Hebrews Thirteen Three: Write a letter to the Chinese representative at the U.N.

**** Just an update on this post. Since I sent the email, it was returned to me. Something about they couldn't get through to the receiving address. I'm detirmined that this means nothing in light of my great God! He knows my petition. He's read my email. And He's got the Chinese representative at the U.N.'s heart in His hands.***

I just did something I've never done before. It felt really good!!! I wrote an email to the Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the U.N. in regards to an old woman in China who's been thrown in prison for sharing her faith in Christ.

You can read about Shuang's story here and write her a letter yourself. But, if you want to go a step further you can also email the ambassador to China and/or the Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the U.N. here.

As I was writing I was really driven to prayer even more. I mean I've written to my brothers and sisters in prison before, and felt helpless to do anything for them as it is, which has brought me to my knees, seeking the care of the Father. But while writing this short email, I thought, "They'll never read this! And if they do, this isn't going to make any difference!" And then I remembered not to put my hope in princes, but to write it, putting my hope in God who has the kings' heart in His hands.

I sorta felt like Esther on a very microscopic level. It's only the Father who can persuade the heart of the communist leaders of China and the captors of Shuang and others, and yet He has allowed them to rule. So in dependence on the Father I wrote this to the representative of China to the U.N.:

Dear Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United
Nations,

On January 26, 2007, 76-year-old Shuang Shuying was arrested. Shuying has
numerous medical problems. The story of this case has been circulated
around the world and thousands of Christians know about it. We ask that she be
released from all charges. We are praying for you as a leading spokesman for
your country.

In Sincerity,
Sheila Dougal

Would you like to join me?

Pray about it.

Redeeming the time

Lessons from Wurmbrand and the Ephesian church

At church this past Sunday, as the Pastor was teaching through a section of Acts 19, something he said really caught me. He said something to the effect of, "The Ephesian believers didn't protest the propagation of idols in Ephesus, they simply lived out the message and preached the Word."

When he said that I was reminded of an article I read in my free monthly newsletter from VOM for January 2009. It's the first article in the publication, which is always a letter from the director of VOM, Dr. Tom White.

Dr. White wrote about finding the window in the wall of our lives when we seem to be restrained by human laws or opposition to living out our faith in Christ. The article made me realize something I, as an American Christian, am very weak in. My faith hasn't been opposed much and when it is I have this knee-jerk reaction of protesting and using the governmental system to fight for my "religious rights."

Dr. White wrote this of Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of VOM:

Richard Wurmbrand used to annoy some Christians about their campaign to restore prayer in schools. Mystified, he would say, "Why do you need a campaign? Just have your children bow their heads and pray." We become so worried about legal walls and petty penalties that we forget there is always a window, even when there are trivial earthly consequences.

MMM-mmm! I'm convicted. In my own marriage I tend to get all bent outta shape and start demanding my rights as a wife when I get sideways looks, or probing questions, concerning what I do by faith following Christ. But rather than getting upset that I'm not free to worship as I please, I should praise God that I AM free to worship as I please and embrace the opposition as an opportunity to let God's Spirit of grace and truth be seen in me.

Like my brothers and sisters of old in Ephesus, the land I live in is filled with idols. But rather than staging a protest or pointing a finger, let me follow their example and press on praying, worshipping the Lord, reaching out a hand of mercy and humbly, yet boldly, speaking God's truth.

Oh Father, it really comes down to why we're worshipping (why I'm worshipping). Are we living as Christians so we can have a good conservative life in America? Am I living as a Christian so I can have a good conservative marriage? Or are we living as Christians so that we might be light in this dark world and possibly draw others to come to You? (Am I living as a Christian wife so I can be a light in this house and possibly draw my family to Jesus?) Help me Jesus. Help me to rejoice at opposition not protest it. Help me to fix my face towards heaven yet reach out merciful hands on this earth.

