Jakarta Prayer Tower

I know this sounds silly, but I just realised I can upload photos. Here is a picture of the Jakarta prayer tower currently under constuction in Indonesia.

Ambassador

am·bas·sa·dor (m-bs-dr, -dôr)n.
1. A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time.
2. A diplomatic official heading his or her country's permanent mission to certain international organizations, such as the United Nations.
3. An authorized messenger or representative.
4. An unofficial representative: ambassadors of goodwill.
(The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)

Points to note:

• "A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative..."
  We have the highest rank (Sons and daughters of the Most High). We are appointed (We are saved and called by God. Sent out into all the world. Given authority and weapons to cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of our God. And we are accredited (by the blood of Jesus).
• "An authorized messenger or representative. "
  We are authorised by Christ to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out devils, and basically see Gods will done on earth. We are official representatives. We should live the gospel. Reflect Christ. Glorify Him. Point all man to the Cross.
• "ambassadors of goodwill". This one goes without saying.

Point to live: 2 Corinthians 5:20

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."

No matter where. No matter when. We are all full time ministers. We have received the ministry of reconciliation. Saved by God and called by God.

Why good news?

The Gospel – why is it called good news? Well, the answer is simple. When the Gospel is preached, the Gospel happens!

The Verdict

Just in from Indonesia:
Just a brief note to inform you of the verdict in the case of three housewives - Rebekka, Ety and Ratna - who were charged with Christianization because they allowed some Muslim children to attend their Sunday School called "Happy Sunday". The children had the parents permission but the ladies, witnesses and judges were constantly under the threats of violence from hundreds of Islamic radicals who threatened to kill the three ladies, witnesses, pastors, missionaries and even the judges if the women were acquitted.

Today they arrived in 9 trucks and brought a coffin to bury the accused if they were found not guilty. Their violent threats continued in their speeches before the session began. When the Panel of Judges read the verdict finding the three ladies guilty of all charges and sentencing them to 3 years imprisonment, the crowd erupted with "Allahu akbar" or "Allah is Greater"

The ladies will appeal the verdict, but the question of justice under such intimidation is under question. Please pray for these three beautiful, gentle women who were just trying to help save the children of prostitutes from going down the same pathway.

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).