Truth Alive :: June 2015 by Sathyam Publications

Volume 5

Issue 6 June 2015

A TRUTH FOUNDATION PUBLICATION

What Next in Nepal?

With the school reopenings coming in the country, the children in Nepal suffer to attend classes with the massive Earthquake that was hit last month in the country. NGOs and governments are taking necessary steps for this issue to send the little children back to school.

Lessons from the Earthquake

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.” (Matthew 24:7)

month has passed by with one of the major disasters and shocks India and its neighbouring countries have seen. The earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 Richter scale which shook the Himalayan regions had brought lots of sorrows and pains and losses with itself. However the people are mindful of the happenings around them and have stretched out their helping hands for the people in distress. As it is said ‘adversity brings strangers closer’, there are people and countries who have got a chance to uphold each other in the times of need and helplessness. And for those of us who have been little withheld due to our limited sources to help out these people, we can definitely help them by remembering and recalling to our Lord in our prayers. As everything happens in the world has a reason behind it. I strongly believe that every good and bad circumstance is with a purpose. As mentioned in the Holy Scripture, even a leaf does not wave away without His supreme knowledge. The people in Nepal and in the northern part of our country India must be going through a difficult phase and suffering from their losses, but there’s always a brighter side to the issues. This may be the right opportunity for us to start valuing the supreme power of our living God and not forget His presence. It’s time for us to realize that no matter how much we gather in this worldly living for ourselves, it can all vanish away within a fraction of second. It’s time for us to realize and get back to our senses that we are not in this mortal earth forever, but just a percent of our eternity (as it says in The Bible, our lives are like a grass, it’s fresh in the morning but withers away by evening). Our Heavenly Father has given us a wonderful life to lead. A life with love, care and happiness is what we all look forward and desire for. Problems and troubles may come and go, but it’s up to us how we perceive the situations and get over it. As it is said ‘change is the only constant in life’. In our small phase of the earthly lives let us mark our presence by being good to others in some or the other way. Be it through helping or praying, our efforts and conscience to retain peace and love on earth would never go unnoticed by our Creator.

Dr. C.V. Vadavana

BOARD OF TRUSTEES A.V. JOHN JOJI A. MATHEWS SAM C. VADAVANA DR C.V. VADAVANA FENCY A. JOHNSON EDITORIAL BOARD DR THOMAS KULANJIYIL DR SUNNY EZHUMATTOOR

Justification by Faith...................................4 Dr. Billy Graham Let God ’s Vision be Yours.............................5

CHIEF EDITOR DR. C.V. VADAVANA PUBLISHED BY MARYKUTTY P J

John Stanek

Failure, the Secret of Success!......................8 Sonia Rachel Abraham

Bible Translators Develop Indian Languages......................................................11

MANAGING EDITOR ISSAC C VADAVANA

Dr. Babu K. Verghese

Religion-Freedom Campaign....................19 PUBLIC RELATIONS SONIA RACHEL ABRAHAM OPERATIONS MANAGER ANNIE GEORGE

Jamie Dean

Doesn’t God Care??......................................21 Annie George

The WORD of GOD.....................................25 Albert Daniel

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he apostle Paul emphatically states, “a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16).

Justification is a legal standing with God based

My advocate, Jesus Christ, who is standing there beside me speaks up for me. He says, “Your Honor. It is true that Wil Pounds is a grievous sinner. He is guilty. However, Father, I died for him on the cross and rose from the dead. Wil Pounds has put his faith and trust in Me and all that I have done for Him on the Cross. He is a believer. I died for him, and he has accepted Me as his substitute.” The Lord God turns to me and says, “Is that true?”

jUSTIFICATION BY FAITH Dr. Billy Graham

upon Christ’s death and resurrection and our faith in Him. The word Paul uses (dikaioo), comes from Roman legal courts meaning to declare to be righteous, or to pronounce righteous. Therefore, justification is the legal and formal acquittal from guilt by God who is Judge. It is the pronouncement of the sinner as righteous, who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s suppose for a moment that I died tonight and stood before the Lord God who is the Supreme Judge of the Universe. No doubt He would ask me, “Wil Pounds, why should I let you into my heaven? You are a guilty sinner. How do you plead?” June 2015

My response would be, “I plead guilty, Your Honor.”

I will respond to Him, “Yes sir! That is the truth. I am claiming the shed blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse me of all my sins. I have put my faith in Jesus to save me for all eternity. This is what You have promised in Your Word. Jesus said, ‘For God so loved the world (and this includes Wil Pounds), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’” The Lord God responds: “Acquitted! By order of this court I demand that you be set free. The price has been paid by My Son.” Furthermore, I get to go home and live with the Judge! Justification means that at the moment of salvation God sovereignly declares the believing sinner righteous in His sight. The believing sinner is declared to be righteous in His standing before God. From that moment on throughout life, through death, that sinner who has believed is now and forever right before God. God accepts him, and he stands acquitted of his sins. A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians 2:16).

