The Day Death Died “ The Message of the Empty Tomb” A young mother found herself on the last train out of Poland during Hitler’s regime. She had her first born toddler and her newborn nursing infant with her. The bombing was fierce and the train had to stop many times for the passengers to take cover. A trip that should have taken a few hours took a few days. The food ran out and there were no liquids to be had. Consequently, when they arrived at their destination, the infant was starving and ill. A group of nuns met her there and took the baby to their hospital where they would nurse it back to health. The mother felt great relief at the apparent reprieve. But the joy was short lived. The next morning she was given the news that the hospital had been bombed during the night and that her baby had not survived. The mother was given a flashlight to search for her baby’s body. What a tragic scene. Imagine the confusion. The pain. The grief. The hopelessness of a mother who herself was a doctor whose hands and skill had no doubt saved many but now could do nothing in this situation. Death without Christ provides the same sense of hopelessness. But imagine a different ending. Imagine the mother desperately seeking through the rubble with her little one in tow. She is crying loudly together with many others in the same situation when all of a sudden, there is another cry. The sound of an infant. Could it be? She runs to where the sound comes from and there in the rubble she finds her baby still alive. What incredible relief, mingled with joy. All the questions now do not need to be answered. All the “what if’s” no longer matter. Her baby is alive. That’s what the resurrection of Christ does with death. The certainty of knowing Christ and the reality of his resurrection changes the mood of death from a sense of hopelessness into joyful rejoicing. Not just then, but now. It is the event that separates the Christian Faith from all other religion and gives to it power. So Paul can write in 1 Cor 15:14,17 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” On the morning of the Resurrection, the Angel of the Lord appeared to the women who came to the tomb and gave them a message. That message is recorded for us in Matthew 28:1-8.  And that message, while it is nearly 2,000 years old, is relevant to us today. Matthew 28 1-4 After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.5-6 The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.7 “Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.” The significance of this message for us today is established in the opening sentence of the chapter. “After the Sabbath, at dawn.” In the King James – “Just before the dawn” This is a significant statement and we should halt here for a moment. It speaks of the promise of a new day. The last sentence of the last chapter ends so dismally with the words “So they posted a guard.” It was the end of the story. All that remained was for the body to decay, and with it all of the memories of those three awesome years. But the next sentence. \”Just before dawn.” Those are the darkest hours, but with them come the promise of a new day. The brightest hope was to be born in a few hours. A new covenant would be made between God and man. And when the resurrection of Jesus Christ becomes a reality to us. When He rises in our hearts this is what happens. A new day breaks, and religion changes to relationship. The reasoning of man becomes secondary to the reality of the living Christ in us. A new day and a new hope begins with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are several truths about this new day contained in the angels message that give us hope in moments such as this. First, it is A Day In Which Fear is Neutralized. \”Fear not\”  said the angel. Those who have placed their faith in the resurrected Christ have nothing to fear! It\’s interesting that these women are greeted with the same words the shepherds were greeted with at Christ\’s birth. The birth of Christ and the resurrection of Christ are related!  He was born so that He could die and rise again! The Message of Christmas finds its fulfillment in the Message of the Empty Tomb! Christmas is the promise, and Easter is the Proof! One of the fears that the resurrection of Jesus removes is the fear of Death’s Destruction 1 Cor 15: 42 Paul says, “We are sown perishable. But because of the resurrection we are raised imperishable.” We are born into this life as perishable beings. But because of the resurrection we have eternal life. From the moment a person receives forgiveness through belief in Jesus Christ you have victory over death. Your physical

Here\’s my FB Swan Song… I\’m sure the flack will fly The idea that we are improving the race is an illusion. Our race is worse off than its ever been. We pay millions to people who can\’t sign their own name. Our youth don\’t know who invented Pasteurization. Chivalry was respected and admired, now its labelled chauvinism. Education has been dumbed down to ideas like OBE and ACE. Absolutes are rejected and replaced by situational ethics and Nihilistic hogwash. Real heroes don\’t exist beyond that Rock Star or Athlete who couldn\’t sign his name. The value of a Whale has surpassed the value of the unborn. Marriage has been redefined from a relationship between Adam and Eve to one with Adam and Steve. When we gave lip to Aunt Jemima she slapped us in the chops and we knew not to do that again. Today our teens are the ones slapping Aunt Jemima in the chops. Oh, we could go on… But what would it matter. We have gone from generation X, to generation Y, to generation \”I don\’t care\”. In the beginning, God created man as a marvelous, near perfect specimen. He knew all things. Knew the names of every constellation, was able to name every creature, fauna and flaura. What he didn\’t know he could simply ask God in the evening, because he walked in communion with God. He knew God. But something went wrong. The Bible says that man sinned against God, and this sin had a debilitating effect on man. You see sin when it is full grown produces death. But in the process it produces many forms of insanity. Man began to degenerate, and we live not in the best world that ever was, but in the worst world that ever was. In fact the bible also says that man by his own efforts will continue to deteriorate until things become so bad, that it will be called the great tribulation. The Bible also says that things will be so bad in that day that unless those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. Happy New Year! Welcome to our future…

