The Crime of Teaching Sunday School

Alan Meyer posted this on philbaker.net...

These women deserve a moment of your prayer time today. A friend personally attended the final day of the trail of 3 Christian women in Indonesia, undergoing prosecution for the crime of teaching Sunday School.

Here is his first hand report of the event:
Before the case began the Islamic radicals took over the court for more than an hour, conducted an Islamic worship service and conducted a serious of speeches using a megaphone stating:

1. If the three ladies are not found guilty or are given a light sentence then they have a plan and will bring Islamic justice and are willing to shed their own blood in jihad. They said it would be the sweet smelling blood of martyrdom.
2. The three ladies would never be forgiven and would never be allowed to return to their village in peace.
3. That they would wipe the smiles off the faces of the three women.
4. That anyone who has stood with and supported the three ladies share in their guilt and would share in their punishment.
5. That they were not afraid of the Christians because Islam is the one and true religion and is far more glorious than Christianity and it is backed up by the power of Allah.
   When the proceedings began, the court today was relatively quiet with only a few murmerings and interjections of "Lies!" "Haram! (Unclean)".
   

The main points of the Defense were:

1. The Prosecutor in his summation had listed all the witnesses and summarized their testimonies. However, several that were named as witnesses whose testimonies were quoted had not in fact testified, and had not even attended the case or been sworn in.
2. That none of the witnesses had actually seen, heard or experienced the Happy Sunday program and had only presented hearsay reports and therefore there existed no evidence of any wrong doing.
3. That no evidence was presented to prove the charge that they had "deliberately lied", "deceived", "forced the children to change religion" or that the children had attended "against their own will".or "without parental consent". Since noone had testified or provided any evidence that the 3 ladies had deliberately lied, used deception, forced the children to change their religion, that they had attended against their own will or without the permission of their families was not proved. Furthermore - all witnesses, including the Prosecutor had said they were still Muslims and had never changed their religion, and that the children had attended freely and with parental permission was proved by the photographic evidence of their parents participating in Happy Sunday activities.
4. That the panel of judges should dismiss all charges, find the three ladies not guilty, and release them from prison.
   

As soon as the Defense finished, the Judges stated that the verdict would be announced next Thursday 10.00 am Jakarta time, and they then closed the session. As the radicals began leaving the court some began shouting "Allahu akbar" and "Baldy" of the chief judge, but their minders quickly quietened them and ordered them out and on to the trucks.

Now it is time for the intercessors to go really go to work as the judges sit down to make their decision and to write the reasons for their decision. Please mobilize people to pray as these dear sisters in Christ are facing the potential of 5 years imprisonment or if acquitted, the potential of being killed, having their homes burned down and their families attacked. Your urgent prayer support for the ladies at this time would be greatly appreciated.

Church on the weekend…

I had a fantastic time at church on Sunday night. I went to Bethany Church of God in North Perth. It is mainly and Indonesian church with the Sunday morning service given in Indonesian. The evening service is an international service given in English. It is made up mainly of Africans, Asians, and Caucasians. It really was something. The Africans worship like crazy. They are so pumped and energised. They dance and sing and shout for joy. Worship went for more than one hour. The preacher is also an African. He preached a fiery 10 minute message on John 14:1,6. He exhorted us not to fear anything that this world throws at us because our Lord is Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Many people responded to salvation.

At 7.30 pm the Soweto Gospel choir performed and worshipped with us. They have been touring Australia from South Africa performing beautiful African worship. Oh my goodness… It was so encouraging and inspiring to see them. They were very tired since they had just come from a performance at His Majesties theatre. Some of them were losing there voice when talking, and no doubt they were very hungry, but it seems that they would not open their mouth to sing praise to God half-heartedly. Every single word from their mouths was so passionate. The tears that came from one of the choir members eyes as she was singing praises to God speaks a 1000 words. You could not help but dance and shout with them.

The Soweto Gospel Choir travel the world to raise money for Aids orphanages in Africa. They are doing such great work for our Mighty God.

God is good. Dia Allah baik.

Wipe out gambling in 3 days or lose your job!

City police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani has vowed to wipe out gambling and
other social vices in the capital within three days, much shorter than the
one-week deadline given by National Police Chief Gen. Sutanto.

If we continue to receive SMS messages or direct complaints from the public
or reports in media that gambling dens still exist in a certain area after three
days, we will replace that area's chief without an investigation or a hearing
process," Firman asserted during a coordination meeting of all police chiefs and
the city police's top brass on Tuesday.

