the slightest belief is secure. These teachers actually argue that true believers may demonstrate absolutely none of the marks of gospel authenticity. In other words, such persons never repent of their sins, and may even repudiate the faith -- but are supposed to be secure in their salvation. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Furthermore, the doctrine of perseverance harmoniously links the believer's assurance of salvation to the larger scheme of redemption. God's determination to save sinners is affirmed from beginning to end. The believer's faith in Christ, exercised as an act of the believer's will, is understood to be itself a gift of God and a result of God's calling. Thus, the doctrine of perseverance grounds assurance in the eternal purposes of God, by which God determines to redeem His people through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to preserve Christ's church throughout all the ages.
In his first letter, Peter reminded Christians that the Father "has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Believers are promised "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" [1 Peter 1:4-5]. The Christian's proper assurance of salvation is God's gift -- a gift given to the believer by the very God who has accomplished our salvation. True believers are those who have genuinely responded to the call of the Gospel, whose belief is evident in a life transformed by God's grace, and whose profession of faith in Christ is accompanied by repentance from sin and an eagerness to follow Christ.
Believers do sin, and may sin grievously, but they can never finally remain in sin. Peter promised that God will guard His own through faith, even as salvation will be revealed "in the last time." In the end, the gift of assurance and the doctrine of perseverance take us back to the very essence of the gospel -- we are saved by grace through faith. Grace alone... nothing more and nothing less.

Expectations

by Os Hillman, July 21, 2006
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. - Philippians 1:20

Have you ever had expectations that did not get fulfilled? Perhaps a coworker let you down. Perhaps you were trusting God for something in your life that never materialized. Perhaps you became devastated by an unmet expectation that you felt you were entitled to. Expectations can be a difficult trap for each of us if we are not fully committed to God's purposes in our lives.

Paul wrote this verse from prison to the people of Philippi. He had an expectation that his life would bring glory to God, whether through his continued ministry or his death. His joy in living was not based on his expectations getting fulfilled, but on remaining true to the purpose for which God made him.

When we react to circumstances with bitterness and resentment as a result of unmet expectations, we are saying that we know better than God, and that God has made a mistake in not meeting our expectations. The process of resolving unmet expectations may require full disclosure to the individual who was the source of the unmet expectation, and of how the unmet expectation made you feel. This is not to make the person feel obligated to meet the expectation, but simply to share your feelings about it. If God was the source, then it is important to share this with the Lord. However, once we have done this we must let go of the situation and allow God to work in our hearts the grace that is needed to walk in freedom from the pain of the unmet expectation. If we do not do this, we will allow the seed of bitterness and resentment to enter in. This seed of bitterness will create leanness in our soul and eventually will spread to others.

Ask yourself today if you have any unmet expectations. How have you responded to them? Have you processed this with the Lord and others who may be involved? These are the steps to freedom from unmet expectations.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

HALLELUJAH!

My ever-faithful God reassures me that ALL is well with me, with the NOBEL LAUREATES COMMISSION TO THE NIGER DELTA Programme, with my love life, with my career life, & more than anything else, with my spiritual life!

HALLELUJAH!

Shalom!!!

US marines aid mass evacuation

US marines have landed in Beirut to help American citizens as a mass evacuation from Lebanon gathers pace.
Three ships, chartered by different nations, docked in Cyprus late on Wednesday carrying hundreds of people.

Britain is now operating a regular naval shuttle service between Beirut and Cyprus.

More than 300 Russians have flown from Damascus to Moscow, and Germany has transported at least 500 people to Syria in a convoy of buses.

It is the first time in nearly 23 years that US forces have operated in Lebanon. They pulled out after Hezbollah guerrillas blew up their barracks in Beirut, killing 240 - the US military's single worst loss of life since World War II.

The first contingent of 40 marines went ashore at dawn on a landing craft from the troop carrier USS Nashville.
A total of 1,200 troops from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are being deployed as part of a massive land, sea and air operation to bring out thousands of Americans.

An official said the US had the capacity to evacuate 6,000 nationals over the next two days.

Meanwhile, Cypriot foreign minister George Lillikas has warned that Cyprus is filling up with evacuees and running out of room to house them.

He said his country would appeal to the European Commission for additional planes to fly evacuees from Lebanon back to their home countries.


FOREIGNERS IN LEBANON
Sri Lanka: 80,000
Canada: 40,000
Philippines: 30,000
Australia: 25,000
US: 25,000
UK: 22,000 (inc. 10,000 with dual nationality)
France: 20,000
Figures correct at start of conflict


"We are talking about a very, very big number of people - around 60,000 people - so if they stay in Cyprus even for a few days it will be a complicated and almost impossible task," he said.
"We've just used all the hotels we have... apartments. We now use schools. The best solution it seems is to have enough planes in Cyprus in order to evacuate immediately these people towards their countries."

A US-chartered cruise ship, the Orient Queen, arrived in Cyprus overnight with more than 1,000 people aboard, while more than 300 evacuees arrived on a French frigate.

The US state department estimates that some 25,000 US nationals are in Lebanon, France says it has 20,000 and Britain 22,000.
Many of these have dual nationality, and it is not clear how many want to leave.

But it is estimated that there are a further 80,000 Sri Lankans, 12,000 Indians and 30,000 Filipinos stranded in the country.

Canada has more foreign nationals in Lebanon than any other Western country.

Some 21,000 people are registered with the Canadian embassy in Beirut, but consular officials estimate that 40-50,000 Canadians are in the country.

The Canadian government has been severely criticised for its response to the crisis which has been seen as slow and poorly planned.