So this is Christmas…A popular Christmas sing reminds us that its the \”…most wonderful time of the year\” For most, that is. For many it\’s quite the opposite. Loneliness settles in as a stark reminder of loved ones lost, children all grown up, and homesickness for yesteryear. Anxiety joins the party with the pressure of tight finances compounded by the compulsive obligation to check off that ever expanding gift list. It\’s all about focus. The world was worse off when the angels heralded the arrival of the Christ child 2000+ years ago. Life as they knew it was dark and dismal.. Oppression and depression reigned, the future was uncertain, and the God they had faithfully worshipped had apparently deserted them for over 400 years. Then everything changed… At the right moment God put into motion the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2 \”Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress…in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.\” \”Joy to the world\”? How would an infant born to a teenage bride in a manger hewn out of a cold stone wall cave in the back yard of a relative who could find no room for them inside bring joy and happiness? It may have been a long wait, but the timing was perfect. God had not deserted them. He had been watching from a distance, and now it was time to come close. So close that he would put skin on and present himself through a couple of ordinary teenagers with an extraordinary entry. Had he come in the way of an earthly Monarch it would have been just another hope of a future liberator surrounded by the pomp and ceremony that would only increase the tax burden with no guarantees of any real change… This had to be different…it had to bear the imprint of God! It had to be the ordinary embraced by the extraordinary. It had to get the attention of the known world. There could be no doubt about this one. All other hope had failed. It was time for the supernatural to become natural and walk among us…to \”feel\” us…to know every sorrow, pain, suffering and injustice and to fill us with hope in spite of it…hope that would transcend the fears of the moment and take our focus to another realm. This had to be the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1,2: 5-7 \”Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress…in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David\’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. And there it is…the focus…not on the infant child in the cold rock straw lined crib in a Cattle Cave (how would that look on our \”Merry Christmas\” Cards?), but on the purpose behind the event. We cannot dwell on the manger and the little Lord Jesus without moving our focus from that peaceful scene to a Hill far away with an old rugged cross. The ultimate fulfillment of God\’s plan. The salvation of all who would receive, for all eternity, regardless of wonder, or joy, or grief or loss. For many, it’s NOT the \”most wonderful time of the year\” by our definition of wonderful, and yet in a marvelous way it is! It is the most wonderful time of the year not because you have to be cheery and happy and merry, but because you don’t. You can have heavy hearts, and demolished dreams, shattered spirits and festered wounds. And that’s right where Emmanuel, God with us…with you… comes close. To comfort you, to restore you, to strengthen you in your weakness, to give you peace in your chaos. To fight for you. To die for you! to walk out of the grave for you, to hold you in the fellowship of the saints with those you have loved and lost. To offer you life that lasts forever. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, for Christ is born! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings! God is with us!” Take a break from the busyness of this Christmas Season and reflect on that…swing wide the door of your heart and let Him be everything you need Him to be today and everyday.And so Happy Christmas…

This most likely will not be a popular idea and I clearly understand and sympathize with the passions it may further ignite. Here is why I believe that God and only God can free Saeed Abedini if he chooses. There is no question that the treatment of Saeed is beyond any adjective we may come up with. Horrendous, atrocious, tragic and unacceptable according to everything that is honorable, Christian and right. The problem is the definition of these terms in the mind of the Muslim. Because of the fundamental difference in our way of thinking, we embark on a rescue mission that ignores completely the mind if the radicle Muslim. Even the term \”radicle\” Muslim is as redundant as \”radicle\” Christian. At the root of the meaning, those who are truly Muslim or Christian can only be so in the most radicle way. These religions offer no other option. This misunderstanding has led to an extremely dangerous approach to the Saeed problem. Personally, I believe that exerting international pressure and persuading intervention at the presidential level is accelerating the possibility of his continued imprisonment and likely death in the name of Allah. President Rouhani, who despite his \”moderate\” rhetoric, is a Muslim radicle who is compelled to solidify his credibility as a pure proponent, practitioner and leader of Islam. The more public the case for Saeed becomes, the more pressure there will be placed upon Rouhani to do what his Muslim followers expect him to do…execute a Muslim defector and Christian proselyte. The Quran forbids any other option. (See references and explanation from Qur\’an and Hadith listed at the end of this