Answered Prayer for Marzieh Vafamehr!

On the ninth of last month, I posted a prayer for Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr, who had been sentenced to a year in prison and 90 lashes for appearing in a Australian film “My Tehran for Sale” that was “banned”.  It turns out that the prayer had been answered before the month was out ( at least the physically-observable part ), and I missed it!  I’m posting a couple of links to the news and the press release at the end.

So, if you joined me in this prayer, we have reason to rejoice! Thank you, if you did!

Thank you Lord!

– writewild

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15495174

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=19773

What We’re Dealing With …

… in case you didn’t know.    http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx?story_ID=NDM5&featuredstory_ID=Mjkz&clickfrom=ZmVhdHVyZWRzdG9yaWVz

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  John 10:10

Lord, bless Guled’s family, wherever they have fled.  Protect them and help them to see that Guled has made a choice for You that cannot be taken away from him.

– writewild

A post script for my readers – leave me a comment.  Tell me how, except for scale (at the moment), radical Islam is any different than the Third Reich under Adolph Hitler.

Heroes All

By writewild

They came before us, heroes all,
that we might stand today
and freely answer whatever call
our Sovereign sends our way.

In muddy trenches, numbing cold,
on desert’s scorching sand;
in jungle stench of wet and mold,
they followed one command:

Defend to death the liberty
our Maker has bestowed;
defeat the wrong of tyranny,
protect the ones at home.

Ice-crusted muskets at Valley Forge,
torpedo’s high-pitched whine;
whatever weapon, whichever war,
their valor is what shined!

They quelled their fears by force of will
to hold a ragged line;
against the foe who seeks to kill
what’s good, and right, and fine.

Heroes are standing, still today,
to keep our children safe and free;
to vanquish terror’s craven sway,
in hell-holes where it meets.

The heritage of sacrifice
that is a warrior’s lot;
exemplified by God on high,
this shows the warrior’s heart!

– Writewild

Thank you, warriors!  God bless and keep you wherever you are serving now.  Thank you veterans for your sacrifices, we owe you a great debt as well.
(I am taking the liberty of reposting this original work in honor of our service members, past and present.)

My sentiments, exactly!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=5pfBUUZNbFM

From the third graders of Tussing Elementary, Colonial Heights ,Virginia .  I don’t know who their teacher is, but I stand in awe of their support of our servicemen!

Veteran’s Parade, Vinton IA

The following flier is for a veteran’s parade scheduled in Vinton Iowa for the evening of November 17th, 2011.  I am posting this flier as a public service and to honor our veterans and the Benton County veterans organizations.  These organizations have made no statements about the content of my blog.  The presence of this announcement here in no way implies any endorsement of anything I have written by these organizations.

Disclaimer aside, what a great opportunity for you to have an outing with your children with a tailor made chance to have a family discussion about the sacrifices our veterans have made to ensure our freedoms continue!

 

We’re all in this Together!

I was dumbfounded as I watched an interchange between a pair of conservative activists today. One of these persons is known to me as one who frequently stands on the “I stand with Israel” soapbox. The other activist (whom I don’t know) was pointedly declining a “connection” with the first because of his views about Israel. Rather than try to capture the essence of the interchange, just let me repost it as a quote:

‘Sorry bro, can’t connect with folks who “Stand with Israel”. If you stood with Jews instead of Zionists I’d had no quams, but the state of Israel has helped us into EVERY illegal war we’ve had since WWII. Deprogram what public schools taught ya and re-learn in the light of truth… MY country is America and my Constitution says NOTHING about Israel.’

Now, if you were to consistently read what I write, you will see that I come from a faith-based perspective. My position on Israel is founded on this proclamation of God to Abraham:

I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
and many other passages that expand on this certainty. Not to mention the fact that our Saviour Jesus came through the line of David, as this passage in Genesis foretells. I have to assume that God knew what He was doing, making this promise to Abraham.
Even if the modern nation of Israel is mostly secular, I have a hard time believing that God is done keeping his promises related to the descendants of Abraham.
Perhaps I would blow this off as one individual who is “wound a little too tight” if it weren’t for the barrage of anti-semitic comments coming out of the “occupy wall street” movement. ( A movement, by the way, which really seems to need someone to vilify.)
I also understand that without the Biblical imperative to see the children of Abraham from the perspective of the Creator, those who don’t share my spiritual foundation have little motivation to “stand with Israel”.
Still, for the life of me, I can’t come up with a single instance in which Israel as a nation “helped” us into various conflicts. At a minimum, this seems a pretty negative view of history. My own observation is that since World War II, most conflicts that Israel has faced, she has faced alone and against formidable odds. Oh, maybe we have had some input into telling them how to manage their business, but other than that, what? We have profited from selling them a few jet fighters.
I know two things about this argument. First, if we conservatives don’t look for common ground and ask the question ‘What can we do to serve one another and advance our common goals?’ Then we will certainly lose, for “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” Second, God’s Word always accomplishes that which He sent it to do; I would therefore rather be on the blessing side of His promise to Abraham.

Confluence of Flavors

Nutmeg from Indonesia, cinnamon from India, “Empire” apples from Norway. IA. energy for cooking  from the Palo, IA nuclear plant, making a delight to the palate. Isn’t this an amazing world we enjoy?  It never ceases to amaze me how we depend on each other for the things we do.  It’s like Red Green says, “We’re all in this together.  I’m pulling for you!”.  Makes that “Occupy” movement seem kind of shallow, doesn’t it?

– writewild