The Lordship of Jesus over all life
Dr Joe Boot argues that the common tendency among Christians to avoid political topics is not an act of prudence, but a failure to take seriously the work that God has given us to do in this world. ‘In much of evangelicalism today, it has become a grievous fault, even a sin, to be concerned and vocal with regard to the modern state’s redefinition of marriage, the mass murder of infants in the womb, the social engineering of the family, state-sanctioned theft and the usurpation of charity, the diminution of independent Christian education and the assault on religious freedoms and the Church. Concern is seen as ‘political’ and deemed outside the scope or priority of the gospel – as though true Christianity were a progression from the material to the spiritual, from the earthly to the heavenly, from the body to the soul. This is Neo-Platonism, not Christianity, and it has revived in recent decades, making deep inroads into the mindset of many Christians. See also the Mill Gathering. http://www.prayer-alert.net/index.php?view=download&alias=572-statement-from-the-mill-gathering-1&category_slug=insight-articles-1&option=com_docman&Itemid=216
Tackling corruption
Transparency International is a global movement working towards a world in which government, politics, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption. Transparency International UK (TI-UK) is the UK national chapter of this movement whose vision is a society in which the health of our institutions is enhanced, we can trust the integrity of those in authority and there is no freedom for the corrupt at home or abroad. At the beginning of this month Sir Eric Pickles gave a major scene-setting speech on corruption in his capacity as the recently-appointed Anti-Corruption Champion. Never before had any of his predecessors as Champion (Benn, Hutton, Straw, Clarke, Hancock) delivered such a speech. Characteristically frankly he said, ‘I want to see this through and there’s nothing they can do to stop me.’ Then he set out his priorities: - domestic corruption, money laundering, asset recovery, sports governance and electoral fraud.
Albania, Southeast Europe
Not long ago, Albania was one of Europe’s poorest nations. Now the state boasts an upper-middle income economy. Under Communist rule, no religion was allowed. Now, Islam claims twice as many followers as Christianity, though most who claim Christianity are reported to be nominal. The country has no restrictions on proselytism and no persecution threatens the Church. However, neo-paganism is growing in Albania and the Church needs to be equipped to respond in a relevant way. Albania is currently the most corrupt country in Europe and we are asked to pray that Albanian leaders would repent of their ways and seek God according to 2Cor.4:2 – Renouncing underhand ways and refusing to practise cunning.
Turkey: Kurds, Y.P.G. and dangerous instability
Turkey has launched waves of airstrikes against elements of a Kurdish separatist group known as the P.K.K., with its allies the Y.P.G. (who work closely with America relaying intelligence and coordinates for potential airstrike targets). The resulting strikes help Kurds seize territory along the Turkish border. Turks don’t want Kurds on their border. Kurds have historically sought an independent state, which the Turkish government strongly opposes. The peace rally bombing has come just weeks away from a re-run of an inconclusive general election. For so long a beacon of stability between Europe and the Middle East, Turkey is fighting Kurdish militants in the east and struggling against violence from Syria. Until now most violence in Turkey took place in the Kurdish areas, but twin bombing at a peace rally close to government and intelligence buildings in the heart of Ankara has caused even Turks to be afraid of shopping centres and open spaces. The residents of Turkey just want a normal life. See also: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/08/12/world/middleeast/turkey-kurds-isis.html?_r=0
The power of a booklet in the refugee crisis
In the worst of times God is at work. There’s proof of that with the refugee crisis. Hundreds of thousands have poured into Europe, legally and illegally, some to opened arms to the persecuted, some to closed gates. ‘All sorts of churches and ministries are reaching out,’ says Helen Williams of World Missionary Press. Churches, even in unwelcoming countries, are opening arms, accepting refugees and providing for them. In Hungary several churches went to train stations to give out food, clothing and the Gospel in Hungarian and translated languages to the flood of refugees. Other church groups and a Bible college are also ministering to refugees with the gospel. One of their favourite booklets to give is How to Know God, which was written specifically for Muslims. Almost every person that they gave it to received it gladly. So far they have given away 12,000 Scripture booklets in 10 different languages.
