Today's verse

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Isaiah 42:3 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

The Chief Justice of Lahore High Court is blocking President Asif Ali Zardari from pardoning Asia Bibi.

Keep in mind that in Pakistan radical Islam is very strong. Even if a judge wanted to free Asia Bibi he may be afraid to do so.

Please keep Asia Bibi and her family in your prayers.

Today's verse

Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:11-12 (NLT)

Today's verse

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:103 (NKJV)

"You can't possibly believe THAT!"

That is the reaction I sometimes get when I mention the fact that I am both a mathematician and a Christian. It is as if I have confessed to cannibalism or some other horrible social ill.

It is interesting to note that often the strongest proponents of the belief that science has disproven the existence of God are those whose own scientific knowledge is minimal or even non-existent. Often these individuals quote from Time, Newsweek, or - God spare us! - Scientific American without any apparent sense of irony that they are relying on people who may know less about science than they do. Talk about the blind leading the blind!

Here is an interesting list of famous scientists who believed in God.

Today's verse

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Psalm 98:4 (KJV)

Are you legally married?

A million marriages in England might not be legal because of an error in the words used in the wedding ceremony.

This reminds me of the plot of the 1952 movie We're Not Married.

You might be a Christian if ...

... you are fat. At least, that is the conclusion reached by Tim Covell, the author of Born Atheist.

There is not much that can be said in response to Mr. Covell's "research", except that the secular media appears not to be particularly fussy about accuracy when it comes to Christians. Imagine the reaction by the secular media if some Christian made claims that research "proved" blacks smell funny, or Hispanics are dumb in school, or that homosexuals are ugly. At the very least, it is unlikely that the Denver Post would be willing to give them a platform the way they did for Mr. Covell to flog his book.

Atheism was once a well-reasoned, intellectual philosophy. Now it seems to be mostly concerned with "de-baptisms" and pushing crude stereotypes. If I were still an atheist, I would be embarrassed.

A prayer for my sister

Almighty and gracious Heavenly Father,

I come before You with thanksgiving. I thank you for my beautiful wife, and for our son. I thank You for my family in Tanzania and in the United States. I thank You for my students and colleagues, and for the chance to serve as a teacher.

Lord, You know that my sister will soon undergo surgery for cancer. I could see in her eyes and hear in her voice just how frightened she is. I ask that You heal her of this terrible affliction, and that You send an army of Your angels to surround her and comfort her. I ask that You restore her faith in You, and to once again call You Lord.

Lord, I also ask that You be with my sister's husband and their two children. I ask that You be with them and help to give my sister the strength she will need.

Amen.

Sharia law - enforced by the West?

A fifteen-year-old British girl is arrested for allegedly burning a copy of the Koran and posting the incident of Facebook. She was arrested under the new British "religious hatred" law passed in 2006. No word yet on when Madonna, who mocks Christianity with vulgar sexual references, will also be arrested.

It appears that Western governments are now in the business of enforcing Islamic anti-desecration laws. Recall how the US government blew a gasket what a Florida pastor merely threatened to burn a Koran?

I believe that this blatant favoritism shown by Western governments towards Islam is not because these governments are chock-full of secret Muslims. Western governments tend to be run by secular progressives who disdain all religious beliefs. Rather, Islam is seen by secular progressives as a rival to Christianity and Judaism. Christianity and Judaism hold that God's laws are superior to man's laws, and this enrages the secular progressives who view government as god.

And - this has to be said, since it is true - the fact that Christians and Jews are routinely imprisoned, tortured and killed by Muslims in Islamic countries is actually considered a plus by secular progressives. Osama bin Laden and his followers do what many secular progressives long to do, but lack the courage to actually carry out.

Thus, in the name of "tolerance" citizens of Western countries are ordered to be silent by their government. Meanwhile, Muslims (which in many cases are openly seeking a worldwide theocracy) are given a pass. That's why a 15-year-old girl incurrs the wrath of the authorities while those guilty of "honor killings" go unpunished.

One final note. Consider this quote from the article linked above:

The group that published the English-language version of the Koran is believed to have visited the school this week, to talk to pupils and explain the significance of the book to Muslims, the BBC reports.

Just imagine the shrieks of "Christianist theocracy!" in this country if a Christian group came to a public school to explain the significance of the Bible. Even in Britain, that would not go down very well.

Witnesses to the faith: Tanzania

Two church buildings in Zanzibar have been torn down.

Please pray for Christians living in Tanzania.

Update on Asia Bibi

Pakistani Muslims threaten violence if Asia Bibi is pardoned.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

Today's verse

That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Solomon replied, “You showed faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued your faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.

“Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”

1 Kings 3:5-9 (NLT)

Happy Thanksgiving!

May everyone have a blessed Thanksgiving this year!

May the God of your father help you;
May the Almighty bless you
with the blessings of the heavens above,
and blessings of the watery depths below,
and blessings of the breasts and womb.

Genesis 49:25 (NLT)

Today's verse

Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.

Psalm 50:14 (NKJV)

Have you been denounced yet?

The Southern Poverty Law Center has released a new list of "hate groups" that includes many Christian organizations. Unfortunately, I did not make the list.

My failure to draw the SPLC's wrath is disturbing, and makes me wonder what I am doing wrong. What does a poor math teacher have to do to get on the SPLC's blacklist, anyway? Alas, for the time being I must continue to toil in utter obscurity*.

* - Unless one of my kind readers is willing to take pity on me and turn me in to the SPLC's Revolutionary Watch Committee to be lynched. It would make a swell Christmas present!