Nouha Fadlalla, who was on holiday in Lebanon with her husband and three children said they had found their own way back to Montreal.
"Bombs were around us," she said. "We tried to call the Canadian embassy, there was no answer, it was closed. So, on our own initiative, we bought tickets that we found finally, after a lot of work."

The criticism has put Canadian government ministers on the defensive. The country's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, pointed out that there are many more Canadians to assist in Lebanon than other foreign nationals.

"There have been literally hundreds of federal employees who have been working day and night for the past several days to put in place the largest evacuation of Canadian citizens from another country in our history," he said.

Mr Harper has now promised to take more than 100 Canadians home on his government plane.


















US marines aid mass evacuation
US marines have landed in Beirut to help American citizens as a mass evacuation from Lebanon gathers pace.
Three ships, chartered by different nations, docked in Cyprus late on Wednesday carrying hundreds of people.

Britain is now operating a regular naval shuttle service between Beirut and Cyprus.

More than 300 Russians have flown from Damascus to Moscow, and Germany has transported at least 500 people to Syria in a convoy of buses.

US contingent

It is the first time in nearly 23 years that US forces have operated in Lebanon. They pulled out after Hezbollah guerrillas blew up their barracks in Beirut, killing 240 - the US military's single worst loss of life since World War II.


The first contingent of 40 marines went ashore at dawn on a landing craft from the troop carrier USS Nashville.
A total of 1,200 troops from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are being deployed as part of a massive land, sea and air operation to bring out thousands of Americans.

An official said the US had the capacity to evacuate 6,000 nationals over the next two days.

Meanwhile, Cypriot foreign minister George Lillikas has warned that Cyprus is filling up with evacuees and running out of room to house them.

He said his country would appeal to the European Commission for additional planes to fly evacuees from Lebanon back to their home countries.


FOREIGNERS IN LEBANON
Sri Lanka: 80,000
Canada: 40,000
Philippines: 30,000
Australia: 25,000
US: 25,000
UK: 22,000 (inc. 10,000 with dual nationality)
France: 20,000
Figures correct at start of conflict


"We are talking about a very, very big number of people - around 60,000 people - so if they stay in Cyprus even for a few days it will be a complicated and almost impossible task," he said.
"We've just used all the hotels we have... apartments. We now use schools. The best solution it seems is to have enough planes in Cyprus in order to evacuate immediately these people towards their countries."

Stranded

A US-chartered cruise ship, the Orient Queen, arrived in Cyprus overnight with more than 1,000 people aboard, while more than 300 evacuees arrived on a French frigate.





The US state department estimates that some 25,000 US nationals are in Lebanon, France says it has 20,000 and Britain 22,000.
Many of these have dual nationality, and it is not clear how many want to leave.

But it is estimated that there are a further 80,000 Sri Lankans, 12,000 Indians and 30,000 Filipinos stranded in the country.

Canada has more foreign nationals in Lebanon than any other Western country.

Some 21,000 people are registered with the Canadian embassy in Beirut, but consular officials estimate that 40-50,000 Canadians are in the country.

The Canadian government has been severely criticised for its response to the crisis which has been seen as slow and poorly planned.


Nouha Fadlalla, who was on holiday in Lebanon with her husband and three children said they had found their own way back to Montreal.
"Bombs were around us," she said. "We tried to call the Canadian embassy, there was no answer, it was closed. So, on our own initiative, we bought tickets that we found finally, after a lot of work."

The criticism has put Canadian government ministers on the defensive. The country's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, pointed out that there are many more Canadians to assist in Lebanon than other foreign nationals.

"There have been literally hundreds of federal employees who have been working day and night for the past several days to put in place the largest evacuation of Canadian citizens from another country in our history," he said.

Mr Harper has now promised to take more than 100 Canadians home on his government plane.

US marines aid mass evacuation

US marines have landed in Beirut to help American citizens as a mass evacuation from Lebanon gathers pace.
Three ships, chartered by different nations, docked in Cyprus late on Wednesday carrying hundreds of people.

Britain is now operating a regular naval shuttle service between Beirut and Cyprus.

More than 300 Russians have flown from Damascus to Moscow, and Germany has transported at least 500 people to Syria in a convoy of buses.

It is the first time in nearly 23 years that US forces have operated in Lebanon. They pulled out after Hezbollah guerrillas blew up their barracks in Beirut, killing 240 - the US military's single worst loss of life since World War II.

The first contingent of 40 marines went ashore at dawn on a landing craft from the troop carrier USS Nashville.
A total of 1,200 troops from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are being deployed as part of a massive land, sea and air operation to bring out thousands of Americans.

An official said the US had the capacity to evacuate 6,000 nationals over the next two days.

Meanwhile, Cypriot foreign minister George Lillikas has warned that Cyprus is filling up with evacuees and running out of room to house them.

He said his country would appeal to the European Commission for additional planes to fly evacuees from Lebanon back to their home countries.


FOREIGNERS IN LEBANON
Sri Lanka: 80,000
Canada: 40,000
Philippines: 30,000
Australia: 25,000
US: 25,000
UK: 22,000 (inc. 10,000 with dual nationality)
France: 20,000
Figures correct at start of conflict


"We are talking about a very, very big number of people - around 60,000 people - so if they stay in Cyprus even for a few days it will be a complicated and almost impossible task," he said.
"We've just used all the hotels we have... apartments. We now use schools. The best solution it seems is to have enough planes in Cyprus in order to evacuate immediately these people towards their countries."