Redeeming the time

Hebrews Thirteen Three Sunday

I just want to take some time each Sunday morning to post about and pray about my brothers and sisters in hostile nations. My heart is this: Every Sunday (or almost every Sunday) I take my sons to worship Jesus with our friends without any fear of ANYTHING! Oftentimes while I'm singing or taking in the teaching of the Word I look around and I get pictures in my mind of huddle up peoples in Iran or North Korea, China or Indonesia, meeting in secret to sing with their friends, songs of praise to Jesus and to hear the treasured Word of God.

It's my prayer that we in America would be so united in spirit with Christ's body around the world that when we worship through song and the teaching of the Word we would be remembering those in prison and those who are mistreated for worshipping Jesus.

So this morning as I get ready to go to church I'm thinking of the body in North Korea.

The Persecution Blog has this post concerning North Korea:

Today I wanted to share with you an article from Voice of America
has an article detailing the persecution in North Korea. Here's a snip from that
article.

Religious and human rights groups estimate that
150,000 to 200,000 people are believed to be held in political prison camps in
remote areas of North Korea, some for religious reasons. Prison conditions are
harsh, and refugees and defectors who have been in prison said that prisoners
held on the basis of their religious beliefs generally are treated worse than
other inmates.

Rather than allowing for religious freedom, the North
Korean regime continues to promote a cult of personality surrounding leader Kim
Jong-il and his father. The practice remains an important ideological
underpinning of the regime, at times resembling tenets of a state religion.

If you are not already praying for North Korea on a daily
basis, please begin. Can you imagine what that country will look like once
Christians have their freedom. It could be amazing! Pray much, pray up and pray
often.

In my free monthly newsflyer from VOM I read about North Korea. As I read I thought, "Wow! Here I thought the stories like that of Daniel under the captivity of Nebuchadnezzar were thousands of years old. They're not! They're present day!" In North Korea, when people walk by a giant statue (idol) of their dictator and his father, they are expected to bow in worship before it. Their children are taught hymns about the dictatorship and every house is expected to hang pictures of their rulers on their walls, idolizing them. I read about one woman's story of coming to know Jesus through the prayers of her uncle in China. And the ensuing torture she endured at the hands of the government in prison simply for reading a Bible in secret in her own home.

There are more like that woman still in North Korea today. This very hour they may be singing and praying in prison just like Paul and Silas and they may be being tortured and abused too.

Let's sing with them and pray with them this morning! For we are ONE body!

Father, I pray that You would stir the hearts of the guards and captors who abuse and torture your saints in prisons in North Korea today. I pray you would stir their hearts to see Your power and Your love for them. I pray You would so reveal Yourself to those who are mistreated that they would be able to endure withs songs and with prayer and not loose heart. Be their food. Be their comfort. Be their pain relief. Be their friend. Be their light. Be their confidence!

Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent
men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. -
Psalm 140:1

****Resources to make you aware:

• Go here to join a prayer campaign for North Korea.
• Go here to sign up for a 10 minute prayer slot for North Korea.
• Go here to sign up for weekly email updates for the prayer campaign for North Korea.
• Go here to sign up for Letters from America and send a letter to be broadcast by radio from South Korea into North Korea.

This is an amazing work! Here's a video about it:


Thanks to Open Doors for all this wonderful information and oppurtunity concerning North Korea.

In all your listening, listen to this

The Voice of the Martyrs now has a website where you can listen to news podcasts about current persecution against Christians around the world. This is news you WON'T hear on your local news or even cable news shows.

As I was listening to this podcast updating news of violence against Christians in India and Ethiopia I thought, "This is so easy to overlook! This is news which is so easy to not hear! Lord, help me to take the time to listen and pray and remember my brothers and sisters! May Your grace and mercy flood these areas through these children of Yours."

Remember those who are in chains and mistreated with me today!

Hebrews 13:3

Sheila

China's Christians aren't lukewarm- they can't be!

Last night as I watched China's athletes come out for a gymnist competition I looked at their faces and had to fight back the tears because I heard, "They cannot be a Christian without loosing everything!"

