New album coming from The Military Wives Choir

Here's the fabulous Military Wives' Choir singing In My Dreams from their new album due for release on 5th March. I predict this will be a massive HIT! It will certainly end up amongst my collection of favourite CDs.

Marriage belongs to God, not to the people, not to the Government and not even to the church. Defend it with passion!

     The definition of marriage between a man and a woman for life is under threat in our country. In March the government will launch a consultation on how, not if, marriage should be redefined to include same-sex partners. 

     Please pray about this issue and consider signing the petition you will find at this website: c4m.org.uk. 

     I believe that as Christians who recognise the importance of marriage as central to the stability of nuclear families, a boundary around sexual expression and a safe harbour for raising children as well as God’s blueprint for family life, the time has come for us to speak out. For the sake of the nation and the future we need to stand up and be counted against this.

     Please encourage those in your churches to sign the petition, if possible this Sunday. You will be joining the ranks of those who have already made their views clear – currently just under 30,000 people on-line.

     You will, I'm sure, find the article on Real Marriage, written by the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, a very helpful article to read as you consider this important issue. I am taking the liberty of publishing the following article on this issue by Dr Peter Saunders, who is the CEO of the Christian Medical Fellowship, which you may also find helpful.

10 reasons TO RETAIN THE CURRENT DEFINITION OF marriage

Based on an article by Dr Peter Saunders, CEO of The Christian Medical Fellowship.

Britain is coming under increasing pressure to change the legal definition of marriage and Prime Minister David Cameron believes this is a good idea. A consultation on marriage closed in Scotland in December 2011 and a new consultation is being launched next month in Westminster to consider how (not if!) legalisation should proceed in England and Wales.

Many people are asking 'Why not?', but here are ten reasons;

1. Marriage is the union of one man and one woman

Throughout history in virtually all cultures and faiths throughout the world, marriage has been held to be the union of a man and a woman. Marriage existed thousands of years before our nation began and has been recognised in our laws as the ‘voluntary union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others for life’ (Hyde v Hyde 1866). The UN Declaration of Human Rights (article 16) recognises that the family, headed by a man and a woman, ‘is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State’. It is not up to governments to redefine marriage – but simply to recognise it for what it is, and to promote and protect it as a unique institution.

2. Civil Partnerships cover other forms of relationship

All the legal rights of marriage are already available to same sex couples through civil partnerships so there is no need to redefine marriage to include them. The President of the Family Division has even described civil partnerships as conferring ‘the benefits of marriage in all but name’. Such a move would also inevitably lead to calls to open civil partnerships to a man and a woman on the basis of ‘equality’. But marriage and civil partnerships have been designed for two very different types of relationship and should be kept distinct. It is not and should not be ‘one size fits all’.

3. Redefining marriage without consultation is undemocratic

None of the political leaders who are supporting change announced it as a priority in their election manifestos. There is already a huge amount of opposition to the move and pressing ahead with legalisation will lead to considerable dissension and division. Broadening the definition of marriage to appease a small minority is wrong and it should not be imposed on the without proper consultation about ‘whether’ rather than just on ‘how’ it should be done.

4. Equality does not mean uniformity

In a free democratic society we accept that many human activities are not open to everybody. Not everyone is allowed to drink alcohol, drive a car, buy property, cast a vote, own a firearm, attend university, visit Buckingham Palace or participate in a 100m women’s Olympic event. This does not mean that those who are not eligible for these activities are in any way denigrated or demeaned, but just that there are eligibility criteria. Same sex couples do not fulfil the eligibility criteria for marriage, which should be reserved for the voluntary union of one man and one woman for life.

5. Protecting traditional marriage safeguards children and society

Stable marriages and families headed by a mother and a father are the bedrock of society and the state has a duty to protect the uniqueness of these key institutions. Though death and divorce may prevent it, children do best when raised by a married mother and father. Whilst single parents and many others do a good job in raising children, social policy has to be concerned with what is normally the case, and children have a right if at all possible to have a married mother and a father involved in their upbringing. In general the evidence shows that marriage provides stability for adults and children which is hard to beat in terms of outcomes. There is considerable evidence to show that marriage leads to better family relationships, less economic dependence, better physical health and longevity, improved mental health and emotional well-being and reduced crime and domestic violence. By contrast sexual freedom and relationship breakdown costs Britain £100 billion annually and other models of the family have not been shown to have nearly the same stability as traditional marriage. Same sex marriage, in comparison with marriage, is an unproven and experimental social model.