blog article) Had the process been downplayed and kept out if the international public eye, the probability of immanent execution may have been drastically reduced. I imagine that the thinking behind the actions of Sekulow et al, is that if enough pressure is exerted by the US public and ultimately the government, that public opinion and political pressure could actually influence President Rouhani to release Saeed for the sake of international approval. Well, so much for that! As well intentioned as these actions are, historically Muslim leaders have proven time and again that they have absolutely no regard for public opinion or international pressure. The truth is, given the universal stage now provided for Iran, there is an excellent opportunity to make an example of Saeed in the name of Islam. The louder the outcry becomes, the more we will play into the hands of the radicles. Have you ever tried to argue reason into a volatile environment? The outcome is inevitably violent and most often tragic. This is a dangerous crapshoot that may have the desired result in securing Saeeds freedom, or on the other hand force President Rouhani take advantage if this opportunity to gain further support from and prove his muscle as a worthy leader of Islam. Should we be taking that risk? I would go as far as to say that many of these actions have been without earnest consideration of the consequences for the Abedini family. No matter how much love and compassion we have for the victims and their families there is always the need to temper our passion and emotion with wisdom and extreme caution, being as gentle as doves and wise as serpents. Perhaps it\’s not too late. If public outcry and media frenzy were suddenly to cease, and all efforts were confined and concentrated around private prayer gatherings and grass root activism infiltrating conduits of influence in Iran, there may be a chance for God to then do as He chooses. If He chooses to allow Saeed to be martyred for His glory (Father, not my will but thine) and His agenda, it would not be the first time, and Saeed would be elevated to Faith\’s Hall of Fame along with many thousands who have gone before him. My prayer is, that given the same circumstances in my life that I would have the same courage in the face if execution as our brother in Christ. Obviously in the name of Christian compassion and for the love of our brothers and sisters and for freedoms sake I pray believing that Father would choose to cause a miraculous release for our Saeed for His Glory and His names sake. Here are several explanations and references from the Qur\’an and Hadith that will give further insight and understanding of why I take this position. From early times it has been taught that the penalty for the apostasy of any individual from Islam is death. Those who turn their back on Islam are to be executed. This is confirmed by the words and deeds of Muhammad. The only freedom of belief in Islam is the freedom to become Muslim. The Qur\’an: Qur\’an (4:89) – \”They wish that you should disbelieve as they disbelieve, and then you would be equal; therefore take not to yourselves friends of them, until they emigrate in the way of God; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them; take not to yourselves any one of them as friend or helper.\” Qur\’an (9:11-12) – \”But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail Our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief – Lo! they have no binding oaths – in order that they may desist.\” Other verses that seem to support the many Hadith demanding death for apostates are Qur\’an verses 2:217, 9:73-74, 88:21, 5:54, and 9:66. From the Hadith: The reason why executing apostates has always been well-ensconced in Islamic law is that there is an indisputable record of Muhammad and his companions doing exactly that according to the reliable Hadith. According to verse 4:80 of the Quran: \”Whoso obeyeth the Messenger obeyeth Allah.\” Bukhari (52:260) – \”…The Prophet said, \’If somebody (a Muslim)

This most likely will not be a popular idea and I clearly understand and sympathize with the passions it may further ignite. Here is why I believe that God and only God can free Saeed Abedini if he chooses. There is no question that the treatment of Saeed is beyond any adjective we may come up with. Horrendous, atrocious, tragic and unacceptable according to everything that is honorable, Christian and right. The problem is the definition of these terms in the mind of the Muslim. Because of the fundamental difference in our way of thinking, we embark on a rescue mission that ignores completely the mind if the radicle Muslim. Even the term \”radicle\” Muslim is as redundant as \”radicle\” Christian. At the root of the meaning, those who are truly Muslim or Christian can only be so in the most radicle way. These religions offer no other option. This misunderstanding has led to an extremely dangerous approach to the Saeed problem. Personally, I believe that exerting international pressure and persuading intervention at the presidential level is accelerating the possibility of his continued imprisonment and likely death in the name of Allah. President Rouhani, who despite his \”moderate\” rhetoric, is a Muslim radicle who is compelled to solidify his credibility as a pure proponent, practitioner and leader of Islam. The more public the case for Saeed becomes, the more pressure there will be placed upon Rouhani to do what his Muslim followers expect him to do…execute a Muslim defector and Christian proselyte. The Quran forbids any other option. (See references and explanation from Qur\’an and Hadith listed at the end of this blog article) Had the process been downplayed and kept out if the international public eye, the probability of immanent execution may have been drastically reduced. I imagine that the thinking behind the actions of Sekulow et al, is that if enough pressure is exerted by the US public and ultimately the government, that public opinion and political pressure could actually influence President Rouhani to release Saeed for the