Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion… Yeah Right!

There is a lot of controversy over these topics lately and through the years. It seems to be growing at more of a rapid pace through and to the Church lately. It seems that you are fine as long as you do not promote, discuss or even alert others that you are a Christian. If you do, then you are asked to stay quiet for the greater good or to leave in silence. We are being groomed to accept the rules of the supposed majority and to resign ourselves to not questioning those with a loud voice.

[Lets define what a Christian is because it seems that many people are a little confused as to what it means. First of all, you MUST believe that the Bible is the INERRANT Word of God, without this, you cannot base a security of salvation on what the Bible says if you do not believe it is without error. Secondly, you have to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, Savior, the Son of God (Creator of heaven and earth) and that He came here to earth, lived a sinless life to die on a cross in place of you. This created a way to be able to come before God, clean from sin, because your price has been paid and you have been cleansed. You must also believe that Jesus rose from the dead 3 days later and is now in heaven sitting at the right hand of God on His throne making intercession for you… Mary cannot do this, for there is NO other way to God but through Jesus His Son. Also, you must realize that you have sinned, done things wrong and be repentful of this (desiring with your entire being to be forgiven and are sorry for all you have done wrong). You must desire to turn from sin and earnestly – diligently – wholeheartedly walk toward Jesus in the truth of His Word.]

I am noticing recently, more than ever, that there is truly a double standard in every area. This is happening at our schools, our jobs, our online communities and even our churches. It is a sad day, when we hide our light under a bushel for the sake of peace. The world systems, especially the US government, say that you should respect those who tell you what to do, even if it goes beyond your beliefs and convictions, because people have died for your ‘freedom’ and if you don’t like it then you should move away.

Well, why can’t we look at Christianity the same way then… Others have died, suffered, gave of themselves completely, so that you could be a Christian – saved by grace and sealed for the day of redemption… so why hide yourself in quiet while others stand yelling to take away your voice and the opportunity for others to share in that ‘true freedom’ of the salvation from eternal death. Where is that respect?

This of course, will not be resolved until the Day of the Lord comes. The world must first come together under one umbrella: one religion, one government, one submission in order to accomplish what the ‘greater good’ sees as their utopian dream of glass houses and brainwave visualization. The world is becoming a cesspool of muddy water, yet they are too blind to see that it is filthy… all they see is that it is all one color and to them, that means unity. To us, Christians on the other hand, it means soon redemption… so look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.

The Feast of Pentecost and The Rapture of the Church

Could the rapture of the church happen on Pentecost 2008?

First of all, the true biblical holiday of Pentecost is NOT this weekend (May 17-18). Christians who are celebrating Pentecost on this weekend are basing their judgment on Easter, which they believe represents the Passover… this is not true. Easter was celebrated a month before Passover this year based on the Gregorian calendar not the Hebrew calendar. The true Passover was on April 20th not March 23rd. Therefore, Pentecost is actually June 8th.

Now here is where it may get a little confusing to some… If we base our dates and times according to Jerusalem, since that is how God did it, then this would cause us to begin our celebration on June 7th. According to the Bible, the beginning of a day is at sunset on the previous day. So, June 8th would actually begin at sunset on June 7th and go until sunset on June 8th. Well, if you live in CST in the United States (we are currently 8 hours behind Jerusalem) that would be around 10:00 am ‘ish our time. CLICK HERE to calculate the sunset times for these dates. CLICK HERE to see what time it will be in your area. You also need to keep in mind that the Biblical Sabbath is actually on Saturday not Sunday as the pagans celebrate.

Now that we have that covered, lets take a look at a few things about Pentecost and the rapture, taking place on Pentecost…

A Specific Time vs. A Specific Number of Believers

Regarding Romans 11:25 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness inpart is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”

Some base their belief that no one knows the day or the hour because you cannot know how many will be included into the church, therefore, you cannot determine when the rapture/resurrection will occur.

Okay, I agree that there is a definite number of those who will be saved by grace before the tribulation, however, I would not limit God to say that He couldn’t calculate this to fit perfectly with a specific date… The Lord God is one of perfect accuracy; the Bible says that God knows the day and the hour in which the rapture/resurrection will occur.

Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, My Father only.”

Now, we must keep the ‘lack of information’ towards man in the proper context here. In this chapter, Jesus is speaking to the Jewish people who will be here during the tribulation, not the Church. The point I am trying to make with this verse is that the Father already knows when it is all going to happen. For more clarification on my previous sentence, please read: Amos 3:7

The Bible also states that the festivals are a shadow of things to come, which means that they each have a prophetic fulfillment.