LET GOD’S VISION BE YOURS By John Stanek

t all started with God’s vision for Israel. Moses was chosen to lead them out of Egypt. Joshua lead them into the promised land and there they were to live as a theocracy of priests. Each man was to be the priest for his family, and there was to be a higher priestly system to guide them in worship and sacrifice to Jehovah. But the people sinned and God warned them if they continued to sin, that He would send them into captivity again. As long as they had strong leaders they prospered in their worship and their land prospered, but as soon as these godly leaders passed away they would slip back into their sinful practice of idolatry. Then Samuel was born of a godly woman who dedicated him to Jehovah. Samuel was lead by God to Jesse’s family when God became unhappy with ungodly king Saul and decided to replace him with a man after His own heart. At Jesse’s home Samuel asked to see Jesse’s sons and one by one they were paraded before him. But with each son Samuel met, the Lord told Samuel “No, this is not the one.” Finally confused and exasperated Samuel asked Jesse, “Do you have any more sons? ” “O, yes, he replied, I have a young son out in the fields tending the sheep,” “Send for him at once!”, Samuel commanded him. Well, when David did finally arrive, he was young indeed, and ruddy. Certainly not kingly material! But the Lord said, “This is the one. Anoint him! ” So, Samuel did as he was instructed and anointed him king of Israel; for you see God looks at the heart and

not at the outward appearance of a man. But there was no immediate coronation for David, he had to suffer much personal hardship and persecution before he became king. This hardship however, brought him much closer to God than any easy, blessed life would have ever done. And as he was delivered by God time after time from persecutions and threats of death, his love grew for Jehovah and he had a dream of building a magnificent temple in honor of God, where his people could go and worship Jehovah and get a small taste of His splendor and magnificence. And so as he united Israel and drove out the many intruders that had seized the land that God had given them, he took the plunder and stored it away, not for himself and his household, but for this magnificent temple he envisioned. So, when the time came after he had fully re-conquered the land, had stored up all the materials needed for building the temple and had the plans for the temple drawn up by his architects, that he went to God for His blessing. But God told him that since he had shed so much blood, that he could not allow him to build this temple for Him, but that he would allow his son to build it after his death. It’s interesting that after having such a wonderful heart for God, that David had an adulterous affair, which he later repented of. His second son by Bathsheba, he named him Solomon, meaning ‘peace.’ I believe that this indicated David was once more at peace with God after his June 2015 (continued on page 6...) 5

Ashirvad Revival Centre Ashirvad Revival Centre is a retreat centre which is a Christian Centre for God’s ministry. It’s an open retreat place where a peaceful and friendly environment are offered for the Christian saints and come more close to God. Many Christian organizations and church activities are held in this retreat centre. This retreat centre is located on a farm-land, amidst the beautiful nature. Beside the Ashirvad Revival Centre flows a gentle beautiful Cauvery River located on the outskirts of Mysore on BLRMYShighway at a place called Srirangapatna. It is an ideal location where one approaches the revolution of hospitality through the lush green nature draped in mist. The gurgling river becomes a peaceful sight on all seasons. Ashirvad Revival Centre is an ideal place which will enlighten the inner peace and will become the place for a spiritual gathering. The main vision is to develop Ashirvad Centre as an ideal Christian Centre for God’s Ministry purpose only. The centre has been a blessing and has been running through the prayers and financial support from the God’s saints across the world towards developmental of the centre and the smooth running of all the activities. continued from page 5

affair, and it is this son Solomon, who was the son designated to build the temple of God and to place the holy ark of the covenant in it. In like manner, it is Jesus, ‘the Prince of Peace’, who saves us and makes our bodies the temple of the living God and in which the Holy Spirit takes up residence, and becomes the center of all spiritual worship. Solomon took his father David’s vision and build a magnificent temple and it’s beauty was unparalleled. As our pastor so apply pointed out, a vision from God is seldom fulfilled through one generation or through one individual. It becomes a continual vision from generation to generation in the church if its members remain faithful. This vision can never be fully comprehended or carried out by one individual or group of individuals, because it is constantly evolving and progressing beyond our wildest dreams, because God is behind it and is always at work. It is our job not to pervert that vision nor superimpose our own vision on it, or it will cripple June 2015 it, and may even destroy it. 6

And as I pondered on this story, dear one, I thought of my vision for you. I envision you living a life of blessings that can only come from God. I see in that vision you meeting a good, godly man (or woman )that really respects and honors you and that you two will worship and honor God and have children that will call you blessed, because of the way you raised them and ran your household. Further, I envision a household where love, joy and peace reign. Actually, it is probably God’s vision for your life projected through my heart and mind, for I have found that in me is no good thing, but ‘that all good things and thoughts come down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no shadow of turning’ (there is no change in His love for us) (James 1:17). And who knows where this vision goes from here into future generations? It would be a shame, no a sin, not to have a family be a blessing to future generations, or to die out or become corrupted. I just ask you to think and pray on these things. God envisions good things for you in the future. You just have to catch His vision. I’m praying you will.