sake of international approval. Well, so much for that! As well intentioned as these actions are, historically Muslim leaders have proven time and again that they have absolutely no regard for public opinion or international pressure. The truth is, given the universal stage now provided for Iran, there is an excellent opportunity to make an example of Saeed in the name of Islam. The louder the outcry becomes, the more we will play into the hands of the radicles. Have you ever tried to argue reason into a volatile environment? The outcome is inevitably violent and most often tragic. This is a dangerous crapshoot that may have the desired result in securing Saeeds freedom, or on the other hand force President Rouhani take advantage if this opportunity to gain further support from and prove his muscle as a worthy leader of Islam. Should we be taking that risk? I would go as far as to say that many of these actions have been without earnest consideration of the consequences for the Abedini family. No matter how much love and compassion we have for the victims and their families there is always the need to temper our passion and emotion with wisdom and extreme caution, being as gentle as doves and wise as serpents. Perhaps it\’s not too late. If public outcry and media frenzy were suddenly to cease, and all efforts were confined and concentrated around private prayer gatherings and grass root activism infiltrating conduits of influence in Iran, there may be a chance for God to then do as He chooses. If He chooses to allow Saeed to be martyred for His glory (Father, not my will but thine) and His agenda, it would not be the first time, and Saeed would be elevated to Faith\’s Hall of Fame along with many thousands who have gone before him. My prayer is, that given the same circumstances in my life that I would have the same courage in the face if execution as our brother in Christ. Obviously in the name of Christian compassion and for the love of our brothers and sisters and for freedoms sake I pray believing that Father would choose to cause a miraculous release for our Saeed for His Glory and His names sake. Here are several explanations and references from the Qur\’an and Hadith that will give further insight and understanding of why I take this position. From early times it has been taught that the penalty for the apostasy of any individual from Islam is death. Those who turn their back on Islam are to be executed. This is confirmed by the words and deeds of Muhammad. The only freedom of belief in Islam is the freedom to become Muslim. The Qur\’an: Qur\’an (4:89) – \”They wish that you should disbelieve as they disbelieve, and then you would be equal; therefore take not to yourselves friends of them, until they emigrate in the way of God; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them; take not to yourselves any one of them as friend or helper.\” Qur\’an (9:11-12) – \”But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail Our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief – Lo! they have no binding oaths – in order that they may desist.\” Other verses that seem to support the many Hadith demanding death for apostates are Qur\’an verses 2:217, 9:73-74, 88:21, 5:54, and 9:66. From the Hadith: The reason why executing apostates has always been well-ensconced in Islamic law is that there is an indisputable record of Muhammad and his companions doing exactly that according to the reliable Hadith. According to verse 4:80 of the Quran: \”Whoso obeyeth the Messenger obeyeth Allah.\” Bukhari (52:260) – \”…The Prophet said, \’If somebody (a Muslim)

This most likely will not be a popular idea and I clearly understand and sympathize with the passions it may further ignite. Here is why I believe that God and only God can free Saeed Abedini if he chooses. There is no question that the treatment of Saeed is beyond any adjective we may come up with. Horrendous, atrocious, tragic and unacceptable according to everything that is honorable, Christian and right. The problem is the definition of these terms in the mind of the Muslim. Because of the fundamental difference in our way of thinking, we embark on a rescue mission that ignores completely the mind if the radicle Muslim. Even the term \”radicle\” Muslim is as redundant as \”radicle\” Christian. At the root of the meaning, those who are truly Muslim or Christian can only be so in the most radicle way. These religions offer no other option. This misunderstanding has led to an extremely dangerous approach to the Saeed problem. Personally, I believe that exerting international pressure and persuading intervention at the presidential level is accelerating the possibility of his continued imprisonment and likely death in the name of Allah. President Rouhani, who despite his \”moderate\” rhetoric, is a Muslim radicle who is compelled to solidify his credibility as a pure proponent, practitioner and leader of Islam. The more public the case for Saeed becomes, the more pressure there will be placed upon Rouhani to do what his Muslim followers expect him to do…execute a Muslim defector and Christian proselyte. The Quran forbids any other option. (See references and explanation from Qur\’an and Hadith listed at the end of this blog article) Had the process been downplayed and kept out if the international public eye, the probability of immanent execution may have been drastically reduced. I imagine that the thinking behind the actions of Sekulow et al, is that if enough pressure is exerted by the US public and ultimately the government, that public opinion and political pressure could actually influence President Rouhani to release Saeed for the sake of international approval. Well, so much for that! As well intentioned as these actions are, historically Muslim leaders have proven time and again that they have absolutely no regard for public opinion or international pressure. The truth is, given the universal stage now provided for Iran, there is an excellent opportunity to make an example of Saeed in the name of Islam. The louder the outcry becomes, the more we will