Mariam Ibraheem

Mariam Ibraheem

(by R.P.Edwards)

Bold confessions

Are Easily said

Where freedom guards

The speaker's bed

But feel the knife

THEN speak the words

These, my friend

Are in heaven

Heard

^{Jesus said, 32} “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. ³³ But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

(Matthew 10:32,33)

Hopefully the reader knows the story: Mariam Ibraheem, a Sudanese citizen, was accused of apostasy (i.e. leaving Islam) and sentenced to death unless she recanted her new-found Christian faith (Truth: she NEVER was a Muslim; always a Christian. She did, however, marry an American who was also a Christian). Shackled in prison (also caring for a toddler), she gave birth to her second child, all-the-while pressured by visitors to renounce and renew. She refused.

Just a thoughtful observation: How easy it is for we American believers to say we are followers of the Nazarene. We who had this "freedom" handed to us (we certainly didn't earn it). We, who only risk having our "feelings" hurt for our proclamation (rather than facing the noose or the knife). And I wonder; I wonder if I--knowing my predisposition to compromise and "get along"--I wonder if I would be so bold as to place my head, willingly, in the noose as brave Mariam Ibraheem did. I hope so. 

Anyway, she could use some support (prayers and otherwise). Here's a link to her website:  Mariam Ibraheem

"I had my faith in God...I knew that God would help me"

(Mariam Ibraheem)

****

Another god

 

Taliban thugs
(by R.P.Edwards)

Taliban
Tough guys
Murdering the meek
Covering their cowardice
With religious speak
But like other monsters
Quick to have “you” die
Let’s see how well they stand up
‘gainst those of Semper Fi

Jesus said, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Luke 7:21-23) New King James Version

Now, imagine having a religion that caters to the evil that naturally arises from the unregenerated human heart. Wow, what a deal! I’m talking, of course, about the Taliban thugs who recently gunned down some defenseless medical workers; all in the name of their god.

Consider: the group of ten aid workers (one of which had been ‘helping’ Afghans for over three decades) are come upon by some zealous Taliban types and, after these hoodlums ransacked the compassionate crew, they then cut the ‘infidels’ down saying, “They were American spies, and they preached Christianity.”

It needs to be understood that the group that sponsored the victims--the International Assistance Mission--is not a fly by night organization.  No, they’ve extended the hand of Christ for decades; offering a kind of help to a destitute people that is simply not available in that part of the world.  And…all this without preaching.  Following is a quote by the current director:

The second question is whether the team was proselytizing and distributing Dari Bibles. IAM is a Christian organization – we have never hidden this.  Indeed, we are registered as such with the Afghan government. Our faith motivates and inspires us - but we do not proselytize.   --Dirk R. Frans, Executive Director, International Assistance Mission (IAM)

So, being reminded of just who the Taliban are, and what they’re capable of, I may have to revisit my desire for a quick exit from Afghanistan. Truly, I can’t see letting these monsters have their way.  However, our nation can ill afford a long term involvement;  but I have to believe that there is a solution.  Perhaps a little prayer is in order.  Prayer to the one who loves…even those who did the horrible deed.

Here’s a link to Mr. Frans full statement.     Director's statement


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A question to skeptics

 

 

For the skeptics
(by R.P.Edwards)

If the resurrection’s false
Then all “He” taught is too
The promise of eternal life
A fairytale…for fools
But here’s a question for the skeptics
Who have learned of how “they” died
Would they suffer for a liar?
Or the man…they saw…arise

Peter, crucified upside-down.  James, beheaded.  Thomas, lanced and burned.  Matthew, axed to death.  Simon, crucified.  Matthias, stoned and beheaded.  Bartholomew, flayed and crucified. 

Eye witnesses.  Those who had actually walked with Jesus.  Those who saw Him…die, and rise again. The traditional accounts of “their” deaths begs the question; would they suffer so…for a liar?  Granted, people will latch on to all kinds of beliefs and undergo extreme hardship for an intangible that is only concrete…in their own minds.  But these; they were with Him; they saw the thousands fed, and healed, and delivered.  And they heard His assertion of a resurrection.  Would they really be willing to go and preach a gospel of forgiveness through the blood of the cross; a gospel that invited ridicule and injury and death…if Jesus’ final proof…was no proof at all?

The obvious answer is “no.“ But, even as I write I perceive there are skeptics among us who will rally their many arguments against this, and any other so-called “evidence” that there ever was a God whose great love for us took shape in the form of a babe, who then grew and went on to preach the truth, only to die a horrible death; and then, as an ultimate proof of divinity, was raised three days later.  But, though they cleverly try to deflect every advance, one argument cannot be countered; that of the personal testimony.  You see, I know the carpenter exists.  Long ago I learned of his love, and it wooed me, and I invited Him into my troubled, repentant heart.  And I know; I know! there was an entering, a cleansing, an embracing, a fellowshipping. I know there was a darkness; and now there is light.  I know there was a tearful before, and now there is a joyful after.  And, “knowing” all this, I can imagine why these first century believers (and many more since and currently) welcomed the threatenings of death…to share a message…of true life.

So, to those who know Him; Happy Resurrection Day!  And to the skeptics, some gentle advice: if you will simply pause long enough to listen, you may very well hear Him knocking…at your hearts door.  A simple beginning might be, "Lord, if you're real...show me."

That’s what I think.  How about you?  Click comments below…and say.