A US-chartered cruise ship, the Orient Queen, arrived in Cyprus overnight with more than 1,000 people aboard, while more than 300 evacuees arrived on a French frigate.

The US state department estimates that some 25,000 US nationals are in Lebanon, France says it has 20,000 and Britain 22,000.
Many of these have dual nationality, and it is not clear how many want to leave.

But it is estimated that there are a further 80,000 Sri Lankans, 12,000 Indians and 30,000 Filipinos stranded in the country.

Canada has more foreign nationals in Lebanon than any other Western country.

Some 21,000 people are registered with the Canadian embassy in Beirut, but consular officials estimate that 40-50,000 Canadians are in the country.

The Canadian government has been severely criticised for its response to the crisis which has been seen as slow and poorly planned.


Nouha Fadlalla, who was on holiday in Lebanon with her husband and three children said they had found their own way back to Montreal.
"Bombs were around us," she said. "We tried to call the Canadian embassy, there was no answer, it was closed. So, on our own initiative, we bought tickets that we found finally, after a lot of work."

The criticism has put Canadian government ministers on the defensive. The country's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, pointed out that there are many more Canadians to assist in Lebanon than other foreign nationals.

"There have been literally hundreds of federal employees who have been working day and night for the past several days to put in place the largest evacuation of Canadian citizens from another country in our history," he said.

Mr Harper has now promised to take more than 100 Canadians home on his government plane.


















US marines aid mass evacuation
US marines have landed in Beirut to help American citizens as a mass evacuation from Lebanon gathers pace.
Three ships, chartered by different nations, docked in Cyprus late on Wednesday carrying hundreds of people.

Britain is now operating a regular naval shuttle service between Beirut and Cyprus.

More than 300 Russians have flown from Damascus to Moscow, and Germany has transported at least 500 people to Syria in a convoy of buses.

US contingent

It is the first time in nearly 23 years that US forces have operated in Lebanon. They pulled out after Hezbollah guerrillas blew up their barracks in Beirut, killing 240 - the US military's single worst loss of life since World War II.


The first contingent of 40 marines went ashore at dawn on a landing craft from the troop carrier USS Nashville.
A total of 1,200 troops from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are being deployed as part of a massive land, sea and air operation to bring out thousands of Americans.

An official said the US had the capacity to evacuate 6,000 nationals over the next two days.

Meanwhile, Cypriot foreign minister George Lillikas has warned that Cyprus is filling up with evacuees and running out of room to house them.

He said his country would appeal to the European Commission for additional planes to fly evacuees from Lebanon back to their home countries.


FOREIGNERS IN LEBANON
Sri Lanka: 80,000
Canada: 40,000
Philippines: 30,000
Australia: 25,000
US: 25,000
UK: 22,000 (inc. 10,000 with dual nationality)
France: 20,000
Figures correct at start of conflict


"We are talking about a very, very big number of people - around 60,000 people - so if they stay in Cyprus even for a few days it will be a complicated and almost impossible task," he said.
"We've just used all the hotels we have... apartments. We now use schools. The best solution it seems is to have enough planes in Cyprus in order to evacuate immediately these people towards their countries."

Stranded

A US-chartered cruise ship, the Orient Queen, arrived in Cyprus overnight with more than 1,000 people aboard, while more than 300 evacuees arrived on a French frigate.





The US state department estimates that some 25,000 US nationals are in Lebanon, France says it has 20,000 and Britain 22,000.
Many of these have dual nationality, and it is not clear how many want to leave.

But it is estimated that there are a further 80,000 Sri Lankans, 12,000 Indians and 30,000 Filipinos stranded in the country.

Canada has more foreign nationals in Lebanon than any other Western country.

Some 21,000 people are registered with the Canadian embassy in Beirut, but consular officials estimate that 40-50,000 Canadians are in the country.

The Canadian government has been severely criticised for its response to the crisis which has been seen as slow and poorly planned.


Nouha Fadlalla, who was on holiday in Lebanon with her husband and three children said they had found their own way back to Montreal.
"Bombs were around us," she said. "We tried to call the Canadian embassy, there was no answer, it was closed. So, on our own initiative, we bought tickets that we found finally, after a lot of work."

The criticism has put Canadian government ministers on the defensive. The country's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, pointed out that there are many more Canadians to assist in Lebanon than other foreign nationals.

"There have been literally hundreds of federal employees who have been working day and night for the past several days to put in place the largest evacuation of Canadian citizens from another country in our history," he said.

Mr Harper has now promised to take more than 100 Canadians home on his government plane.

God Wants You to Be Best Friends with Your Spouse

Beverly LaHaye

A marriage based on friendship is one that has the strength and the power to endure. Passion is important, but friendship is strong stuff. Friendship creates a firm security that makes just being together renew your spirit. It's the place in marriage that's like a warm blanket on a cold winter night -- a place of serenity, peace, calm, and joy.

Marriage to your very best friend is the deepest of friendships. You can share everything in confidence, talk endlessly about your dreams, and care deeply for each other. In fact, your sharing continues even when words are not spoken -- your spouse's mere presence is your peace.

I love the biblical statement: "This is my lover, this my friend" (Song of Songs 5:16). It says it all. This is the best friend you'll ever have; you'll share more with this person than with any other friend you have in a lifetime. You share your life, your future, and your body with this very special friend.

Marriage is the ultimate in friendship; it has all the qualities of a good friendship and then some. Good friendships are a give-and-take proposition; marriage is even more so. Other key qualities of friendship include the following: friends can say almost anything to one another, friends are confidants and keep certain things confidential, friends counsel and advise one another, friends listen, friends make sacrifices for the other person, they have no hidden agendas, they can always be counted on, they have fun together, and friends overlook the small stuff.

