At a church two days before I left Beirut, I met a brother in his late 20s who grew up in the south. The next day he told me that his dad is an atheist but his mom is a committed Shi'a. He came to Christ through a friend and several dreams, one in which something like wine or blood was being poured on his head. He wants to become a pastor but his dad told him he will receive threats if he does so. Changing his ID card from "Muslim" to "Christian" would mean that he forfeits his inheritance. Will you pray for "A" to follow God's lead in his life, no matter the cost? Keep in mind that Lebanon is the only Arab nation where leaving Islam is permissible by the government. But often there is still persecution from families and communities.
Monday, October 7, 2024
Exploding Pagers
After 4 days in Beirut, I left my host's home on a Tuesday at 3:30 pm to go to the airport. This was the exact time that pagers of Hezbollah fighters exploded, apparently the work of Israel. To get to the Beirut airport, I had to drive through Dahya, one of the most Shi'a Hezbollah neighborhoods in Beirut. It was chaotic. Ambulances were trying to move through heavy traffic. Groups of people were crying on the side of the road along the way. Two guys on a motorcycle drove past me, one with blood coming from his head. My Uber driver learned online that a pager had exploded. "How can one small pager cause this much damage?" I thought. Finally, I arrived at the airport and learned that approximately 3,000 pagers exploded. The next day, walkie-talkies of Hezbollah fighters exploded. Before these two events, the fighting was contained in south Lebanon. This was the beginning of several necessary Israeli operations in Beirut. Israel cannot allow a continuous threat on their northern border. Regardless of our political leanings, would you pray that God uses this war to cause many Muslims and Jews to think carefully about eternity and the person of Jesus?
At a church two days before I left Beirut, I met a brother in his late 20s who grew up in the south. The next day he told me that his dad is an atheist but his mom is a committed Shi'a. He came to Christ through a friend and several dreams, one in which something like wine or blood was being poured on his head. He wants to become a pastor but his dad told him he will receive threats if he does so. Changing his ID card from "Muslim" to "Christian" would mean that he forfeits his inheritance. Will you pray for "A" to follow God's lead in his life, no matter the cost? Keep in mind that Lebanon is the only Arab nation where leaving Islam is permissible by the government. But often there is still persecution from families and communities.
At a church two days before I left Beirut, I met a brother in his late 20s who grew up in the south. The next day he told me that his dad is an atheist but his mom is a committed Shi'a. He came to Christ through a friend and several dreams, one in which something like wine or blood was being poured on his head. He wants to become a pastor but his dad told him he will receive threats if he does so. Changing his ID card from "Muslim" to "Christian" would mean that he forfeits his inheritance. Will you pray for "A" to follow God's lead in his life, no matter the cost? Keep in mind that Lebanon is the only Arab nation where leaving Islam is permissible by the government. But often there is still persecution from families and communities.
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Difficult Decisions
A Saudi brother who grew up in a Muslim family recently wrote to me..."Every year at this time I wonder if I should be here or not as my children start school (ages 10 & 9). It’s confusing to me that I am putting them in a situation where they have to study Islam and sometimes practice it in school (prayer). I am terrified that could affect their identity in Christ. To be honest I don’t know if it’s meant for me to be here also. Is it a calling or a comfort zone (culture, family, etc.)? Sometimes I say to myself that my kids are going to be better servants as they grow up in church with parents who are believers and they know enough of Islam to serve the purpose of preaching the gospel. This kind of thinking is making me physically sick not only mentally."
Would you pray for this couple and many more like them who live in Islamic countries where their kids must attend schools that teach the Quran? Would you pray that God would give them creativity and grace as they make these difficult decisions? This family is blessed to have a wonderful house church. So many others do not. Would you pray that others would?
Would you also pray that God would restrain evil in the Middle East to avoid regional war? This 14-minute lecture seemed to explain the conflict better than others I have listened to.
Would you pray for this couple and many more like them who live in Islamic countries where their kids must attend schools that teach the Quran? Would you pray that God would give them creativity and grace as they make these difficult decisions? This family is blessed to have a wonderful house church. So many others do not. Would you pray that others would?
Would you also pray that God would restrain evil in the Middle East to avoid regional war? This 14-minute lecture seemed to explain the conflict better than others I have listened to.
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