Update on Asia Bibi

The Christian Science Monitor is reporting that Farahnaz Ispahani, an aide to Pakistani President Zardari, has said, "President Zardari has followed the case of Aasia [Asia] Bibi closely, and will take appropriate action, if necessary, to issue a pardon or grant clemency to ensure that Aasia Bibi is neither incarcerated or harmed."

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

Genetically-modified seeds are the Devil's work

...or so the ELCA seems to believe. There is an excellent post over at Farmer on a Mission about the ELCA's proposed social statement concerning genetics.

I know the ELCA is obsessed with secular politics, but ... wow!

God's law and "bound conscience"

An excellent post over at Common Sense for a Senseless World.

It should be pointed out that the whole "bound conscience" shtick employed by the ELCA is nothing but an effort to make the radical political gospel of the ELCA look brave and courageous instead of partisan and narrow-minded. If Luther were alive today, he would be nailing his 95 Thesis on the ELCA's door at 8765 W. Higgins Road in Chicago.

Today's verse

I have heard all about you, Lord.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger, remember your mercy.

Habakkuk 3:2 (NLT)

Update on Asia Bibi

CNN is reporting that Asia Bibi will be pardoned. The article does not say if she has been released yet, so I would assume she is still in prison.

Please continue to pray for our sister in Christ and her family.

UPDATE: This is an alarming post. The author is calling for the release of Asia Bibi, but had this to say as well:

I endorse capital punishment for those who bash Islam and its sacred symbols. And no one bashes Islam in Pakistan. Certainly not our Pakistani Christian brothers and sisters whose forefathers played a great role in Pakistan Independence Movement.

We own and defend our great religion and our great Prophet. But harassing a poor Pakistani Christian woman in the name of blasphemy is not justice. The great, fair-minded leaders of Islam, like Omar and Ali, would never endorse this. Shame on these half-educated mullahs who can't offer a word of support to a weak and poor woman being wrongly accused of blasphemy.

Sorry, but calling for the release of a Christian woman accused of "blasphemy" while endorsing "capital punishment for those who bash Islam and its sacred symbols" is nothing more than an effort by the author (Ahmed Qureshi) to work both sides of the street. In any event, this is the sort of article that does not do much to install confidence and trust in Islam.

Today's verse

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the LORD.

They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD,
But shall not find it.

Amos 8:11-12 (NKJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

The Pakistani Christian Conference (Holland Chapter) has filed a petition to the Secretary General EU to grant asylum to Asia Bibi, her husband and five children.

There are also conflicting reports about Asia Bibi being released. At this point it appears she is still in prison.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

UPDATE: The Christian Post is reporting that she has been pardoned by Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and released.

Today's verse

Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning

2 John 1:6 (NLT)

Update on Asia Bibi

Pakistan's president may pardon Asia Bibi.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

UPDATE: Here is a more detailed version of the Associated Press article.

Today's verse

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”

Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV)

Witness to the faith: Erin Burow

Please pray for Erin Burow, and for the end of the holocaust of abortion.

Update on Asia Bibi

Rufin Anthony, bishop of Islamabad, calls the Asia Bibi case a disgrace and says Pakistan's blasphemy law "must be repealed; it does not fit with 21st century world."

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

Today's verse

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:8 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi

Amnesty International calls for the release of Asia Bibi.

Also, the Punjab governor calls Bibi’s case “disgraceful” and an “embarrassment for Pakistan”.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

Sweet Ps: A prayer of thanksgiving

Almighty and gracious Heavenly Father,

This Thanksgiving I come before You to praise Your Name. You remember the widows and the fatherless. You raise up the broken-hearted and the weary. You shower your blessing on everyone - even if they did not ask for it. You have given me so many gifts - a beautiful wife and child, a loving family, and the chance to do meaningful work. I thank you, Lord!

Lord, I have failed You in so many ways. I have not loved You with my whole heart. I have ignored Your wishes in order to pursue my own goals and desires. I have not loved my neighbor as much as I love myself. Forgive me for my sins, which have harmed You and others.

Lord, I ask a blessing on my family this Thanksgiving. I especially ask for you to be with my sister, who is facing the possibility of surgery for cancer. Fill her life with Your love, remind her that You are Lord of all, and that You will never abandon her.

Lord, teach me to always remember to thank You, to never forget that You love me as your child, that You sacrificed Your Son to pay for my sins. In the spirit of that love keep my lips from hasty, harsh replies. Remind me that everyone is loved by you. Keep Your Word before me every single day, that I will continue to study it and hear Your voice.

Amen.

Update on Asia Bibi

Pakistan’s minister for minority affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, calls for a thorough investigation of Asia Bibi's case.

Key quote:

“We have requested the Punjab government that the trial should be fair in the high court. She must also be provided security in jail,” he said.

Given the sway Islamic extremists have in the Pakistani government, this may not amount to much. However, it does seems to represent a break in the case.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

Today's verse

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)

Today's verse

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Psalm 27:11 (KJV)

Update on Asia Bibi: An appeal from her husband

Here is an appeal for prayers from Asia Bibi's husband (from Voice of the Martyrs):



Here is an appeal from the Pope:



Please keep Asia Bibi and her family in your prayers.

Today's verse

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

1 John 1:8-10 (NLT)

Tanzanian election

President Obama congratulates Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete on his re-election.

Update on Asia Bibi

The Pakistan Christian Congress plans to file a petition with the UN to release Asia Bibi on December 2.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

Today's verse

The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.

Proverbs 13:5 (NIV)

Update on Asia Bibi

Asia Bibi's lawyers are preparing to file an appeal in her case. It should be noted that even if she is found innocent and released she still faces danger from mobs being incited by Islamic extremists.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.