Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dies at 85
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dies at 85
January 11, 2014FoxNews.com
Former Israeli prime minister and storied general Ariel Sharon, who was at the height of his power when he suffered a stroke in 2006 and fell into an irreversible coma, died Saturday at the age of 85.
Sharon died at Tel Hashomer hospital just outside Tel Aviv, where his family had gathered at his bedside over the past several days as his vital organs reportedly deteriorated. His death was first reported by Israeli Army radio.
Visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry addressed Sharon’s condition ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday.
"My thoughts are with the Sharon family as they sit in vigil with the former prime minister of Israel, Arik Sharon," Kerry said, referring to Sharon by his nickname. "We remember his contributions, sacrifices he made to ensure the survival and the well-being of Israel, and I have many personal thoughts about my meetings with him on many different occasions -- always robust and strong and clear about his positions."
Sharon, an iconic figure who fought in three wars before entering politics, was elected prime minister in 2001. He suffered a stroke in January 2006, at the height of his political power, and remained comatose since then.
However, in 2011 his son Gilad told the New York Times his father could move his fingers when he asked him to, adding, "I am sure he hears me."
In the months leading up to his stroke, longtime hardliner Sharon had shocked his political base by expelling Jewish settlers from 21 Gaza settlements and from four on the West Bank
He also resigned as head of the Likud party and formed a new centrist party called Kadima ("Forward").
Sharon's longtime rival and current prime minister, Netanyahu, was elected his replacement as head of Likud.
Sharon suffered a mild stroke in December 2005 and was released from the hospital after two days. A little more than two weeks later he suffered a massive intra cerebral hemorrhage from which he never recovered.
Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert, was elected prime minister two months later.
Sharon was born February 26, 1928 in the then British Mandate of Palestine to a family of Lithuanian Jews. By the age of 10 he had entered the Zionist youth movement Hassadeh and later the Haganah, the military precursor to the Israel Defense Forces.
His military career flourished as he became a commander in the Israeli army, celebrated as a military strategist.
He was an instrumental figure in the 1956 Suez War, the Six Day War of 1967, the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and as Minister of Defense directed the 1982 Lebanon War.
Sharon joined the Likud party after retiring from the military, serving in a number of ministerial posts and then as party leader in 2000 before becoming prime minister from 2001-2006.
Widowed twice, he is survived by his sons Gilad and Omri.
January 11, 2014FoxNews.com
Former Israeli prime minister and storied general Ariel Sharon, who was at the height of his power when he suffered a stroke in 2006 and fell into an irreversible coma, died Saturday at the age of 85.
Sharon died at Tel Hashomer hospital just outside Tel Aviv, where his family had gathered at his bedside over the past several days as his vital organs reportedly deteriorated. His death was first reported by Israeli Army radio.
Visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry addressed Sharon’s condition ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday.
"My thoughts are with the Sharon family as they sit in vigil with the former prime minister of Israel, Arik Sharon," Kerry said, referring to Sharon by his nickname. "We remember his contributions, sacrifices he made to ensure the survival and the well-being of Israel, and I have many personal thoughts about my meetings with him on many different occasions -- always robust and strong and clear about his positions."
Sharon, an iconic figure who fought in three wars before entering politics, was elected prime minister in 2001. He suffered a stroke in January 2006, at the height of his political power, and remained comatose since then.
However, in 2011 his son Gilad told the New York Times his father could move his fingers when he asked him to, adding, "I am sure he hears me."
In the months leading up to his stroke, longtime hardliner Sharon had shocked his political base by expelling Jewish settlers from 21 Gaza settlements and from four on the West Bank
He also resigned as head of the Likud party and formed a new centrist party called Kadima ("Forward").
Sharon's longtime rival and current prime minister, Netanyahu, was elected his replacement as head of Likud.
Sharon suffered a mild stroke in December 2005 and was released from the hospital after two days. A little more than two weeks later he suffered a massive intra cerebral hemorrhage from which he never recovered.
Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert, was elected prime minister two months later.
Sharon was born February 26, 1928 in the then British Mandate of Palestine to a family of Lithuanian Jews. By the age of 10 he had entered the Zionist youth movement Hassadeh and later the Haganah, the military precursor to the Israel Defense Forces.
His military career flourished as he became a commander in the Israeli army, celebrated as a military strategist.
He was an instrumental figure in the 1956 Suez War, the Six Day War of 1967, the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and as Minister of Defense directed the 1982 Lebanon War.
Sharon joined the Likud party after retiring from the military, serving in a number of ministerial posts and then as party leader in 2000 before becoming prime minister from 2001-2006.
Widowed twice, he is survived by his sons Gilad and Omri.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Pastor Saeed From Iranian Prison
Pastor Saeed From Iranian Prison: Thanks for Praying & Fighting for my Freedom
http://aclj.org/iran/pastor-saeed-iranian-prison-thanks-praying-fighting-freedom American Pastor Saeed Abedini’s family in Terhan was able to visit him again earlier this week. Pastor Saeed was able to get a new letter out this week to his wife Naghmeh. He sent her this letter to be shared with supporters who gathered recently, on the Christian day of Pentecost, to pray for him. He shared that despite what he has to endure on a daily basis – the beatings and internal bleeding – he has hope. The 33-year-old U.S. Citizen wrote, “I will also be freed from my chains though prayer and strength of the Grace of God.” His full letter to supporters is below. Spending Pentecost in Prison and in Chains When the Day of the Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:1-2) One special day, one heart, one place -- All of these come together, to emphasize one thing, the importance of unity. I heard that the persecution, my arrest and imprisonment has united churches from different denominations, from different cities and countries, that would never come together because of their differences. That the churches have united together in prayer to put one request (my freedom) on one day (Pentecost) before God. You don’t know how happy I was in the Lord and rejoiced knowing that in my chains the body of Christ has chained together and is brought to action and prayer. When someone’s life like mine is in danger, we realize how different we are in our opinions (although some of those differences might be correct), but that we are still united in one goal of praying for my freedom. I am thankful for that. It is though your prayers and the Grace of God that the Lord is using me here in my chains. Many have been freed from the chains of Satan here and have been saved and added to the Church. Now, how beautiful it will be if the Church would be united and fight for the salvation of the world whose life is in danger and who are bound in chains of Satan and to fight for the salvation of the world, a world that is heading to the way of destruction. With the same passion and the same way that you are praying and fighting for my freedom, we need to be praying and fighting for the salvation of the world. When the Church is united (with one heart, in one place, on one day) that is when the joy and strength of God (Holy Spirit) wants to come in that unity and pour out and the Lord be exalted. Although this unity is the result of direct involvement of the Holy Spirit that is able to bring many different characteristics to make one. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me (Acts 1:8). And only when the Holy Spirit comes can you get strength. Without the strength of God it is impossible to do the will of God. And when we receive strength, then we can be transformed. And when we are transformed, that is when the Church is transformed as well. And when the Church is transformed, then the world will be freed from the chains of sin and will be saved and transformed. When we are all united and chained together, united in our hearts, in one place in one day, and we pray, then we will receive the power from on High and will receive strength and the world will be changed and will be freed from the chains of bondage and will be saved. The same way that I will also be freed from my chains though prayer and strength of the Grace of God. So dear sisters and brothers let us be united in prayer for freedom and salvation of the world. Let us be united so that the Holy Spirit might fall on us and the Glory of God would be revealed through us and through the church. Welcome to the chains that have bound me and have bound us together. Happy Pentecost. God Said and it was. Chains were broken. Our sins were forgiven I am free You are free We all have freedom With many thanks for your continued and faithful prayers. Servant of our Lord in chains for Jesus Christ, Saeed |
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Thursday, April 4, 2013
Intercessory Alert
Intercessory
Alert
A lot of rhetoric is going on as North Korea's spoiled son
now leads the country. Rumors of nukes
being fired and the revving up of an old nuclear reactor have much of the world
worried. Joel Rosenberg's book
"Dead Heat" may very shortly coming to pass if we do not get this
right. The United States can ill afford
to read the signals wrong and we need intercessors on the wall on high
alert. It is not easy to bend ones knee
and seek the face of the Lord but one needs perseverance and a willing heart to
watch and seriously pray and intercede.
