Category: Life in Christ

New State Department travel alert is bad news for Egypt – WaPo Re-Blog

New State Department travel alert is bad news for Egypt
By Max Fisher, Published: February 6, 2013 at 4:05 pm

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Last month, thugs twice attacked the Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel in Cairo. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Wednesday brought another troubling development for the Egyptian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and has suffered mightily since protests broke out in January 2011:

The U.S. State Department has issued a scary-sounding travel alert that it says applies through May. The alert cites ongoing violence, political unrest that could trigger yet more clashes and the proximity of demonstrations to the U.S. embassy compound in Cairo, which protesters attacked head-on in September.

Though such travel alerts are common, it’s a reminder that the State Department is not exactly encouraging Americans to visit Egypt in droves, not that they have been since 2011 anyway.

The relevant information from the travel alert is below. I visited Egypt in August 2011 and found the hotels and museums all but empty. August is always slow in Egypt – it’s hot, and that year it was the holy month of Ramadan – but everyone I spoke to emphasized that it had been a painful year for the all-important tourism industry.

Since then, things have only worsened, with hotel occupancy rates hitting all-time lows. In late January, a band of thugs attacked the popular Semiramis Intercontinental hotel two nights in a row.

Continue reading “New State Department travel alert is bad news for Egypt – WaPo Re-Blog” →

Morning Reading: Acts 2.42-47 NLT – model community

Reading: Acts 2.42-47 NLT

Members of the Rutba House in Durham, N.C., gather for meals and morning and evening prayer.
Members of the Rutba House in Durham, N.C., gather for meals and morning and evening prayer.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Make me a believer who is devoted to learning… to breaking bread with others… and to prayer. Holy Spirit – Give me a spirit of joy and generosity… freely sharing with those in need. Lord Jesus – May my life and witness bring honor to you… and may you add to your number those who are being saved. Amen.

Devotional Song: “A Morning Prayer” – Godinsight4me

FBI terrorism task force to question national director of crisis pregnancy center – Re-Blog

FBI terrorism task force to question national director of crisis pregnancy center – Liberty Unyielding – Re-Blog

The FBI’s office that deals with terrorism says it wants to question Chris Slattery, national director of Expectant Mother Care Front Line Pregnancy Centers, a chain of pro-life crisis pregnancy centers, Life Site News reported Wednesday.

According to agents, the FBI says it wants to meet with Slattery “for a mutually beneficial relationship.

“In other words, if I don’t meet with them, it will not be beneficial for me,” Slattery said. “I’m not sure what I’m going to get out of it,” he joked.

“The development is the latest in what pro-life activists have charged is a pattern of intimidation on the part of the Obama administration against pro-life activists,” Ben Johnson reported.

But, Jason Howerton wrote at The Blaze, “why is the FBI office tasked with investigating domestic terrorism spending its time demanding a meeting with the director of a pro-life organization?”

The answer is unclear, but Johnson said that “New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has subpoenaed the group for not abiding by the standards of a consent agreement Slattery believed expired more than 20 years ago, as well as in relation to a question of some of its paperwork.”

Agents wanted to meet with Slattery last Friday, but rescheduled when he insisted one of his attorneys be present. Continue reading “FBI terrorism task force to question national director of crisis pregnancy center – Re-Blog” →

Morning Reading: Acts 2.37-41 NLT – save yourselves

Reading: Acts 2:37-41 NLT

Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

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Philippines: 1000 people baptized

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles — all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day — about 3,000 in all.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give us the courage and boldness to speak the truth, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, then you will receive the Holy Spirit!” Holy Spirit – I call on the name of the Lord… on behalf of my children and grandchildren… my friends and neighbors… the people I see around me every day… pierce their hearts that they might be saved from this crooked generation. Heavenly Father – Call your childrem home… guard them and protect them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Come Just As You Are” – Alfred Barratt

Pain and Victory for the Church in Egypt – Open Doors Re-Blog

Pain and Victory for the Church in Egypt – Open Doors

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“The powerful presence of the Holy Spirit could not be mistaken. At one end of the building several people saw white pigeons flying over! Could this be a special sign of affirmation of His presence? While stories of healing from sicknesses were shared around, it was undeniable, the Holy Spirit was there.” – an Egyptian Church Leader

The nightly news often shows crowds of angry, desperate Egyptians protesting in the streets of Cairo.

Lacking the most essential needs of life – jobs, shelter, security – Egyptians are lining up for bread for their table, gasoline for their cars, and more. Many experience water and electricity cuts. Police forces appear to focus most of their efforts on guarding people and  places related to the Muslim Brotherhood, while doing very little to secure or protect citizens.

“We hear frequent reports about car hijacking, armed robberies, kidnapping for ransom, buildings set on fire, protestors blocking rail lines and major highways,” says an Egyptian church leader. “I stand back in pain and wonder; is this really my country, Egypt!?!”

What makes the situation even gloomier are the attacks on churches and Christians. Recently, in Khusus Village, while mourners carried the remains of their dead, the procession was attacked by a mob. Police arrived too late. The attacks resulted in not only 7 deaths and dozens of injuries, but also added to the escalating tension rising throughout Egypt.

“Where do we take our pains,” adds the leader. “Is God still in control? Is there a reason why He allows these attacks to come on His children? We may not have an answer, yet, what is clearly evident is that He is preparing His children in Egypt to a big victory and a grand harvest.”

In a historical meeting held on Feburary 18, church leaders from various denominations, came together and launched “The Council of Egyptian Churches.” Sponsored by Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patrarch of the See of St. Mark, is someone who sees this as a turning point in church unity.

Then, forty days later, on March 29, an evangelical church hosted a prayer meeting at a large conference facility in the desert, located 160 miles north of Cairo. Approximately 7,000 Christians, from various denominations including the Orthodox and Catholic churches, showed up for the three-day event. Continue reading “Pain and Victory for the Church in Egypt – Open Doors Re-Blog” →