Colossians 2:16-17 “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come;…”

Some may say that these holy days are fulfilled “for the Jewish people…” Well, the Church began on Pentecost and it includes the Gentiles… not just the Jewish people. A good way to look at it is that Pentecost could be the parentheses around the Church age between Daniel’s 69th week and the 70th week.

Lets continue to look at God, as a God of specifics (this character trait is what allows us to put our trust in His Word and the accuracy of His Word). If we were to compare the rapture/resurrection of the Church to a nautical picture, as some may, based on Romans 11:25, then we must look at it from more of a military image rather than one of a random traveler. We are soldiers in Christ, which is why we are called to put on the full armor of God:

Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

A military ship, though sailors may get drunk on their leaves, will leave at precisely the right time and if you aren’t ready when the time comes… you would get left and charged with an AWOL. Kind of sounds like the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, don’t you think? Matthew 25

Pentecost Beginnings

Pentecost is celebrated on the 6th of Sivan, which is 50 days after the Passover Sabbath (First Fruits). This holy day is sandwiched between the three holy days in the spring (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits) and the three holy days in the fall (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot “Tabernacles”). Its true Hebrew name is Shavuot. We get the name Pentecost from the Greeks, which means 50 because of the 50 days we count from the Passover Sabbath.

Leviticus 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest:

Leviticus 23:15-16 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete:

Pentecost Reference Names

The Feast of Weeks (because of the counting of weeks between Passover to Pentecost)
First Fruits of the Wheat Harvest (because this is when the wheat harvest is gathered)
Feast of Ingathering (because this is when the harvest is gathered unto the high priest)

Pentecost History

1. According to Jewish tradition based in the book of Enoch, Enoch was born and raptured to heaven on the holy day Pentecost. CLICK HERE for the book of Enoch. Genesis 5:21-24 Enoch is viewed as a type of the Church whereas, we too will be spared from the tribulation period as he was from the flood. Many scholars refer back to Jesus stating in Matthew 24:37 that His coming would be as in the days of Noah.

With this assumption, then the world (nations) would be destroyed (judged) by His wrath, a remnant of Israel (Noah) would be spared through His wrath and the Church (Enoch) would be removed before His wrath. I believe that the beginning of God’s wrath starts with the first seal in Revelation 6, but that is a topic to be covered later.

So, if this is the case and Enoch was raptured on his birthday… then the conclusion could be made that the Church might also be raptured on it’s birthday – Pentecost, for we are sealed for the day of redemption Ephesians 4:30.

2. The Torah was given to the Jewish people as a covenant between them and the Lord God on Mount Sinai. Exodus 19

3. The Holy Spirit filled the Church and sealed them for the day of redemption. Acts 2 and Ephesians 4:30

Pentecost Practices

Exodus 23:16 And the Feast of Harvest, the First Fruits of thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field: and the Feast of Ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field.

Exodus 34:22 And thou shalt observe the Feast of Weeks, of the First Fruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at year’s end.

Leviticus 23:17 “Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord.”

We may assume that these two loaves of leavened bread, which are also called the “first fruits” to the Lord, are the Church (1=Jewish believers, 2=Gentile believers). We are called the First Fruits unto the Lord. The leaven represents sin and giving it in a wave offering is a way of sanctifying it before the Lord as He did with us through Christ the Messiah. A good point to make here as well, is that this is the ONLY feast where leaven is used and so it can be viewed that this is the only feast directly dealing with the Church.

James 1:18 “Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”

The book of Ruth is read. The book of Ruth, has been compared to, the story of the Church, our relationship to Israel and the Lord by many scholars. I would like to quote Jack Kelly now on his take regarding this:

Naomi in the role of Israel, destitute and alone; Ruth as the Church, the gentile bride; Boaz as the Kinsman Redeemer (Messiah) and the story a prediction of the relationship between the three of them. On His way to redeeming Israel, the Kinsman Redeemer takes a gentile bride, saving both from destitution.

Pentecost Future

Exodus 19:13 “…when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.”

Acts 2:1 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

Matthew 13:30 “Let both [wheat and tares] grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn.”