Good friendships are never selfish. The apostle Paul told the Philippians, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4). This is great advice for a marriage relationship as well.

Unselfish love is putting the needs of your spouse first. Genuine love flourishes in giving. Robert Moeller in his book To Have and to Hold prefers to call it "giving love" rather than "making love": "Making love sounds too much like the mechanical joining of a male and female body. Giving love sounds much more like the sharing of your soul, your affection, your respect, your deepest concern, and you heart with another person." The best sex is the mutual giving of our body to our spouse -- nobody should be making anyone have sex; that's selfish and using the other person for your personal gratification and purpose. But when you give love, you're concentrating on the other person's pleasure and enjoyment; you're loving your spouse, not using him or her.

Another aspect of friendship in marriage is "a friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17). This type of love goes the distance. It endures through a bout with the flu, through ten checks that bounce at the bank, through the car that won't start on Monday morning, through conflicts with parents, and through disagreements over how to squeeze the toothpaste tube. Through all that, friends love. Friendship is the bricks of marriage -- passionate sex is the cement.

God Wants Your Marriage to be Fun

Marriage is definitely serious business, not to be taken lightly or to be thought of as temporary or just until the romance fades. But God wants you also to have fun. Marriage is a relationship with the person who means more to you than any other relationship you will have. This person is your soul mate who knows and cares about you better than anyone (even your mother). So be joyful, be playful. There's an old song that says, "Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." Do that. When life is good, enjoy it. Learn to be content with what you have and live in the moment. Don't misunderstand me, you need to have dreams and make plans for your future, and God has promised us a great future (Jeremiah 29:11), but be sure you enjoy getting there. Too many couples get so wrapped up in what will be that they miss the fun they can have along the way. Most of the fun is in achieving your dreams.

When you laugh, laugh together. Laughter with each other and at what's happening in life will get you through a lot. Never have fun at your partner's expense. Be sensitive to each other's needs and "sore spots." Don't make fun of the fact that he's not handy with a hammer; don't criticize her cooking; don't make fun of weight gain. But do learn to laugh at yourself.

Try new things too: Go on an adventure, drive to a new town and see something different. In marriage you can experience each other's interests as well as your sexuality. God doesn't limit your joy -- you do.

Not Uplifting? Then Not Worth Publishing!

Randall Murphree

AgapePress writer Randall Murphree interviewed Charles Martin in 2005 after his highly-acclaimed first novel "The Dead Don't Dance." His current title, "When Crickets Cry," is a finalist for a Christy Award for excellence in Christian fiction (winners to be announced this month). Not only a gifted writer, Martin also delivers an entertaining interview. He and his wife Christy live with their sons Charlie, John T. and Rives in Jacksonville, Florida.

Q: What was the impetus for "When Crickets Cry"?

A: Two things got me going on the story for "Crickets." One was just a casual thought I had one day about my heart, the physical organ. It pumps nonstop for an entire life, never with rest. I just got to thinking how I take for granted the little engine inside me. I had been reading Solomon's admonition to his son in Proverbs. In chapter 4, verse 23, he says, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." Why was it that important to him? How do you guard it? It just struck me as something I ought to pay attention to.

Along with that, I happened to have one of my flashes that I seem to have with my stories. I saw a little girl in a yellow dress standing on a street corner selling lemonade. I knew she was wearing a pill container around her neck and I knew she had a scar on her chest. So I started following her around [in my mind] as well. I think those things all happened within about a week of each other.

Q: You left a business career to write. How has this transition played out for you and your family?

A: You got a 90-minute tape in there!? It's been an awesome journey, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Christy would tell you the same thing. It has not been safe, and it has not been certain. And it has not been easy. But had I to do it over again, I wouldn't even blink. I'd do the same thing.

I left a career in business because I knew that is not why God put me on this planet. I had a deep-seated dream or desire to write books. And I know it is a place of privilege to leave a successful career and chase a pipedream. I am grateful for my wife giving me the opportunity to do that.

When I tell people our story, I hear things like, "Wow, you really hung in there. You have great tenacity." I really cringe at all of those. Yeah, I did hang in there a little bit. Yeah, I'm a little bit tenacious, but when I went to pull myself up by my bootstraps, they were broken. I had help. I had a wife who stood beside me and said, "We can do this." This is not my story, this is our story, and I wouldn't be here without us. The Lord gave me an awesome gift in her.

Q: What about that boat? (Martin has previously said his boys were praying for a boat.)

A: We don't have any plans to buy a boat right now because it's not practical. It'd probably be better to buy my boys some kayaks, and that would give us something to do together – you know, father-son.

But that may be a closer reality than I had previously thought. Here's why. I want to be careful when I say this because I'm really grateful for WestBow, my current publisher. But I had been talking with my agent for a year, asking, if my books are appealing to a larger audience, how can I find a publisher who will broadcast my books to that larger audience?

I was given an opportunity about three months ago to speak with three of the top five publishing houses in New York, and each one of them made me an offer. After a whole bunch of talking about it and praying and trying to figure out what we felt was best, we signed a three-book contract with Doubleday Broadway.

So I'll finish my last book for WestBow and then come September, I'll start working on my first book for Doubleday. So, (laughter) if my books sell – to answer your question – maybe we'll get us a boat one day.

Q: What are the best things you and Christy are doing with your boys this summer?

