He's Alive oct 2015

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ALIVE! Christian News and Views

Americans Sign Open Letter Supporting Dr. Ben Carson’s Stand Against Sharia Law Page 3

‘I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen.’ — Rev 1.18a

Six Churches Torched in Tanzania Page 2 October 2015 • Vol. 2, No. 10

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Christian escapes Iran, finds refuge in U.S.

Is it Time to Take a Good Look?

Page 4

Oregon Shooting:

Persecution of American Christians

Page 7

Oregon college shooting: Gunman ‘targeted Christians’

The gunman who killed nine people in a shooting rampage at a college in the US state Oregon then killed himself as police arrived, officials have said.

By Dan Wooding, Founder of the ASSIST News Service

ROSEBURG, OREGON -- The gunman who killed nine people in a shooting rampage at a college in the US state Oregon then killed himself as police arrived, officials have said. At a news conference in Roseburg, they revealed that Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer, 26, was enrolled in the class where the shooting took place.

Continued in Page 7...

ROSEBURG, OREGON (ANS – October 2, 2105) -The gunman who killed nine people and wounded seven others in Oregon had targeted Christians, the father of one of the victims says.

The BBC said that named as Chris Harper Mercer, the gunman opened fire on Thursday inside a class

room at Umpqua Community College.

“Thirteen weapons were recovered, six at the school and seven at his home, the police said. All were bought legally,” said the BBC story. “Mercer had body armor, three pistols and a rifle when he was shot and killed by police officers after a gun battle.”

Continued in Page 6

Halloween is Not

a Christian Holiday

By Pastor Chuck Kennedy

(Bradenton, FL) Halloween, although a favorite of the children since they get free candy, is not and cannot be a Christian holiday. The roots of Halloween are pagan and actually demonic. You cannot combine evil with good and think it is ok. Even though many will say, “But it is just harmless fun for the children”.

Continued in Page 8

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Photo by Google: A church being torched.

Six Churches Torched in Tanzania

By Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

TANZANIA -- Six churches have been burnt down in northwest Tanzania within eight days. According to a story

by World Watch Monitor (WWM), the first three churches were torched, on Sept.

23, 2015.

They were the Living Waters International Church, Buyekera Pentecostal Assemblies of God, and Evangelical Assemblies of God Tanzania, which are all located in the Bukoba region, on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Then, during the night of Sept. 26, three more churches - also in Bukoba - were torched. They were the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kitundu Roman Catholic Church and Katoro Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church. All are located in the Katoro region of western Bukoba.

“The people woke up on 27th September to find their sanctuaries burnt down,” an anonymous source told WWM.

The scenarios are the same.

Unknown people broke in, piled things onto the altar, poured petrol over it and set it alight. They fled before anyone could respond, and so remain unknown.”

prevent flames from des- Church, Kagondo and TMRC “We are very upset and controying the church and Kyabitembe were also burned cerned, as this is a trend that everything inside. down. can no longer be ignored,” she said.

The secretary of the local pas- “And these are not the only Annette added, “The police tors’ organization, the Bukoba ones,” Annette told WWM. tell us they are investigating, Pastors Fellowship, said there “They have now started ad- but we have heard no progress have been many arson attacks ding fuel (paraffin or petrol) from investigations of preThe first fire occurred at the in the Kagera area since 2013. to ensure maximum damage.” vious church arson attacks.”

Living Waters church. At around 4am local time, Pastor “Since 2013 we have had over According to the secretary, a For more information visit VedastoAthanas was awake- 13 churches torched here in few people were arrested after www.worldwatchmonitor.org ned by a phone call from a Kagera, and no one has been the February arson incidents neighbor alerting him that his held accountable. This is not but they were later released. ASSIST News Service PO Box church was on fire. He rus- acceptable,” said the secretary, No more investigative pro- 609 Lake Forest, Ca 92609 hed to the scene, but was too who WWM said wished to be gress has been reported to USA www.assistnews.net late to prevent the damage to known only by her first name, date. hundreds of chairs, tables and Annette. benches, and the pulpit.

