Those of you who have expressed an interest in leaving comments on Pastor Charley’s blog will be glad to know that we have set it up where you can now do so. So be sure to check it out. Today there is a new post about his brother and a special prayer request. I’ve copied his post to this one today so you can read it here too.
My brother (Rusty) is in the Leiber Correction Institute ministering to many inmates. They have started a church and are seeing many people give their lives to Jesus. This is a great ministry! Just this last week a Muslim surrendered his life to Christ. This is great, but . . . now the other Muslims in prison are enraged.
I don’t understand this mentality. I mean, if a professing Christian converted to Islam, I would be sorry for him, but not enraged. I would not threaten his life, or the life of the one who converted him, or the lives of the other mosque members. But this is being done against my brother, the convert, and their church. It seems to me, in the USA, we should be free to choose our religion without threat of bodily harm.
But this freedom of religion does not always apply in prison! So . . .
*Be thankful that we have Christianity: a religion of free choice, not one coerced by bodily force.
*Be thankful that we have a government that gives us the freedom to choose our religion.
*Be praying for those who are being threatened for Christ.
chas
This isn’t a comment to the blog, but a request for prayer for my son. I spoke with him a minute ago after not talking to him for over a week, he doesn’t call or answer his phone when he is in trouble. As many of you know, I have went through deep waters with him and I don’t think it is over yet. He said that him and his girl (the reason he went to CA) have split up and he doesn’t know what to do. He is working and he says he is in church but that he really wanted to go back to the old ways. I told him I was praying and to stay close to God and in church. Please pray that the Lord will be with him and keep him safe and clean.
Comment by jeanne — August 3, 2007 @ 11:31 am
After reading Pastor Charley’s comments, I am so glad that we live in a country where we can worship freely in the belief that we choose. Of course we would like to see everyone believe as we do, but freedom is the backbone of our great country. Also I am reminded that the muslim faith is not a belief based on love as some say. It is a doctrine spread by sword. Our missionaries in Bangladesh tell us of persecutions and even murders of those who convert to Christ. We need always to pray for those who work with the muslim folks. Also after reading Jeanne’s request, I would say I know what she is going through and our prayers are with her. As far as I know my son is not on drugs, but I can’t get him back in the church which is my desire.
Comment by Ronnie Coburn — August 3, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
So many times we get caught up in our own lives and problems, and tend to forget that others are going through hardships also. Rusty and his ministry are in my prayers. Jeanne, my heart aches for you. I will be praying for Darin and for you.
Comment by Jennifer — August 4, 2007 @ 9:49 am
I know that there are things that go on in my family that many people don’t know about and thinks that all is well in my world especially with my peppy little attitude, but…. yes, things aren’t always what they appear and I know just as it is for me, it is for others. Because of just that subject, I really enjoyed Charley’s last couple of sermons and hopefully we can be more mindful of others going through the flames. Jeanne, you know I pray for you and have watched you go through things that I don’t even want to imagine. As my friend, I will continue to lift you up in prayer and if you need a shoulder, mine are open. I love ya,
Charley, I don’t know your brother and sometimes it is easy to forget about those that we don’t know, so please always remind us of those needed prayers. You and your entire family are in our prayers.
Comment by Brenda — August 7, 2007 @ 2:29 pm