6. Marriage is a unique biologically complementary relationship

Marriage is the only legal union which can naturally lead to children. It takes both a man and a woman to produce a baby. The fact that there is a natural link between sexual intimacy and procreation is what makes marriage distinctive and different. Redefining marriage will undermine this distinctness and difference and risks normalising the technological instrumentalisation of reproduction and increasing the number of families where there is confusion of biological, social and family identity.

7. Redefining marriage will be complex and expensive

Redefining marriage could cost billions and involve amending hundreds of pieces of government legislation. The word 'marriage' appears 3,258 times in UK legislation, which underlines the central role the institution plays in national law. Introducing same sex marriage is a legal can of worms which cannot be achieved without changing the common and legal definition of the word marriage and other words which define it (e.g., ‘husband and wife’, ‘consummation’ and ‘adultery’). These changes will inevitably change the definition and nature of marriage for opposite sex couples by trying to accommodate these two very different kinds of relationship under one legal umbrella. According to an assessment done for gay rights group Stonewall by a former civil servant, the cost of implementing one favoured option would be around £5 billion. This figure relates to a theoretical increase in straight couples taking up the opportunity of civil partnerships, with knock-on implications to their entitlement to pension and tax benefits. This is simply not a priority for government at a time of economic recession as it will confer no new rights.

8. Schools will be forced to teach about the new definition of marriage

Under existing education law schools will be required to teach children that marriage can be between a man and a woman, between two men or between two women. This will confuse children whose parents may wish to teach them according to their own values and worldview. Those parents who object could be undermined in their children’s eyes, stigmatised as homophobics and bigots and prevented from full involvement in schools. This will also be a problem for many church schools and their governors.

9. Redefining marriage will not stop will be a ‘slippery slope’ to all sorts of other arrangements

In Mexico same sex marriage was followed by two year fixed term marriage. In Canada legalising same sex marriage has led to supporters of polygamy demanding in the courts for their unions to be recognised. If the legal definition is changed to accommodate same sex couples other minority groups with a vested interest (e.g., Muslims, Mormons, Bisexuals and Polyamorists) will have a much stronger case to argue for the legalisation of polygamy and group marriages. The best defence against this is to keep the legal definition of marriage unique and distinct – ‘one man, one woman, for life’.

10. Redefining marriage will lead to faith-based discrimination

We have already seen a rising tide of discrimination against people who support traditional marriage as a result of the legalisation of civil partnerships coupled with new equality legislation. If same sex marriage is legalised faith-based employers who provide special health benefits to married employees would be required by law to extend those benefits to same-sex ‘spouses’. They would also face lawsuits for taking any adverse employment action - no matter how modest - against an employee for the public act of obtaining a civil ‘marriage’ with a member of the same sex. Faith-based adoption and fostering services that place children exclusively with married couples would be required by law to place children with persons of the same sex who are civilly ‘married’. Marriage counsellors from faith backgrounds would be denied their professional accreditation for refusing to provide counselling in support of same-sex ‘married’ relationships. All these moves would place faith groups in the invidious position of being forced to act against their consciences or face marginalisation, exclusion and litigation and would further fuel social fragmentation, sectarianism, antagonism and civil unrest.

This baby will make you laugh and laugh!

Baby Laughs Hysterically from littlejoey on GodTube.

The talented Siobhan Owen

The talented young Australian singer, Siobhan Owen, sings the beautiful song The Rose, accompanying herself on the harp. This was recorded in St Andrew's Church, Strathalbyn during Siobhan's "Songs of Simple Beauty" concert. July 17 2011. 

Moody pics taken by my niece

Here's a selection of mean and moody photographs taken by my talented air hostess niece, Tequin, on her travels.  I love the mood that she has captured.

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Love is Coming Down'

LOVE IS COMING DOWN

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11 (King James Version)

     Not only did love come down when Christ was born, His love is coming down every day for us.  He delights in making us happy.  His heart is overflowing with love, unconditional love for us.  Our precious Saviour also wants to give us joy.  He has given us a way so that we can have joy in our heart and life.

     We read in the Bible “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).  If you want to have the fulness of joy, stay in the presence of Jesus.  That doesn’t mean that we have to pray every minute. 

     What it does mean is that we should not go where we can’t take Him or do or say anything that would hurt Him and break His heart.  I don’t watch television.  I only watch DVD’s that are about families.  They are DVD’s that I have selected that make me think about Jesus.

