Dialogue with Muslims

Christians need to pursue dialogue with Muslims, according to this Christianity Today writer: "Our religions together represent more than half of the world's population. Members of each community blame the other side for conflicts, both ancient and contemporary. Dialogue, however, presents us with an opportunity to hear Muslim concerns and express our own—such as our desire for greater religious freedom. And dialogue can lead to results." Read more at:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/26.108.html

Military Christians in the News

"In the Bible, 'thou shalt not kill' and 'turn the other cheek' are said to be the word of God. How do these commandments apply when you are a U.S. soldier ordered to defend your country?" asks the North Texas Daily. "Christians and other spiritual believers enlisted in the military are faced with the possibility that they may have to kill while in combat. Many agree that killing in the line of duty is not a contradiction of their faith." The whole article is here:
http://media.www.ntdaily.com/media/storage/paper877/news/2003/02/21/UndefinedSection/Military.Christians.Balance.Combat.Faith-1887135.shtml?sourcedomain=www.ntdaily.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

Military Vows to Wipe Out Christianity

"The military regime in Burma is intent on wiping out Christianity in the country, according to claims in a secret document believed to have been leaked from a government ministry. Entitled 'Programme to destroy the Christian religion in Burma', the incendiary memo contains point by point instructions on how to drive Christians out of the state," reports The Telegraph at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/21/wburma21.xml

Please be in prayer for our Burmese brothers and sisters in Christ!

Free Reading Resources

http://books.google.com/ has scanned many books from major libraries. If you try entering "church", "Christian" or other favorite search terms you'll see some interesting overviews.

BUT, if you click on "full view books" first then you'll get those that you can download freely (as a PDF.) These documents will be copyright-free (generally over 100 years old), but there are some real gems for Christians among these texts. (Thanks to the Military Christian Fellowship of Australia's website for this info! http://www.mcf-australia.com/)

The Responsibility to Protect

"The international community's responsibility to protect endangered populations when their governments fail to do so, and church support for protective measures, has been the subject of lively debate at a World Council of Churches (WCC) workshop at the 20-25 January World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.

The 'responsibility to protect' is an emerging, but controversial, international standard." Read more at:
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_070125indig.shtml

Ancient Wisdom

"...since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides [our God],
who acts on behalf of those
who wait for him."
(Isaiah 64:4).

Bonne Annee!

The French Christian Military Fellowship wishes "bonne annee" -- Happy New Year -- to military Christians throughout the world. They write, "We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and the members of your fellowship a year of blessing, God's direction, and spiritual enrichment."

If you're interested in learning more about French military Christians, their website is at http://umcf.site.free.fr.

What Iraq's Christians Need

"The war in Iraq, soon to enter its fifth year, has become a costly setback for Christianity in that troubled land. Though Iraq has been associated with biblical and Christian history for 5,000 years, the risk remains high that the current short-term disaster will become a long-term catastrophe." The complete Christianity Today article is at:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/12.25.html.

Iraq, Up Close

Michael Yon's excellent reporting and photos from Iraq continues at

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/walking-the-line-2007-3.htm

Strapped to Helicopters and Dodging Bullets...

Four Brits showed their intestinal fortitude in their recovery of a fallen soldier: "When Lance Corporal Matthew Ford was shot during an assault on a Taliban fortress last Monday, his comrades mounted a dramatic rescue mission that saw soldiers being strapped to the wings of helicopter gunships as they crossed a river under heavy enemy fire.

"The remarkable mission, dubbed 'Flight of the Phoenix' by some, did not save the life of the 30-year-old marine who, it turned out, had died instantly from gunshot wounds. But it may gain four courageous marines an honoured place in British military history books. "

The full story is here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,1992035,00.html

Congo's Miracle

Since ACCTS staff members know several military Christians from the Democratic Republic of Congo, we're excited to learn that their nation recently held successful, peaceful democratic elections for the first time in 46 years. Pray for the military Christians in Congo, who are excited for their country's future and eager to share Christ's hope with their co-workers.

Link: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/7.18.html