Are you looking for an Ideal place for Retreats /Holidays @ Mysore outskirt? Ashirvad Revival Centre is God- inspired retreat Centre, planted on the farm land, amidst nature, beside the gently flowing Cauvery River located on the outskirts of Mysore on BLRMYShighway at a place called Srirangapatna. It is Ideal place for Seminars, Retreats, workshops, training programs and other social church activities for the Christian organizations. It is used by all God’s Children/families for unwinding themselves from the hectic life schedules. The place is very pleasant and relaxing, it is an ideal place for personal devotion and quite time Facilities : ? Multipurpose Hall to accommodate for up to 100 people. ? luxuriously furnished rooms & Dormitories for accommodation ? Baptism Tank/Children Playing area/place for Outdoor activity/River View

Accommodation arrangements are tailored to the needs &desires of the Group or families with or without food PRAYER SUPPORT: Our vision is to develop AshirvadCentre as an ideal Christian Centre for God’s Ministry purpose only. Request your participation through prayers and financial support towards developmental activities.

Location Address:

For enquiries and booking:

Ashirvad Socio Religious Charitable trust (Regd)Sundar : 9731055113 Besides, New Amblee holiday resortsUsha

: 9449850755

Srirangapattnna(on BLR-MYS h/w) Email ID : sundarmalagi@gmail.com (Advt)

Thought on Laughter Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.” - Veronica Roth

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come - William Shakespeare I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh. - Jane Austen If you wish to glimpse inside a human soul and get to know a man, don’t bother

analyzing his ways of being silent, of talking, of weeping, of seeing how much he is moved by noble ideas; you will get better results if you just watch him laugh. If he laughs well, he’s a good man.” - Fyodor Dostoyevsky I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.” - Herman Melville Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine.” June 2015 - George Gordon Byron 7

Failure, the Secret of Success!

Success comes through rapidly fixing our mistakes rather than getting things right the first time. When it comes to failing, our egos are our own worst enemies. As soon as things start going wrong, our defence mechanisms kick in, tempting us to do what we can to save face. Yet, these are very normal reactions - denial, chasing your losses, and hedonic editing - wreak havoc on our ability to adapt. Following is a series of key takeaways on the psychology of success and failure from the adaptation of our daily life routine. Denial It seems to be the hardest thing in the world to admit we’ve made a mistake and try to put it right. It requires you to challenge a status quo of your own making. Chasing your losses We’re so anxious not to ‘draw a line under a decision we regret’ that we end up causing still more damage while trying to erase it. For example, when we lie to someone dear to us for hiding or preventing from causing a particular damage, we end up lying ten times more to cover it up. This ultimately leads us deeper in to the problem. This is a hasty attempt to get out of the problem.

The Recipe for Successful Adaptation In a complex world like ours, we must use an adaptive, experimental approach to succeed. The more complex and elusive our problems are, the more effective trial and error becomes. We can’t begin to predict whether our “great idea” will actually sink or swim once it’s out there. For success, you have to cast a wide net, “practice failing” in a safe space, and be primed to let go of your idea if you’ve missed the mark (ie; June 2015 the safe place). 8

Sonia Rachel Abraham Experi ment new and different things. Expose yourself to lots of different ideas and try lots of different approaches, on the grounds that failure is common. Realize the ‘real’ and recognize when you haven’t succeeded. The easiest to state and the hardest to stick to is to know when you’ve failed. This is the hard part. We’ve been trained that “persistence pays off,” so it feels wrong to cut our losses and label an idea a failure. But if you’re truly self-aware and listening closely after a “release” of your idea, you can’t go wrong. Being able to recognize a failure just means that you’ll be able to re-cast it into something more likely to succeed. Gather feedback Above all, feedback is essential for determining which experiments have succeeded and which have failed. Get advice, not just from one person, but from several. If the feedback is harsh and critical, be objective, ‘take the venom out,’ and dig out the real advice. Always give a No-No to over confidence There’s nothing wrong with a plan, but remember Von Moltke’s famous dictum that no plan survives first contact with the enemy. (continued on page 10...)

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June 2015

STAND FAST IN THE FAITH By Jacob Mathew

“Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!”--Psalm 120:5 As a Christian you have to live in the midst of an ungodly world, and it is of little use for you to cry “Woe is me.” Jesus did not pray that you should be taken out of the world, and what He did not pray for you need not desire. Better far in the Lord’s strength to meet the difficulty, and glorify Him in it. The enemy is ever on the watch to detect inconsistency in your conduct; be therefore very holy. Remember that the eyes of all are upon you, and that more is expected from you than from other men. Strive to give no occasion for blame. Let you goodness be the only fault they can discover in you. Like Daniel, compel them to say of you, “We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Seek to be useful as well as consistent. Perhaps you think, “If I were in a more favorable position I might serve the Lord’s cause, but I cannot do any good where I am;” but the worse the people are among whom you live, the more need have they of your exertions; if they be crooked, the more necessity that you should set them straight; and if they be perverse, the more need have you to turn their proud hearts to the truth. Where should the physician be but where there are many sick? Where is honour to be won by the soldier but in the hottest fire of the battle? And when weary of the strife and sin that meets you on every hand, consider that all the saints have endured the same trial. They were not carried on beds of down to heaven, and you must not expect to travel more easily then they. They had to hazard their lives unto the death in the high places of the field, and you will not be crowned till you also have endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Therefore, “stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Failure, the Secret of Success! continued from page 8

The danger is, the thought (or confidence as you can say) that convinces us to think that failure is impossible and adaptation is unnecessary – a kind of ‘Titanic’ plan, unsinkable (until it hits the iceberg). Finding “a safe space to fail is a state of mind.” Assuming that you don’t operate a nuclear power plant for a living, you can probably infuse a bit more freedom and flexibility into your workday. Give yourself June 2015 permission to test out a few off-the-wall ideas mixed in with the by-the-book ideas. 10

Bible Translators Develop Indian Languages (contd...)

