Merry Christmas!

Prayer Within A Festive Christmas

By: Kara L. Kraemer

Wakened shadows of bright lights glow from within my heart,
To feel the beating ember of hope, resolute and stalwart.
There amidst the clamor of Christmas bells, I know
Glory and honor due to You this season will flow
Even up into the heavens.

A silent prayer within me swells,
Alight with thanksgiving that dwells
For always within for the Son whose name we praise
And celebrate with peace and love on holy days
Throughout all the earth.

O Blessed Redeemer, never does Your beauty wane.
Robed in splendor, You are king and will forever reign.
We triumph in Your coronation,
Rejoice in our eternal salvation
From within the depths of our souls.       

The Treaty of Tripoli cannot be studied as a stand-alone document

Intro
Those who wish to claim America is not founded upon Christian principles predictably bring up one particular document--the Treaty of Tripoli. It serves as the foundation for their entire argument. However, using only that one document as the basis in understanding the why behind our country's dominant religion is simplistic.

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Faith flourishes most sincerely without government interference
While America was not founded as a theocracy, her founding was shaped by Christian moral truths and not by secular ideas that stemmed from our colonial roots. Our founders firmly believed that our laws must coincide with God's ordained moral standards and that human laws took a back seat to moral laws. America's founding documents presuppose a Supreme Being and espouse a Christian point of view, and yet in wisdom our founders designed a constitutional order for all citizens, not just fellow believers. Our Constitution proposes that each citizen should be free to worship God (or not) as conscience motivates.

In regard to Jefferson's Letter: Thomas Jefferson once and in a personal letter used the phrase "wall of separation between church and state," and that phrase has actually displaced the true words of our First Amendment in an effort to progress that church and state shall not intertwine with one another. Note that two days after completing his letter to the Danbury Baptists, Jefferson attended church services that were being held in the U.S. Capitol. Note, too, Jefferson as President in his second inaugural address encouraged all Americans to join him in seeking “the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old….”

Of similar use is the otherwise obscure Treaty of Tripoli which has proven controversial for the very reason that one particular clause found in it seems to contradict our Christian roots. The one clause in the document is used to make the whole case against Christianity as the foundational religion of America.

In spite of the Treaty of Tripoli, America, nevertheless, was and is still considered a Christian nation; and though true that our founders described America as a Christian nation, there is a constitutional prohibition against a federal establishment. The national government is denied all power over religious matters.

Our Beginnings
The first Congress crafted the First Amendment. That same Congress appointed congressional chaplains and paid them! It also reauthorized the Northwest Ordinance, which held that “Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”

Furthermore, immediately after the Bill of Rights was approved by the House, Elias Boudinot recommended that a day of public thanksgiving and prayer be announced on a national level. There were fears that such a public address by the President would bring us back toward old habits of the Europeans. Out of those fears, it was recommended instead that such a religious address should be done only through the individual states.

Roger Sherman, for this momentous occasion, defended the stance of Boudinot because, according to the Annals of the Congress of the United States, the practice of thanksgiving was biblically justified:

"Mr. Sherman justified the practice of thanksgiving, on any signal event, not only as a laudable one in itself, but as warranted by a number of precedents in Holy Writ: for instance, the solemn thanksgivings and rejoicings which took place in the time of Solomon, after the building of the temple, was a case in point. This example, he thought, worthy of Christian imitation on the present occasion."

As it turned out, the majority of the House and Senate agreed. George Washington also agreed and gladly gave the famously important 1789 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation.

"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor…
I do recommend…the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be….

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the People…"

Continuing the tradition, religious proclamations were also issued by Adams and Madison. Jefferson as President did not issue any similarly religious proclamations but he used other forums to employ religious utterances. It is Jefferson who wrote in his "Notes on the State of Virginia,"

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever."

