Hello Friends and Readers,
I want to thank my good friend, Ruth Hammons, for sharing this piece with me ! Salute !
There is a splendid point, and a learning moment in this article, in that we can all learn a special lesson about the "Bullies, Dictators, and Strong Men," in the world, that they are nothing new under the sun, and have always been here with us. But even if the Good Man doesn't stand up to push off the attackers, God still sees all these things, and He doesn't forget ! ! And that surely goes for the rest of us human beings, past, preset and future !
Do the wicked or even Satan really get away with their evil works ? Just read the 2 books of Ecclesiastes and Revelation, to figure that question out. Rev., says that Satan, his demons, and all the wicked will eventually be pitched into the "Lake of Fire" that burns forever. Well, that is not what I would call a "party" or a happy ending !
So, you might say that it's so hard to do the right thing, and you might even get hurt doing it. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, people can and do change. I have to ask forgiveness for my sins every night before I go to sleep, but I feel that I am growing in the Grace of the Lord, more so, every day, and I am trying to do better. And think, that those who didn't have the patience to put up with me, missed out on a good thing, as I am now happy and very generous, to a fault. I feel that I have many friends, am respected, loved and cherished by many. I know that I must continue in my walk of life --- but I also believe that something HUGE will happen in the near future -- that will change EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD ! Dear Friends, Please take the time to watch and hear this great, interesting Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn_l2yS6H2o
Just grow some patience like I had to, settle down, get comfortable for some 30 minutes and LEARN something great ! but keep things in prospective.... that the man is NOT setting some DATE in time, but educating you ! ! Learn and study the good, important things in life, and I promise that you will find enrichment, wisdom and faith. Not to worry, there is time enough for all of the other mundane things in life that robs our time, like TV, radio, and Liberal stupidity ! Half of the so-called, 'News' are lies and B.S., anyway, but the Bible is a place you will get the real truth that can and will "set you free" from the bondage of men's lies and evil. So... do yourself and your friends a favor by listening to the Video and then pass it on to your friends and email buddies, please.
Warm Regards,
Tom Schuckman
"Iron sharpens Iron."
THE PALM SUNDAY ATTACKS IN EGYPT ARE HORRID, BUT THEY TOO WILL FAIL
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” – Tertullian
Once again, the holiest week of the Christian calendar has begun with an attack on the Body of Christ in the form of two bomb blasts at Palm Sunday events in Egypt. One of the more striking images shows the blood of the martyrs splattered across the floor of a Coptic Church.
Currently, the death toll stands at 49, according to Egyptian state media reports. 18 people were killed in a blast in Alexandria, while at least 27 were killed and 78 injured in an explosion in a church in the northern city of Tanta.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, issuing a statement in Arabic in its wake, saying: “The Crusaders and their apostate followers must be aware that the bill between us and them is very large, and they will be paying it like a river of blood from their sons, if God is willing.”
These actions ought to fill all people of good will with sorrow and righteous anger for the souls taken from this world. The blood of the innocents has once again been spilled, and this injustice cries out to God.
This, like other attempts to attack Christians as they worship, is as quixotic as it is detestable; If there ever were a thought that could be described as being on the “wrong side of history,” it is the idea that somehow martyrdom will somehow weaken the Christian faith.
Of course, this isn’t happening in a vacuum. Christian persecution is on the rise on the global stage and now three quarters of the world’s population lives without the fundamental human freedom to believe, according to European Union Special Envoy Jan Figel in October on the International Day of Freedom of Religion or Belief.
"Therefore, those who believe that humanity should prevail can, and should do, much more for freedom of religion," Figel told Premier Christian Radio last year. "We are witnesses of a systematic and mass murder, martyrdom and persecution on several territories."
Even a casual observer of global headlines cannot deny that these new Egyptian martyrs are not alone.
However, regardless of what engine of persecution brings torment or what form it takes, we all suffer together when the dictates of the human conscience are trod underfoot.
What’s puzzling is what these oppressors plan to achieve with attacks like these. Their motivation has to be either rooted in arrogance or ignorance. Do the attackers believe that these attempts will prove more successful than the two thousand years of even worse persecution? Are these two IEDs more potent that the persecutions of Nero and Diocletian? Do they believe themselves more ferocious than the communists, fascists, and countless others that came before them in the 20th century alone?
Last year, when a similar blast in Pakistan carried out by similarly barbaric actors punctuated the news of Easter weekend, I referenced the masterful portrayal of Monsignor O’Flaherty in the 1983 film, “The Scarlet and the Black.” These words seem just as poignant now as they were then – perhaps even more.
When confronting SS officer Herbert Kappler in the dead of night in the ruins of the Roman Coliseum, O’Flaherty give the Nazi operative a quick history lesson:
Kappler: There will be a new order in Europe. We are evacuating Rome now, but that means nothing. We’ll be back. The Third Reich is the future.
O’Flaherty: How many murderous dictators have taught that kind of rubbish? Just look around you, Kappler. You’re standing where your ancient friends used to entertain themselves, watching lions tear the Christians to pieces. But the Church is still here. A lot of broken stones like these, in a few years that’s all that’ll be left of your ‘Third Reich.’
Time proved the good Monsignor right. Kappler’s murderous ideology and all those like him now sit smoldering on the ash heap of history; in time, the same will be true for the thugs who detonated those bombs in Egypt over the weekend.
The Church, however, will be just fine – just as She always has been.
Nate Madden is a Staff Writer for Conservative Review, focusing on religious freedom, immigration, and the judiciary. He previously served as the Director of Policy Relations for the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative. A Publius Fellow, John Jay Fellow, Citadel Parliamentary Fellow and National Journalism Center alumnus, Nate’s writing has previously appeared in several religious and news publications. Follow him @NateMaddenCR and on Facebook.
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1 comment:
Hi Tom, brother Rick G. form CT! I checked out the youtube vid from the link you sent. Just want to caution you to be careful about looking for signs in the heavens as the man this vid. talks about. Iron sharpens iron indeed, that is why I'm responding to the email. Please take note what Paul said to the church at Corinth. l Cor. 1:22 and what Jesus said to the religious crowd in Matt. 16:1-4. Also Paul told the young preacher Timothy in l Timothy 4:13-16 doctrine is SO important. See also Titus 2:1 I humbly ask that you consider this and filter such info through the bible. It's SO easy to get off on bunny trails or end up in a rabbit hole which can be distracting and keep us away from the purpose God has for us in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and being a help (edifying) brothers and sisters in the church.
Godspeed with the work you do for the vets with PTSD...
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