If the church would truly learn to do so it could avert much of what may
shortly come to pass. Alas, many are busy about much and not busy about their
Fathers business.
The Lord has such love for us and wants to help us to do His
will in the earth as it is in heaven. We
cannot walk out our salvation alone but need Him each moment of every day to
lead, guide and direct our lives. Jesus
is the answer! The only answer to mans
dilemma. Sin is rampant and Jesus is the
only one that can eradicate sin. He is
the only one that can truly change human nature and bring to death that old
man. Ceasing to sin is not possible in
ourselves but when Christ truly lives in a man or woman and they allow Him to
be Lord it brings forth lasting change.
Let us as the church cry out to the Lord. Let us take time in the secret place to hear
His voice. Let us walk with our Father
and not stop crying out day and night till we see change. The Lord puts in leaders and scripture says
He removes them too. This is definitely
being allowed by the Lord but how America and the world handle it is going to
determine the outcome.
How we as the church
take our position in the body as intercessors and pray through will determine
our future. Let us life up our voices
and cry out to the Lord and repent of our sin and then we will hear from heaven
and He will heal our land. A spirit of
repentance needs to fall on each one from the least to the greatest and the
church needs to walk as it did in the beginning. We need pure hearts to truly intercede and
bring forth change. Today we are being
challenged to come up higher and allow Father God to do a lasting work in our
lives. None of this worldly stuff
matters at all and for myself in fifty years none of this will be
remembered.
What will count is what one does with the prayer needs that
cross our path. Will we say, another
will pray or will we take up our cross, deny ourselves and come to the place of
being the intercessors the Lord wants us to be.
The choice is ours. Will we stand
as the body of Christ together and be light in this ever darkening world. Will we let our light shine before men and
glorify our Father in Heaven. Let us
change history by how we respond to the call of the Lord to watch and pray.
Pray for our Nations leaders that they come to know the Lord and bend their
knee before Almighty God. The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much and much can be delayed, lives
spared and demonic acts averted by our intercession. The gates of hell will not prevail against
us.
14 If my people, which are
called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Patricia Hamel
04/04/2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Pray For Prisoners In Iranian Prison
Saeed's Wife: Iran Doesn't Know Who They're Dealing
With
Video Link>
CBN News
It seems like a story from a movie. Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-born pastor with U.S. citizenship, is serving eight years in one of the worst prisons in Iran for doing nothing more than preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For his wife and children, this story is all too real.
Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini's love story began in Iran. Naghmeh has been an American citizen since she was a child, but in 2001, she felt God calling her to go back to her homeland to minister to Muslim women.
One night, in an underground church in Tehran, she first saw Saeed. The young preacher was leading worship in one of the churches he helped start.
When asked why she fell in love with Saeed, Naghmeh answered: "His passion. As a young woman I always prayed, 'Lord, I can't marry someone who is mediocre.' But I had no idea how He would answer my prayer, no idea it would be so radical."
Not long afterward, the couple married in Iran. Their wedding drew hundreds of well-wishers and aroused the suspicion of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
"Our wedding, our union was miraculous because we were both Muslim converts allowed to have a Christian union," Naghmeh said. "Bibles were passed out; people are still getting saved from that day. It was not a wedding day, it was a crusade."
Some might say that it takes a special bride to share her big day with others.
"You imagine that day is all about you -- it wasn't but Jesus shined and that's what we both wanted!" she said.