By Dr. Babu K. Verghese

Prose Revolution With succeeding foreign invasions, Sanskrit, Persian and English have enjoyed the highest status in different periods of Indian history, both as the language of the ruling elite and as a medium of intellectual communication. Other languages were rarely used in administration or in higher education. Sanskrit remained the most prestigious language, though it was studied by a very small section of the people. It was the language of the Brahmins and of the upper castes. However, it had little functional value for the common man, except that the religious books were written in it, and Sanskrit mantras were obligatory in religious rituals. But the rituals were performed and religious scriptures were interpreted only by a small group of scholars.

demand for the production of pedagogical material. The other demand came from the religious and social movements. Naturally, prose became the most effective instrument of debate on socio-religious issues. Along with the religious debates emerged journalism in some of the Indian languages which demanded a very wide operation and application of prose. These factors, then, pedagogy, socio-religious reforms and journalistic activities, accelerated the growth of prose. Mass Education Indigenous education was prevalent before the advent of the missionaries in India. However, the native educational institutions were on the decline by the 18 century. The Bible translators arrived in India in this environment, which posed many challenges. But, they took it as a great opportunity to develop the society through education. th

Historically, the year 1800 is the beginning of a linguistic revolution in India because of the establishment of the Serampore Mission Press. Despite the fact that the first printing press was established in the mid-sixteenth century in Goa, it was in 1800 that printing press was firmly established in the country and India entered a new era of communication, with mass production of literature. The prose written by foreign scholars, both Bible translators and the officials of the East India Company, did make the Indians aware of the potentialities of the new medium. The prose indeed grew in response to various sets of social and intellectual demands. There was a

Even though Christianity is believed to have existed in India from the beginning of the Christian era, the educational activities of the Church in India till the advent of the European Bible translators were not quite significant. As a result of their efforts, a new system of education was born. The impact of Bible translators and missionaries in the field of education and culture in India has become history now. June 2015 (to be contd...) 11

Q&A “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ Question: “Does the Bible say we will recognize our loved ones in Heaven?” Answer: There are several passages in the Bible that indicate we will maintain our identity in heaven and be recognized by our loved ones. For example, Jesus makes it a point in Matthew 22:3132 that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were alive and existing as individuals by those names. Also, in Matthew 17:1-8, Peter, James and John recognized Moses and Elijah. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 Paul expected to recognize in heaven fellow believers to whom he had been ministering to on earth. In addition, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (NKJ). That last phrase, “I shall know just as I also am known” would indicate that we shall know others as well as be known by others. Question: “How do I know what my spiritual gift is?” Answer: Every believer has at least one spiritual gift according to I Corinthians 12:7 (NLT), “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” Although we all have a spiritual gift, we often do not know exactly what that gift is or how it should be used. Knowing what brings your heart joy is a good first step to discovering your spiritual gift. For instance, a person with the gift of exhortation will immediately begin to encourage someone facing an obstacle. Finally, exercising what you believe to be your gift is also an important determining factor of whether you posses a certain gift. Question: “My life is filled with thoughts that I am just not good enough. How can I improve my self-esteem?” Answer: 1. Recognize your true value. There is a difference between a big ego and understanding how much God values you. 2. Put a stop to harmful thought patterns. 3. Identify positive people in your life and spend more time with them. 4. Begin new thought patterns. Replace each negative thought by reminding yourself how much God cares about you. 5. Study and memorize God’s Word. Remember what Christ did for you out of His love. Question: “Why do I seem to fail in the same areas over and over?” Answer: James says we all sin in different ways (James 3:2), and that means each of us has what may be called “besetting” sins. Some sins are easier to overcome than others. The point is that each of us has a sin (or some sins) with which we struggle. These besetting sins are habits that we developed during our lives as unbelievers and require more grace and discipline to overcome. Part of the process of overcoming these habitual, or besetting, sins is in recognizing the transformation that has indeed taken place within the believer. Apostle Paul says, June 2015 “consider yourselves dead to sin,” he is telling us to remember that in coming to Christ, the power of sin has been broken in our lives. 12

June 2015

Bible class,” he said. “God converts them — we don’t convert them.” Online Petition Seeks to Drop ‘Lucifer’ TV Show Portraying Satan as Good

s Snippet

Christian School Under Threat

A group is urging Fox Network to cancel its plans to air a new TV show called “Lucifer.” The show portrays Satan becoming bored of life in hell and moving to Los Angeles to open an upscale night club, according to Christian Today. American Family Association’s One Million Moms group says that the show misrepresents the Bible, as Satan is depicted as charming and handsome.