play into the hands of the radicles. Have you ever tried to argue reason into a volatile environment? The outcome is inevitably violent and most often tragic. This is a dangerous crapshoot that may have the desired result in securing Saeeds freedom, or on the other hand force President Rouhani take advantage if this opportunity to gain further support from and prove his muscle as a worthy leader of Islam. Should we be taking that risk? I would go as far as to say that many of these actions have been without earnest consideration of the consequences for the Abedini family. No matter how much love and compassion we have for the victims and their families there is always the need to temper our passion and emotion with wisdom and extreme caution, being as gentle as doves and wise as serpents. Perhaps it\’s not too late. If public outcry and media frenzy were suddenly to cease, and all efforts were confined and concentrated around private prayer gatherings and grass root activism infiltrating conduits of influence in Iran, there may be a chance for God to then do as He chooses. If He chooses to allow Saeed to be martyred for His glory (Father, not my will but thine) and His agenda, it would not be the first time, and Saeed would be elevated to Faith\’s Hall of Fame along with many thousands who have gone before him. My prayer is, that given the same circumstances in my life that I would have the same courage in the face if execution as our brother in Christ. Obviously in the name of Christian compassion and for the love of our brothers and sisters and for freedoms sake I pray believing that Father would choose to cause a miraculous release for our Saeed for His Glory and His names sake. Here are several explanations and references from the Qur\’an and Hadith that will give further insight and understanding of why I take this position. From early times it has been taught that the penalty for the apostasy of any individual from Islam is death. Those who turn their back on Islam are to be executed. This is confirmed by the words and deeds of Muhammad. The only freedom of belief in Islam is the freedom to become Muslim. The Qur\’an: Qur\’an (4:89) – \”They wish that you should disbelieve as they disbelieve, and then you would be equal; therefore take not to yourselves friends of them, until they emigrate in the way of God; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them; take not to yourselves any one of them as friend or helper.\” Qur\’an (9:11-12) – \”But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail Our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief – Lo! they have no binding oaths – in order that they may desist.\” Other verses that seem to support the many Hadith demanding death for apostates are Qur\’an verses 2:217, 9:73-74, 88:21, 5:54, and 9:66. From the Hadith: The reason why executing apostates has always been well-ensconced in Islamic law is that there is an indisputable record of Muhammad and his companions doing exactly that according to the reliable Hadith. According to verse 4:80 of the Quran: \”Whoso obeyeth the Messenger obeyeth Allah.\” Bukhari (52:260) – \”…The Prophet said, \’If somebody (a Muslim)

This most likely will not be a popular idea and I clearly understand and sympathize with the passions it may further ignite. Here is why I believe that God and only God can free Saeed Abedini if he chooses. There is no question that the treatment of Saeed is beyond any adjective we may come up with. Horrendous, atrocious, tragic and unacceptable according to everything that is honorable, Christian and right. The problem is the definition of these terms in the mind of the Muslim. Because of the fundamental difference in our way of thinking, we embark on a rescue mission that ignores completely the mind if the radicle Muslim. Even the term \”radicle\” Muslim is as redundant as \”radicle\” Christian. At the root of the meaning, those who are truly Muslim or Christian can only be so in the most radicle way. These religions offer no other option. This misunderstanding has led to an extremely dangerous approach to the Saeed problem. Personally, I believe that exerting international pressure and persuading intervention at the presidential level is accelerating the possibility of his continued imprisonment and likely death in the name of Allah. President Rouhani, who despite his \”moderate\” rhetoric, is a Muslim radicle who is compelled to solidify his credibility as a pure proponent, practitioner and leader of Islam. The more public the case for Saeed becomes, the more pressure there will be placed upon Rouhani to do what his Muslim followers expect him to do…execute a Muslim defector and Christian proselyte. The Quran forbids any other option. (See references and explanation from Qur\’an and Hadith listed at the end of this blog article) Had the process been downplayed and kept out if the international public eye, the probability of immanent execution may have been drastically reduced. I imagine that the thinking behind the actions of Sekulow et al, is that if enough pressure is exerted by the US public and ultimately the government, that public opinion and political pressure could actually influence President Rouhani to release Saeed for the sake of international approval. Well, so much for that! As well intentioned as these actions are, historically Muslim leaders have proven time and again that they have absolutely no regard for public opinion or international pressure. The truth is, given the universal stage now provided for Iran, there is an excellent opportunity to make an example of Saeed in the name of Islam. The louder the outcry becomes, the more we will play into the hands of the radicles. Have you ever tried to argue reason into a volatile environment? The outcome is inevitably violent and most often tragic. This is a dangerous crapshoot that may have the desired result in securing Saeeds freedom, or on the other hand force President Rouhani take advantage if this opportunity to gain further support from and prove his muscle as a worthy leader of Islam. Should we be taking