Kidnapped priest released in Syria
Al-Qaeda-linked fighters in Syria abducted an Italian priest known for his peace activism and who has expressed his opinion championing the anti-government uprising in Syria on Vatican Radio. He has now been freed. While reasons for Father Jacques Mourad’s release are unknown, a source told AFP that he said Mass yesterday for the first time since his abduction. He has ministered to Qaryatayn's Syriac Catholic community for 12 years. 2,000 Christians lived there before the war, none remain now, but the Priest works to promote Christian/Muslim dialogue and his ministry has been fruitful. Priests are fully aware of the risks they run, but they remain alongside the Syrian people, both Christians and Muslims. Often they are the only ones people have to turn to. When asked if he was intending to leave the area he said that he would do so only if forced - otherwise he would remain with his people. See also: http://www.sconews.co.uk/news/30317/italian-jesuit-priest-and-peace-activist-kidnapped-in-syria/
Australia: Getting hotter, drier and more ready to burn
Australia experienced its third-driest September on record, with large parts of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania getting very little rain. The chance of a drier than normal October is 70%, with the probability rising to 80% in Victoria where the government is attempting to find ways to get water to parched areas in the west. While summer is the time associated with the highest bushfire risk in the southern states, bushfire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer. Many people living in high-risk bushfire areas are still under-prepared and ill-informed on the dangers and the preparations needed. El Niño is a climatic event. In Australia it is associated with reduced rainfall and higher temperatures. The current El Niño, which will last throughout Australia’s summer, is one of the top four on record in terms of strength.
USA: Flooding swamped virtually all of South Carolina
Residents in South Carolina's Lowcountry were warned that water from days of flooding across the state was moving in their direction and was going to have major impacts. Already seventeen people have died since the rain began a few days ago. Eleven dams have failed and thirty-five dams are being monitored. 400,000+ state residents are under a ‘boil water advisory’ affecting sixteen water systems. Now Lowcountry residents are sandbagging homes, businesses and tourist attractions as they prepare for the surge of water heading their way. Though some areas have already dealt with flooding from the initial event, authorities said some areas that didn't see flooding may get swamped before all the water moves out to sea. High waters are still a very dangerous reality. Rescue crews went door-to- door in the capital city of Columbia as officials freed residents trapped by floods that swamped virtually the entire state. See also http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/06/us/south-carolina-flooding/
Central African Republic (CAR): Attack on key Christian in peace process
The country has been in the grips of violence and political problems since the majority-Muslim Séléka group drove out President Francois Bozizé in a coup two years ago. About three-quarters of CAR is Christian. Thousands have been killed and thousands more displaced since 2013 and now extremists have attempted to murder a Christian in CAR who is heavily involved in civil war peace efforts there. The attackers looted and burned down the house of Revd Nicolas Guerekoyame-Gbangou, the chairman of CAR's Evangelical Alliance. The chairman wasn't in at the time and his family managed to escape before they were attacked. The armed gunmen murdered two other people taking refuge in the house. The attack was part of ongoing sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims in the country, after the body of a Muslim man was found in Bangui earlier this year. 100+ people have died in the fighting and around 30,000 are currently displaced as the result of current and previous political and religious fighting.
Nigeria: Abuja hit by more bomb blasts
A series of explosions on the outskirts of the Nigerian capital Abuja killed at least 18 people last Friday. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported a further 41 people were wounded by the blasts. The first two struck Kuje township; one by a suicide bomber near a police station, the other a bomb at a market. Another bomb exploded at a bus stop in Nyanya. More than 40 people were injured in the blasts, which security officials described as co-ordinated. This year, security forces have managed to reclaim most of the territory captured by Boko Haram fighters and have freed a number of people kidnapped, but militant attacks have intensified. The victims would have been normal working-class people who were going about their business in the streets, in the market-place or waiting for a bus.