Each day, children on their way to Mount Carmel School pass through gates under the watch of armed security guards, and now city police officers who stop there on government orders after a nearby Catholic convent and school were broken into. The vandals stole money, tampered with security cameras and ransacked the principal’s office. The crime itself was relatively minor, but it rippled through other Christian schools. The attack was the sixth this year in an ongoing series targeting Christian communities and schools across India. The emphasis at Mount Carmel is not on religion but rather on values since most of the students - and teachers - are not Christians. At Mount Carmel, Principal Vijay Williams does not hesitate to explain his personal affinity to Christianity to visitors and students alike, even if he does not encourage sermonizing. June 2015

“Students are not forced to convert or even take a

According to the petition, “The program previews mischaracterize Satan, departs from true biblical teachings about him, and inaccurately portrays the beliefs of the Christian faith. By choosing to air this show, Fox is disrespecting Christianity and mocking the Bible.” The petition also asserts its concern that “previews of the pilot episode depict graphic acts of violence, a nightclub featuring scantilyclad women and a demon.” The online petition has gathered almost 14,000 signatures so far. Female Priests Campaign to Call God ‘She’ in Services A group of female priests are pushing for the Church of England to refer to God with the feminine pronoun “she” during services. Christian News Network reports the women, who are a part of Women and the Church (WATCH) believe referring to God solely as “he” is sexist. WATCH member Emma Percy said, “When we used only male language we reinforce the idea that God is like a man and, in doing so, suggest

that men are therefore more like God than women. If we take seriously the idea that men and women are made in the image of God, both male and female language should be used.” The priests also argue that referring to God as male makes God sound more human than divine.

Cabinet secretary of Kenya’s Ministry of Education Jacob Kaimenyi said, “We are trying our best not to shut down. Parents had asked for security in schools and the government has provided some.” Iran Pastor Fathi’s Appeal Fails, against Extra Year in Prison and 74 Lashes

“Orthodox theology says all human beings are made in the image of God, that God does not have a gender. He encompasses gender. He is both male and female and beyond male and female. So when we only speak of God in the male form, that’s actually giving us a deficient understanding of who God is,” said Jody Stowell, who is campaigning for the change. Kenya: 95 Public Schools Close after 2,000 Christian Teachers Quit for Fear of Attacks

At least 95 schools in Kenya were forced to shut their doors after 2,000 teachers quit over fears of Islamic extremist attacks. The Christian Post reports that most of the teachers were Christians and feared being targeted by terrorists after al-Shabaab militants attacked Christian students at Garissa University in April. The 95 schools in northern Kenya will be closed indefinitely; 500 other schools are at risk of closing as they suffer from the lack of faculty members.

An Iranian pastor serving a six-year prison term has failed in his appeal against a further sentence of 74 lashes and an additional year in jail - for the alleged possession in his cell of two liters of alcohol. This latest news about Farshid Fathi was reported on 24th May. Fathi, who is a 35 year old father of two, was imprisoned without trial in Evin prison. After 15 months of uncertainty he was tried in January 2012, being accused of “action against the regime’s security, being in contact with foreign org anisations, and religious propaganda” according to a source. Details of his court trial have not been published. Schools reopen in areas of Nepal worst hit by earthquakes KATHMANDU, Nepal — Thousands of schools across the districts worst hit by two major earthquakes in Nepal reopened Sunday. With most school buildings damaged or unsafe, the Education Ministry ordered that classes be held in temporary June 2015 classrooms. 15

DYING TESTIMONIES Martyr Philip, Bishop of Heraclea

hilip, bishop of Heraclea, in Asia Minor, who lived in the third century, had in almost every act of his life shown himself to be a good Christian. An officer, named Aristomachus, being sent to shut up the Christian church in Heraclea, Philip told him that the shutting up of buildings made by hands could not destroy Christianity; for the true faith dwelt not in the places where God is adored, but in the hearts of His people. Being denied entrance to the church in which he used to preach, Philip took up his station at the door, and there exhorted the people to patience, perseverance and godliness. For this he was seized and carried before the governor, who severely reproved him, and then said: “Bring all the vessels used in your worship, and the Scriptures which you read and teach the people, and surrender them to me, before you are forced to do so by tortures.” Philip listened unmoved to this harsh command, and then replied. “If you take any pleasure in seeing us suffer, we are prepared for the worst you can do. This infirm body is in your power; use it as you please. The vessels you demand shall be delivered up, for God is not honored by gold and silver, but by faith in His name. As to the sacred books, it is neither proper for me to part with them, nor for you to receive them.” This

answer so much enraged the governor, that he ordered the venerable bishop to be put to the torture. The crowd then ran to the place where the Scriptures and the church plate were kept. They broke down the doors, stole the plate, and burned the books: after this they wrecked the church. When Philip was taken to the market-place, he was ordered to sacrifice to the Roman gods. In answer to this command, he made a spirited address on the real nature of the Deity; and said that it appeared that the heathens worshipped that which might lawfully be trodden under foot, and made gods of such things as Providence had designed for their common use. Philip was then dragged by the mob through the streets, severely scourged, and brought again to the governor; who charged him with obstinate rashness, in continuing disobedient to the emperor’s command. To this he boldly replied that he thought it wise to prefer heaven to earth, and to obey God rather than man. The governor then sentenced him to be burned, which was done accordingly, and he expired singing praises to God in the midst of the fire. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs

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YOUTH Y o u t h

Encounter I’m not who people think I am

Q. I put up a happy and perfect front to hide my hurting and sin. And honestly, I think a lot of my youth group friends do the same. How do I start being honest? How do I get over my fear of showing my true self ? A. You’re not alone in your struggles. In fact, great heroes of faith have felt the same way you feel. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do. … I know that nothing good lives in me. … For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do” (NIV). Basically, Paul is admitting that he’s no good without God. And he’s right. The Bible is clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all hurt. We all sin. And like Paul, we hate some of the things we do and we don’t understand our actions. So, what’s the easiest way to deal with these faults? We hide them. We cover them up. We dress up and go to church and smile. People ask how we are and we politely say “Fine”—even though we’re definitely not fine. Why do we do this? Because we don’t want to admit we’re not perfect. We don’t want to spill our messiness on others. If we do, we think people will judge us and reject us. But church is the one place we should be able to be real and messy. We all know we’re all flawed.

We all know we’re carrying burdens and secret sins. So let’s admit them and help each other. Now, I’m not saying you should stand up in church and announce your sin. Instead, I’ve found that meeting weekly with a small group of guys helps keep me on the right path. These men hold me accountable to walk closer with God. We are very open and honest with each other. They cheer me on to do good and call me out when I mess up. I know I’m a stronger Christian and better man because of my relationship with these four guys. This type of honesty and vulnerability is not easy. It’s hard to be open and real. When my group started meeting, we mainly talked about surface stuff. One day, one guy had a family crisis. As he opened up, it gave each of us the freedom to also open up. We realized we wouldn’t be rejected for being real. Now we have a very honest, blunt and unashamedly Christian group. So my advice to you is to find at least one other person you can be real with and who will accept you for who you are (a sinner saved by grace). In doing so, I believe you’ll begin to overcome your fears about being yourself. Most importantly, you’ll be following the scriptural advice of Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way June 2015 you will fulfill the law of Christ” (NIV). 17

January June 2015 2015

Religion-Freedom Campaign By Jamie Dean

uo’s advocacy began in 2007 when he was a professor at Nanjing Normal University. He published an open letter to China’s president calling for multi-party elections. His letter to the Chinese premier defended the rights of 590,000 workers laid off by the China National Petroleum Corporation, and called for abolishing China’s re-education through labor system for political offenders. Li says her husband also wrote articles about Christian thinking, and discussed Christian principles in class. Students began complaining about his lectures and outspoken advocacy. In December 2007, Communist officials fired Guo from his job at the university. The activist continued his work, and published a “China New Democracy Party Charter” online. A year later, he had published hundreds of articles via the internet criticizing one-party dictatorship and corruption in government, and condemning human-rights abuses. Li says the backlash was immediate: Authorities raided their home several times in the middle of the night. They smashed locks on the doors. They confiscated computers. They installed surveillance cameras at the apartment complex, and monitored the family’s phone, internet use, and mail. Li says Guo’s Christian conscience compelled him to continue: “He’s a Christian and professor. He thinks he has some responsibility for the society, so he never stopped writing.”

(contd...)

On Nov. 13, 2008, authorities stopped Guo by arresting him for subversion of state power. Nine months later, Li was stunned when she learned her husband’s sentence: 10 years in prison. One of Li’s few solaces was the opportunity to visit her husband in a prison not far from their home. Guo asked her to bring a Bible, and when officials wouldn’t allow it, Guo told her to ask the guards what law allowed them to issue such a denial. She says the guards relented, and she delivered the Bible. Local authorities didn’t relent. They continued to monitor Li’s movements, and pressured her employer to reduce her hours. Slowly, Li began losing her means of providing for her son. As the surveillance and harassment peaked, Li made a difficult decision: She would try to flee to the United States. She believed moving to America would offer her only chance to publicize her husband’s case, and advocate for his cause. But first, Li wanted her husband’s approval. Before she entered the prison’s visitation room, she wrote in tiny letters on her thumbprint: “I take our son and go to the U.S.” As they talked, Li pressed her hand to the glass separating the pair. When Guo saw her message, he slowly nodded. Li knew he approved. The months ahead involved painstaking arrangements

June 2015

(continued on page 20...) 19

God, please … I want to talk to you, God, but I don’t even know how to begin. I have a thousand words to say to you. Ten thousand unfinished fragments all locked in my head, all waiting for you to pick them out and examine them, analyze them, answer them individually. I know I could just spill them out, but they don’t fall so easily. I want to talk to you, God. Want to listen, to know you. But I don’t know how to begin. I want to pray to you. Want to pray without stopping—no pausing, no fumbling—but I don’t even know how to begin. All I seem to be able to say is a feeble, “God, please … “ that I never complete. And yet that “God, please” is the ache of my soul. I’m unable to finish, but all I want is to get close to you, to turn your head. To know you are listening to me, even though I cannot see you. I have so many other thoughts stashed in my head, but if I let you hear them, would you listen? Could you, who are perfect, understand my faltering, imperfect speech? So God, please … show me where to go with my words when I cannot find the right words to say. Because I do want to know you. More than anything. continued from page 19