In early 2013, the church of Shortly afterwards, WWM Rev. Innocent Mzinduki was said, arsonists set fire to the torched. In July 2013, a pasBuyekera Pentecostal church, tor identified as Joyce lost her pastored by Rev. Emmanuel church. In Sept. 2013, the MaNarsis. ruku Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church was burned About an hour later, the third down. church, in the nearby Kibeta- In early 2015, Lutheran churneighbourhood, was torched. ches in Rubale, KyakaMushaIts pastor, Rev. Kabonaki, re- sha and KagondoMuleba were ceived a phone call just before torched. In February, the Cal6am. He rushed to the church, vary Assemblies of God, Itawa but not in enough time to pre- Baptist Church, Redeemed

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Voters from all 50 states join The 2016 Committee in urging Dr. Carson not to back down

Americans Sign Open Letter Supporting Dr. Ben Carson’s Stand Against Sharia Law MERRIFIELD, Va., PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 50,000 Americans have signed on to an open letter urging Dr. Ben Carson to stand firm in his position that Sharia Law is not consistent with the U.S. Constitution.

The 2016 Committee, a political action committee raising awareness and support for Carson’s campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, is circulating the open letter.

“The news media may have reacted with typical politically correct outrage at Dr. Carson’s bold stand against Sharia law, but the American people stand with him,” said John Phillip Sousa IV, chairman of The 2016 Committee.

“Nearly 50,000 individuals have signed on to The 2016 Committee’s open letter since we began circulating it 10 days ago, because they know how important it is to have a leader who will say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done to protect American freedoms.”

The open letter states: Dear Dr. Carson, I am appalled by the ignorance of the news media. If Sharia law ruled the land, there would be no freedom of speech, no free news media.

Women would be second class citizens.

They would not even be allowed to drive a car.

Sharia law is completely inconsistent with the United States Constitution.

Islam is a theocracy ruled by Sharia law.

There would be no freedom of speech, no freedom of the press, no freedom of religion, and the right to vote would be meaningless.

Cutting off someone’s hand for theft is barbaric.

Killing someone for converting to a religion other than Islam is not freedom.

In fact, no one who lives in an Islamic state is free.

I stand behind you. I agree with you.

The vast majority of Americans agree with you. Please stand firm.

Don’t give in one inch.

To view and sign the open letter, visit http://www.2016committee.org/ben_ carson_open_letter.

For more information, visit www.

2016committee.org or connect on Twitter @DraftRunBenRun or Facebook/ RunBenRun.org.

Hajj stampede while stoning the devil

(Picture obtained via Twitter)

Saudi Arabia (MNN) — Yesterday’s hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia killed hundreds of Muslim pilgrims, about two miles outside Mecca.

The stampede is undoubtedly a tragedy. “We weep for the widows, and the children whose fathers will not be coming home.”

What is the hajj?

The hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest city: Mecca. The hajj is one of the “five pillars” of Islam and an essential part of Muslims’ faith and practice.

Original estimates listed the death toll near 800, with several hundreds more injured.

According to CNN, yesterday’s tragedy took place during a Muslim ritual known as “stoning the devil.”

While astonishing, this isn’t the first hajj stampede that’s left widows and orphans behind.

The deadliest hajj stampede occurred 25 years ago, when nearly 1,500 Muslim pilgrims were crushed to death in a tunnel. BBC News lists a series of recent hajj stampedes in this article.

The hajj, and its accompanying rituals, are all part of an intensive spiritual effort on behalf of dedicated Muslims.

Sadly, “the endless sacrifices that people make at this time of year…do not give people assurance,” Blincoe shares.

That assurance only comes through Jesus Christ.

It’s a Gospel message carried by Frontiers missionaries to the far corners of the Muslim world.

Muslims and missions Frontiers USA collaborates with North American believers to reach the Muslim world for Christ.

Whether helping churches send

missionaries or equipping prayer warriors, Frontiers plays an active role in reaching out to Muslims.

Pray that the sorrow experienced by surviving families will draw them closer to the One True God. Pray also “that God might deliver Muslims from a much worse fate–that is, eternal damnation and the defiance of God that will send them to eternal ruin,” adds Blincoe.

For more information about Mission Network News, contact: Mission Network News, 1159 East Beltline Ave NE. Grand Rapids MI 49525 USA | www.mnnonline.org

World Compassion Ministers to Iraq Refugees (Tulsa, Ok) Jason Law, President of World Compassion has just returned from Iraq where he lead a team that provided food, medical aid and kids activities to refugees still displaced by ISIS and the Syrian civil war.

15 months after ISIS invaded Iraq there are still over 250,000 refugees in northern Iraq waiting to rebuild their lives. World Compassion has provided food along with other aid to over 3,000 refugees every month for the past 2.5 years.

