10 LESSONS FROM SYRIA: when faith is under fire
Observing the church in Syria during one of our recent visits brought a new conviction of how a Church should influence a nation. Not by fighting evil with evil nor by cursing darkness, but simply by living Christ and being light. We encountered many heroes of faith and divine meetings and hereby include TEN LESSONS we learned from the Church in Syria.
THE ROSE OF SYRIA: A time to strengthen the local Church
“If Syria is a garden of flowers, then the church is the rose. The fragrance of which is reaching even those in government.” If you have prayed for Syria before – “one more prayer, please”. If you have given before – “one more time, please.” This is the heart cry of Syrian believers
NO, SYRIA HAS NOT BEEN LIBERATED: a time for courage
No, Syria has not been liberated. Terrorists do not liberate, they enslave. The Syrians need courage, more than ever before. Courage to endure, to persevere and to survive. But the passive bystanders from the outside world also needs courage, but a different kind of courage.
ANOTHER NATION, ANOTHER WAR – Can beauty save our world?
“Beauty will save the world” These words by Russian philosopher, Fyodor Dostoevsky can be easily dismissed as hopelessly naive, considering all that is happening in the world today. But for Dostoevsky “beauty” seemed to transcend aesthetics, and is what inspires the best in us, our aspirations for what is good and true, and what connects us to each other. Sadly, for many Christians, truth has replaced beauty. It is so much easier to demand submission to the teachings of Christ than it is to radiate the beauty of Christ. Judging people is a lot easier than loving them and condemning sinners is a lot easier than forgiving them.
THE DEATH OF COMPASSION – the birth of barbarism
Hannah Arendt once said that the death of human compassion is one of the earliest and most telling signs of a culture about to fall into barbarism. These are sobering words in a season where the war in Gaza has exposed one major weakness within Western Christianity—the obsession of being right at the expense of being compassionate and kind.
“THESE COLOURS DON’T RUN”: The American elections and a civil war
In her 2022 book, “How Civil Wars Start: And How to Stop Them,” renowned political scientist Barbara F. Walter argues that “we are closer to civil war in the USA than any of us would like to believe”. I beg to differ. I, for one, do not believe there will be a civil war in America. I believe this for FOUR reasons…
A HEART FOR THE ENEMY – Consider the Christ
Where did Jesus announce, for the first time, that He is the Messiah? Take a deep breath… In enemy territory, to a single woman of reputation. The greatest announcement in human history is “wasted” on a Samaritan prostitute. Press the pause button there for a moment and consider the presence of Christ in Gaza, Beirut and even Tehran. A woman of reputation from a culture group viewed by Jews as half-breeds, is the first person to whom Jesus openly reveals himself as the Messiah. Think about that.
YAHYA SINWAR – Can grace and hatred co-exist in the same heart?
For those who express a continued hatred against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, the question to ask is if hatred can be justified. Are we, as recipients of grace, ever in a position to rejoice at the death of a soul who never had the opportunity to be touched by the grace of Christ like we did? Are we a John 1:16 follower or a John 1:17 believer
HISTORY TELLS US HOW THE WAR WILL END: 14 October – a turning point?
14 October 2024 could well mark a turning point in the Israel-Gaza conflict. The event was less conspicuous than the military breakthrough many pundits were anticipating but for those who study history, it was a significant indicator that events may be reaching a climax. Yes, the countless prayers for peace in the region have not been in vain.
THE GAZA DEATH TOLL: Can the numbers be trusted?
Instead of being pierced with a deep sense of sorrow, the numbers of those who have died in Gaza are often received with a mix of cynicism, anger or simply skepticism and apathy. Can the numbers be trusted? After all, it is released by Hamas. Or is it?