Good on the Indonesian police for being so assertive about something that they believe so strongly in, but I wander what sort of techniques will be used in order to eradicate gambling within 3 days from a city of more than 18 million. Read the rest here...

Cirque De Soleil

I am going to see Quidam this week. I am already anticipating the feeling of inadquecy in my own acrobatic ability when I leave the show. I will write more about that later.

Hillsong Conference

Hillsong conference started yesterday. I wish I was there. The atmosphere of 28000 like God praising people togethor under one roof is excellent. Not only that, but just letting the attitudes of the Hillsong volunteers rub off on you is so good. Hillsong is a great church with a big heart for the churches in Australia and impacting the community. God bless Hillsong and all delegates at this years conference.

Just another thought...

1) I read this today on http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/007/16.22.html and I must say that I agree...

In the heat of partisan politics (out of which many of these overstatements and misunderstandings arise), we are tempted to forget that the most potent political act—the one act that deeply manifests and really empowers a "kind and noble society"—is the worship of Jesus Christ.

In worship we signal who is the Sovereign, not of just this nation, but of heaven and Earth. In worship we gather to be formed into an alternate polis, the people of God. It is here that we proclaim that a new political order—the kingdom of heaven—has been preached and incarnated by the King of Kings, and will someday come in fullness, a fullness to which all kingdoms and republics will submit:

"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. … The city does not need the sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the Earth will bring their splendor into it" (Rev. 21:2, 23-24).

Friday arvo thoughts...

Its Friday afternoon. I'm in the office working on a project (converting a web-based oracle system into a desktop client/server app). Well, I've done as much as I can for the moment. So now I will give an update of what has been happening over the past week...

I am enjoying having my Indonesian colleagues in the office over the past 2 weeks. They will be here for another week. They are all in there 30's, and are also Muslim. I like to talk to them and gain their perspective on Australian culture as well as discuss some of my own ideas about Indonesian politics and society. They bring a good atmosphere to this office. They always like to talk and laugh. They are good workers. I'm looking forward to visiting them in their office in Jakarta.

I bought some business shirts from Myers a couple of weeks ago and I am very dissappointed. They were on sale. the quality was extremely poor. loose cuffs, poor polyester/cotton mix, thick material etc... I told myself that I will only by quality from now on... that is, until I went to a little Boutique on Hay St and saw the price of quality... $250 for business shirts, $100 for ties, $139 for a scarf. Gak... they have gotta be kidding. I think I will wait until I go to Indo.

Rabu malam... I spoke about fruits of the Spirit at home group, concentrating on the gift of goodness. The main thing that I wanted to communicate was the difference between the works of goodness that any human being is capable of doing, and the gift of goodness which is given by God and by God alone. There is always a feeling of unworthiness whenever I speak to a group about the things of God. But I know that by faith... I AM IN RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD. All grace abounds toward me.

Kemarin malam... I saw Mr & Mrs Smith. I think it is good. I have heard mixed reports, but I enjoyed it.

Malam ini... nothing planned.

Besok malam... Young adults progressive dinner... Main course will be at my house. There should be about 25 people. I'm looking forward to it.

Minggu pagi dan Minggu malam... GEREJA... Yay!!!

GBU all :)

His Hands

Bombs destroyed a cathedral in World War II. A statue of Christ the Good Sheperd, with his arms outstretched fell forward, shattering the hands. The first idea was to get a renowned sculpter to repair it. However when the rebuilt cathedral re-opened, there were still just shattered stumps at the wrists. But there was a new inscription on the plinth: "He has no hands but yours."

- excerpt taken from Mt Pleasant Baptist Togethor magazine

Cells... continued

In my first post on this blog I spoke about the incredible complexity of a single cell. I have found a website that contains a logical diagram of this cell. Have a look...

Congratulations Chris

My friend Chris was officially commisioned yesterday as a High School Chaplain. It is true to say that I do not know a single person who is more suited and more passionate for this job.

Chris was a police officer for the WA police force for 5 years. He also began and led a youth group at Metro church that grew substantially in a very small period of time. He has a great heart for the young generation and it's clear to see that he has devoted his life to helping teens to be all that they can be in Christ.

The ceremony was good. It was held at Melville Church of Christ. Special guests included the Mayor of Melville - Katherine Jackson, Phil Stevenson, the principle of Melville Senior Highschool, and many of Chris's close friends.

We all want you to know that you have our support. God Bless you.