Wife Released From Prison

This is an article I found this morning as I attempted to find an update on this situation. Please continue to pray.

Fatemeh Passandideh, the wife of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, was released October 11 by a court in Gilan province, in northern Iran, an official linked to the Church of Iran told BosNewsLife.

"The release of Fatemeh Passandideh comes ten days after the announcement of the death sentence for her husband Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani," he said, speaking on earlier agreed conditions of anonymity, amid security concerns.

Pray for Our Brother, His Wife and Children

Iranian Authorities to Execute Pastor for Apostasy

Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. Hebrews 13:3

I just received this article from a friend this morning. I am so glad I just read this verse this morning and the following remark by Beth Moore in Jesus the One and Only. Luke 12:4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." "Eternity is a far greater reality than this short breath of time. In essence, Christ said: "Don't fear people who can kil you now but can do nothing to you after that." The only healthy fear is of the One who controls forever"

After a court order temporarily delayed his death, a Christian pastor in Iran is again scheduled to be executed. Worthy News reports that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani will be executed this weekend for the crime of apostasy unless the court again delays his execution. Before he was arrested in October 2009, Nadarkhani led one of the largest Christian communities in Iran. He was singled out by authorities for helping Muslims turn to Christ even though leaving Islam is punishable by death. He was finally arrested after protesting against the enforced reading of the Quran to Christian children. His wife was also arrested and has been sentenced to life in prison. Rights activists are petitioning for the release of both Nadarkhani and his wife.

OUR PRAYER: Lord God we come humbly to Your throne of grace to receive help in the time of trouble for our dear brother and sister and their children. Lord, You have counted them worthy to suffer for your name's sake. Lord, we now ask that you deliver them by Your mighty hand. Lord, you were obedient unto death, even death on the cross. If this is the means by which Pastor Yousef is to glorify you then we ask that you will give him the awesome sense of Your presence and great peace and courage. Help him to pray for those who persecute him. Help him to overcome evil with good. I pray that you would extend great courage and mercy to his dear wife. I pray that their captors would be ashamed and convicted of this sin against heaven. Help us to rise up and pray and act on their behalf. In the name above all names, amen.

Adopted

He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 NASB

Adopted

I’ve wondered at all that word could mean.

Chosen by a longing need;

Agreeing to take them sight unseen.

Adopted

Suddenly a thought descends;

I’ve been taken in by Him.

Chosen before time begins

Adopted

He saw me in my mother’s womb

I wasn’t taken sight unseen

With all He knew there still was room.

Adopted

I found this simple little poem I wrote a long time ago. The wonder of it all. It made me reflect on one of Rich Mullin's songs that I love so much. I should know better than to follow one of my simple renderings with something as great and textured as Rich's beautiful expression of Psalm 139. I once heard someone say, "If God has given you a beautiful voice praise Him with it. If He hasn't...sing and get even." Just kidding...sort of.

Nothing is Beyond You

Where could I go, where could I run

Even if I found the strength to fly

And if I rose on the wings of the dawn

And crashed through the corner of the sky

If I sailed past the edge of the sea

Even if I made my bed in Hell

Still there You would find me

'Cause nothing is beyond YouYou stand beyond the reach

Of our vain imaginations

Our misguided piety

The heavens stretch to hold You

And deep cries out to deep

Singing that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

Time cannot contain You

You fill eternity

Sin can never stain You

Death has lost its sting

And I cannot explain the way You came to love me

Except to say that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

If I should shrink back from the light

So I can sink into the dark

If I take cover and I close my eyes

Even then You would see my heart

And You'd cut through all my pain and rage

The darkness is not dark to You

And night's as bright as day

Nothing is beyond You

You stand beyond the reach

Of our vain imaginations

Our misguided piety

The heavens stretch to hold You

And deep cries out to deep

Singing that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

And time cannot contain You

You fill eternity

Sin can never stain You

And death has lost its sting

And I cannot explain the way

You came to love me

Except to say that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

"I Know You're There" - Casting Crowns

New Life Worship: Hiding place

It has been a very busy September and here we are a week into October. I haven't been attending to the blog, but then there aren't people hanging on my every word either.
Some wonderful things have been happening and as usual some challenges as well. The Community Bible Study Fellowship that some friends and I have begun is going well. We have 56 women in Bible study doing Jesus the One and Only. That thrills my heart. The really good part is that we come from many churches in our area and we are hoping and praying it will build bonds and a sense of unity among us. Jesus prayer was John 17:21 "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
I had the privilege of meeting Sandy Day http://www.calebministries.org/. I volunteer with the Woman's Enrichment and Family Center and they sponsored a seminar with her. Part of my privilege was to be her guide and host since she is not familiar with our area. What a delightful sister in the Lord. All I can say is she did what Hebrews 10:24 tells us to do, "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds." I came away from my time with her more committed to be who God wants me to be. I love it when that happens.
In the middle of all this I had two episodes with my inner ear that causes extreme vertigo. I average one episode about every year and a half. The good part was my husband was wonderful or I would never have made it. When I am in the worst part I can't function. All I can do is hang onto my bed with my eyes closed. There is no walking or even crawling when it hits. Even when it's over there is a residual that's very unpleasant. The day before my sister and nieces got here for a rare visit in North Carolina I had my second episode. Fortunately I was able to rebound enough to really enjoy their company and cook! They left yesterday morning on the same day the Woman's Enrichment Center opened an office in my hometown. So...whew!
Added to all this like wonderful icing on a beautiful cake is my privilege of writing for A Martha Heart http://www.amarthaheart.com/. Once again, the best part is getting to know the women who are on the team. I hope you will drop by often to partake of all that is being offered. Be sure and check out all the wonderful recipes that are there. I made the apple craisin breakfast casserole for my family and it was a BIG hit. So simple too when you are rushed...make it the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning.
This morning I have had the luxury of lying down beside the still waters. I love the quietness here at my Shepherd’s feet for some needed restoration.

Carol