     My favorite DVD’s I watch are about the Walton family.  The love they show to one another reminds me of the love Jesus has for us.  It is the same when I read a book, if the first chapter doesn’t make me think about Jesus I close the book and I don’t read it. 

     Every movie that we watch and everything that we read should exalt Jesus.  One of the definitions I found for exalt in Webster’s Dictionary is “to elevate by praise or in estimation”.  Do the movies you watch and the books you read exalt Jesus?  If not, stop watching those movies and reading those books. 

Joanne Lowe

February 23, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joanne-ourprecioussaviour.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'God's Emergency Room'

GOD’S EMERGENCY ROOM

“Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.  Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.”

Psalm 102:1, 2 (King James Version)

     These verses became the cry of my heart the last two days because satan did his best to discourage me and stop me from serving Jesus.  When we go to God’s emergency room, we never have to wait.  His arms of healing love are wide enough for every person in the world at the same time.

     Pastor Charles Price Jones wrote the hymn “Come unto Me”.  I love this hymn.  “Hear the blessed Saviour calling the oppressed, “O ye heavy laden, come to Me and rest.  Come, no longer tarry, I your load will bear, Bring Me every burden, bring Me every care.”  Have you given your burdens to Jesus?

     Jesus, who is God’s emergency room Physician, will bear our pain, our grief and our heartaches.  These last two days, I felt like I was going under for the last time.  However, during these long dark days of grief and heartaches, Jesus lifted me up and carried me through the dark valleys.

     How comforting it is to know that God cares about us and that He hears our prayers and answers us.  I wonder how many times God has asked us to do something and we didn’t do it or we did it when it was convenient for us.  We should be as quick to answer God as He is to answer us.

     Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that we don’t have to wait for a Physician in Your emergency room.  Precious Jesus, thank You for healing our broken heart.  I love You, my wonderful Saviour, with all my heart.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe

February 22, 2012

Consultation on ‘Gay Marriage’ - URGENT

The following arrived on my desk from Christian Voice, and I share it here because of the importance of this issue. I am on record as stating that I believe that the state of marriage can only exist between a man and a woman, no matter how many governments try to enact laws to claim the contrary. I believe in the Biblical definition of marriage only, and that means that

I do not accept the relationship of two men or two women as being marriage. I accept that there are many same-sex couples who have deeply loving relationships, and many of those will last the course, but this does not make it marriage in the Biblical sense.

     Next month the UK Government will be consulting on gay marriage.  They will only consult on how to make the change, not on the principle at stake!  So Christians must stand together in the power of Christ to affirm the God-given foundation of human society.

     Christian Voice believes marriage is not a man-made negotiable construction, but the first social institution of Almighty God.  Our Petition wording reflects this Christ-centred approach:

     “We the undersigned believe that marriage was ordained by God to be the union of one man and one woman and that marriage between two persons of the same sex can not and should not be legalised by any earthly government.” (Sign by clicking on the text)

     Here is what the Lord Jesus said about the creation ordinance of marriage (KJV):

     Matt 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?  6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.

     Becoming one flesh in that full sense is something a pair of homosexuals can never do.  To be valid in law a marriage has to be consummated.  How do the Government propose a pair of lesbians or two men should do that?  There will be much to do when the consultation is published to oppose this measure in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Please make a start now by signing the petition above.

     PRAY: That there will be a tremendous response from Christians on behalf of our mighty God, that we will go forth under Christ’s banner alone and that the designs of the wicked will come to naught.

Yours in the mighty name of Jesus.

Stephen Green,

National Director, Christian Voice.

Manufacturer's Recall : Human Beings

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

                                This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

                                This defect has been identified as "Sub sequential Internal Non-morality,"  more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

                                Some of the symptoms include:
                                1. Loss of direction
                                2. Foul vocal emissions
                                3. Amnesia of origin
                                4. Lack of peace and joy
                                5. Selfish or violent behaviour
                                6. Depression or confusion
                                7. Fearfulness
                                8. Idolatry
                                9. Rebellion

                                The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

                                The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

                                The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

                                Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCEprocedure.

                                Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair
Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
                                 
                                No matter how big or small the SIN defect
is, God will replace it with:
                                1. Love
                                2. Joy
                                3. Peace
                                4. Patience
                                5. Kindness
                                6. Goodness
                                7. Faithfulness
                                8.. Gentleness
                                9. Self control
                                 
                                Please see the operating manual, eg. the B.I.B.L.E. (BEST Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further  details on the  use of these fixes.

