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The Vatican may learn the hard way that the Communist Chinese government does not honor its agreements. Beijing may attempt to extort even more concessions from the Vatican, just as the Chinese regime demands ever more surrender of sovereignty from western companies that do business in China.
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It is also highly dubious that the Vatican will purchase peace by this pact: the regime will continue to persecute the Church. If the Communist regime is true to form, thousands more crosses will be taken down from Christian churches, especially in areas that have a high Christian population.
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The courageous elders of Chinese Catholicism, who have endured decades of government persecution and regime efforts to divide the Church, may be seen by their flocks as having been bypassed by the Vatican. Many, if not most, Chinese Catholics are likely to view this agreement as a cynical political betrayal by the Vatican rather than a faith-based decision.
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“In light of this dismal record, it seems that prudence and caution would seem to be the order of the day in Vatican negotiations with the totalitarians in charge in Beijing, at whose most recent Party Congress religion was once again declared the enemy of Communism.” — George Weigel, Catholic author and political analyst.
Tag Archives: love
Scripture of the Day
Mark 14
3. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
Scripture of the Day
Psalms 21
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
2. Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
3. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
4. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
5. His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
6. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
7. For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
8. Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
9. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
10. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
11. For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
12. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.
13. Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Scripture of the Day
Psalms 20
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2. Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3. Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
6. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
9. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
Scripture of the Day
2 Peter 3
3. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
The Problem of Evil: A Christian Response
Well worth your time, very informative.
Published on Jan 4, 2019
Join us at: http://www.inspiringphilosophy.org
To help support this ministry click here: https://www.patreon.com/inspiringphil…
This is a long explanation for why there is evil, and how it is understood in a Christian Worldview.
Sources:
God and the Problem of Evil – William Rowe
Blackwell’s Companion to Natural Theology – JP Moreland and William Lane Craig
Why Does God Allow Evil – Clay Jones
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophical Theology – Michael C. Rea
The Nature of Necessity – Alvin Plantinga
Letters to a Christian Nation – Sam Harris
The Problem of Pain – CS Lewis
Mere Christianity – CS Lewis
The Rape of Nanking – Iris Chang
Ordinary People and Extraordinary Evil – Fred E. Katz
How Can We Commit The Unthinkable? – Israel Charny
Shantung Compound – Langdon Gilkey
https://ourworldindata.org/ethnograph…
https://www.nature.com/articles/s4146…
Milgram Experiments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdUu3…
https://www.simplypsychology.org/milg…
https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com…
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases…
Darwinism and Christianity Redux – Michael Ruse
The Denial of Death – Ernest Becker
How Long, O Lord?: Reflections of Suffering and Evil – D. A. Carson
Free of Charge – Mirslov Volf
Exclusion and Embrace – Mirslov Volf
2011 Ligonier Conference – R. C. Sproul
https://www.ligonier.org/blog/2011-li…
https://www.premierchristianradio.com…
Divine Action – Keith Ward
Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview – William Lane Craig and JP Moreland
The Rebel – Albert Camus
The New Problem of Evil – NT Wright
https://vimeo.com/10785299
Scripture of the Day
Psalms 17
A Prayer of David.
1. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3. Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
8. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9. From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10. They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11. They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12. Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13. Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
14. From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Open Doors prayer request with you.
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LIVE STREAM: Release of 2019 World Watch List
Today, Open Doors USA President and CEO David Curry will reveal the 2019 Open Doors World Watch List during a live press conference at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Open Doors will also share commentary around gender-based persecution, which has continued to rise resulting in the double persecution of women.
In order to watch the live stream, please go to the Open Doors’ Facebook page by CLICKING HERE. The live stream will begin at 10:00 a.m. or a few minutes after on Wednesday, January 16th.
Please pray for Open Doors USA staff as they run the press conference.
Pray the persecuted Christians who will be speaking at the press conference will be filled with peace.
Pray many Christians would be moved to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters as a result of the release of the 2019 World Watch List.
*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.
A Nationwide Epedemic
Know The Warning Signs
January 14th, 2019
More than 40% of men today suffer from it—and their loved ones pay the price.
It’s called “toxic masculinity,” and it’s the latest disease to plague the nation. It can affect every aspect of a toxic man’s life. Worst of all, toxic masculinity is contagious, so if you’re infected, you need to know right away so you can avoid spreading it to your friends and family.
Are you or a loved one suffering from toxic masculinity? Know the warning signs so you can seek help:
- Even the faintest whisper of facial hair – If you have a mustache, schedule a check-up. If you find a goatee on your face, consider going into the emergency room. If you have a full-grown beard, well, it’s probably too late for you.
- A belief that men and women are at least a little bit different – Should you be infected with the cancerous idea that men and women are even the slightest bit different from one another, you could have toxic masculinity. If you’re a woman who believes this, then you suffer from an even worse disease called internalized misogyny.
- Throwing a professional wrestler off a steel cage right through the announcer’s table – Men who suddenly look around and find that they’re tossing a professional wrestler off a steel cage to plummet right through the announcer’s table are at high risk of developing toxic masculinity. If a man in your life is suffering from this symptom, encourage him to stop wrestling in the WWE immediately.
- Eating meat on occasion – A disease like toxic masculinity can quickly change your diet. If you find yourself leaving your vegan avocado quinoa toast smoothies untouched in favor of wolfing down some bacon-wrapped bacon, you might have toxic masculinity.