Our self-governing republic requires a moral people.
Faith is an important, if not indispensable, support for morality. As previously mentioned, our founders did not want Congress to establish a national church, and there were even those who wished no establishments at the state level either. Yet on the whole they believed, as George Washington declared in his Farewell Address, that of “all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

John Adams, a deeply devout Christian, was among those aware that an established religion could bring about legal persecution of minorities and the temptation to wage holy wars. Also did he realize that a religious people were guided and united by similar moral values and beliefs. 

It was Adams who declared: 

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were. . . . the general principles of Christianity. . . . I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God; and that those principles of liberty are as unalterable as human nature."

None of our founders believed as many do today that political leaders must avoid all religious words or that government property cannot display religious symbols. They would certainly have approved of nativity scenes or the Ten Commandments in government buildings and would have welcomed for government officials to promote Christianity. Today's ideas of total separation between church and state are irrelevant in regard to our history.

While faith flourishes most sincerely without government interference, it should not have to fight government hostility.

Words of our founders
Noah Webster explained that America was a Christian nation different from old Europe, "The ecclesiastical establishments of Europe which serve to support tyrannical governments are not the Christian religion but abuses and corruptions of it."

The Christianity practiced in America was described by John Jay as "wise and virtuous" and by John Adams as "rational."

Of no small mention is that Daniel Webster expressed in an 1844 speech to the Supreme Court, "Christianity to which the sword and the fagot [burning stake or hot branding iron] are unknown – general tolerant Christianity is the law of the land!"

What lead up to the Treaty of Tripoli
The Barbary States of North Africa (Tunis, Morocco, Algiers, and Tripoli) were in conflict against "Christian" nations, which included the United States shortly after we won our independence from England.

Justified as retaliation for what Christians long ago had done to them, the four Barbary Powers regularly attacked American merchant ships, taking their goods and enslaving the "Christian" seamen. Families and local church groups often had to participate in fundraising efforts to gather ransoms for captured individuals.

Two examples:
1784: Pirates captured U.S. schooner Maria. Those on board were taken to Algiers and imprisoned after being paraded through the streets and humiliated as "infidels."
1793: Algerian pirates captured Polly and imprisoned the crew. The captain informed the Americans they could expect harsh treatment "for your history and superstition in believing in a man who was crucified by the Jews and disregarding the true doctrine of God's last and greatest prophet, Mohammed."  A Christian crew member of the Polly, John Foss, wrote of his years captive in Algiers, “As we passed through the streets, our ears were stunned with the shouts, clapping hands, and other acclamations of joy from the inhabitants, thanking god for their great success, and victories over so many Christian dogs, and unbelievers, which is the appellation they generally give to all Christians.” Journal of John Foss, Several Years a Prisoner in Algiers, 1798, Angier March, Newbury Port, Mass.

In 1793 President Washington sent Col. David Humphreys to try to negotiate treaties with Algeria, Tripoli, and Tunis. A little later, James Simpson was sent to renew the agreement we already had with Morocco because the country had a new ruler who announced his plans of attack against nations who did not negotiate peace with him.

The new Sultan agreed to the old peace treaty. He told Simpson, "The Americans, I find, are the Christian nation my father, who is in glory, most esteemed. I am the same with them as my father was, and I trust they will be so with me."

In the meantime, Washington set in motion the plans to build up our navy, which was in pitiful condition.

Col. Humphreys later assigned Joel Barlow to form the treaties with the other three Barbary nations. On October 8, 1796, Barlow commissioned Richard O'Brien to negotiate peace with Tripoli.

After negotiations were concluded, the Treaty was forwarded to the United States. President Adams submitted it for ratification, and he wrote to the Senate, "I lay before you, for your consideration and advice, a treaty of perpetual peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and subjects of Tripoli, of Barbary, concluded, at Tripoli, on the 4th day of November, 1796."

Terms of the treaties
The numerous treaties of "Peace and Amity" negotiated with the Muslim Barbary nations were unfavorable to America. We were required to pay staggering amounts of money or else give outrageously expensive gifts such as a warship to each country in exchange for freedom from attacks in the Mediteranean.