A Fairytale Becomes a Nightmare
Today, nine years and two children later, Naghmeh is living her worst nightmare.
Last July, during one of Saeed's routine trips to Iran to establish a government-endorsed orphanage, he was detained and put under house arrest.
In January, the Iranian Revolutionary Court's so called "hanging judge" sentenced him to eight years in Iran's brutal and deadly Evin prison. His only crime was preaching the Gospel.
Officials at Evin prison are known for leaving on display the hanged bodies of executed criminals in an attempt to terrify inmates and their family members.
"Just the name really scared me. I've had family members who were hanged at that prison, abused, raped," Naghmeh said.
She is not allowed any personal contact with her husband. Before his sentencing, Saeed was allowed to Skype with his family. But now Naghmeh can only learn news about her husband from reports and letters from her family in Iran.
The latest information is that Saeed is being tortured and pressured to renounced his faith, but Naghmeh said he will never turn his back on Jesus Christ.
"They don't know who they're dealing with. It almost made me smile. He would never renounce his faith," she said.
A Mother's Heartbreak
No matter how much faith she has in her husband and her God, Naghmeh said it's difficult to watch her children suffer.
"As a woman, God's given me the grace to go to Him for comfort, but as a Mom it's a stab in my heart to see them struggling," she said. "My son's character has changed. He's not as talkative. My daughter, as a girl, cries a lot, 'Daddy, daddy...where are you?' They draw pictures of sad children crying, missing their daddy."
She admitted that she sank into despair for a time.
"I was on the edge of extreme depression, anxiety ... almost had to check myself in. But the Lord didn't let me break...He gave me such peace, such joy," she said.
"I said, 'Lord, in Philippians You promise to give peace,' and He gave me peace," she continued. "The Scripture is true. He does give peace and that's my testimony. He's bigger than the dark hole. Hold on to Him, he'll get you through."
Campaign for Saeed's Release
In the meantime, the American Center for Law and Justice is going full throttle with both a legal and a media campaign to free Saeed.
ACLJ Director Jordan Sekulow said publicity could be a life-saver for Saeed, just as it was for Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkharni. He had been sentenced to death for his Christian faith, but late last year, after a major publicity and prayer campaign, Nadarkhani was freed.
Sekulow told CBN News that putting international pressure on the Iranian regime is the best chance to see Abedini walk free.
"[The] only chance is if people speak out...Chance wise, surviving one day is not great. You could be beaten to death by guards or fellow inmates. If the story is talked about people don't get beaten as badly," he said.
People are talking about his case. Nearly 500,000 people have signed the "Save Saeed" petition on the ACLJ's website and several Christian musicians are also speaking out on his behalf.
Watch Here: Mercy Me, Josh Turner, Michael W. Smith, Toby Mac
Secretary of State John Kerry promised to work for Saeed's freedom but has made no public comment on the matter since being sworn in.
Naghmeh said she believes prayer -- not government -- will free her husband and feeds her hope that one day she'll see him again.
"My flesh wants to say, 'He's not going to survive that prison,' but when I pray, I feel like the Lord, the God of hope, tells me: It's in His time. He will release Saeed."
You can sign the American Center for Law and Justice's petition to free Saeed here.
Iran Prison Letter: US Pastor Describes Torture
Source: CBN News
Video Link>
CBN News
It seems like a story from a movie. Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-born pastor with U.S. citizenship, is serving eight years in one of the worst prisons in Iran for doing nothing more than preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For his wife and children, this story is all too real.
Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini's love story began in Iran. Naghmeh has been an American citizen since she was a child, but in 2001, she felt God calling her to go back to her homeland to minister to Muslim women.
One night, in an underground church in Tehran, she first saw Saeed. The young preacher was leading worship in one of the churches he helped start.
When asked why she fell in love with Saeed, Naghmeh answered: "His passion. As a young woman I always prayed, 'Lord, I can't marry someone who is mediocre.' But I had no idea how He would answer my prayer, no idea it would be so radical."