The Kurdish Regional Government continues to struggle to provide support for the mass influx of refugees in the midst of their internal financial struggles with the central government of Baghdad.

Jason Law met with refugee and government leaders including the Ministry of the Interior Karim Sinjari of the Kurdish Regional Government to discuss the ongoing struggles of caring for hundreds of thousands of refugees. He also visited refugee camps in Koya, Ranya, and and Erbil. During his visit, World Compassion distributed food for 4,000 refugees in Koya and Ranya.

For more information contact World Compassion at www.worldcompassoin.tv.

(Photo courtesy Frontiers)

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North Korean woman loses everything, gains much more

By Lyndsay Steele North Korea (Open Doors) —Open Doors USA financially supports and organizes secret Bible study meetings for North Korean trafficked women in China. Most of them have lost everything they had in North Korea and were lured into traveling to China by human traffickers, where they were sold into marriages or prostitution. Through the Open Doors undercover program which focuses on getting to know Jesus, the lives of many women are restored. What follows is one testimony of a woman in the program.

I was born into a North Korean family as the youngest daughter. My father was often sick, and we struggled financially.

After one of my brothers got married, I always argued with his wife. At one point, I even took out a knife just to scare her.

I was married when I was 30, but my husband became ill and could not work.

We had no money and no food. I became so desperate that I poisoned my own baby because I could not feed him. My parents-in-law were always nagging me, and I finally divorced my husband. Despite my older age, I applied for a position in the military. But even in the army there was not enough food to survive.

So I deserted.

I had no money and no identification papers. Buying a train ticket was impossible. While I was thinking at the waiting area at the train station about how I could return home, a nice lady approached me. She spoke to me and offered to take me somewhere where I could make a lot of money. I actually had no choice other than to follow her. So, in the middle of a very dark night, I crossed the border river into China. There, I was sold into marriage.

My husband was an alcoholic and abused me a lot. I met another lady from North Korea in the same village. She was in the same situation I was in, but she was able to attend a Bible study group.

I decided to join her because it offered financial support. Still, I was very afraid to study the Bible; I was afraid Chinese officials would capture me. But I kept attending.

I learned how to pray, how to sing praise songs, and I memorized Bible verses.

My husband did not want me to attend the meetings, and we had fights each time I returned. But nothing could stop me from attending the meetings.

One day, these Bible verses struck me.

John 15:4 says: “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you

(Photo courtesy Open Doors USA) remain in Me.” Also, Genesis 1:28, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number: fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”

I held these Bible verses in my heart. I realized that Jesus Christ died for me on the cross. I was a sinner, but Jesus loved me. I keep telling my husband to believe in Christ. My husband did not understand what kind of God I believed

Naghmeh Abedini, Wife of Imprisoned Pastor in Iran, to Speak at Proclaim 16 Closing Gala

in, but thankfully we didn’t fight any more about my attending the Bible study group. I have a young daughter now, and I hope she will follow God and spread the gospel to others. My family is so happy and blessed even though my inlaws are not yet believers; God has poured out His blessing upon us. I started to pray for our family to be saved in Christ.

After being a Christian for three years, I never want to go back to my old life.

Since I accepted Christ as my Savior, my life has changed completely through the

power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His own loves for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I want to follow Jesus in spreading the gospel and loving others first to demonstrate His love for us.

For more information about Mission Network News, contact: Mission Network News 1159 East Beltline Ave NE Grand Rapids MI 49525 USA www.mnnonline.org

No Fear: Real Stories of a Courageous New Generation Standing for Truth

By Dan Wooding, Founder of the ASSIST News

NASHVILLE, TN (ANS) – NaghmehAbedini, wife of imprisoned American-Iranian Pastor Saeed Abedini, is scheduled to speak at the Closing Gala Dinner on February 26, 2016, at Proclaim 16, the NRB International Christian Media Convention, in Nashville, TN. “NRB has long called for the release of Pastor Saeed Abedini, who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence because the Iranian regime finds his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be offensive,” said NRB President & CEO Dr. Jerry A. Johnson. “We are so glad to have Mrs. Abedini join us at Proclaim 16 and look forward to helping her amplify the call for his release.” NRB, in a news release, says that Naghmeh met Pastor Saeed on a trip to Tehran in 2002.