The 1797 treaty with Tripoli was meant to show respect to the Muslims for their chosen religion. We assured them we were not like Christian countries of old insofar as we would not engage a "Holy War" against them. We assured them our government was not founded on the Christian religion as it has in itself no character of enmity [hatred] against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims]. Thus, we read Article XI:

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion as it has in itself no character of enmity [hatred] against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] and as the said States [America] have never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

It is important to note that the Article XI refers to the federal government and that religious considerations are left solely to the state governments. It is also important to note that each states' constitution as first formed is decidedly Christian.

While the Treaty of Tripoli contained the controversial Article XI, other treaties negotiated at the same time with Algiers and Tunis did not contain similar clauses. 

General William Eaton
Eaton was first appointed by President John Adams as "Consul to Tunis." Under President Jefferson, he became "U.S. Naval Agent to the Barbary States," authorized to lead a military expedition against Tripoli.

By the end of the eighteenth century, the United States was behind in payments to Algiers. Joel Barlow worked to negotiate terms with Algiers which President Adams found unacceptable. Adams then sent William Eaton to negotiate more agreeable terms, but demands of Algiers and Tripoli increased, which angered Eaton to the point where he'd prefer to use military force to secure trade in the region.

Eaton's official correspondence during his service confirms that the conflict was a Muslim war against a Christian America. His letter to Secretary of State Timothy Pickering apprised Pickering of why the Muslims are such dedicated foes:

Taught by revelation that war with the Christians will guarantee the salvation of their souls, and finding so great secular advantages in the observance of this religious duty [the secular advantage of keeping captured cargoes], their [the Muslims'] inducements to desperate fighting are very powerful.

When John Marshall was Secretary of State, Eaton informed him, "It is a maxim of the Barbary States, that 'The Christians who would be on good terms with them must fight well or pay well.'"

President Jefferson sent ships to blockade Tripoli. In 1803, as fate would have it, the U.S.S. Philadelphia ran aground in Tripoli, and its 300 sailors were imprisoned. Jefferson called for war.

We learn of General Eaton's thoughts through his personal journal,

April 8th. We find it almost impossible to inspire these wild bigots with confidence in us or to persuade them that, being Christians, we can be otherwise than enemies to Musselmen. We have a difficult undertaking!
May 23rd. Hassien Bey, the commander in chief of the enemy's forces, has offered by private insinuation for my head six thousand dollars and double the sum for me a prisoner; and $30 per head for Christians. Why don't he come and take it?

U.S. ships bombarded Tripoli, and the blockade was stepped up. Tripoli no longer believed we were a "feeble sect of Christians" and agreed to negotiate another peace treaty.   As it turns out, the wording in the new treaty was slightly different in regard to our Christianity--it stated that the United States had no established church.

While discussing the Barbary conflict with Jefferson, Adams declared: 

The policy of Christendom has made cowards of all their sailors before the standard of Mahomet. It would be heroical and glorious in us to restore courage to ours.

The United States agreed to pay Tripoli $60,000 in order to secure the release of the hostages captured from the Philadelphia.

Eaton returned to the United States as a hero. America realized because of his military victory, the muslims were motivated to sign a new 1806 Treaty of Tripoli, the first treaty that did not include the payment of tribute. However, Eaton was appalled that we paid ransom for the freeing of the hostages.

Shortly after the military excursion against Tripoli was successfully terminated, its account was written and published. Its title is: 

The Life of the Late Gen. William Eaton . . . commander of the Christian and Other Forces . . . which Led to the Treaty of Peace Between The United States and The Regency of Tripoli