that risk? I would go as far as to say that many of these actions have been without earnest consideration of the consequences for the Abedini family. No matter how much love and compassion we have for the victims and their families there is always the need to temper our passion and emotion with wisdom and extreme caution, being as gentle as doves and wise as serpents. Perhaps it\’s not too late. If public outcry and media frenzy were suddenly to cease, and all efforts were confined and concentrated around private prayer gatherings and grass root activism infiltrating conduits of influence in Iran, there may be a chance for God to then do as He chooses. If He chooses to allow Saeed to be martyred for His glory (Father, not my will but thine) and His agenda, it would not be the first time, and Saeed would be elevated to Faith\’s Hall of Fame along with many thousands who have gone before him. My prayer is, that given the same circumstances in my life that I would have the same courage in the face if execution as our brother in Christ. Obviously in the name of Christian compassion and for the love of our brothers and sisters and for freedoms sake I pray believing that Father would choose to cause a miraculous release for our Saeed for His Glory and His names sake. Here are several explanations and references from the Qur\’an and Hadith that will give further insight and understanding of why I take this position. From early times it has been taught that the penalty for the apostasy of any individual from Islam is death. Those who turn their back on Islam are to be executed. This is confirmed by the words and deeds of Muhammad. The only freedom of belief in Islam is the freedom to become Muslim. The Qur\’an: Qur\’an (4:89) – \”They wish that you should disbelieve as they disbelieve, and then you would be equal; therefore take not to yourselves friends of them, until they emigrate in the way of God; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them; take not to yourselves any one of them as friend or helper.\” Qur\’an (9:11-12) – \”But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail Our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief – Lo! they have no binding oaths – in order that they may desist.\” Other verses that seem to support the many Hadith demanding death for apostates are Qur\’an verses 2:217, 9:73-74, 88:21, 5:54, and 9:66. From the Hadith: The reason why executing apostates has always been well-ensconced in Islamic law is that there is an indisputable record of Muhammad and his companions doing exactly that according to the reliable Hadith. According to verse 4:80 of the Quran: \”Whoso obeyeth the Messenger obeyeth Allah.\” Bukhari (52:260) – \”…The Prophet said, \’If somebody (a Muslim)

This most likely will not be a popular idea and I clearly understand and sympathize with the passions it may further ignite. Here is why I believe that God and only God can free Saeed Abedini if he chooses. There is no question that the treatment of Saeed is beyond any adjective we may come up with. Horrendous, atrocious, tragic and unacceptable according to everything that is honorable, Christian and right. The problem is the definition of these terms in the mind of the Muslim. Because of the fundamental difference in our way of thinking, we embark on a rescue mission that ignores completely the mind if the radicle Muslim. Even the term \”radicle\” Muslim is as redundant as \”radicle\” Christian. At the root of the meaning, those who are truly Muslim or Christian can only be so in the most radicle way. These religions offer no other option. This misunderstanding has led to an extremely dangerous approach to the Saeed problem. Personally, I believe that exerting international pressure and persuading intervention at the presidential level is accelerating the possibility of his continued imprisonment and likely death in the name of Allah. President Rouhani, who despite his \”moderate\” rhetoric, is a Muslim radicle who is compelled to solidify his credibility as a pure proponent, practitioner and leader of Islam. The more public the case for Saeed becomes, the more pressure there will be placed upon Rouhani to do what his Muslim followers expect him to do…execute a Muslim defector and Christian proselyte. The Quran forbids any other option. (See references and explanation from Qur\’an and Hadith listed at the end of this blog article) Had the process been downplayed and kept out if the international public eye, the probability of immanent execution may have been drastically reduced. I imagine that the thinking behind the actions of Sekulow et al, is that if enough pressure is exerted by the US public and ultimately the government, that public opinion and political pressure could actually influence President Rouhani to release Saeed for the sake of international approval. Well, so much for that! As well intentioned as these actions are, historically Muslim leaders have proven time and again that they have absolutely no regard for public opinion or international pressure. The truth is, given the universal stage now provided for Iran, there is an excellent opportunity to make an example of Saeed in the name of Islam. The louder the outcry becomes, the more we will play into the hands of the radicles. Have you ever tried to argue reason into a volatile environment? The outcome is inevitably violent and most often tragic. This is a dangerous crapshoot that may have the desired result in securing Saeeds freedom, or on the other hand force President Rouhani take advantage if this opportunity to gain further support from and prove his muscle as a worthy leader of Islam. Should we be taking that risk? I would go as far as to say that many of these actions have been without earnest consideration of the consequences for the Abedini family. No matter how much love and compassion we have for the victims and their families there is always the need to temper our passion and emotion with wisdom and extreme caution, being as gentle as doves and wise as serpents. Perhaps it\’s not too late. If public outcry and media