They were married in 2004 and have two young children, nine-year-old Rebekka and seven-year-old Jacob. Since Pastor Saeed’s arrest in the summer of 2012, Naghmeh has continued to gather support for her husband by speaking before churches, the news media, the U.S. Congress, national parliaments, and the United Nations.

Her tireless efforts have led to international publicity on Pastor Saeed’s case, involvement by national and international legislators, and a widespread prayer movement in the Christian community.

For more information, go to www.nrbconvention.org . Learn more about National Religious Broadcasters atwww.nrb.org .

WASHINGTON, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, followers of Jesus Christ face more opposition to their beliefs than any generation in American history. Stories of religious freedom coming under assault are regularly in the news. Yet even in such a hostile cultural and political environment, it is an exciting time to stand firm in the faith.

In No Fear: Real Stories of a Courageous New Generation Standing for Truth (WaterBrook Press), Family Research Council President Tony Perkins combines biblical instruction with 11 remarkable true stories of young people who have a taken a stand for biblical truth.

“I wrote No Fear to inspire a new generation of followers of Jesus Christ to be bold in living out their Christian faith in the face of intense spiritual, cultural and political opposition,” Perkins says.

From the beginning of human history, God has chosen a variety of unlikely heroes who refused to bow down to anyone but the one true God and No Fear introduces a new generation of like-minded heroes, including: • Aaron and Melissa Klein, the Oregon bakers who cho

se not to create a same-sex wedding cake and were fined $135,000.

• Lila Rose, a UCLA student who— despite death threats, lawsuits and efforts to publicly humiliate her—took on the nation’s largest abortion provider.

• Sixteen-year-old Chad Farnan, who, after growing weary of sitting through the anti-Christian rants of his history teacher, engaged his constitutional rights and filed a lawsuit against his teacher for violating the Establishment Clause by promoting hostility toward Christians in class and advocating irreligion over religion.

• Ryan Bomberger, who launched a campaign to decrease abortions in his black community only to find himself being sued by the NAACP. No Fear will encourage and challenge readers to live out their faith with the same kind of courage as these young heroes and be a shining light in a secularized culture.

To learn more about No Fear and to purchase a copy, please visit: Website: http://www.tonyperkins.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/tperkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony. perkins1

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Christian escapes Iran, finds refuge in U.S.

Vladimir Putin meeting with Hassan Rouhani. (Photo, caption credit: Kremlin via Wikipedia)

Christian escapes Iran, finds refuge in U.S.

By Keaty Hearth

Iran (MNN) — Christians with an eye on biblical prophecy are growing wary.

Formerly known as Persia, Iran is mentioned in Ezekiel 38’s prophecy as having a starring role with Russia in End Times events. Persia and Rosh (Russia) are described as having a military alliance intent on invading and destroying Israel.

According to the Jerusalem Post,key talks between Iran’s defense minister and his Russian equivalent took place back in January. The pair were reportedly developing a mutual defense agreement “to prevent foreign meddling.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Shortly thereafter, Amir’s pastor approached him with a proposition.

“My pastor one time told me, ‘We have a project for [the] youth group,” Amir says. “‘We want to print [a] magazine for the youth group; can you print it?’

“The situation in the region and the world requires that powerful Russia and powerful Iran jointly promote strengthening of international security and regional stability,” Brigadier General HoseinDehqan told Interfax.

After studying theology, Amir began teaching new believers about the Christian faith. He also registered as a refugee with the United Nations, in hopes of one day reaching America.

Under UNHCR mandates, refugees wishing to re-settle outside their source nation must have sponsors willing to take them in and help them adjust.

Working through a U.S.-based ministry, a retired missionary helped make Amir’s dream come true.

Arriving a few weeks ago on U.S. soil, Amir is now stepping forward in faith and trusting God with the results.

“I know I’m here because this is part of the plans of God.” Will you keep him in your prayers? *name changed for security reasons

“I said, ‘Yes, of course!’”

Now, Iran is putting blame squarely on the U.S. and Israel for current Middle East turmoil.

“If not for the U.S. military invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, and its unwarranted support for the inhumane actions of the Zionist regime [Israel] against the oppressed nation of Palestine, today the terrorists would not have an excuse for the justification of their crimes,” Iran’s President told the UN General Assembly earlier this week. Amid the disturbing developments and suspicions, there’s good news coming from Iran, too.