A: We love the mountains. Right now, we're in a mountain house in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The view looks out for about 50 or 60 miles. It's fun to come up here and unwind a little bit. We went for a hike today. We'll go for one tomorrow. This weekend, we'll go to the lake house that is the setting for "When Crickets Cry." It's one of my favorite places on the planet.

Q: What about movie possibilities?

A: You know, the Hallmark movie [of "The Dead Don't Dance"] was cancelled. Last Christmas we got an e-mail from the producer saying the movie was cancelled. That's really all I know. They returned the rights to me, so if somebody else comes along, I can sell them. I don't know of any film possibilities on my other books.

I'd love to see Miss Ella ("Wrapped in Rain") on the big screen. I'd love to see Reese and Annie ("When Crickets Cry") on the big screen. I just think it's going to take the right producer. Maybe sometime in my career, I'll get to meet that person. It's going to take the right person with the right sensibility to pull off great cinema with my stories. I pray about that a good bit.

Q: What is your next book about?

A: I have two books yet to come out with WestBow. "Maggie," the sequel to "The Dead Don't Dance," will release in September. The next book – as of yet it's untitled – will release next June.

It's about a Southeast Georgia journalist, in Brunswick, who has to investigate the identity of a child found beside a railroad track. He's maybe eight or ten. They know he was thrown out of a car just before it was hit by a southbound train in the parents' suicide. He's mute and he's had a pretty rough life. The scars of physical abuse pretty much cover his body.

On the surface, the story is about discovering the identity of this boy. But really the story is of the journalist figuring out who his dad is and what his dad gave up in order to get him back. At bottom, it's the story of one father's love for his son and what he gave up, which is everything, to go get him.

I think I've bitten off maybe more than I can chew. If I can pull it off, I think it'll be pretty good. If I don't pull it off, well (yes, more laughs), we'll all know it.

Q: Anything else you want to say to your readers?

A: I never know quite how to answer that question. Here's what I pray about my stories. C.S. Lewis said he hoped his stories stand as road signs to Jerusalem. I hope my stories do that. I hope they filter down through people's heads into their hearts and kind of shake off the scales on the hard spots and get through the crusty exteriors to the soft stuff inside, and then touch that. I hope that's what they do. Hope is worth writing about. It's worth lifting up. If my books don't do that, then I hope they're not published.

Q: Isn't that a pretty strong statement?

A: Well, it's my heart. It's what I hope, because one of these days, I'm going to stand before the Lord with my gift, and I will have either honored Him with it or not. What I hope is that when I get there, I'll look on His shelf and see He's got my books there.


© 2006 AgapePress. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

31 Days to a More Powerful You

David Jeremiah

A number of years ago, I attended a men's retreat at which the speaker challenged us to begin a practice he said would change our lives dramatically. I was ready to write down a complex spiritual formula, and I have to admit I was initially a little disappointed at what I heard: "There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. I challenge you to read a chapter a day each month for the next year. If you do that faithfully for a year, you will have read the book of Proverbs 12 times and your life will never be the same."
I decided to accept his challenge. I was amazed at how many times I found myself in a situation during the day for which I had insight (or direction or a warning) taken directly from that day's reading in Proverbs. I came to the conclusion during that period of my spiritual life-a conviction I continue to hold today-that Proverbs offers the simplest, yet most profound, daily spiritual "pick-me-ups" to be found in all the Bible.
Why is Proverbs so powerful-such an effective stimulant for spiritual living? Because each proverb provides the one thing we all need in large daily doses: wisdom. But lest you think wisdom is something possessed only by philosophers, professors, and political sages, let's look at what the word really means. There is no more practical, hands-on word in the Bible than wisdom.
Wisdom's roots run deep into Old Testament soil.
Interestingly, the word did not at first signify "wisdom," but rather "skill." We tend to equate "wisdom" with "intelligence." But one can have great intelligence without great wisdom, and vice versa. If the root idea of wisdom is skill, then we can say that Proverbs will teach us the skill of living. Just as there is skill in sewing, designing, speaking, navigating, and carving, so there is skill needed for living life effectively and successfully. And that is the kind of wisdom the book of Proverbs offers its readers.
Think of all the encounters you have in a week, and how many of them require skillful navigation. Not a day goes by in which we don't feel hesitant, even confused, about how to act. Pure and simple, we need wisdom-the skill of living life. And there are numerous verses in Proverbs which address every category of crisis we will ever face.
Fortunately, wisdom from God is just a prayer away. The book in the New Testament most like Proverbs is James. The hands-on nature of James mirrors its Old Testament cousin. And James is the one who tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).
The author of Proverbs, King Solomon, gained the wisdom to write more than 3,000 proverbs the same way James advises us to get it: by asking God (I Kings 4:32). When Solomon succeeded his father David as king over Israel, God presented Solomon with a blank check: "Ask! What shall I give you?" (I Kings 3). Understandably, twenty year-old Solomon's knees were knocking at the prospect of being king. So instead of asking for riches and long life, he asked God for wisdom, and God was true to His word: "I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you" (verse 13).
For specific wisdom in unique situations, we may not have because we have not asked (James 4:2). But in many more of life's situations, we may lack wisdom because we haven't poured over the proverbs of Solomon. I invite you to take up the challenge I accepted-a challenge which changed my life. Check today's date, read the corresponding chapter of Proverbs, and keep it up for a year. I believe you'll be amazed how something so simple can energize your spiritual life-and give you needed skill for living. Get ready for 31 days to a more powerful you!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Handle any difficulty as a team

Work with your partner to handle any difficulty as a team. Decide, together, how each of you will adjust in response to the problem. Because you are not a parent to your mate, you can suggest adjustments that might be helpful, but only your partner can make his or her decision. Your role is to stay close, remain committed, and be your partner's ally, confidant, sounding board, and mirror as the Holy Spirit does His work on the inside. Commit to knowing your mate intimately, which means you must never assume you know all there is to know. This perspective will help make your partnership a journey of mutual discovery.