Pentecost Summary

In summation, Pentecost is a very good possibility for the rapture/resurrection of the Church. One more idea I would like to share regarding whether we will be aware of it right before or not… If we use Enoch as an example, then according to the book of Enoch, he was told the day of his rapture that it was time to go. If memory serves me correctly, he was told a year before that he had a year left to get his house in order.

Anyway, Enoch is a “Lost Book of the Bible”, so its infallibility is in some question whether it has been preserved completely or not. The canonized Bible that we use today makes reference to the book (teachings) of Enoch, so researching it with discernment could prove beneficial. Jude 1:14-15

Either way, whether it happens on Pentecost or not, we will keep looking up… watching and preparing while sharing the Word of God with others until we cannot work in the harvest fields any longer because our Beloved has called us home.

Breaking The Myanmar Blockades

The Junta government ties the hands of those who wish to help, but we have a way to get the victims in Myanmar what they need…

According to this article, (Yahoo article may change/update) the ruling military Junta, has allowed the US only one shipment of supplies/aid to the people devastated by Cyclone Nagris in Myanmar.

Article Excerpt: Earlier Friday, Ky Luu, director of the U.S. office of foreign disaster assistance, had said that skilled aid workers were being forced to sit on the sidelines as victims of last week’s cyclone die…

However, we have contact with a ministry who already has people inside Myanmar, just north of Yangon. They may have a better ability to get shipments of supplies and aid to them because they already have insiders working at the Lodges.

The following is an email, which was sent out by Roger Oakland of Understand The Times International Ministries, that he received from his people running the Bryce Lodges (orphanages) in Myanmar (which were previously established before the Cyclone)…

Early this morning I received two more letters from our Understand The Times representatives in Yangon. All our immediate family have been preserved from the storm.
We are presently in the process of sending someone over to Yangon to provide assistance and to help organize the dispersal of assistance through Understand The Times in the surrounding area.
Please pray for favor that we may receive the necessary visas and be able to go.
A fund for supporting the victims of the Myanmar disaster has been established at www.understandthetimes.org
Checks can be sent to our two offices in Canada and USA.
Following are the two letters that were received today:

Dear Roger,

Internet access was down, now only I can email you again. Hope that you are getting better in these days. With our children we are always praying for your health.

At the time thousands of people lose their lives, by His protection, we are survived but our programs and plan of wedding was failed on Saturday and changed on Sunday. It turned to helping others in needs especially for our members. Since every one was busy with his own work, phone line and transportation problems caused by the storm and
flood, so we just called a church pastor, Philip and Dante and only some of our neighbor and made wedding at home.

We learned so many lessons from those things happened. we felt that God has taught us not to love the world neither the things that are in
the world. It made clear that our earthly life is just really temporary and unreliable. Now, the city of Yangon and it’s surrounding areas lose it’s beautifulness. It has a lot of changes and different from the time you came to Myanmar. The Prize of things are getting higher day by day.

And unlimited numbers of outskirt people are in trouble because they are homeless and without food. By His grace in this time we have privileges to show our love, care and concern to our church members at Shwelinpan who are in trouble by giving rice and the funds they are really in need.

Among our members at Shwelinpan, two of the tents (houses) were fallen down and faded away. another one of the roof was destroyed. One was
survived. If we can not continue to supply their need, they will be without food and house. So, I let you know the condition of our church members at Shwelinpan. Beside, thousands of outskirt people are in great trouble. they can not solve the problems they have by their own.

Please pray that these things lead them to know and trust the Saviour alone.

Your brother in Christ
Elisha

Dear Brother Roger:

I am so sorry that I could not give you information about us earlier.

I know that many people concern about our situation. We are saved.

Bryce Lodges One, Two and my family are saved. We do not suffer any serious damages. But the prices are sky rocketed.

Thank you so much for your concern.

Prayer Requests:

1. Give thanks to God for He has saved us from this storm.
2. Pray for all the Bryce children for the coming admissions to the school. Usually, admissions start about May 20.

Sincerely yours,
Mang

Sincerely In Christ,
Roger Oakland

If you would like to help, please contact the ministry of Understand The Times International… it will be greatly appreicated. (There is a link on their front page to make a donation) We will keep you informed as we receive information.

 

Jonah and Job - The Trials Of Life

Jonah and Job

Have you ever felt like giving up? Have you ever felt like God just wasn’t listening to you or feeling your pain?