Take *Amir, for example.

connections in all the right places. He first contacted a friend who used to practice law in Tehran, and this man advised Amir to flee the country.

“If you stay here, 100% they [the government will] find you,” the man told Amir.

The next call was to friends in airport security. Since Amir’s name hadn’t yet been added to the official watch list, “I fly to Turkey three years ago.”

Immediately joining a Persian-speaking Church, Amir took another crucial step of faith. “In Iran, I [couldn’t get] baptized because it’s very difficult for us to baptize,” he explains. “I [got baptized] in 2013 in Istanbul.” Amir “in action” at the Missio Nexus Leadership Conference.

“Amir” pauses for a group photo with the MNN team at the Missio Nexus Leadership Conference.

Fast-forward to 2008: Amir has accepted Christ as his Savior and is actively serving in Tehran’s Underground Church.

“My father said, ‘This is your choice. It’s not a problem, but be careful,’” recalls Amir with a smile.

During this time, Amir also attended university, where he studied Printing to one day take over his father’s publishing business.

Everything went fine until 2010, when the church’s Christian magazine attracted government attention. Iranian officials began “putting pressure” on Amir’s church, and even interrogated his pastor.

“The pastor told me, ‘Delete every file of that magazine,’” recalls Amir.

“The government said, ‘You advertise another religion’…and, you know, Iran is the Islamic Republic. “[Islam] is very important for the government, because if you delete the Islamic in the Republic of Iran, you have to change the government.”

By God’s grace, Amir’s father had

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

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Planned Parenthood scandal: a different perspective

BY KATEY HEARTH

(Wikipedia) USA (MNN) — The Planned Parenthood scandal: it’s a politically-charged, divisive topic. Is there an underlying message for U.S. Christians?

“God makes a way, and I think He’s making a way for us to take a stand for life,” says Melinda Delahoyde of LIFE International.

Planned Parenthood scandal: an overview Earlier last month, in response to aseries of undercover videosreleased by the Center of Medical Progress, the House of Representatives passed a measure asking Congress to defund Planned Parenthood for a year.

While it’s grown over the past few months, this controversy isn’t

“For decades, people have fought to defund Planned Parenthood,” she notes. “It seemed almost impossible.”

The current Planned Parenthood scandal grew from videos released online–fairly “under the radar”–to a bill being addressed at the highest level of U.S. government.

It says a lot about the scandal’s underlying issue: the sanctity of life.

“It’s God’s Truth. It’s the sanctity of life created in His image,” says Delahoyde.

“He makes a way, and His Truth comes out. That is certainly the testimony we see in 82 countries around the globe.”

The underlying issue LIFE International helps pro-life leaders talk with abortion-vulnerable people about God’s design for life.

“The Gospel is essential to those types of conversations,” says Delahoyde.

Currently equipping and empowering ministries and ministry leaders around the world, LIFE International partners with the Church to save

Often during this vulnerable period of time, Delahoyde shares, pregnant women–and sometimes the family members or significant others pressuring them to have an abortion– may feel like they have no other options.

Take the woman who came to LIFE International’s headquarters last week, for example.

(Photo, caption courtesy LIFE International)

lives in Jesus’ name.

Sometimes, that takes shape in a conversation over coffee. “Many times when a woman comes, she is looking for help; she wants to know the truth,” Delahoyde shares. “And, many times there’s opportunity for what we call ‘spiritual conversations.’”According to Delahoyde, “spiritual conversations” give volunteer counselors a chance to assess what the woman who’s come to them with questions may be thinking.

“A woman walked through the door and said, ‘I had an abortion 17 years ago in this building. I need to have one now.’” Delahoyde recounts.

LIFE International’s headquarters used to be the largest abortion clinic in West Michigan, Delahoyde explains.

For more information about Mission Network News, contact: Mission Network News 1159 East Beltline Ave NE Grand Rapids MI 49525 USA www.mnnonline.org

(Logo courtesy LIFE International)

“Because the LIFE International staff is trained in volunteer pregnancy counseling, they were able to talk to her about the life of the baby and [share] the truth about the sanctity of that life,” she continues.

“That woman chose life for her baby that afternoon.”

It’s only with help from readers like you that LIFE International can keep their doors open to abortion-vulnerable people seeking answers.

Is it Time to Take a Good Look?

By Carol Round, Special to ASSIST News Service CLAREMORE, OK -- “Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living. Let’s return to the Lord”—Lamentations 3:40 (NIRV).