First published at NewsFlavor   Atheists hide the truth, guilty of fraud  “Some Arab pirates were skilled bluewatersailors, and terrorized Christians 1,000 miles away. One spectacular raid all the way to Iceland in 1627 took nearly 400 captives. We think of Britain as a redoubtable seapower ever since the time of Drake, but throughout the 17th century, Arab pirates operated freely in British waters, even sailing up the Thames estuary to pick off prizes and raid coastal towns. Once in North Africa, it was tradition to parade newly-captured Christians through the streets, so people could jeer at them, and children could pelt them with refuse. At the slave market, men were made to jump about to prove they were not lame, and buyers often wanted them stripped naked again to see if they were healthy. This was also to evaluate the sexual value of both men and women; white concubines had a high value,and all the slave capitals had a flourishing homosexual underground.The pasha or ruler of the area got a certain percentage of the slave take as a form of income tax. These were almost always men, and became government rather than private property. Most of these public slaves spent the rest of their lives as galley slaves, and it is hard to imagine a more miserable existence. Men were chained three, four, or five to an oar, with their ankles chained together as well. Rowers never left their oars, and to the extent that they slept at all, they slept at their benches. Slaves could push past each other to relieve themselves at an opening in the hull, but they were often too exhausted or dispirited to move, and fouled themselves where they sat. They had no protection against the burning Mediterranean sun, and their masters flayed their already-raw backs with the slavedriver’s favorite tool of encouragement, a stretched bull’s penis or “bull’s pizzle.” There was practically no hope of escape or rescue; a galley slave’s job was to work himself to death—mainly in raids to capture more wretches like himself—and his master pitched him overboard at the first sign of serious illness.”

TREATY OF TRIPOLI, APRIL, 1806 ARTICLE XIV.
“AS the government of the United States of America has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity of Mussulmen, and as the said States never have entered into any voluntary war or act of hostility against any Mahometan except in defense of their just rights to freely navigate the high seas, it is declared by the contracting parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two nations. And the consuls and agents of both nations respectively shall have liberty to exercise his religion in his own house. All slaves of the same religion shall not be impeded in going to said consul's house at hours of prayer.”


John Adams's Fast Day Proclamation
Begun in 1775 and adopted under the new federal government by Washington, John Adams continued the practice of issuing fast and thanksgiving day proclamations.

At a time when the nation appeared to be on the brink of a war with France, Adams urged the citizens to: "acknowledge before God the manifold sins and transgressions with which we are justly chargeable as individuals and as a nation; beseeching him at the same time, of His infinite grace, through the Redeemer of the World, freely to remit all our offences, and to incline us, by His Holy Spirit, to that sincere repentance and reformation which may afford us reason to hope for his inestimable favor and heavenly benediction."   Fast Day Proclamation, 1798, John Adams. Broadside Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress.

"And great earthquakes shall be in divers places...."

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Well known is that Jesus Christ offered earthquakes to those who believe as a sign that we are entering into the last days when we see them (earthquakes) increase in frequency and size. They will be like birth pangs, coming closer and closer together as we prepare to enter the Apocalypse.

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." -Luke 21:11

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows." -Mark 13:8

"So you in like manner, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that it is near, even at the doors." -Mark 13:29 (Note: Up until recently in context of world history, it was not possible to actually see effects of earthquakes around the globe.)

A C-17 Globemaster III delivers humanitarian aid into the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 18, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)[100118-F-4177H-957.JPG]

Year 2010 was a banner year for major earthquakes whereby the 7.0 magnitude January earthquake in Haiti produced almost all the earthquake fatalities and injuries suffered for that year. The nation was essentially destroyed.

A magnitude-8.8 earthquake near Chile in February was 500 times more powerful than the one in Haiti but it produced less deaths, about 577 compared to Haiti's 200,000+. China's April earthquake was 6.9 magnitude and killed nearly 3,000 people.

July 2010 brought a 6.6 earthquake in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and, thankfully, created no casualties. California experienced a 6.5 in January with some injuries and no casualties.

Around Thanksgiving last year, an unusual earthquake hit New York, a 3.9 which caused no damage or fatalities. Also unusual that winter were the earthquakes in New Jersey and Washington, D.C., where the shaking was enough to be felt but caused no real damage.

Earthquakes occur frequently throughout the world each year but are rarely detected because of their very small size. What was unusual about 2010 is that there were 22 seismic events which measured at 7.0 magnitude or higher, the largest number since 1968 according to reports from the the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The previous year of 2009 showed 17 earthquakes that were over magnitude 7.0. Neither year, however, competes with 1943 when there were 32 major earthquakes.