- Holding the door open for a woman once in a while – It looks innocent enough: a woman approaches, and you hold the door so she doesn’t have to open it again. Seems like common courtesy, right? WRONG. It’s one of the first warning signs of toxic masculinity, and you need to do better if you’re going to beat this thing. One way to reduce your toxic masculinity is to slam the door right in a woman’s face and scream, “EQUALITY!!!” through the glass when she glares at you.
- Yelling stuff about freedom and charging into battle wearing blue face paint – If you find yourself charging into battle against the English wearing blue face paint in the 14th century, you might be beyond medical help. Do all of society a favor and get yourself drawn and quartered so no one else catches this contagious illness.
- Being a man who doesn’t hate himself – This is the most telling sign. If you’re a biological male and you don’t hate yourself, toxic masculinity is already coursing through your veins. If there’s going to be any hope of recovery, you need to begin hating yourself today.
If you or your man are showing one or more of these symptoms, contact your medical professional today. Get help, before it’s too late.
Scripture of the Day
Mark 4
9. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
13. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
14. The sower soweth the word.
15. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17. And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
18. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
20. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
Scripture of the Day
John 6
7. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
9. There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10. And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
Scripture of the Day
2 Peter 2
1. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5. And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13. And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
14. Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15. Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16. But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
17. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Pastor Wang Yi Remains in Custody in China
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UPDATE: Pastor Wang Yi Remains in Custody in China + +
Friends, we have an update on the situation of Pastor Wang Yi, who was arrested on December 9th along with his wife and 10 elders. Some 100 believers from the 750-member Early Rain Covenant Church were detained, questioned and later released. Pastor Wang’s wife was also released. Pastor Wang and the 10 church elders remain in custody. Wang now faces a possible jail sentence of 15 years as the government alleges he is, “inciting subversion of state power.”
Many Early Rain church members have begun attending other churches in the city or have started their own small groups.
One week later, the Chinese government was still actively working to suppress Christian churches. On December 16th, 60 police and religious affairs officials arrived unannounced to shut down church services and Sunday School meetings at the 5000-member Rongguili Church in Guangzhou. Believers told one reporter, “They read out law enforcement notices declaring our venue was an illegal gathering [doing] illegal publishing and illegal fundraising and confiscated all Bibles.” Hundreds of bibles, other materials and church members’ mobile phones were confiscated, and the church was closed.
Please pray for the immediate release of Pastor Wang Yi and the 10 Early Rain Covenant church leaders still in detention.
Pray for Wang’s wife Jiang Rong and their children. Ask God for continued boldness for the Early Rain church members to continue as faithful ambassadors of Christ’s hope and love.
Pray believers from Rongguili Church will find ways to meet together and that their faith would be strengthened.
*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.
Following Jesus is Dangerous in Iran
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Following Jesus is a Dangerous Choice in Iran + +
Esther and her husband and their young son recently had to flee their home country of Iran after being arrested for following Jesus.
In Iran, it’s illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity and the moment Esther said yes to Jesus, she also said yes to a difficult life. She and other Christians would meet in homes to worship together as going to church was too risky. Despite doing their best to be careful, Esther and her husband were eventually arrested along with others as they were gathering in a home.
After a month of intermittent questioning, Esther and her husband were given a way to avoid going to jail and not being able to see their son. During one interrogation, they were asked to sign a document announcing they would deny their Christian faith and return to Islam. “It was a new experience for me,” Esther says, “because I have to choose… But I choose Jesus.” After this, in order to avoid jail, they had to go into exile in Turkey.
Life for Iranian refugees living in Turkey is still a difficult path however. It’s tough to find work, there’s a new language to learn, refugees must check in to nearby police stations regularly, and they’re often treated as second-class citizens. But despite all this Esther and her husband say it is worth it to follow Jesus.
Please pray Esther and her family will experience a strong hope in the Lord and power of His might.
Pray their hearts would be comforted and their faith would continue to grow.
Pray they would be able to make a living and have a stable place to live.
*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.
Open Doors prayer request with you. Learn more at http://www.OpenDoorsUSA.org/PrayerApp
Learn more at http://www.OpenDoorsUSA.org/PrayerApp
Child Witnesses Parents’ Arrest in Iran + +
Friends, Iranian believers are requesting prayer for a Christian family following a raid on their home in Mashhad, north-east Iran. Earlier this month, several intelligence agents raided the home of Amir Taleipour (39) and his wife Mahnaz Harati (36). They then arrested Amir and Mahnaz in front of their seven-year-old daughter.
Amir and Mahnaz have been held in detention since their arrest. They have not been allowed to communicate with family members, nor permitted access to legal assistance. Their daughter is now being cared for by family members.
Iranian Christian ministry leaders say they have come to expect increased numbers of arrests of Christians in Iran around Christmas, but that the situation in 2018 is more severe than in recent years.
Please pray that God will comfort Amir and Mahnaz young daughter and keep her from anxiety and fear.
Pray that Amir and Mahnaz will be allowed to communicate with their family, hire a lawyer, and that they will be released soon.
Pray that Amir and Pray that the Lord will comfort and strengthen Amir and Mahnaz to persevere and be faithful witnesses of Christ.
Pray that Christians in Iran will be protected, stay alert and not be intimidated by state security.
Pray that State security will stop targeting citizens on account of their religious beliefs.
After you click “Pray” below, please gather your kids and write a post to kids who experience persecution on our Kids2Kids Encouragement wall by CLICKING HERE.
*Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.
A Laymans Discourse 
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