frenzy were suddenly to cease, and all efforts were confined and concentrated around private prayer gatherings and grass root activism infiltrating conduits of influence in Iran, there may be a chance for God to then do as He chooses. If He chooses to allow Saeed to be martyred for His glory (Father, not my will but thine) and His agenda, it would not be the first time, and Saeed would be elevated to Faith\’s Hall of Fame along with many thousands who have gone before him. My prayer is, that given the same circumstances in my life that I would have the same courage in the face if execution as our brother in Christ. Obviously in the name of Christian compassion and for the love of our brothers and sisters and for freedoms sake I pray believing that Father would choose to cause a miraculous release for our Saeed for His Glory and His names sake. Here are several explanations and references from the Qur\’an and Hadith that will give further insight and understanding of why I take this position. From early times it has been taught that the penalty for the apostasy of any individual from Islam is death. Those who turn their back on Islam are to be executed. This is confirmed by the words and deeds of Muhammad. The only freedom of belief in Islam is the freedom to become Muslim. The Qur\’an: Qur\’an (4:89) – \”They wish that you should disbelieve as they disbelieve, and then you would be equal; therefore take not to yourselves friends of them, until they emigrate in the way of God; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them; take not to yourselves any one of them as friend or helper.\” Qur\’an (9:11-12) – \”But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail Our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief – Lo! they have no binding oaths – in order that they may desist.\” Other verses that seem to support the many Hadith demanding death for apostates are Qur\’an verses 2:217, 9:73-74, 88:21, 5:54, and 9:66. From the Hadith: The reason why executing apostates has always been well-ensconced in Islamic law is that there is an indisputable record of Muhammad and his companions doing exactly that according to the reliable Hadith. According to verse 4:80 of the Quran: \”Whoso obeyeth the Messenger obeyeth Allah.\” Bukhari (52:260) – \”…The Prophet said, \’If somebody (a Muslim)

The great enemy of the truth is most often not the lie, deliberate, dishonest, and underhanded, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrelenting. We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter\’s evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light, which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true. ~ Woodrow T. Wilson Man can succeed at any number of things…even beyond our wildest dreams. But first a dream. There is much in historical, biblical and extra biblical literature that supports the notion that a dream is primary in achieving success in our lives, however that may be defined. However, it is not the power that is within the dream itself to change the fate and future, it is the actions that the dreams inspire that produce the result. The conduit between the dream and the action is the thinking that the dream triggers in the mind. So at the end of the day, the dream, or the imagination triggers the thoughts, which lead to positive or negative action. The extent to which the dreams become a reality will depend largely on the ability of the dreamer to think. A dreamer with poor, broken thinking, with no ability or desire to act can dream all day long, and will get no further than an adventurer in a rocking chair. This is the utter failure of the \”Positive Thinking\”, \”The Secret\”, and \”Prosperity Movement\” Good thinking is a prerequisite to dreams becoming a reality through action. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. Proverbs 23:7 Out of a mans thoughts come his actions “Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” Margaret Thatcher – \”The Iron Lady\” I think therefore I am. – René Déscartes There is an enlightening and accurate perspective on the subject in chapter 4, Alignment of \”Resolved – 13 Resolutions for Life\” by Orrin Woodward. Among many other profound insights, Orrin quotes one by Jack Canfield: You only have control over three things in your life – The thoughts you think, the images you visualize, and the actions you take. It can be proven over and over again. When our thinking is directed towards positive and effective planning, inspired by great vision, dreams and imagination, our actions will follow. When our thinking slips, our actions will do the same. The brain is incredibly powerful, and yes, there is far more stimulus on the neurons in our subconscious (dreaming and imagination) activity than in our conscious (thinking and action) reality. Science has proven that the the subconscious, not the conscious mind is the prime mover of our thoughts by two million to one! Our conscious thoughts and observations stimulate 2,000 neurons, while our subconscious dreams, visions and imaginations stimulate 4 billion neurons, activating thoughts and actions that produce desired results. (Could this be the motivation behind the many subconscious subliminal images in the Secret DVD?) Consequently, those without dreams, vision and imagination are doomed to mediocrity and as Thoreau states, \”Live lives of quiet desperation\”. Small wonder that the wisest man who ever lived said \”Without a vision the people perish (run naked, cast off restraint)\” Proverbs 29:18 In \”The Magic of Believeing\” Claude M Bristol writes about the first step to achieving success: “creative forces come only when there is a completely rounded-out thought, when there is a fully developed mental picture, or when the imagination can visualize the fulfillment of our ambition and see in our mind a picture of the object we desire…” \”This subtle force of repeated suggestion overcomes our reason. It acts directly on our emotions and our feelings, and finally penetrates to the very depths of our subconscious minds. It\’s the repeated suggestion that makes you