and a high-risk plan. Li obtained permission to visit a neighboring country with friends for a short vacation. (She even discussed the vacation on the phone so eavesdropping authorities would hear.) When she arrived across the border, Li and her son defected from the group. U.S. contacts helped arrange her passage to Los Angeles, and representatives from ChinaAid met her at the airport. Li is still surprised the plan worked: “I think God arranged it. It’s amazing.” A month after she arrived, Li appeared on Capitol Hill with Geng He. The pair testified about their husbands’ plights to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. They requested meetings with White House officials, but never received a reply. On the same day, President Barack Obama met Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in the Oval Office. A 300-man honor guard greeted the Chinese official June 2015 with a 19-gun salute at the Pentagon. 20

Li remains determined to press her husband’s case. In the meantime, she’s polishing her quickly learned English, and helping her son adjust to life in the United States. She attends a local church and relies on prayers from believers. And after years of constant harassment, she’s learning to relax: “For the first time in so many years.” Li hopes conditions will change in China. Despite an increase in political arrests, more Chinese have conducted public protests and expressed anger at government abuses online. “The world is more open,” she says. “It cannot be stopped.” Until then, she shares a letter her husband wrote to her son expressing his hopes for the boy who will be a man by the time his father’s prison sentence is complete: “Many people want their children to be rich, preeminent, powerful or great. … Only a righteous person could be preeminent. My son, please remember what God taught us: It is meaningless for me to be rich and powerful if I am not righteous.”

Doesn’t God Care?? Annie George

fter experiencing the pain of one of my acquaintances who died after fighting cancer for a year, I feel Doesn’t God care? She was a strong Christian and only 25. I grew up hearing that God is loving and that as long as we trust God, everything will be okay. But now that seems so lame. I know God didn’t cause my friend to die, but I just can’t understand why she had to suffer the way she did. I believe the Bible shows us God really does care. Jesus shed tears at the death of his friend Lazarus. In the Old Testament, we see God expressing righteous anger when his people are treated unjustly. God’s commitment to us is so strong that he sacrificed his only Son so that the world might be saved. Yes, it’s quite clear God cares. But your question is one most of us have had at one time or another. Where is God in the midst of tragedies? What went wrong when a very bad thing happened to a very good person? I wish I had a simple answer that could satisfy the questions we all have about God. But I don’t. Why a committed young Christian suffers and dies of cancer while a drug dealer who preys on children lives to old age is not for me to answer or understand. That’s just one of the many issues of living in a less-than-perfect world that’s awfully hard to figure out. However, I’m not sure I completely agree with

your statement, “As long as we trust God, everything will be okay.” The Bible is quite clear that God will walk with us through life’s problems, and that he will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5). But he never promises a life free from pain or suffering. Throughout the Bible, the people who trusted God most were also the people who suffered the most. Look at Job or the Apostle Paul. They each suffered greatly. But they held on to their faith because they understood something important: God’s ways are different from our ways. What seems best to us is not always what’s best to God. When my friend was dying of cancer, I couldn’t say “Praise the Lord! My friend is going to be with God!” I prayed for her healing and hoped God would keep this good woman around for several more years. Yet, when she died, I was faced with the truth that she is happier today in heaven than she would have been on earth. If I truly wanted the best for her, then I needed to trust that God’s way was the best, even though it wasn’t the best for me. She is in a place where there is no sorrow or sickness. She is living in the presence of God. We may have to wait until we join God in heaven to get some of our questions answered. Until then, take a look at Psalm 23. It reminds us that God may not always take away our suffering, but he will always walk beside us, leading us toward the best future possible—an eternal life June 2015 with him. 21

June 2015

en’s m o W

tive c e p s Pe r

BRIDGING MOTHER / DAUGHTER DIVIDE

here are three strategies for transforming a mother-daughter rift into a strong, resilient relationship. Because we must-or at least we really should try. 1. Commit to Bridging How? Agree you have a problem. Daughter says that this is often the hardest part, and I agree. To bridge a divide with one's own mother or daughter takes courage and truth—first to admit your standoff isn't working, then to have courage to tell the truth about it. A wise mom and daughter take the upper hand to mend such brokenness by first agreeing: Enough! Let's stop building walls. Let's start building bridges. Notice there's no finger pointing here. Nobody says, “I'm right” or “You're wrong.” It's both mom and daughter saying: “We can be better. You're worth it. I'm worth it. Let's get to work.” This is grown-folks bridging, and it's not easy. Not at first. But if a relationship is worth it, it's the first step to try. 2. Start Really Talking Don't try this at home—well, at least not without battle armor. Opening up the door to real conversations positions a mother and daughter inside a chasm between victory and disaster. Proceed prayerfully. As you talk, consider this reminder from Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (NIV). I find such conversations throughout the Bible. I'm talking about the hard conversations—the ones where you have to talk about the deepest