Yuck! How long had it been? I didn’t know, but I knew it was long overdue.

When I found myself in the mood to do some serious housework, I wasn’t looking forward to cleaning my refrigerator. While I had kept up with wiping down the inside surfaces I could see, I wasn’t excited about tackling what I knew was probably a mess in the hidden places.

If you’ve ever cleaned a refrigerator, you know what I’m talking about. Those spills you wiped off of the shelves made their way to the bottom underneath the veggie and fruit drawers. Maybe you planned to get to it later but forgot. Maybe, like me, you’re a procrastinator. How often do we procrastinate when it comes to doing things we’d rather avoid? I know I’m guilty. In the past, I very seldom put things off. It just wasn’t in my nature.

However, as I have embraced each birthday, I’ve started to examine what is important.

Evidently, I’ve decided cleaning out the deep recesses of my refrigerator is not a high priority.

Before Jesus got ahold of this woman, I could tell you my priorities didn’t line up with His. Instead, I was more concerned about how things appeared on the outside. For example, my house was always clean, so clean you could have eaten off the floors most days.

My now-grown sons can tell you I wasn’t the easiest mother to live with when it came to keeping our house clean. Another priority was my exterior. Every hair had to be in place before I would walk out my front door. My make-up had to be perfectly applied and my clothing unwrinkled and spotless, lest I run into someone who might judge me for my appearance. While I still struggle with these things to a certain degree, they’re not nearly as important as they once were in my life.

As I removed the items from my refrigerator and freezer to begin a comprehensive scrubbing and disinfecting that day, I began to think how we try to hide our true selves from

others. While others thought I had my life all together, inside I was filled with insecurities, doubts and secrets. But God knew. We may try to camouflage our sins behind a mask or stuff them deep down like the dirt in the bottom of the refrigerator, but no matter how hard we try, we can’t conceal them from our Heavenly Father. Nothing is ever “hidden from [God’s] sight” (Heb. 4:13). He sees each of our failures, thoughts and motivations (1 Sam. 16:7; Luke 12:2-3).

Just as we deep clean our homes and our belongings, we must make the examination of our souls a priority. Socrates once said, “The unexamined (or unexamining) life is not worth living for a human being.”

As Christians, we should seek God for help in cleansing anything from our lives hindering us from His purpose and plan. Isn’t it time to take a good look?

I always love hearing from my readers. Please email me atcarol@carolaround.com or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com ASSIST News Service PO Box 609 Lake Forest, Ca 92609 USA www.assistnews.net

Gunman Targeted Christians Continued from page 1...

Two victims have said religion was an issue - the gunman asked his victims to state their religion and shot dead the Christians.

The BBC said that police also said that 14 weapons were later found at his home. Police earlier released the names of the victims, who ranged in age from 18 to 67.

The oldest was a teacher.

“Gasping for air” “The medical examiner has determined the cause of death of the shooter to be suicide,” Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin told reporters on Saturday.

“He said that investigators were checking numerous leads and had already interviewed hundreds of people in the area,” said the BBC.

On Thursday, Mercer - dressed in a flak jacket - brought six guns to Umpqua Community College in Roseburg and opened fire. The attacker killed eight students and a teacher.

Survivors have been telling their stories.

Medicine student Sharon Kirkham told the BBC her friend Kim died in her arms after being shot three times.

“I heard her gasping for air, but I couldn’t save her,” she said.

Many are asking why Mercer held such hatred for Christians and why he singled them out to kill them.

Others are asking if this is the start of persecution for Christians in the United States, or just a lone wolf attack. If it is the start of persecution, American Christians need to be prepared for other attacks like this.

But the question is, are they ready?

Prayer sign(Photo courtesy Frontiers)

Help and encouragement after the death of a loved one GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life. We know it hurts, and we want to help.

Contact Us Today MONDAYS 7-9 –PM Wednesdays 7:00pm 9:00pm Restoration January 17 Fellowship - April 25 Riverwood Church, 555-5555 5614 Richardson Road 9828 Sarasota, Chambers FLRoad griefshare@riverwoodchurch.org Contact Phyllis at 941-284-1255

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Oregon college shooting: persecution of American Christians Continued from Front Page...

By Dan Wooding, Founder of the ASSIST News Service

ROSEBURG, OREGON (ANS – October 2, 2105) -- The gunman who killed nine people and wounded seven others in Oregon had targeted Christians, the father of one of the victims says.