Not long afterward, the couple married in Iran. Their wedding drew hundreds of well-wishers and aroused the suspicion of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
"Our wedding, our union was miraculous because we were both Muslim converts allowed to have a Christian union," Naghmeh said. "Bibles were passed out; people are still getting saved from that day. It was not a wedding day, it was a crusade."
Some might say that it takes a special bride to share her big day with others.
"You imagine that day is all about you -- it wasn't but Jesus shined and that's what we both wanted!" she said.
A Fairytale Becomes a Nightmare
Today, nine years and two children later, Naghmeh is living her worst nightmare.
Last July, during one of Saeed's routine trips to Iran to establish a government-endorsed orphanage, he was detained and put under house arrest.
In January, the Iranian Revolutionary Court's so called "hanging judge" sentenced him to eight years in Iran's brutal and deadly Evin prison. His only crime was preaching the Gospel.
Officials at Evin prison are known for leaving on display the hanged bodies of executed criminals in an attempt to terrify inmates and their family members.
"Just the name really scared me. I've had family members who were hanged at that prison, abused, raped," Naghmeh said.
She is not allowed any personal contact with her husband. Before his sentencing, Saeed was allowed to Skype with his family. But now Naghmeh can only learn news about her husband from reports and letters from her family in Iran.
The latest information is that Saeed is being tortured and pressured to renounced his faith, but Naghmeh said he will never turn his back on Jesus Christ.
"They don't know who they're dealing with. It almost made me smile. He would never renounce his faith," she said.
A Mother's Heartbreak
No matter how much faith she has in her husband and her God, Naghmeh said it's difficult to watch her children suffer.
"As a woman, God's given me the grace to go to Him for comfort, but as a Mom it's a stab in my heart to see them struggling," she said. "My son's character has changed. He's not as talkative. My daughter, as a girl, cries a lot, 'Daddy, daddy...where are you?' They draw pictures of sad children crying, missing their daddy."
She admitted that she sank into despair for a time.
"I was on the edge of extreme depression, anxiety ... almost had to check myself in. But the Lord didn't let me break...He gave me such peace, such joy," she said.
"I said, 'Lord, in Philippians You promise to give peace,' and He gave me peace," she continued. "The Scripture is true. He does give peace and that's my testimony. He's bigger than the dark hole. Hold on to Him, he'll get you through."
Campaign for Saeed's Release
In the meantime, the American Center for Law and Justice is going full throttle with both a legal and a media campaign to free Saeed.
ACLJ Director Jordan Sekulow said publicity could be a life-saver for Saeed, just as it was for Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkharni. He had been sentenced to death for his Christian faith, but late last year, after a major publicity and prayer campaign, Nadarkhani was freed.
Sekulow told CBN News that putting international pressure on the Iranian regime is the best chance to see Abedini walk free.
"[The] only chance is if people speak out...Chance wise, surviving one day is not great. You could be beaten to death by guards or fellow inmates. If the story is talked about people don't get beaten as badly," he said.
People are talking about his case. Nearly 500,000 people have signed the "Save Saeed" petition on the ACLJ's website and several Christian musicians are also speaking out on his behalf.
Watch Here: Mercy Me, Josh Turner, Michael W. Smith, Toby Mac
Secretary of State John Kerry promised to work for Saeed's freedom but has made no public comment on the matter since being sworn in.
Naghmeh said she believes prayer -- not government -- will free her husband and feeds her hope that one day she'll see him again.
"My flesh wants to say, 'He's not going to survive that prison,' but when I pray, I feel like the Lord, the God of hope, tells me: It's in His time. He will release Saeed."
You can sign the American Center for Law and Justice's petition to free Saeed here.
Related Stories:
Imprisoned Pastor's Wife: Nightmare is Not OverIran Prison Letter: US Pastor Describes Torture
Source: CBN News
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