*up-dated 8/22/09
“I’m a wimp!” There, I’ve said it out loud – well, at least in print, I’m a wimp! Its something I’ve known about myself since I was first old enough to stand on two legs and run from the little girl who was pulling my hair! I have a long history of going out of my way by any means possible to avoid a conflict. Standing my ground was never a problem for me, I guess that’s because my knees always hit the ground first, right after my spine buckled! Kind of reminds me of a charachter from one of my favorite child hood movies, who had the same kind of problem. The Cowardly Lion from “The Wizard of Oz“. I love this quote from the movie ” – “Courage! What makes a King out of a slave? Courage! What makes a flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? Courage!” Ah, yes, Courage!
Right now, we live in a country, a world, of unsettling changes. The day is fast approaching, when we who live our lives for Jesus may be required to stand up and be counted for in ways we cannot imagine; to have courage! But, life isn’t a movie and we don’t have a pseudo wizard behind a curtain manipulating smoke and mirrors to give us what we need. What we do have though, is the reality of a God in heaven, who loves us and who knows the future. A God, who in spite of the outward circumstances, knows the future and is in complete control. Jesus knew the future we, his followers would have to face and he comforted us with these words. “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:19,20. In other words, don’t worry when those times come, God will tell you what to speak and you will be given courage! This reminds me of a quote by one of this centuries most inspirational Christians, Corrie Ten Boom. Corrie said, “If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided with strong shoes”. And she should know!!! Risking her life in world war II for hiding Jews from extermination by the Nazi’s, ultimately, ending up in a concentration camp herself, she knew first hand what those words meant!
Around the world today, many Christians are facing intense persecution for their faith. Please read this story and pray for these two incredible women in Iran, for whom these promises of scripture are more than just mere words. Please read this whole post from Jihad Watch, you will be inspired and blessed! http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/027192.php
Courage! Maryam and Marzieh, we are encouraged by your courage, your strength and your faith! We see in you, the living reflection of these words from Deuteronomy 31:6, “Do not be afraid or terrified, because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you.” You have His promise on that, Maryam and Marzieh, and so do I.
*Up–date: I inadvertantly came across this news story today which ties into my posting from last night. There is a very courageous 17 year old girl in Florida, who is in danger of losing her life at the hands of her parents; her crime – leaving Islam to become a Christian. By Sharia law, it is the duty of the family to take the life of the apostate in order to restore the family honor. Right now, the young girl Fathima is in foster care in Florida with Christians, but, hearings have begun which could by order of the court force her return to her parents. You can read her story and see video of her begging for her life and for her right to worship Jesus http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=107483 This isn’t far off Iran, this is the United States and the reality is that the impact of radical Islam is affecting us all. Please pray for Fathima and the many others world wide who are suffering daily for their faith. May our prayers be many reaching up to the throne of grace on their behalf. Cindy
Heaven Bound 
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