believe. ~Claude Bristol, author of \”The Magic of Believing\” Conversely, however, there is extreme danger in the idea that if one simply perseveres with the dream, and constantly applies positive energy to their lives, all evil will be negated and only good will result. The \”secret\” according to Woodward, lies not the hidden or \”gnostic\” insight of the new age prosperity gurus, but rather in the skills required to rightly align the subconscious with the conscious mind, or as he puts it \”ending the civil war between the Ant and the Elephant\” So as I see it there is a trichotomy here: -No dreaming, no thinking, no action, no results. -Dreaming, leading to positive thinking, dwelling without driving, no results. -Dreaming (the stimulator of the subconscious mind), leading to positive, proactive thinking (the currency of the conscious mind), followed by stimulated, consistent action, leads to positive results. Where the existential comes into play, and this is very important, is that the thoughts and actions stimulated by the dream are not always self evident. They become manifest in our actions, reactions, deeds and responses as our all powerful brain now begins to direct us towards the activities that will ultimately bring about the visualized result. So passages and promises in Scripture can be validated in reality without becoming mystical and metaphysical defying natural law. Psalm 37. Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desire (dream, imagination, vision) of your heart.  Luke 14:13 and others \”You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.. All of these imply some sort of change in the persons thinking. Delighting in the Lord requires a repentance from delighting in the world, and a renewal of thinking in terms of a lifestyle pleasing to God. Asking

Of the many things we have been taught that cause us to become negative about ourselves and our present circumstances, there are a few that stand out above the rest. Discouragement –  is a huge obstacle to succeeding in our purpose. Its so easy to become discouraged. One of the main reasons for discouragement is a focus on self and our particular brand of brokenness. We get a great idea, or someone invites us into an opportunity and at first it sounds great. Or some circumstance or life event fires us up to pursue a new career. Its exciting at first, but almost immediately we start thinking about reasons why we cant do it.  Our mentor Chris Brady calls that the \”Second Second\”. We start telling ourselves that we’re not good enough. Or we dont deserve it, or we’re not smart enough. Or we\’ve failed too many times. On the other hand as we take up the task of preparation and study we find it becomes increasingly difficult to make it through…transport problems…time away from the things and the ones we love…late nights and tough assignments. Thats the enemy doing what he does best. His task is to \”dis\” the courage we started out with, and in this he has become very proficient over the eons. But he underestimates those such as yourself who are saturated with a Divine passion that can deflect anything he can throw at you! So discouragement will try to hold us back. When we feel that way, we must try to look at it from a different perspective. Maybe speak to someone who knows you and who you trust. Someone who has walked down that road and has got the results you want. Press play and listen to a CD that will silence the voice in your head and the discouragement of the loser next door. Most of all your Heavenly Father will renew courage if you press into him and allow him to. Perspectives outside of our own are valuable and enlightening. So discouragement will cause you to be negative. Change can also result in negativity. When things are not the same as they were. We can become negative because we miss some of the old habits, relationships, activities – the \”familiar\” zone.. This is normal. Remove a boil from the butt and you’ll miss that too if it’s been there long enough! Well here\’s a hard truth. Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. It’s ok to miss as long as we get past it and do not dwell on it. Change will occur all around you, but the end goal remains true, so keep your focus on that. That is your great prize, and the joy of accomplishing that, in crossing the finish line is greater than anything you could possibly imagine. We will either hate losing enough to change, or we will hate change enough to carry on losing. George Bernard Shaw said “Progress cannot happen without change.” A third one is Problems, Issues and challenges Problems should never be a negative obstacle to our future best life. For the Rascal warrior, problems are mere challenges that are invited as a conduit for growth. Many of the social benefits we enjoy today were a result of problems. One of the most unjust social systems of all time, slavery, resulted in one of the most treasured gifts of all time…Freedom. We know that In Psychology for instance, some of the best counselors come out of the deepest personal crisis. Above all else, always remember that through thick and thin there is One who really does care and will see you through. You can trust Him. Heres what one of His followers writes about Him: \”So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.\” Here’s a few good quotes I found about problems and adversity (isn’t Google amazing?) “Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has.” – Billy Graham “Obstacles can’t stop you. Problems can’t stop you. Most of all other people can’t stop you. Only you can stop you.” – Jeffrey Gitomer “You may not realize it when it happens, but at kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” – Walt Disney “Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.” – Ralph Blum “I would never have amounted to anything were it not for adversity. I was forced to come up the hard way.” – J. C. Penney “The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.” – Confucius Another negativity builder is fear. This one is not always self evident. Bill Lewis, another great mentor once