He whose life is one even and smooth path, will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying, and hence, but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God.
They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but they who "do business in great waters," these see His "wonders in the deep." Among the huge Atlantic-waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: it is this which has given you your experience of God's greatness and lovingkindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as He did His servant Moses, that you might behold His glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of His glory in His wonderful dealings with you.
BP shuts down 12 Alaska oil wells
BP has shut 12 producing wells at its Alaskan operations after workers told the Financial Times the wells were leaking oil or diesel insulating agent.
The British oil firm said they had been shut while the allegations were being investigated.

The 12 wells being shut at Prudhoe Bay, North Star, and Milne Point fields pump a combined 8,000 barrels of oil a day.

BP's move comes as the firm could face a criminal investigation in the US over a massive oil spill in Alaska in March.

It is under investigation by a grand jury over the spill of some 267,000 gallons (1 million litres) discovered at the Prudhoe Bay field, and the largest ever on Alaska's North Slope region.

'Arctic pack'

The leaking liquids in the latest claims are a freeze protection material used in well cellars.

The material known as "arctic pack", is usually crude oil or diesel fuel added to the well.

None of the leaked material had reached the Arctic tundra, the firm said.

The recently appointed head of BP's US operations, Robert Malone, has made cleaning up the firm's public image a top priority.

BP says Mr Malone has ordered that an ombudsman should be employed by September to independently deal with staff concerns about environmental or safety issues.

If this wee to happen in the NIGER DELTA region of Nigeria, nobody would move a finger to rectify the situation ... at least, not unless some militants kidnapped ome foreign workers, or some such easily avoidable scenario born out the multinational oil companies' insensitivity! selah!!
New building collapses in Nigeria
Many are trapped and at least 11 people have died after a building collapsed in Nigeria's main city of Lagos.
The block of flats caved in on Tuesday evening and rescuers have so far pulled more than 30 people from the wreckage.

Heavy lifting equipment has arrived at the site to help people using their bare hands to reach those inside.

But a BBC correspondent at the scene says there are fears for the trapped in the rubble as they are no longer reachable by mobile phone.

Overnight, distraught relative were in touch with those inside, but the calls had stopped by morning.

Earlier, rescuers say they heard the trapped people crying out for help.

The crowds cheered as a woman was brought out alive on Wednesday morning, AP news agency reported.

Tears

The BBC's Uwais Idris says a construction company sent its equipment to help with excavating the wreckage on Wednesday morning.


I was coming out of my house when I heard a loud bang and the four-storey structure suddenly caved in
Debo Ajala, eyewitness

He says hundreds of people, some relatives in tears, are at the scene anxious to see if they can help.

"Nobody knows how many people are trapped under the rubble, but rescue work is still going on," Red Cross officer Umar Mairiga told Reuters news agency.

The collapse happened after many of the occupants had returned from work on Tuesday evening.

"It was a gory sight. I was coming out of my house when I heard a loud bang and the four-storey structure suddenly caved in," eyewitness Debo Ajala told AFP news agency.

Lagos state police spokesman, Bode Ojajuni, said the authorities had launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse, the agency reports.

Our correspondent says the building in the residential area of Ebute Metta was relatively new - thought to be not more than three years old.

Such collapses in the past have been blamed on substandard construction and flouting of building regulations, he says.

Dozens have died in recent years in Lagos as poorly maintained buildings have collapsed.

In March, one of Lagos' tallest buildings caved in during a heavy thunderstorm in the heart of the commercial district. The building had been sealed off after a fire on the eighth floor.

Have you been affected? Or do you know anyone who has? Send us your experiences. You should not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.

Avoid the Dumb Mistakes Christians Make

--Whitney Hopler

We’re connected to God and His ultimate wisdom, yet others sometimes view us as foolish. We represent a faith that people urgently need, but too often, they refuse to take us seriously. That’s because we’re prone to making dumb mistakes that render our witness ineffective.

Here are some dumb mistakes Christians make – and how you can avoid making them yourself:

* Dropping out of church. Don’t be one of those Christians who is missing in action. Make sure you’re participating in worship services and other church activities regularly, so you can keep growing and others can see that you’re serious about your faith.

* Chronically complaining. Rather than focusing on the negative, ask God to help you to see the positive. Make it a habit to notice your blessings, thank God for them, and think and act in positive ways. Ask God to help you be content, peaceful, and joyful – no matter what your current circumstances. Whenever you have a problem with particular person or group of people (such as church leaders), go directly to them to work it out rather than just blabbing about it to others. Try to encourage other people on a regular basis, through kind words and actions.

* Taking without giving. Instead of taking everything the church has to offer without giving anything back, commit to volunteering your time and energy to help out in at least one of your church’s ministries. Know that contributing however you can – even in small ways – will make a big difference in your congregation.

* Misbehaving. Be sure to practice what you preach. When you say you believe something, yet act in ways that are inconsistent with that belief, you become a hypocrite who turns people away from the faith. Ask God to help you life every part of your life with integrity. Don’t participate in any activities that you’d be embarrassed about if other people in your church knew you were engaging in them.

