tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post5587643039453353281..comments2023-05-11T05:33:36.857-04:00Comments on Persecuted Church Weblog: The Face in the PhotographGreg Musselmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224965213121759243noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post-86542035659931055202007-04-25T05:33:00.000-04:002007-04-25T05:33:00.000-04:00Sometimes I am sickened and want to look away, and...Sometimes I am sickened and want to look away, and occasionally I have. More than anything else though I don't want to be disheartened, nor to become hateful.<BR/><BR/>Many many years ago I worked for six months in a restricted nation - a secular westerner on secular business. I met people who were subject to persecution, people who had lost family, friends (through imprisonment or execution) and lost their homes and possessions because of their beliefs or because they aroused suspicion in some way. Trapped, they were waiting their turn. Everywhere there were good people dismayed and terrified by events but frightened and powerless to stop them. The few who spoke out were silenced one way or another. For so many it was a hopeless situation and dreadful things happened then, as happen now.<BR/><BR/>This experience is with me still but, since then, has come the personal realisation that what happened, and the men and women involved, existed in a darkness that excluded God. Those who did these things were not, and are not, servants of God although they may wear His name in justification. They are evil and sick people driven by anger, hatred, greed and depravity. <BR/><BR/>VOM and Release International have shown me I can pray, write letters and cards, talk with others about what is happening. These acts are important, especially the talking, as so many have a sanitized or no understanding of the magnitude and depravity of persecution. Maybe it is the best we can do if we cannot be there. Still, sometimes, I feel like despairing because these good things are aimed at relieving the trauma, not preventing it. <BR/><BR/>What can I do to prevent it? I can support those with the tracts and bibles and whatever else it takes to put God's light into that evil darkness, and hope and courage into the hearts of those who are frightened. It was I think Pastor Wurmbrand who told the story of the bird trying to douse a forest fire with water from its beak. Am I naive? Some days I think so. Then I think of Saul of Tarsus and know there is hope. In the meantime I do the little that I can and feel grateful and encouraged to be entrusted with this task.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post-47171011318355373172007-04-22T18:08:00.000-04:002007-04-22T18:08:00.000-04:00I received the following email today from a dear b...I received the following email today from a dear brother who forwarded this to some of his colleagues in response to this blog:<BR/><BR/><I>Most Beloved Brethren,<BR/><BR/>I do not know if you feel like i felt, (and still feeling) when i read the weblog below - eyes moist with unshed tears. Heart heavy with sadness. I do not see the girl not only as my sister, but my daughter. I suddenly felt very cold. I wished I did not see it - ignorance is bliss, they say. But I cannot afford to look away either. It is real. It is happening so often to my brethren in many islamic nations. can you please say a prayer for the persecuted church this day? I am sure the Holy Spirit who, I believe, is making me to send this to you will Himself give you utterance in the place of prayer. May we receive grace not to look away, but to pray - seems the least we can do, but then we can be sure that when we get to heaven by His grace, we shall know that those prayers availed much. Oh Lord, have mercy on us and them!<BR/><BR/>Remi</I>Glenn Pennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13775729921874246091noreply@blogger.com