The choice is very clear there. The cost is very evident. There's no lukewarmness there like there is here. We too must make a clear choice. For us too- we cannot be Christians without "loosing" everything, for Jesus said, "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:33)

In honor of Christ. In honor of those great witness who've gone before us and who live and die far away from us right now, let us check ourselves to be sure we are loosing EVERYTHING to follow Christ. Let us not hold tightly to anything in exchange for knowing Jesus!

A message to you from the captive church

This is a quote from Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of the Voice of the Martyrs, he himself a martyr (though he didn't die in captivity, he suffered greatly and was a great witness of Christ, and that's really what it means to be a martyr- be a witness). He wrote these words in the jarring book, Tortured for Christ (you can get a free copy at this link)- listen for China's voice amongst this today:

As a member of the Underground Church who has survived and escaped, I have brought you a message, an appeal, a plea from my brethren whom I have left behind.

They have sent me to deliver this message to you. Miraculously I have survived to deliver it.

I have told you of the urgency of bringing Christ to the Communist world and other captive nations. I have told you of the urgency of helping the families of Christian martyrs. I have told you of practical ways you can help the Underground Church fulfill its mission of spreading the gospel.

When I was beaten on the bottom of the feet, my tongue cried. Why did my tongue cry? It was not beaten. It cried because the tongue and feet are both part of the same body. And you as free Christians are part of the same Body of Christ that is now beaten in prisons in restricted nations, that even now gives martyrs for Christ. Can you not feel our pain?

The Early Church in all of its beauty, sacrifice, and dedication has come alive again in these countries.

While our Lord Jesus Christ agonized in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter, James, and John were a mere stone's throw away from the greatest drama of history- but they were dead asleep. How much of your own Christian concern and giving is directed toward the relief of the martyr church? Ask your pastors and church leaders what is being done in your name to help your brothers and sisters in restricted nations around the world.

In these countries, the drama, bravery, and martyrdom of the Early Church are happening all over again- now- and the free Church sleeps.

Our brethren there, alone and without help, are waging the greatest, most courageous battle of the twentieth century, equal to the heroism, courage, and dedication of the Early Church. And the free Church sleeps on, oblivious of their struggle and agony, just as Peter, James and John slept in the moment of their Savior's agony.

Will you also sleep while your brethren in Christ suffer and fight for the gospel?

Will you hear our message: "Remember us, help us"?

"Don't abandon us!"

Now I have delivered the message from the faithful, martyred Church- from your brothers and sisters suffering in the bonds of atheistic communism, and under attack across the world from Indonesia to Africa. Don't abandon them.

Please take a minute right now to pray for the believers in China and other captive nations.

Prayer for China

(This is Shuang Shuying- a 76 year old beloved of Jesus imprisoned in China while walking next to the Olympic site with her house-church-leader son)

Father God, as I listened today to the message about David and Saul, about how Saul was dead yet even though he had persecuted and tried to kill David, David wept and truly loved Saul.

It made me think of the Christians in China and so many other places, who truly love their "Saul"- the people who govern over them. They desire to do no harm, only to spread the love of Christ and even to serve those who rule over them as though they served Christ Himself and yet their "Saul" continues to crazily chase and persecute them.

Father I pray you would strengthen the hearts of believers in China and other hostile places. I pray your love would so overflow their hearts that what the enemy is meaning for evil against Your people would only be used for good. I pray the very puppets in the enemy's hand who persecute Your people would be able to see Jesus! Reveal Jesus to them Father and draw them into Your kingdom.

Be the hiding place and the strong tower of refuge for Your people to run to while their "Saul" chases them. Send Your salvation rampantly throughout China LORD, and throughout the nations where Your people suffer for Your name's sake.

On your way to church today remember

(Chinese Christians worshipping Jesus "illegally" in a house church in China)

Today in China many lovers of Jesus are risking imprisonment, torture, loss of home, job, income, reputation, etc. to get together with each other and pray, read God's word, sing to the Lord and enjoy fellowship in the Spirit together.

Whether you've already been to worship with your friends at church this morning or you're on your way, please remember your brothers and sisters in China.