* Winning people to the church rather than to Christ. Remember that the reason why you’re trying to reach people with your faith isn’t simply so they can join your church – it’s so they can have a relationship with Christ. Focus on Him, whether or not the people you’re reaching end up worshipping in your particular church or not. When you discuss your church, make sure you’re not giving people unrealistic expectations about what to expect there. Recognize that just joining a church won’t magically make people’s problems disappear. Be honest about the fact that church, like any other place, is full of difficult and unpleasant people and that the church someone joins isn’t always going to be like it is currently, because change is inevitable. Emphasize that Christ (not the church) is the way, the truth, and the life.

* Living below the level of your beliefs. Be alert to sins that can slip past your spiritual radar and become part of your daily routine. Reject materialism by refusing to waste time and energy on pursuing things God isn’t clearly calling you to pursue. Reject worry by trusting that God is in control, even when you’re under pressure. Reject superiority by praying for a humble heart. Help your church become a place that presents God’s whole message instead of watered-down, seeker-friendly principles. Get to know the Bible well, and be ready to speak from Scripture rather than pop psychology when talking with others. Stay connected to God through daily prayer, and give Him your heart anew each day to stay close to Him.

* Speaking above the level of your knowledge. Be careful about saying more than you truly know. Resist the temptations to analyze people, explain suffering, spread rumors, or believe everything you hear. Take the time to think before you speak. Ask God to keep you from doing harm through your conversations and help you do good through them instead.

* Hopping from church to church. Realize that there’s no such thing as a perfect church. Rather than constantly searching for a church that can serve you better, decide to serve your current church. Ask God to give you the motivation to become committed and involved. Remember the blessings that come from a long-term commitment to one church: a sense of belonging, a sense of accomplishment, discoveries about yourself, lots of meaningful relationships, and a powerful witness for Christ. Start giving your time, energy, and money on a regular basis to contribute to your church’s work. Join a Sunday school class or small group to build friendships with others in your congregation. Understand that there are many biblical commands that you can’t fulfill if you’re church-hopping, such as: being devoted to one another, serving one another, building yourselves together, teaching and counseling each other, building each other up, leaving peaceably with each other, encouraging and warning each other, confessing your sins to each other and praying for each other, and living in harmony with one another.

* Fighting among yourselves. Do all you can to work conflicts with other Christians out peacefully. Understand that church feuds lead to disaster, because: church leaders are distracted, church members not involved in the feud are discouraged, God’s work is disrupted, the community’s seekers are disenchanted, important beliefs such as forgiveness are disregarded, the congregation’s testimony is discredited, and God Himself is dishonored. Remember Christ’s statement that believers’ love for one another will prove to the world that they are His disciples. Help create a calm and loving culture in your church by obeying church leaders, confronting troublemakers, refuting heresy, meeting hurting people’s needs, suppressing legalism and modeling grace and kindness, discouraging arguments, and forgiving sinners.

* Missing golden opportunities. Don’t overlook the mundane moments in life when opportunities to share the Gospel suddenly materialize. Seize opportunities that arise at the grocery store, PTA meeting, bank window, gas pump, ball field, or anywhere else God nudges you to witness to someone. Know that some opportunities, if they are missed, will be lost forever. Understand that God will give special opportunities to those who are committed and prepared, so make sure you know Scripture well. Recognize that some opportunities are much larger than they first appear, and that on opportunity is too small or insignificant. Understand that some opportunities bear immediate fruit for the kingdom. Remember that the goal of every opportunity should be to lead people to Christ, rather than to a church program. Ask God to give you the passion you need to seize the opportunities He brings your way.

* Settling for mediocrity. Don’t believe that the quality of your work doesn’t matter when you volunteer in ministry, because you’re not a professional. Realize that excellence matters, because: God loves excellence, the Bible commands it, and people respond to it. Ask God to give you the courage to make decisions for excellence. Decide to serve in your areas of giftedness. Invest the money necessary to provide excellent services, programs, equipment, etc. at your church. Thoroughly plan and prepare for events. Persevere and work hard, trusting that your best efforts are worthwhile.

* Allowing wolves to live among the sheep. Watch out for spiritual wolves (troublemakers) among the sheep (faithful people) in your congregation. Confront gossips, liars, caustic critics, legalists, and power-hungry manipulators. Realize that they can be deceptive, but will eventually reveal themselves by how they act. Don’t be afraid to call evil what it is – evil. Don’t allow people to destroy others in your congregation through their bad behavior. Confront them, all the while remembering that your goal isn’t to shame them, but to bring them back into a right relationship with God. Don’t be afraid to follow biblical principles for church discipline whenever you need to do so.

* Accepting the unacceptable. Ask God to help you be consistent in how you apply your faith to your life. Stop doing things halfheartedly and decide to act with your whole heart in every part of your life.

Avoid the Dumb Mistakes Christians Make

--Whitney Hopler

We’re connected to God and His ultimate wisdom, yet others sometimes view us as foolish. We represent a faith that people urgently need, but too often, they refuse to take us seriously. That’s because we’re prone to making dumb mistakes that render our witness ineffective.

Here are some dumb mistakes Christians make – and how you can avoid making them yourself:

* Dropping out of church. Don’t be one of those Christians who is missing in action. Make sure you’re participating in worship services and other church activities regularly, so you can keep growing and others can see that you’re serious about your faith.