I know someone who just went through a Jonah experience. He was on the wrong path, not doing what he was suppose to do… so God put him in the belly of a whale, figuratively speaking. During the first 3 days he was still closed off to what God was showing him… but after that, things opened up. It seems that sometimes, God has to back us into forced solitude to get our attention and sometimes he has to take everything away from us like he did with Job to get our attention (though Job didn’t do anything wrong to cause his situation).

I know someone else who is going through a Job experience and it seems to have no end. The friend who has gone through the Jonah experience is well and good now; he came through the pit hole all in one piece. On the other hand, the Job friend is not currently doing so great. Of course, when someone goes through the fire, a natural question to ask is ‘Why’ and ‘When will it be over’… Naturally, we do not always receive the answers until it is done, and sometimes, not even then.

Someone I once knew said that they believed that God allowed trials of our faith to always go beyond what the last trial pushed us to so that we would continually be strengthened in our faith and patience. I have also heard many times that God will not allow more than we can bare, however, I have never found scripture to back this statement up. I have seen it say that He will allow a way out of temptation, but not a trial. They are two separate things. It is assumed the He would not allow us to go through more than we could bare, or rather, He would give us what we need to get through those things – always learning to rely solely on Him and not ourselves. We of course were never promised a life of happiness and harmony, not in this life anyway…

A Life of Trials and Persecution

The choice to become a Christian should not be made based on comforts and promises of prosperity. Nowhere in the Word of God does it promise these things for those who choose to follow the Lord Jesus. Rather, it promises trials and persecution John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. The word of God requires a sacrifice of self in the sense that we are not to take part in the sins of the flesh but rather Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Just as it says 1 Peter 1:6-11 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

God has chosen the foolishness of the world to confound the wise and He sent His Son, Jesus who stated Matthew 9:13 …for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

We rest in the assurance that 1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews seek after a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;.

So, where do we go from here? We could pray, this is always a good idea. Comforting words are great, but once you have said whatever you can think of to say… then what? 1 Corinthians 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?. The Bible says that Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Also, 1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

I always told my friends when they were going through rough trials, that they should stand firm in their trust in the Lord Jesus… He will come through for His name’s sake. Even when Israel was rebellious toward God, He kept His promises to them ‘for His name’s sake’. How much more for us who put our trust, hope and faith in the name, which is above all names, Jesus? His glory depends upon His faithfulness. Satan waits at the door to find any fault with God’s dominion reign so that he can try to say he is better than Him. We know that this will never be allowed to happen. So, stand firm I say in the truth you know in Christ and He is obligated by His own Words Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles and Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

A Comforting Conclusion

Our comfort rests not in the things of this world or those who seem to control it, our hope lies solely in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word, which by the gospel is preached unto you.

So, I will end on this note (as previously stated): Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 

 

Word Arrives From Myanmar After Cyclone

Communication is slowly emerging from Myanmar after Cyclone Nagris slams Yangon…

We have spoken with Roger Oakland of Understand The Times regarding Bryce Lodge, which is only 30 miles north of the Delta region of Yangon. For those who are not aware, the Delta region took a direct hit causing a 4 meter upswell (12 feet of water wall) of the shallow waters just off the coast. Now fears are being raised that there are 200,000 or more dead/missing or will die without proper humanitarian supplies.

Roger said that he received an email from Bryce Lodge which stated that everyone at Bryce Lodge is safe. Several of the windows of the concrete building were blown out but those can be replaced. The main thing is that those who were sheltered in the building during the storm were safe. Many of the orphans housed at The 4 Bryce Lodges come from families whose huts were completely destroyed by the Cyclone.

In the email, they said that the biggest threat now is that rice has gone from $11 a bag to $100 a bag. Roger also stated that even though they are only 30 miles from Yangon, they had no idea of the utter devastation caused by flooding and high winds. The Junta government is not telling them anything. They are finding out that the destruction was much more intense than they first thought.

The biggest necessity, beyond prayer, at this point is going to be financial aid. Roger is setting up a fund and a link to donate will be availible on his website shortly. Please continue to pray for the people of Myanmar and if possible help the relief efforts by donating here.

And The Winds Lifted Up…

Bradley and I were sitting on the couch, when all of a sudden BAM!!!…

Hail starts pinging our windows and bouncing off of the yard. So, I grabbed the remote and turned on the news just in time to hear that we needed to take cover immediately because there was a tornado headed right for us.

Down went the remote and the computer for a race to round up the cats. As we hustled the cats into their taxis, the hail got larger and louder. We ended up with golfball sized hail. I thought it was going to break the windows. We put the cats into the bathroom and waited as the sirens howled overhead. I think that the horrifying sounds made the cats submit to our wishes of huddleing them together like furry sardines.