                               WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the  human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on God.
                                 
                                DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!
                                 
                                - GOD
                                 
                                P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'! 

Warm thoughts for a Cold, Cold Day!

What better on a cold day than to dream about Summer, poppies, cornfields, the lark rising and beautiful warm, lazy days. Ah, well! I can dream can't I? Tell you what, why don't you share the dream with me and imagine that we are walking through the field above marvelling at the beauty of all that we can see, touch, smell and hear, and above all --- experience!

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Happiness and Sorrow'

HAPPINESS AND SORROW

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Philippians 4:4 (King James Version)

     Our Scripture verse instructs us to rejoice in the Lord all the time.  We should rejoice not only when we are happy but also when we are sad.  How can we rejoice when we are grieving?  We can rejoice because we know that Jesus is with us all the time and that He never leaves us, not even for one minute.

     “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen” (Matthew 28:20).  Knowing that Jesus is always with us should be enough to fill our heart with happiness even in the midst of heartache and sorrow.

     Not only is Jesus always with us, He also picks us up in His loving arms and carries us through all the dark valleys of our life and sets us once again on the mountain top of happiness.  When we are hurting so much that we can’t sleep and the night seems so long, Jesus sits beside our bed and holds our hand.

     Jesus is a compassionate and loving Saviour.  He really does love us.  It breaks His heart when we are sad.  He weeps with us when we are hurting and He rejoices with us when we are happy.  He longs to comfort and encourage you.  Allow Jesus to dry the tears from your heart and eyes with tender kisses.

     Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  Precious Saviour, thank You for never leaving me and for the many times You have carried me through the dark valleys of my life.  You are so faithful and You really do love me and care what happens to me.  I love You, dear Jesus, with all of my heart.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

February 18, 2012

SJM Concert at The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn

     Sheer Joy Music are promoting a concert to be held at the award-winning Brindley Theatre in Runcorn, Cheshire, UK on Wednesday 11th April. The concert will feature a selection of the songs of the song-writing duo Colin Gordon-Farleigh & Greg Scheer, which have been recorded by artists on the SJM label.
     Appearing will be Milli Alaira, Chris Mercer, Alan Watson, Sammie-Jo, Gary Cordice and Christy Topping, and the evening promises to be a great one.  All seats are priced at a very affordable £8.50 and tickets are now available from the Brindley Box Office.
     Proceeds from the concert will go to support the work of Voice Ministries.

Milli Alaira sings 'If Only I Had Wings'

A while ago this beautiful song was written by the song-writing duo of Colin Gordon-Farleigh and Greg Scheer.  Check it out on Youtube and help push the viewing numbers up. If you want purchase the track you can buy it as a download from CD Baby, iTunes or Amazon.

Lots More Great Christian Quotes - 2

"If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself."
- Augustine.

"If you study the Bible without applying it to your daily life, then it would be better not to study it at all."
- Zac Poonen

"Our Faith must be tested. God builds no ships but what He sends to sea."
- D.L. Moody

"Holiness is an impossibility - without the HOLY Spirit."
- Anonymous

"God always visits his people when they reach the point of desperation."
- Stephen Olford

"This generation of Christians is responsible for this generation of souls on the earth!"
- Keith Green

"Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be better men and women. Do not pray for tasks equal to your strength, pray for strength equal to your tasks."
- Phillips Brooks

"If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes."
- Corrie ten Boom

"You will never please everybody. Some men will say you have gone too far. Other men will say you haven't gone far enough. I just compromise and say I won't please anybody."
- A.W. Tozer

Joanne Lowe's Meditations : A Heart Filled With Love

A HEART FILLED WITH LOVE

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:12, 13 (King James Version)

     Did you ever play the game “loves me, loves me not daisy game” when you were a child?  We don’t have to play that game with Jesus.  We know that He loves us.  There is no doubt about His love for us.  He proved how much He loves us and that He loves us unconditionally when He died on the cross for us.

     I have said this countless times and I will keep saying it until God calls me home or Jesus comes back for us.  No one loves us like Jesus loves us!  We talk a lot about how much Jesus loves us.  Jesus has a heart that is filled with love for us.  How much do we love Him?  Is our heart filled with love for Him?