Interesting are USGS statistics which show that the number of magnitude 5.0 to 9.9 earthquakes in 2010 was 2,117. The number of such quakes has increased considerably from ten years previous, which was 1,505 in year 2000.

Largest earthquakes in year 2011

• January: Argentina--7.0;Chile--7.1; Pakistan--7.2; Loyalty Islands (New Caledonia)--7.0
• In February, the largest earthquake magnitude was 6.8 near Chile.
• March, April, July, and September found several devastating earthquakes in Japan, the largest being an unbelievable 9.0 on March 11.
• In May, Loyalty Islands were hit once again with the month's largest earthquake, 6.8 magnitude.
• June: Alaska was hit with a 7.2 earthquake.
• July: Kermadec Islands (part of New Zealand) region was hit with a 7.6.
• August: Vanuatu experienced two massive earthquakes, 7.0 and 7.1 magnitudes, and another one in September at 7.0 magnitude.
• October: Eastern Turkey was hit with a 7.1 and Kermadec Islands experienced another quake at 7.4.
• November found Oklahoma hit by small, but larger than normal for the location, earthquakes.

Many biblical scholars believe the increase in recorded earthquakes are a marvelous portent. John Claeys, for example, author of the book Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Time Clock is quoted as saying,

“Perhaps we ought to consider the possibility that their increase is an indicator that creation is ‘groaning’ ever more ‘loudly’ as we come closer to the tribulation period.”

First published on Examiner
Topic  Daily Globe  Topic

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Proclamation

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)



"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name."    1 Chronicles 29:11-13

One minute prayers for a nation in turmoil

Hospital Tries to Starve 55-Year-Old Man to Death
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, bless the Alliance Defense Fund in Maryland, who stopped the death of Daniel Sanger, a man Frederick Memorial Hospital reportedly began starving to death for six days without food and water, because his wife gave permission to kill him, even after he told his mother and doctor he wanted to live. From Deut 30:19 we pray people choose life, and nobody ever signs a Do Not Resuscitate authorization forcing hospitals to stop your food, water, or air, causing death sooner than God, because allowing eating, drinking, and breathing are not extraordinary measures, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Lesbian Parents Abuse 11-Year-Old Adoptee, Turn Boy Into a Girl
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, bless Walt Heyer, a man who repented and regrets changing his gender, and psychiatrists Dr. Keith Ablow and Dr. Paul McHugh for reportedly declaring the truth, that lesbians Pauline Moreno and Debra Lobel are abusing their 11-year old adopted son Tommy by forcing him to have hormone treatments to try to make him a girl, and they are reportedly calling him 'Tammy.'  God help the government remove abused children from homes of homosexuals who violate children’s minds and bodies, and from Romans 12:2 renew Tommy’s mind, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.



Obama Helps Muslim Sue Berkeley School District
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, we are grieved by the Obama administration’s choice to sue the Berkeley School District for “religious discrimination” and for giving a muslim teacher, Safoorah Khan $75,000 in back pay, damages and attorney’s fees – even though she quit her job after the school denied her three weeks of absence for a trip to Mecca, skipping class in the middle of the year. The Obama administration would never sue a school to help Jewish or Christian teachers or parents visit Israel. From Ezekiel 22:12, God you detest “unjust gain,” in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
See story behind ruling, click here. 

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Christian Film “Courageous” Remains in Top Ten for Three Weeks
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, thank you for great success by another of Sherwood Baptist Church’s movies, Courageous, which tells the story of five men on their journey to become better fathers. Competing against new Hollywood movies and costing only $1 million to make, this Christian film earned $57 million dollars, including $22 million on opening weekend, and has ranked in the top 10 for three weekends in a row. From Exodus 31:3 please continue to bless the crew at Sherwood Baptist Church with skill, ability and knowledge to create hundreds more films, in Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

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  Reaffirm "In God We Trust" as the National Motto.