Once it was all over, I think that they were very greatful to have had their small surroundings to make them feel safe. Then, when it was safely past… out came the neighborhood to see the effects and socialize through their common ordeal, forgetting that in times past - tornadoes can form on the back end when you think all is well and good. Nothing happened however. You can bet that I was praying through the entire situation. Though this wasn’t a cyclone in Myanmar… it was scary none the less, God spared us… again.

A couple of years back there was another scary ordeal that hit the town on one side of us, lifted up over us, then came back down on the town just to the other side. My family thinks that we are crazy to live where we live, not realizing that they get worse weather than we do. So, all in all… it has been an eventful day as I suspect that many more will be in these last days.

The Effect of Music

It is amazing how music can effect us in our mood, thoughts and our outlook of the past, present and future. It can cause an openess of creativity or suppress our inner selves from being expressed. Sometimes we listen to certain types of songs to wallow in our melancholy or to distract us from the situations that we must face.

On My Fav Music page, I have listed some of the songs (which are clickable for your listening and viewing pleasure) that move me in one way or another. Some of them are melancholy types and some are more upbeat. There are others that I would like to list, but just haven’t had the time. I want to make sure that I make it so that you can listen to them also and don’t have to try and ‘find’ them yourselves, to see if you like them too.

Anyway, the first song I have on my favs page is probably my most favorite. I was thinking the other day of why it is that I like it so much. I do like the song for the words, because you cannot hear that ‘everything is going to be alright’… to many times, right? But it is more than that… the notes used, just seem to pull you in (or at least they do me) and keep you there. Even so though, when you combine that with the video, to me it’s a hit. I really love her Jamie’s voice and the cinematography is mesmerising. I think that everyone in a relationship could relate to the words, and the actions on the video. Needless to say, I have been listening to this song repeatedly over the last few days. I am addicted to it.

I wonder if we choose music to fit our moods more or do we choose music to change our moods. I would probably have to go with the first option. This could be a problem though. If someone is depressed and they only listen to depressing songs, then they probably won’t get out of that stage very soon.

I don’t know about you though, but I tend to get sucked into melancholy songs more than any other. Those types make my thoughts ponder and my creativity open up.

I think about how kids will do things and then blame music or movies on their actions. I wonder how far fetched that actually is. If a kid grows up with their only contact being movies or music because their parents, siblings, etc. are too busy or to self absorbed to pay attention to them… that is all that they can relate too. If they feel rejected, naturally they will listen/watch/create what they know and each has to top the previous one… so you end up with either really good stuff or really bad stuff and there is the next generation.

Anyway, just a thought…

 

 

Myanmar Fears 13,000 Dead/Missing From Cyclone

The devistation continues to increase and the support is few and burdened.

As stated previously in my other Post: The local news media in Myanmar is comparing this devistation to the Katrina impact in the USA. In a location where poverty abounds and governmental problems seem insurmountable, this destructive impact can cause far more damage to this country than Katrina ever hoped to here in the US.

At this point it would seem that the comparrison would be more with the Indonesian tsunami.

Myanmar believes 13,000 dead, missing from cyclone

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar’s military junta believes at least 10,000 people died in a cyclone that ripped through the Irrawaddy delta, triggering a massive international aid response for the pariah state in southeast Asia.

“The basic message was that they believe the provisional death toll was about 10,000 with 3,000 missing,” a Yangon-based diplomat told Reuters in Bangkok, summarizing a briefing from Foreign Minister Nyan Win. “It’s a very serious toll.” For More…

You can view the updated video HERE

 
Image of devistation by Aung Hla Tun

Understand The Times Ministry with Roger Oakland provides missionary work in Myanmar through an organization he has created set up to help children, called, Bryce Lodge. You can find out more about these efforts HERE.

Roger has sent out a message requesting prayer for those in Myanmar:

We have a critical situation in Yangon. A cyclone has devastated Yangon and communications have been cut off. I have not been able to make contact with our people. All we can do at this point is to pray.

So far, there is still no word and as we stay glued to all information that comes across, the hope grows thin. Our only comfort is that if they were taken in this horrific devistation, then they are with the Lord, where there is no fear and no pain. Please continue to pray urgently for their safety and provision.

Children from Bryce Lodge 1,2 ,3 and 4 in Myanmar