     We may never have to die physically for someone but we can die to our own desires.  If you go out to eat with your friend, you can go where your friend wants to go to eat instead of where you want to go to eat.  What about your family?  Are you willing to shut off the television and spend time with them?

     We are to love our family and our friends but we should love Jesus more than anyone or anything.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).

     Is your heart filled with love for Jesus?  How much do you love Him?  Remember, the level of our service to Jesus depends on our level of love for Him.  The more we love Him, the more we will serve Him.  Are you serving Him with all your heart? 

Joanne Lowe

February 14, 2012

A gift of love for Valentine's Day

Here's a little gift for you to help celebrate Valentine's Day. I wrote this song back at the close of 2005 and gave it to my wife as her Valentine's Day gift for February 14th, 2006. The feelings never change! Lyrics by Colin Gordon-Farleigh and music by Greg Scheer. The singer is Susan Marrs. I share it with you with love, and hope that you enjoy it. You can download the track from CD Baby, Amazon or iTunes if you want to have it for ever (which I hope you do!).

I've been everywhere --- well lots of places anyway!

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots.
Apparently, you can't go alone ~ you have to be in Cahoots with someone.
 
However, I've never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.
 
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.
 
I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.
 
Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.
 
One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!
 
I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what country it was in.
It's an age thing!

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'The Greatest Missionary'

THE GREATEST MISSIONARY

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 (King James Version)

     I have listened to missionaries and seen many slides they have showed about their work.  The needs they presented were great.  I saw slides of children who are starving, not just in other countries but also here in America.  What a sad commentary it is on Christians that we allow children to be hungry.

     Not only are children hungry for food, they are also hungry for love and acceptance.  There are children who hide because they are frightened of what they see their parents doing and what they hear their parents saying.  I’ve had little children come to my door and tell me they are hungry.

     Jesus is the greatest missionary there ever was or ever will be.  He got out of His comfort zone and left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth to die for our sins.  If we will listen with our heart, we will hear Jesus asking us to go for Him and spread His love and win souls for Him.

     We read in the Bible “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?  Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).  Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone and serve the One who died for you?  Have you said to Jesus “send me”?  If not, why haven’t you?

     Heavenly Father, I know that it broke Your heart when You sent Your Son on His mission because You knew that Jesus was going to be crucified for us, yet You love us so much You sent Him.  Thank You.  I love You with all my heart.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

February 5, 2012

Jim Whitman sings 'There's a Tree in the Meadow'

Here's a great song sung by Jim Whitman, one of my favourite Country Music artists.

'We All Need Our Heroes' : New song from Sheer Joy Music

Everyone grows up with heroes to help them to learn and become the people that they are destined to be. 'We All Need Our Heroes' pays tribute to the faceless heroes of our youth, and is a touch of real Country Music from the songwriting duo of Colin Gordon-Farleigh & Greg Scheer.

Anyone interested in recording this song should email the request to music@sheerjoymusic.com

Hayley Oliver & The Hayley Oliver Band at the British Country Music Awards, 2011

Here's another first-class performance by the talented Hayley Oliver.

The Hayley Oliver Band Radio Interview 16 Ton Studios Nashville 2010

Regular readers to this Blog will know by now that I am a great fan of the UK Queen of Country Music, Hayley Oliver who, together with the award-winning Hayley Oliver Band, make some of the greatest Country sounds on the UK music scene. Not only are they great Country Music folk but they are also very nice people too. Give yourselves a treat as you look at this video of their interview by Robert Reynolds on the 'Maverick on Music Row Radio Show' in Nashville.

The Problem of Afghan Paedophilia

http://www.examiner.com/law-enforcement-in-national/afghan-pedophilia-a-way-of-life-say-u-s-soldiers-and-journalists?CID=examiner_alerts_article
Afghan Paedophilia: A way of life, say U.S. soldiers and journalists
Jim Kouri
Law Enforcement Examiner 

