Henriet's Blog

Pray for the release of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and for other persecuted Christians

On February 23, Reverend Franklin Graham appeared on Greta Van Susteren's On The Record to discuss the plight of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and to urge people to pray for his release. 

Pastor Nadarkhani, 34, leads a church network in Rasht, Iran. He is being held and now has been sentenced to death by hanging because he refuses to recant his Christian faith. He was arrested in October 2009 because he protested the Iranian government's decision to force all children to be taught about Islam. He did not want his own (or other) Christian children to be subjected to that. He has been in prison ever since. Over time the charges against him were changed to apostasy (falling away from Islam) and evangelism (from Islam to Christianity). In September 2010, he was convicted and sentenced to death. The sentence for apostasy is hanging. Appeals to the Supreme Court of Iran failed. The court said his death sentence could be annulled if he recanted his faith. Nardakhani never was a Muslim but because his parents were Muslim, he is considered a national Muslim and required to recant his Christian faith. This past week he refused to disavow his faith four times, the final one being on Wednesday. Now many fear his death is imminent. Pastor Nadarkhani's wife, Fatema Pasindedih, and his two sons, Daniel (9) and Yoel (7) wait to learn further news on Pastor Youcef's fate.

According to the Christian Post, the White House and the U.S. State Department issued statements to demand Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's immediate release on February 23, 2012. 

This story has grabbed international attention and has highlighted the plight of many Christians who suffer because of their faith. The killing of Christians started very soon after Jesus' death and resurrection. Stephen was stoned for his faith as recorded in Acts 7.

I cannot relate to that level of suffering. Sure, I have had some tough times but I have never faced death because I believe in Jesus. During Lent, as I "sacrifice" eating sugar and refined carbs, I am painfully aware how shallow this is compared to what my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world face on a daily basis. Will you join me in praying for Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all the other Christians who are suffering for their faith? An organization dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians is The Voice of the Martyrs. Do you know of other stories of people suffering for their faith that we could support in prayer? Let's really make this time of Lent count by praying for suffering Christians!

Lent is about following Jesus and sacrifice

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”   Jesus in Mark 8:34-38, NLT

I need to be reminded all the time to keep my focus on Jesus and not try to do things my way. Jesus' message is paradoxical...to keep my life and truly live I need to let go of my (old) life. It's a daily walk, a daily choice. What better time to practice following Jesus than these weeks as we prepare for Easter? I definitely do not want him to be ashamed of me!

Lent: A Time to Prepare for Easter

Today is Ash Wednesday. It is the beginning of Lent, a 40-day preparation for Easter. Ash Wednesday actually occurs 46 days before Easter but Sundays are exempt from this time of repentance and abstinence. Sundays are set aside for worship and celebration. The other 40 days of Lent are a time for self-denial as we focus on Jesus and his road to the cross. Many Christians choose to give things up during Lent. I've given up sugar, coffee, TV and other things in previous years. I think sacrificing something during this season is a great discipline that helps me think about what it cost Jesus to go to the cross to secure our salvation.

The Center for Biblical and Theological Education at Seattle Pacific University put together a free study plan that can be used as a resource during Lent. I highly recommend this resource.

This year, I plan to give up sugar and refined carbs. I also plan to work through this study. What are your plans for Lent? Will you give something up as you prepare for Easter?

Enjoy Fat Tuesday aka Mardi Gras!

Today is Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday in French. This celebration came to the United states in 1699 with the French explorer Iberville.  Check out my blog post on Mardi Gras.

For some people it's a day to eat, drink and be merry. Why? Because Lent starts tomorrow. Traditionally, Lent is a time of abstinence and repentance as we get ready for celebrating Easter. 

Do you celebrate Mardi Gras?

Belle the Boxer Finds Her New Home

As a third generation boxer owner I can honestly say boxers are the only dogs for me. They are just wonderful and suit our family's personality. My husband and son are boxer lovers too. They've been eager to get another one after our previous boxer had cancer and died on June 26, 2010. We've waited to get just the right one for our family. A few months ago, Jill Dyche posted a boxer on her Facebook wall that needed rescueing. We could not do it at that time but it started the ball rolling. We had never rescued before. So after talking with Jill we were determined to rescue rather than get another puppy. Our first attempt to get a dog from a local boxer rescue did not work at all. Then, also via Facebook, Charlotte Campanella put us in contact with Northwest Boxer Rescue. They were great and matched us with the perfect boxer for us.

Meet Belle!

She is 3-years-old and was used to breed. Her owners dropped her off at a shelter eight weeks after her last litter. Luckily she was rescued by Northwest Boxer Rescue and put in a loving foster home for about a month. We met and adopted her on February 4, 2012. We named her Belle. She is a beauty! She had lived a beastly life but now will be loved and have a safe home.

Consider Rescue

This morning I was at a doctor's office. The nurse asked if I had plans for this coming weekend. I mentioned that we would be home to play with our new dog. She told me her mom has a rescued boxer. I'm running into people all the time now who rescue dogs. Very cool!

If you're thinking of getting a dog, check out dog rescue! If you're looking for a boxer, contact Christian at Northwest Boxer Rescue. They really are in need of foster and adoptive homes right now. Another puppy mill breede... so now they have lots of boxers that need a good home. Do you have room for a wonderful dog?

Have you ever rescued? I would love to hear your dog story!

Henriet's Blog Now at www.henrietsblog.com

I thought I'd make it easier to find me and to follow my blog. For year's I have been trying to get "Henriet.com." No such luck! So, I did the next best thing...and acquired "Henrietsblog.com" for my blog. 

Same blog. Same Henriët. Different URL! 

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Charles Schulz Quote on Love

In honor of February and Valentine's Day, here's a quote from the creator of Peanuts.

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.”  Charles M. Schulz