The BBC said that named as Chris Harper Mercer, the gunman opened fire on Thursday inside a classroom at Umpqua Community College.

“Thirteen weapons were recovered, six at the school and seven at his home, the police said. All were bought legally,” said the BBC story. “Mercer had body armor, three pistols and a rifle when he was shot and killed by police officers after a gun battle.”

It also emerged that he enlisted in the Army in 2008, but he was discharged after spending less than a month in basic training, a US Army spokeswoman told the BBC. She did not disclose why he was discharged, citing privacy rules.

Stacy Boylan, whose daughter survived the shooting, told CNN that his daughter described to him how the gunman asked his victims to state their religion be-

“Are you a Christian?” he would ask them, “and if you are a Christian stand up,” the father recalled.

Mr. Boylan said the gunman told the victims: “because you’re a Christian you’re going to see God in just about one second.”

Another student who survived the shooting, Kortney Moore, gave a similar account to a local newspaper, The News-Review.

According to the BBC, the heavily armed gunman who slaughtered nine people at an Oregon college left a hate-filled note at the scene of his rampage and “felt the world was against him,” law enforcement officials confirmed Friday.

Two officials familiar with the contents of the note say 26-yearold Christopher Harper Mercer, who was killed himself after a firefight Thursday with police at Umpqua Community College, wrote that he would be “welcomed in Hell and embraced by the

devil.”

He wrote that he was “in a bad way,” one official said. “He was depressed, sullen.”

The officials said Mercer lamented the fact that he did not have a girlfriend. “He said he had no life,” another official said. The attacker was identified by unnamed officers, as local police refused to release his name.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said he did not wish to give the gunman “the credit he probably sought prior to this horrific and cowardly act.”

However, the sheriff has come under fire for his stance opposing gun control measures in the past.

At the scene was Vanessa Barford of BBC News, who talked about the situation, saying that twenty-four hours after a 26-yearold gunman went on a ruthless shooting spree, the college is

cor doned off by police tape, a “pray for Ro.seburg” sign up against the fence.

The gunman was reportedly born in the UK and moved to the US as a young boy.

The killer’s motive is not known, although police said they were investigating reports that he had warned of his intentions on

social media.

Former acquaintances and social-media postings paint a picture of Mercer as a withdrawn young man who spent a lot of time on the Internet. I wonder how we would have reacted if we were asked if we were Christians and knew we would be killed if we said yes.

Quite a question to ponder.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

The Spirit of Truth

By Rev Madeline Montez Duffany Dear Reverend, My daughter recently reconciled with her husband. They have two darling little ones, my grandchildren. She faithfully attends church, sings in the choir and secured a job as a school nurse. She married an unbeliever and it has been rough for her. I talked to her about forgiveness in her marriage. They actually had divorce decrees all ready to end this marriage. Now my son in law is back home with his family. She was attending a church that was telling her to divorce, move out, etc.

I thank God they are really trying now. When I told someone from her old church about the reconciliation they were so disappointed. I say a forgiven spouse is better than no spouse, especially when they are willing to change and really love their family! What do you say?

Happy for my daughter Dear Happy, You gave good advice, God says love is the greatest commandment

Rev. Madeline Montez Duffany

commandment of all. Forgiveness is also His command. We must forgive others. There is so much unforgiveness. People wonder why they are so stressed out, mentally anguished, physically sick. I believe that stress is a demon from hell that strives to killand destroy the word of God. The enemy (satan) wants to rip apart marriages, leave children to be raised by single parents, cause abuse in families, cause a desire to drink and watch and read unwholesome things. We try to escape by using worldly devices, instead of going to God’s word for the answers. I am proud of

your daughter too! God tells older women to teach the younger ones to be an example! Titus 2:3-4,so…don’t listen to negative reports. Do what God tells you to do! This is God’s Truth!

Reverend M.M.D. Write to Rev Madeline at PO Box 14931 Bradenton, FL 34280 or by email at Hesalivenews@yahoo.com.

Not all letters are from readers. Letters may be fictitious in person but true in content. We reserve the right to edit or refuse any questions submitted.

Called to write?

We can help you publish your Christian book.

Chuck Kennedy

email: ficcpastor@yahoo.com

8

HE’S ALIVE: Christian News and Views

October 2015 • Vol. 2, No. 10

Bradenton, Florida | FREE — Donations Welcome!