Apologists say that Bacha Bazi or 'Boy Play' is a very old cultural practice in Afghanistan and part of that nation's mainstream.
     Citing the Afghanistan strategy review, Vice President Joe Biden reported "great progress" in the counter-terrorism effort that has significantly degraded al-Qaeda and the Taliban, particularly their leadership. Lagging behind, he said, is progress on the counterinsurgency front – eliminating terrorist safe havens in Pakistan and building a stable Afghan government.
     However, not once did Biden – nor Defense Secretary Leon Panetta -- mention Afghanistan's dirty secret – a large number of pedophiles and pederasts among the Afghan male population.
     Paedophilia is a widely-accepted practice in southern Afghanistan, where "boys are given to older men for the sexual gratification of the elder and the sexual education of the child," say many returning U.S. troops.
     Afghans say pedophilia is most prevalent among Pashtun men in the south who comprise Afghanistan's most important tribe.
      Apologists say that Bacha Bazi or 'Boy Play' is a very old cultural practice in Afghanistan and part of that nation's mainstream.
     When U.S. officials such as President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta discuss the war in Afghanistan and make claims of success in that fledgling democracy, one issue that's avoided is the widespread sexual intercourse between Afghan men and young boys. In non- diplomatic terms, Afghanistan is a haven for child rape, according to several American military officers just returning from the front lines of the Global War on Terrorism.
      In a country that is considered overly repressive due to its adherence to the precepts contained in the Muslim religion's Koran, it's difficult for American service members and diplomats to understand the fact that a large portion of the Afghan male population are paedophiles (adults who enjoy sexual contact with prepubescent children) or pederasts (adults who enjoy sexual relations with pubescent or post-pubescent children).
     While Muslims in Iraq have on several occasions stoned homosexuals for their sexual activities, not all Muslims believe pedophilia is a violation of Sharia law. Those who believe in the sacredness and infallibility of the Koran adhere to the teaching that women are sub-human and quasi-slaves, and therefore Muslim men will look for relationships -- even sexual relationships -- with others of their own gender.
     According to Reuters, there is a lot of homosexuality going on in Afghanistan, but those engaging in it don't think of themselves as gay, so that makes it okay since Islam officially disapproves of the gay and lesbian lifestyle.
     "They regard themselves as non-gay because they don’t “love” the sex object so Allah is happy. These are the men who avoid their wives as unclean. Apparently there is very little love of any kind in Afghanistan, which explains a lot," according to Reuters.
     “Having a boy has become a custom for us,” Ena Yatullah, a 42-year-old in Baghlan province, told a Reuters reporter. “Whoever wants to show off should have a boy.” [. . .]
      Sociologists and anthropologists say the problem results from a perverse interpretation of Islamic law. Women are simply unapproachable. Afghans cannot talk to an unrelated woman until after proposing marriage. Before then, they can't even look at a woman, except perhaps her feet. Otherwise she is covered, head to ankle, according to columnist Joel Brinkley, a professor of journalism at Stanford University, and a former Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for the New York Times.
     In Kandahar, a city with a population of about 500,000, and other towns, dance parties are a popular -- often weekly -- pastime. Young boys dress up as females, wearing makeup and bells on their feet, and dance for a dozen or more leering middle-aged men who throw money at them and then take them home.
     A recent State Department report called “dancing boys” a “widespread, culturally sanctioned form of male rape.” If women dressed and behaved in such a way, they would surely be punished by Muslim men.
      Even after marriage, many men keep their boy-lovers, according to former U.S. military personnel who served in Afghanistan. That helps explain why women are compelled to wear clothing that hides their faces and bodies and if they "sin" they are stoned to death in accordance with Islamic law. That same law also forbids homosexuality, but the pedophiles explain that it's not homosexuality since they aren’t in love with their boys only fulfilling a bodily need.
     Paradoxically, the Taliban frown on sexual relations between men and boys and enforce Sharia law to the letter. Are the followers of Islam, who adopt a more "liberal" approach to practicing their religion, perhaps responsible for the widespread rape of male children in Afghanistan?
     So, why are American military forces fighting and dying to protect pedophiles and pederasts in a country considered by many to be the pedophilia capital of Asia?
      Why is there hesitation on the part of Obama, Clinton, Panetta and others to discuss the widespread sexual assault of male children in Afghanistan? Could it be that it is politically incorrect to discuss any immoral and unlawful behavior on the part of Muslims? It's quite evident that U.S. politicians may bash Christians without fear of adverse effects on their political careers. But these same leaders will behave as if they are walking on egg shells to avoid even the hint of criticizing Muslims.
     In addition, there is always a hesitation to discuss man-on-boy sexual relationship for fear of mentioning the obvious: such a relationship is homosexual in nature.

A Great Gift of Love for Valentine's Day

     It will soon be Valentine's Day once again. Here's a great gift suggestion for the love of your life. The title song alone makes this a truly special gift, but all of the tracks are great love songs, making this a really special gift for Valentine's Day.
     You can download either the album or individual tracks from CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon and all the major digital download sites. Alternatively, if you prefer to have the CD to give beautifully gift-wrapped with love by your own fair hand, why not buy it from the online shop at Sheer Joy Music.