* Chronically complaining. Rather than focusing on the negative, ask God to help you to see the positive. Make it a habit to notice your blessings, thank God for them, and think and act in positive ways. Ask God to help you be content, peaceful, and joyful – no matter what your current circumstances. Whenever you have a problem with particular person or group of people (such as church leaders), go directly to them to work it out rather than just blabbing about it to others. Try to encourage other people on a regular basis, through kind words and actions.

* Taking without giving. Instead of taking everything the church has to offer without giving anything back, commit to volunteering your time and energy to help out in at least one of your church’s ministries. Know that contributing however you can – even in small ways – will make a big difference in your congregation.

* Misbehaving. Be sure to practice what you preach. When you say you believe something, yet act in ways that are inconsistent with that belief, you become a hypocrite who turns people away from the faith. Ask God to help you life every part of your life with integrity. Don’t participate in any activities that you’d be embarrassed about if other people in your church knew you were engaging in them.

* Winning people to the church rather than to Christ. Remember that the reason why you’re trying to reach people with your faith isn’t simply so they can join your church – it’s so they can have a relationship with Christ. Focus on Him, whether or not the people you’re reaching end up worshipping in your particular church or not. When you discuss your church, make sure you’re not giving people unrealistic expectations about what to expect there. Recognize that just joining a church won’t magically make people’s problems disappear. Be honest about the fact that church, like any other place, is full of difficult and unpleasant people and that the church someone joins isn’t always going to be like it is currently, because change is inevitable. Emphasize that Christ (not the church) is the way, the truth, and the life.

* Living below the level of your beliefs. Be alert to sins that can slip past your spiritual radar and become part of your daily routine. Reject materialism by refusing to waste time and energy on pursuing things God isn’t clearly calling you to pursue. Reject worry by trusting that God is in control, even when you’re under pressure. Reject superiority by praying for a humble heart. Help your church become a place that presents God’s whole message instead of watered-down, seeker-friendly principles. Get to know the Bible well, and be ready to speak from Scripture rather than pop psychology when talking with others. Stay connected to God through daily prayer, and give Him your heart anew each day to stay close to Him.

* Speaking above the level of your knowledge. Be careful about saying more than you truly know. Resist the temptations to analyze people, explain suffering, spread rumors, or believe everything you hear. Take the time to think before you speak. Ask God to keep you from doing harm through your conversations and help you do good through them instead.

* Hopping from church to church. Realize that there’s no such thing as a perfect church. Rather than constantly searching for a church that can serve you better, decide to serve your current church. Ask God to give you the motivation to become committed and involved. Remember the blessings that come from a long-term commitment to one church: a sense of belonging, a sense of accomplishment, discoveries about yourself, lots of meaningful relationships, and a powerful witness for Christ. Start giving your time, energy, and money on a regular basis to contribute to your church’s work. Join a Sunday school class or small group to build friendships with others in your congregation. Understand that there are many biblical commands that you can’t fulfill if you’re church-hopping, such as: being devoted to one another, serving one another, building yourselves together, teaching and counseling each other, building each other up, leaving peaceably with each other, encouraging and warning each other, confessing your sins to each other and praying for each other, and living in harmony with one another.

* Fighting among yourselves. Do all you can to work conflicts with other Christians out peacefully. Understand that church feuds lead to disaster, because: church leaders are distracted, church members not involved in the feud are discouraged, God’s work is disrupted, the community’s seekers are disenchanted, important beliefs such as forgiveness are disregarded, the congregation’s testimony is discredited, and God Himself is dishonored. Remember Christ’s statement that believers’ love for one another will prove to the world that they are His disciples. Help create a calm and loving culture in your church by obeying church leaders, confronting troublemakers, refuting heresy, meeting hurting people’s needs, suppressing legalism and modeling grace and kindness, discouraging arguments, and forgiving sinners.

* Missing golden opportunities. Don’t overlook the mundane moments in life when opportunities to share the Gospel suddenly materialize. Seize opportunities that arise at the grocery store, PTA meeting, bank window, gas pump, ball field, or anywhere else God nudges you to witness to someone. Know that some opportunities, if they are missed, will be lost forever. Understand that God will give special opportunities to those who are committed and prepared, so make sure you know Scripture well. Recognize that some opportunities are much larger than they first appear, and that on opportunity is too small or insignificant. Understand that some opportunities bear immediate fruit for the kingdom. Remember that the goal of every opportunity should be to lead people to Christ, rather than to a church program. Ask God to give you the passion you need to seize the opportunities He brings your way.

* Settling for mediocrity. Don’t believe that the quality of your work doesn’t matter when you volunteer in ministry, because you’re not a professional. Realize that excellence matters, because: God loves excellence, the Bible commands it, and people respond to it. Ask God to give you the courage to make decisions for excellence. Decide to serve in your areas of giftedness. Invest the money necessary to provide excellent services, programs, equipment, etc. at your church. Thoroughly plan and prepare for events. Persevere and work hard, trusting that your best efforts are worthwhile.

* Allowing wolves to live among the sheep. Watch out for spiritual wolves (troublemakers) among the sheep (faithful people) in your congregation. Confront gossips, liars, caustic critics, legalists, and power-hungry manipulators. Realize that they can be deceptive, but will eventually reveal themselves by how they act. Don’t be afraid to call evil what it is – evil. Don’t allow people to destroy others in your congregation through their bad behavior. Confront them, all the while remembering that your goal isn’t to shame them, but to bring them back into a right relationship with God. Don’t be afraid to follow biblical principles for church discipline whenever you need to do so.

* Accepting the unacceptable. Ask God to help you be consistent in how you apply your faith to your life. Stop doing things halfheartedly and decide to act with your whole heart in every part of your life.