Halloween is Not a Christian Holiday

By Pastor Chuck Kennedy

prayerful consideration and do some research for yourself.

The decision is ultimately yours, but the results and consequences are far reaching.

Do not participate in the worlds demonic activities if you want the protection of our Heavenly Father, and I am certain you do. Explain to your children that althou

Continued from Page 1...

Is it really? What do statistics say?

Research firm Sperling’s BestPlaces finds Halloween to be the deadliest night of the year.

This is the devils night and satan only comes to steal, kill and destroy. Not to be taken lightly and made fun of at the cost of our children.

John 10:10 The thief (satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus)am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The origins of Halloween are pagan: According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, In ancient Britain and Ireland, the Celtic Festival of Samhain was observed on October 31, at the end of summer…. The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes on this day and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, goblins, black cats, fairies and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. It was the time to placate the supernatural powers controlling the

gh everyone else seems to be doing it, as Christians we do not practice what they do.

When we say Jesus is Lord, we mean it.

For more information and ministry: Faith International Christian Center PO Box 14931 Bradenton, FL 34280 www.ficcwordchurch.org

I will receive you, Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts.

Christians know better than this but consider it to be acceptable since it is done in Step back and take a look, it is “fun”. This ought not to be so. a holiday based on fear. Either Gal 6:7-8Be not deceived; God you give me a treat or I will give is not mocked: for whatsoever you a trick, and not a funny a man soweth, that shall he one either! The children dress also reap.For he that soweth up in scary costumes and por- to his flesh shall of the flesh tray witches, ghosts and de- reap corruption; but he that monic characters. Is this what soweth to the Spirit shall of Christians should be doing? the Spirit reap life everlasting.

2Cor 6:17 Wherefore come As Christians we celebrate out from among them, life and not death, as death is and be ye separate, saith God’s enemy defeated in the the Lord, and touch not the resurrection of Jesus Christ. unclean thing; and I encourage you to give this processes of nature. In addition, Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes.

What No One Is Telling You About Gender

By Tiffany Domena

SAN ANTONIO, /PRNewswire/ -- With headlines praising sex reassignment surgeries such as the case with Caitlyn Jenner, one must wonder, what are the criteria for identifying gender in modern times? Do some people have chromosomal or neurological abnormalities that can be tested and proven? Or, how does one know (aside from

physical observation) a person's true gender in modern times?

Tiffany Domena, evangelist and author of nine books on Christian spiritual growth, says that gender identity is too loosely classified in modern times.

With Google ranking 160,000 results in 0.48 seconds for searches of "celebrities with gender reassignment," we know that gender identity is a prevalent issue within today’s most visible group of people. Celebrities choosing gender reassignment have caused people of all demographics--from young children to senior citizens--with exposure to media stories such as Caitlyn Jenner to question their gender identity. Even worse, Domena says people are assuming a gender identity based on their feelings or projected norms, assu-

ming a gender identity based on their feelings or projected norms, and later experiencing regret, sometimes alongside suicidal ideation, depression,

or other psychological disorders.

The proponents of gender reassignment are not answering the questions: • What percentage of people have tested positive for a chromosomal or neurological gender-related disorder prior to sex reassignment?

• What other criteria--aside from feelings--are people using to base their desire for sex change?

• Does sex reassignment resolve biological gender disorders?

• What percentage of people experience long-term happiness and more fulfillment as a result of gender surgery?

• What are the long-term effects of sex change surgery?

These are just some questions that Domena says have been poorly proven, loosely reported, and have created a trend based on feelings rather than biology or God’s design.

• What are the long-term effects of sex change surgery?

These are just some questions that Domena says have been poorly proven, loosely reported, and have created a trend based on feelings rather than biology or God’s design.

Tiffany Domena is the founder and lead evangelist at The Bible Remedy, an evangelistic ministry that addresses modern-day issues, refutes the lies, and restores biblical truth. . For the past nine years, as a military veteran, she interviewed dozens of

of communicable disease patients, and witnessed hundreds of others who have been confused about their gender identity and self-image. Domena has spent the last five years intensely studying Theology, Apologetics, and the Bible as a seminary student at Liberty University. She is the author of 12 Undeniable Laws For Sex. The book was released in September and is the fifth in her “12 Undeniable Laws” series.

For more information: Tiffany Domena,www.thebibleremedy. com

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.