Ebola heroes ... do not read if unwilling to pray

God has created remarkable people, some of whom don't yet know Him. Pray for them and those they care for. http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/would_you_do_it

Here's a policy for responding to ideological terrorists who make war.

"You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival." Winston Churchill, 1940

A reunion

The newly reunited couple stood in the small clearing among the trees chatting with a group of men and women their same age. A small stream ran through the clearing, and if you stood by the water and looked up stream you could see in the distance a much larger tree which spanned both sides of the river that fed this brook.

The couple was still lost in the excitement of being together again, and did not immediately notice the young man who emerged from the trees and came in their direction. When they saw him they stifled the impulse to bow down. However, they remembered their instructions and simply stood and waited expectantly as he approached

"I know I welcomed you individually when you came," he said, "but I've been saving something to say to you together when you had both arrived. When I found you together."

"Thank you. What's that elder brother?" the man replied.

"Let me repeat what your brother Paul already said to you. He was quite right, but I want to say it myself."

"Please." the couple responded.

"You have fought the good fight... you have finished the race... you have kept the faith.
You will receive the crown of glory I promised," the young man declared in a loud voice that brought cheers and applause from those standing by.

He extended a scarred right hand. "Enter into the joy of your Master! Also, remember this: there is more and better coming."

The couple thanked him with tears of joy, and as he walked away they returned to the embraces of their excited brothers and sisters.

Prayer for persecutors - Spurgeon

What a wonder of grace it is when fierce persecutors are converted, for then the wolf dwells with the lamb, and men of cruel ungovernable dispositions become gentle and teachable. O Lord, convert many such: for such we will pray to-night.  Morning and Evening, Charles Spurgeon, September 10

This is a test ...

Jesus told His disciples,

"I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ..."
 Matthew chapter 5, verse 44

I have come to a testing: Do I, can I, love and pray for the zealots who are oppressing, killing, and enslaving people, Christian and non-Christian, worldwide?

The kind of love and prayer that Jesus commands would be for me an act of will and a choice made purely in obedience to Him, because every fiber of my being cries instead: "God, send these oppressors and killers straight to hell!" To a fate infinitely worse than the horrors they are inflicting.

Yet I can imagine why Jesus in His compassion would have me pray for these oppressors. He knows what hell is. I don't. Jesus asks all to repent and turn to Him and avoid it. He cried out on the cross, "Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing!" Can I do less?

So I have prayed this: "Father, please turn these oppressors from evil, to You. Also, please destroy those of them who refuse to turn. May we who are blessed with freedom do our best to protect and defend their intended victims and provide them safe haven."

God may give me a better prayer, but this is the best I have right now.