1996 Defense of Marriage Law (DOMA) Violated by Obama’s Pentagon
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, protect the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a good law passed in 1996 that is now fully assaulted by homosexual activists who already repealed Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in the military. If DOMA is overturned it would force homosexual marriage and bonus pay in all 50 states, with free health care coverage, housing and money rewarding biologically deviant behavior at our expense. Genesis 2 reminds us that real marriage is solely between one man and one woman. Lord, please protect Your institution of marriage which represents Christ and Your church, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Hotel Cancels Anti-Sharia Conference and Jewish Speaker Pamela Geller
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, we pray You condemn the anti-semitic Hyatt Hotel in Sugar Land, Texas, for cancelling a Tea Party event on the same day Jewish author, Pamela Geller, was scheduled to speak on the dangers of Muslim Sharia Law in America, because the Muslim terrorist front group, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) complained. We ask Your Peace to be on Pamela Geller and all who understand our need for protection from Islamic terrorists, and from Psalm 122:6 we also pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and persecuted Jews and Christians alike, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Repeal Obamacare - and defund Abortion!

Somalia: Christian Teen Beheaded by Muslim Extremists
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, we rejoice with Guled Jama Muktar, a 17 year-old Christian teen who was considered worthy to be martyred for your name and now wears a white robe in heaven, as you say Christian martyrs do in Revelation 6:11. Guled was beheaded by Shabbab Islamic militants on September 25th near the Somali capital, after they stalked him and his family for the last three years. Please bring peace and healing to Guled’s parents as they grieve the loss of their son, and they continue to evangelize Muslims, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.  See article, click here.

Adapted from Pray in Jesus name project

Disclaimer: The views of Chaplain Klingenschmitt, who was vindicated by Congress after being honorably but involuntarily discharged from the Navy in 2007, after facing court-martial for praying 'in Jesus name' in uniform, are his own personal views, not the views of any political party, government, or organization.

Pastor in Iran to be executed for his belief in Christ

The ACLJ is asking all concerned citizens to sign a petition to Hillary Clinton for help in sparing the life of a pastor guilty of embracing Christianity.

Embracing Christianity doesn't sound like it should be a crime; but in Muslim-controlled Iraq and in spite of their constitution, it is enough to get a former Muslim executed. The White House has condemned the death sentence and Iran's "utter disregard" for religious freedom. 

The Iranian government is hoping Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani will recant his faith, but the pastor has responded that he cannot deny his faith in Christ. Since Iran does not wish the world to see the truth of its justice, false reports from the state media are now starting to circulate. They say that Pastor Youcef is guilty of Zionism, that he has committed crimes that threaten Iran's security. Also, they indicate he is accused of rape and extortion.

These charges arise in order to cover the real reason for Pastor Youcef's appointed execution. Before worldwide attention, documents in a ruling from the Iranian Supreme Court show Nadarkhani was sentenced to execution by hanging for “turning his back on Islam” and “converting Muslims to Christianity.”

According to Jay Sekulow, ACLJ:

"The only question now is whether the Iranian government is actually leveling these new charges against him in court or just throwing out new accusations to try and deflect media attention."
“One thing is clear, if Fars News is acknowledging Pastor Youcef's trial, we know that Iran's leaders are fully aware of it too - that's a good thing."

The ACLJ is working hard with Congressional leaders, the United Nations, international media, and Pastor Youcef’s attorney; and Iran is weary of the international pressure.

Hillary Clinton has released a statement that the U.S. is deeply concerned; but in order to save the pastor's life, it is imperative that she use the weight of the U.S. State Department to call on Iran for Pastor Youcwef's unconditional release.

Pastor Youcef and family

It is not too late to for the petition to have an effect on Iran's final decision in regard to Pastor Youcef.

Continue reading Petition to Hillary Clinton to save Christian pastor in Iran - http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-yakima/petition-to-hillary-clinton-to-save-christian-pastor-iran#ixzz1Zyrjpy5Q



September 8, 2012: Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani released, acquitted of apostasy

The Great Commission - Ways of spreading joy through charity

Some of us serve God and spread the Gospel through mission work or through our writing, door-to-door witnessing, church ministries, etc.  Perhaps we don't do as much as we feel we should because of other pressures, limited opportunities, and then our energy only goes so far.
To supplement your efforts in serving God, consider working from your home by writing letters/cheery cards or sending brochures/books to others in need of uplifting.  Share knowledge about the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. 
Or seek out volunteer work in your neighborhood among those longing for friendly attention and according to your own schedule.