When you close your eyes to sing that song which pierces your heart and causes you to overflow in worship remember that your sister and brother in China are courageously singing unto the Lord knowing that at anytime the governing authorities could break down their doors and begin imposing punishment for their "illegal" activity.

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." Hebrews 13:3

Related links:

• The War For China's Soul (from Time magazine)
• Pastor Zhang “Bike” Mingxuan and Wife Arrested
• Olympic Persecution – Chinese Pastor Appealing Labor Camp Sentence
• Write a letter of encouragement to Zhang Rongliang

Remember. And...I want to be a "Rebelutionary" Mom

Remember...

Today is the first day of the Olympics in China. Until the Olympics are over I resolve to post something each day to bring awareness and stir someone (mostly myself) up to prayer concerning China, it's government, and it's people.

"Remember Jesus Christ...for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!" - 2 Timothy 2:8a, 9

In China those words I just typed out are ILLEGAL! But no matter how a government tries to bind up the word of God with it's human laws, THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND!!!!

In China it is illegal to print, speak, sing, or share in anyway the Word of God in your own home, with a child, on the street as you walk, or in a housechurch meeting. The only place China says the word of God can be spoken is in one of the state TSPM Churches...and even there the government monitors what is spoken and preached.

The nations may rage. China can impose all the laws it wants to, but the word of God is not bound. Yet people who are the vessels through which the FREE word of God is delivered are bound...as though they were criminals.

In my flesh I want to get angry about this. I mean, how can a "modern", advanced, intellectual, wealthy society think that it's okay to throw someone in prison for freely sharing these words, "For God so loved the world (even China) that He gave His only Son. That whoever (even China) would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it." (John 3:16-17) But the gentle, yet almighty Spirit of God reminds me that getting angry makes no difference- prayer does!

Please take the time to today to pray and remember our brothers and sisters in China who are treated as criminals for sharing the FREE word of God with bound-up souls.

And...

I want to be a Rebelutionary Mom.

I began reading the book Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris yesterday, and I want to be, in fact, I am a Rebelutionary Mom by the grace of God. I'm sure I'll have this book finished by today and the impact it's dose of courage is bringing me will not be finished I pray for a lifetime.

I was grabbed by the Rebelutionary Blog the first time I read a post they wrote on what a real woman is. When I realized it was written by teens I was blown away! Why? Because I too have this unconscious judgement that teenagers shouldn't be so....wise! The article spurred me on to finding out more about these guys and I ran into a world-wide movement that I was completely unaware of. I was so encouraged and challenged by what I was reading on their blog that I decided to order their book "Do Hard Things."

Opening it and reading the dedication page, I was moved:

To our parents, Gregg and Sono Harris

This book is the message of your lives.

Our triumph is your triumph. We love you.

It's just the dedication page and they've already got me!!!!

It opened up a message the Lord has been stirring in my heart for sometime now, "Be what you want your kids to be." I want to be the kind of mom to my sons who leaves a message that burns in my heart (chiefly knowing Christ and bringing others to know Him) impressed in their hearts.

This book isn't just for teens. It really is a challenge to parents too. It's a challenge to invest your life in the spiritual labor of building up another soul for the kingdom of God...beginning with your own children.

I don't care especially that my sons write a book or start a website, that they are famous or successful at all by this world's standards. I DO care that they not let fear and this world's philosophy keep them bound by lies and floating like dead fish in the downward stream of comfortable living. I want them to BELIEVE they've been redeemed by Jesus and BELIEVE that He's created them new, despite their flesh which they must still contend with, and STAND on that belief as they do GOD things- partnering with God in changing lives and building up HIS kingdom.

It really begins with me. True, if I refuse to take up this challenge to do the hard thing of training my children in the ways of the Lord, trusting that I'm doing it in HIS strength and that He's partnering with me to build up His kingdom, God will still be sure to find someone who will believe in Him and build up the souls of my sons for His glory. But I'LL miss out on being the one God partnered with to do such a humanly impossible thing.

So pray for CHINA. Remember, make yourself aware that there's more going on the world than just what's going on in your little world. And pray!!!