issues and the biggest problems—often through stories. Remember when King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, wife of his soldier Uriah, and then sent Uriah to the front lines of battle to die? After Bathsheba mourned, David married her and she bore him a son. But “the LORD was displeased” (2 Samuel 11:27). So the prophet Nathan confronted David, not with direct criticism, but with a story. Describing two men, one rich and one poor, Nathan told David that the rich man-owner of many sheep-cruelly slaughters the poor man's one beloved sheep to feed a traveler. David was outraged. The rich man should be killed! Nathan said to David: “You are that man!” (2 Samuel 12:7). Broken by truth, David sought atonement from God. Through Nathan's story, David saw the situation for what it truly was. With my daughter, as she shared her stories-and I shared mine-we recognized not only the truth of our stories but our mutual humanity. she's my daughter. She's a mom, wife, neighbor, school teacher, and friend. When she tells me stories of her life, She's a person. When I tell her stories of struggles with her dad in our marriage and efforts to repair that bond, she says: “I never knew that. Tell me more.” In my story, I'm not just a mom. I'm a person too. Stories help us see that. Real talk lets this June 2015 happen. (continued on page 24...) 23

Truth The very essence of truth is plainness and brightness; the darkness and crookedness is our own. The wisdom of God created understanding, fit and proportionable to truth, the object and end of it, as the eye to the thing visible. If our understanding have a film of ignorance over it, or be blear with gazing on other false glitterings, what is that to truth? - Milton Truth is the beginning of every good thing, both in heaven and on earth; and he who would be blessed and happy should be from the first a partaker of the truth, that he may live a true man as long as possible, for then he can be trusted; but he is not to be trusted who loves voluntary falsehood, and he who loves involuntary falsehood is a fool. - Plato For mankind to hate truth as it may bring their evil deeds to light and punishment, is very easy and common; but to hate truth as truth, or God as God, which is the same as to hate goodness for its own sake, unconnected with any other consequences, is impossible even to a (premised) diabolical nature itself. - Allen Truth is a thing immortal and perpetual, and it gives to us a beauty that fades not away in time, nor does it take away the freedom of speech which proceeds from justice; but it gives to us the knowledge of what is just and lawful, separating from them the unjust and refuting them. Epictetus In order to discover truth, we must be truthful ourselves, and must welcome those who point out our errors as heartily as those who approve and confirm our discoveries. - Muller Truth lies in character. Christ did not simply speak the truth; He was truth; truth, through and through; for truth is a thing not of words, but of life and being. - Robertson And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. - John 8:32 Truth is mighty and it will prevail. - Esdras continued from page 23

3. Work on Asking Questions In the healing of a mother-daughter rift, perhaps the most powerful strategy is not only to talk but to ask questions like, â&#x20AC;&#x153;How did I hurt you? How did that feel? Should we keep trying? Are things between us better?â&#x20AC;? Jesus, of course, used this tactic of asking questions as a core method of healing. To the blind beggar Bartimaeus, the woman with the issue of blood, the bedridden man at the Pool of Bethesda, and June 2015 more, Jesus responded first by asking questions. 24

What do you want me to do for you? Who touched me? Would you like to get well? With each problem, the compassion of asking a question held the power of the healing. And it's a lifelong process. My daughter and I should never stop working on our relationshipbecause we're both worth the effort. The same is true for you. Keep choosing peace. No matter what. As you build that path, you'll be surprised where it takes you-not just back to each other, but back to God.

The WORD of GOD By Albert Daniel

The Word was GOD Ø “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Ø “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Ø “ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Word of God is the TRUTH Ø The word of God is the truth and the children of God are sanctified by the truth. Ø Jesus said , “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The Word of God is like a FIRE Ø We will be judged by the Word Ø The word will rectify us Ø The word will purify us Ø No evil can stand against it The Word of God is like a HAMMER Ø The word can break and soften any hard-hearted person just as a hammer can break a rock The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged SWORD Ø It divides the Spiritual nature from the Soulish nature and the Fleshly nature Ø It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart Ø It separates the good from the bad. Ø It gives us spiritual discernment. Jesus never used a physical weapon. He, instead, used the Word of God as a strong weapon against the Devil. The Word of God is the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit Ø It protects our salvation Ø It protects us from Satan’s temptations The Word of God is the incorruptible (imperishable) Ø “…born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” Ø All worldly pleasure through the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh is temporary and lasts only for a short time and then perishes Ø The word of God endures forever (everlasting and eternal) – “…the word of the LORD endures forever” (to be continued...)

John 1:1-5

John 1:14 John 17:17 John 8:31-32 Jer 5:14

Jer 23:29

Heb 4:12

Matt 4:3-10 Eph 6:17

1 Pet 1:23-25

June 2015

What is Sin? Man calls it an accident; God calls it an abomination. Man calls it a blunder; God calls it a blindness. Man calls it a defect; God calls it a disease. Man calls it a chance; God calls it a choice. Man calls it an error; God calls it an enmity. Man calls it a fascination; God calls it a fatality. Man calls it an infirmity; God calls it an iniquity. Man calls it a luxury; God calls it a leprosy. Man calls it a liberty; God calls it lawlessness. Man calls it a trifle; God calls it a tragedy. Man calls it a mistake; God calls it a madness. Man calls it a weakness; God calls it willfulness.

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June 2015

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