Write to a prison inmate. See Washington profiles.

Oregon profiles                Idaho profiles                Virginia profiles          Other states 
           
Prison pen pals, "How WriteAPrisoner.com and You Change the World…"
Florida, Indiana, and Missouri do not allow WriteAPrisoner to work with inmates.  Write to the governors of those states, click here.

The Alliance is living the call together:  "When it comes to sharing the reason for our hope, faith, and joy, we reach more people when we work together. Our partnership in building Christ’s Church worldwide is getting the job done!"      On Facebook

Washington Department on Aging and Elder Services
Senior services state-to-state
Tips for visiting a nursing home

"Adopt a nursing home patient" program 

"The Foundation will help locate a facility in your area and enable you to become a community volunteer. To learn more about how local volunteers can get involved to help those in need, please contact Shari Rhoads, President and co-founder, Dorotha C. White Foundation at 1-800-789-4836 or srhoads@dcwhitefoundation.org."

Adopt a nursing home on Facebook
The Senior Source

Thanksgiving holiday/Florida:  "But for too many on the outer edge of life, Thanksgiving will be spent without family or friends. Assisted living facilities around the state are encouraging volunteers to spend some time with seniors this holiday weekend. If you’re interested in helping out call a nursing home near you or contact Florida’s Long-term care Ombudsman Program at 1-888-831-0404 or visit their website."   On Facebook.

Christmas for Seniors, Facebook

American Bible Society    Your prayers are needed.  "Orphaned boys and girls are hungry to know God and thirsty for hope...."   Share your story
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Operation Christmas Child   On Facebook

Visiting orphans  "Visiting Orphans is a mission sending agency that works to fulfill the biblical mandate given in James 1:27 of "visiting orphans" in their distress. We are currently leading trips to: China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, Rwanda & Uganda."    Pray for Visiting Orphans.    Buy from their store.     

Facebook

Orphanages throughout the world.
North AmericaSt. Joseph Orphanage - Canada
Stephen Wiggins Home for Boys - Canada
Corazón de Vida - USA
Covenant Ranch - USA
Angel Guardian Orphanage AGO Hangout - USA
Angel Guardian Orphanage - USA
McClelland Children's Home (now School)- USA
Goodland Presbyterian Children's Home - USA
Buckner Children's Home - USA
St. Joseph's Village Rockleigh - USA
St. Joseph Orphanage - USA
Rose of Sharon Association - USA
Oxford Orphanage - USA
Florida Baptist Children's Homes - USA
High Plains Children's Home - USA
His House Children's Home - USA
Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services - USA
Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) - USA
Milton Hershey School - USA
Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes - USA
Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina - USA
Bellewood Presbyterian Homes for Children - USA
Bethel Bible Village Children's Home - USA
The Palmer Home for Children - USA
Unite The World (penpal service) - USA
Charleston Orphan House - USA (former orphanage)

Visiting the homebound
Visiting those in the hospital, the sick, homebound, and elderly
Visiting sick kids
Send get well cards to sick kids
Visiting the sick

How to write to our troops
Support our troops

One minute prayers for a nation in turmoil

New York forces Gay "Marriage"
with help from four RINOs
Let Us Pray.   Almighty God, we are grieved that the New York State legislature has forced homosexual "marriage" against the will of God and the people, by a 33 to 29 vote.   Four Republican traitors voted for this bill, including:
James Alesi,  Stephen Saland, Roy McDonald, Mark Grisanti.
They sided with all the anti-Christian Democrats.  One courageous Democrat--Senator Ruben Diaz--voted against gay marriage. 
Homosexuality is unnatural against the laws of nature, the laws of God.  Show us how to work against this deviant law and help us.  Father, please forgive and heal our nation. 
In Jesus Name. Amen. 