And BE A REBELUTIONARY MOM! Train your kids to do hard things for God's glory by His grace.

Hebrews Thirteen Three: China

The Olympics begin in China in 7 days. All eyes will be on the China we can see on t.v. and it's the China, China wants us to see. But there's more than meets the eye.

Recently, the Lord began turning my heart towards praying for the people who make my clothes. Now almost every time I put on something or buy something I check to see where it's made and I'd say at least 90 % of the time it's made in China. It's made me realize that there are human hands, and human hearts, with a need for forgiveness and salvation, love and mercy, behind the comforts I take for granted everyday. It's turned my heart towards China even more. I mean somewhere in China is a woman or man, maybe even a child, using skill, craft and labor to make something I use to cover my body. This is the China we don't see on t.v. There are no ceremonies or games for sewing.

When there has been a brief light shed on the Chinese men and women who labor for our supply, it's shameful. In light of human rights we would look upon the working conditions of some of these places and say, "That's not fair!" Maybe it's not, but that's not the perspective I'm taking here. Mine is one that skips right past the middle-man of world-governing powers, over issues such as labor laws, and goes straight to the Creator, Lover and Redeemer of souls. What I want to remember and speak out for is prayer and thanksgiving, intercession and evangelism.

Prayer. I want to pray that if there be any Christians who labor to make my clothes and things I use everyday, and they are treated harshly or not cared for rightly, that the message of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 would be revealed to these dear brothers and sisters, " Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. So, brothers,in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God." (ESV). I pray that they would know they are not slaves of men, but they serve the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray they would be lights in the dark places they labor to those who truly are slaves in their souls. I pray that the message of the gospel would spread and create a workforce of worshipers of Jesus who are truly free.

Thanksgiving. I give thanks for what I wear. I don't know how to sew, and I certainly couldn't afford to make my own clothes even if I did. But I can afford to buy something at a store which was made by hands in China. I thank God for these who serve me in such a way.

Intercession. I pray to the God who establishes leaders and governments, who stirs the hearts of bosses and people in authority. Father, I lift up the souls who made the garments I wear. You know who they are. Send out your ministering angels and your workers in the field to them. Reveal Jesus to them. Show them the One who truly makes them free.

Evangelism. Lord of the harvest, send Your workers into the fields of those who labor behind the scenes in China. Send men and women out from house churches and neighborhoods to the hands who made my clothes. Encourage the hearts of those who spread Your Gospel in China. May they see right past the attempts of government to stop the spread of Your word as You have said, "The gates of hell will not prevail against..." them.

I encourage you to go to the China Aid website or the Voice of the Martyrs website and get a Pray for China bracelet and educate yourself about what's really going on in China. Please remember, as the Spirit urges us to:

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

~Sheila~

Of note: Read about President Bush's meeting with Chinese human and religious rights leaders and pray for Mr. Bush's trip to China and his conversations with Chinese leaders.

Father, I pray for boldness. I pray that You would stir the hearts of Chinese leaders to favor Your people in China.

A Hebrews Thirteen Three post: Pray for China

August 8th is the beginning of the Olympic games in China, but a much more arduous race has already begun in China... a race of endurance and of faith.

The Voice of the Martyrs along with China Aid is using the spotlight opportunity that is shining on China in these Olympics to call us Christians around the world to attention and to prayer.

I don't want to be a spectator in these Olympics, for I have brothers and sisters in China who, "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops." (2 Timothy 2:3-6)

Won't you join me to do more than sit and watch in these upcoming Olympic games. Join me in praying for our brothers and sisters in China who suffer simply for the name of Christ and for loving others to Him. And let us pray also for the Chinese leaders and government, police and prison workers, that their hearts might be one over by the love of Christ which proceeds out of the lives of the people they persecute.

"I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." - 1 Timothy 2:1-3

• Be sure to get your free Olympic prayer bracelet here.


• For more information on China the state of the church there go here to the Voice of the Martyrs site.


• For more detailed accounts coming out of China go to China Aid.