Here's a little taste for you:

Still More Great Christian Quotes

"It is not the thing on which we spend most time that molds us, but the thing that exerts the greatest power. Five minutes with God and His word is worth more than all the rest of the day."
- Oswald Chambers

"One of these days some simple soul will pick up the book of God, read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed."
- Leonard Ravenhill

"Deliverence from believing lies must by by believing truth."
- Jessie Penn-Lewis

"Never was a church-wide, heaven-sent revival needed than at this present time. It is the only answer to the spiritual warfare we face in every part of the world. Bombs, bullets and body bags will never stem the tide of terror and horror that threatens human existence. We must recognize that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4,5)."
- Stephen Olford

"God is not looking for brilliant men, is not depending upon eloquent men, is not shut up to the use of talented men in sending His Gospel out in the world. God is looking for the broken men who have judged themselves in the light of the Cross of Christ. When He wants anything done, He takes up men who have come to the end of themselves, whose confidence is not in themselves, but in God."
- H.A. Ironside

"Though the cross of Christ has been beautified by the poet and the artist, the avid seeker after God is likely to find it the same savage implement of destruction it was in the days of old. The way of the cross is still the pain-wracked path to spiritual power and fruitfulness. So do not seek to hide from it. Do not accept an easy way. Do not allow yourself to be patted to sleep in a comfortable church, void of power and barren of fruit. Do not paint the cross nor deck it with flowers. Take it for what it is, as it is, and you will find it the rugged way to death and life. Let it slay you utterly."
- A.W. Tozer

"So much as one person with a contrary spirit to God is enough to affect all the meetings - that the revival fire did not flow until that person broke and confessed, or the Lord removed him."
- Jonathan Goforth

"I've seen more Christians destroyed by ambition than any other sin - discontent in the heart, always pushing and jockeying - moving for some new thing, some new position . . . It's not what we do, it's that we do what we're called to do and that in it we glorify God."
- Carter Conlon


"Every one who professes to be a born again, believing Christian has a ministry to carry out for the Lord. If the ministry that you are carrying out does not disturb the devil then you need to get on your knees, repent, and seek direction."
- Colin Gordon-Farleigh

Barnabus Launches the 'Proclaim Freedom' Campaign

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31 January 2012

Barnabas launches Proclaim Freedom campaign; sign our petition

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1

If you believe in the cause of freedom, then proclaim it, live it and protect it, for humanity’s future depends on it. Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson (1912-1983), US Congressman and Senator

Barnabas Fund last week launched a petition as part of our 2012 Proclaim Freedom campaign, which seeks to put pressure on governments to take resolute action on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world.
Christians are one of the largest and most persecuted groups in the world, yet they are often neglected in Western governments’ foreign policy.
The Proclaim Freedom petition, which was launched at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Exeter, England, last Wednesday (25 January), calls on governments to pursue decisive policies aimed at putting pressure on states that persecute or condone the persecution of Christians, and assist other countries to improve conditions for all minority groups – especially Christians – within their borders.
Today, we are launching the online version. It can be signed online or downloaded and printed. Please promote this petition within your church and community. 
The Proclaim Freedom campaign will run various initiatives throughout 2012 to raise the profile of the persecuted Church around the world. It has two specific aims:

• to press governments to be active in promoting human rights in other countries for all minorities, but especially religious freedom for the roughly 200 million Christians living under the shadow of persecution, discrimination and disadvantage
• to press governments to work to ensure that other countries bring to justice citizens who either incite anti-Christian hatred or engage in anti-Christian violence

Western governments have significant potential influence with other countries through the direction of foreign aid, diplomatic relations, bilateral ties, security arrangements and agreed international commitments to human rights.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said:

It is time for Christians in the West to take a stand and speak out for our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering for their faith. We can no longer allow the governments that represent us to turn a blind eye to the persecution of Christians in their dealings with countries where this is a widespread problem.

Please Pray

Thank God that the Proclaim Freedom petition generated a great deal of interest at the Christian Resources Exhibition last week and pray that it will attract significant further support over the coming months. Pray that Western governments will be moved to use their influence with other countries for the improvement of conditions for all minority groups, especially Christians who are persecuted for their faith.

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