62 Percent Of Americans Support Traditional Marriage
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, we are thankful for the results of a new national survey that shows sixty-two percent of Americans believe marriage is defined as only between one man and one woman, the way You  created it in Genesis 2:24 when You said Adam would be united to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. All thirty-one states that have allowed a vote have defined marriage as only between one man and one woman. We pray for victories in Minnesota, North Carolina, and Indiana who will soon be voting to protect marriage. In Jesus Name. Amen.

NBC Censors “Under God” From Pledge of Allegiance
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, we are outraged, joining millions of Americans, who expressed frustration, anger, and disappointment on the internet, when NBC television twice censored the words “Under God, indivisible” from the Pledge of Allegiance during their broadcast of the U.S. Open. We recall Psalm 32:12 that the nation is blessed whose God is the Lord, but sadly we endure the insults of media producers who no longer honor God. Thank God that public pressure was immediate and loud enough to force NBC to offer an apology. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Pledge of Allegiance (oath of loyalty) was formed in 1892.  It was formally adopted in 1942.  To distinguish our country from the atheistic communists, Congress in 1954 voted in the words, "under God."  Ever since, the words, "under God" have been recited as part of the the pledge by Boy Scouts, Rotary Clubs, in schools, before sporting events, etc.

Democrats Pushing Tax-Funded Abortions at Military Bases
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, we pray You help defeat the pro-abortion MARCH for Military Women Act, filed in the U.S. Senate by Democrats Boxer, Gillibrand, Murray, Shaheen, and Lautenberg, a bill which means to overturn the law’s current ban on abortions in military hospitals, and would force taxpayers to pay for the abortions performed on our troops, hurting both mother and father, and killing their child.  We recall Your command from Exodus 20:13 that we shall not murder. God help Senators vote for life.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

“For YOU created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139: 13-14

Anglicans Ordain Gay Bishops; Methodists Convict Lesbian Pastor
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, Jude 1:4 reminds us about certain men who … have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. God rebuke the Anglican Church who plans to ordain openly homosexual bishops, but bless the United Methodist Church who convicted a lesbian Methodist pastor of marrying homosexuals by a 13-0 vote of her clergy peers. We pray for all clergy who reject the Bible, that they would repent and turn faithfully toward Your Word. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

California Textbooks To Teach Homosexual Indoctrination
U.N. Pushes Special Rights for Homosexuals
Let Us Pray. Almighty God, we pray You help defeat California’s SB48, which law would re-write textbooks to promote gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered persons as positive role models that children will be taught to admire, to admire basically because of their gay-ness. We do not need to teach our children in school about homosexuality. God Bless Randy Thomasson and others whose ministries have been obedient to your word as in Isaiah 21:6 by being watchmen on the wall, and reporting what they see and shouting it out, so that Your people can take action. Bless and move Your people to rise up and take action against this evil bill.  We pray also about Secretary Hillary Clinton who has pressured the U.N. to a 23-19 vote to affirm homosexuality as a special right, based on alleged “abuses and violations that LGBT people face…based solely on who they are and who they love.”  In spite of her deceitful words, we do well to remember that love is not selfish lust.
With the affirmed resolution, the U.N. has effectively placed Christians in harm's way and for persecution worldwide simply because of their beliefs and resolve to express them.   Proverbs 29:2 reminds us that when the righteous rule, the people rejoice but when the wicked rule, the people groan.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

Above adapted from prayers formed by the PrayinJesusnameProject
Disclaimer:  The views of Chaplain Klingenschmitt, who was vindicated by Congress after being honorably but involuntarily discharged from the Navy in 2007, after facing court-martial for praying 'in Jesus name' in uniform, are his own personal views, not the views of any political party, government, or organization.

II Thessalonians 2:10    And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Last days: The mystery of lawlessness is a set of beliefs that is totally contrary to "the truth"

Army National Guard Officer refuses to cooperate
Protection for a group that is not disadvantaged