Leave no man behind.

I think the most amazing leisure time I’ve had recently has been spent with friends and family in discussion; anything and everything can come up and often does in these conversations and it’s so amazing to have like-minded individuals around who share a mutual love for this fellowship. Recently during one such occasion, one of our friends brought up a point that has been on my mind ever since I heard it: that of the value of a life. 

Nowadays people seem to think that everything has a cost, but what is the cost of a life; it’s real value? uncle Rafique Masih gave me the recent example of the Israeli soldier;

Gather up your baggage, it's time to clean up your life!

A friend of mine posted her devotional on Facebook a couple of days ago and it has been stuck in my mind since, I thought it was important to share this with others as I completely agree with her in so many ways..

God is a forward moving being. You can see that in all of His creation: from time and aging to the way we grow mentally, physically.. etc. Should we not be adding spiritually to that as well? What about in other successes? Job growth, finances, family relationships, etc. Why remain stagnant and fear growth (sometimes as though we don't deserve it, or don't even care for it), when the only perfect example for us wants us to GROW, prosper and flourish in the life He has given us....?

October 17, 2011
Devotional- by Christal Wilson
Selah - Holy Dissatisfaction

"There comes a time in every persons life were they must examine the context of their own lives. We must actively and intentionally look at where we've been, where we are and where we should be. Being sure of this, that the urging of God in Christian life should not ever be muted, ignored or overlooked. Being comfortable where we're at spiritually should never supersede being constantly desperate for the next level of who we are by Kingdom standards.

I think that the best picture I could use to describe this is the process of laundry. In cleaning a garment, neither the detergent nor the water have much to do with an item getting clean on their own or together.  Rather, it becomes the process of agitation that instigates a process of change for the item to become clean. If we would adopt a Holy dissatisfaction with just being where we're at and become unsettled in the mundane in hopes of being propelled into our true calling, everything we say we want to see would be within our sights and reach.

There is no rest in our sleeping, but true peace is found in becoming the fullness of who God created us to be. Psalm 119:45 says, "I walk about in freedom, for I have sought your precepts." If we are comfortable and not stirred to see the atmosphere of heaven in everything we seek to do, we will undoubtedly miss each burgeoning opportunity for God's will to come to pass in and through us."

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to... You would cry too if it happened to you. (*NEW* commenting is now available! try it out!)

I used to love this song when I was younger, and for some reason it popped into my head when I wrote this blog last week so I thought I’d post it for you to listen to as well:

(*I mean absolutely no disrespect with this, actually I'd think of it kind of like a satirical version of life today.. evil's always crashing the party. Kids can be mean but mean adults can do a lot more damage.*)

Last week was my birthday and I celebrated with the two joys that students quite often miss out on: sleep and a home cooked meal (or several). The one thing that I did not miss out on between my “eat-sleep-eat-sleep-eat-sleep-day” was what was going on in Egypt. The protests of early October were all over the news and I couldn’t help but sit in my warm comfortable living room and cry out in shock when I saw those tanks rolling up towards my brothers and sisters there.

The Background of Blasphemy

Thanks to YouTube User: EmpaticNo for producing and posting this very well made video on the background of how Blasphemy Law came into existence prior to the creation of Pakistan.

PC Community Flash - October 3, 2011 - LTNI Participates in Roundtable Consultation on Office of Religious Freedom

Here is the report on the event from the LTNI website:

Conference on the Office of Religious Freedom
Foreign Affairs Canada, 125 Sussex, Robertson Auditorium, Ottawa
October 3, 2011

The conference was attended by approximately 100 participants from all spectrums of the society including; Federal Ministers, MPs, Academia, NGOs, and human rights organizations. Canadians of Pakistani Christian background were represented by a dozen delegates, seven of which addressed the conference and presented community views and concerns. 

Hon. John Baird Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in his opening speech to the conference assured Canada’s commitment to the promotion of freedom of religion around the world and specifically paid tribute to Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti and Salman Taseer, who give their lives for this cause. The tribute the Shahbaz Bhatti was echoed by all panelists and many conference attendees, who also thanked Peter Bhatti Chairman International Christian Voice (ICV) for the participation in this conference.

Mr. Bhatti, attended the conference accompanied by two ICV executives. He was very well received by Hon John Baird, MP Robert (Bob) Dechert, a majority of the panelists, and conference attendees. In his remarks to the conference Mr. Bhatti applauded the Prime Minister and his team for this undertaking, and offered suggestions by ICV for the need and working of this office.

Hamilton South Asian Christian community was well represented by Mrs. Phoebe Samuel and Mr. Vincent Samuel at this conference on the office of religious freedom in Ottawa. Mr. Samuel thanked Rt Hon Stephen Harper, Hon John Baird, and MP Bob Dechert, for their leadership in championing this cause. He also thanked MP David Sweet for extending an invitation to attend the conference.  In his presentation Mr. Samuel spoke of the context of a religious / Christian minority in the oppressed society in Pakistan to the conference, to help develop this new office. He presented these following six approaches to promotion of freedom of religion:

PC Community Flash - Oct 3, 2011: Hon Minister John Baird Holds a Roundtable Consultation on Office of Religious Freedoms

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird holds a roundtable consultation on October 3, 2011, regarding the establishment of Canada's Office of Religious Freedom at the headquarters of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in Ottawa. Minister Baird welcomed close to 100 religious leaders, association representatives and experts from across Canada to give their input as the government prepares to deliver on its promise of establishing an Office of Religious Freedom.

‪"It is our common duty to defend the rights of the afflicted, and to give voice to the voiceless," Minister Baird said. He added, "Our positions will not soften, our determination will not lessen, and our voices will not be diminished until all citizens can enjoy the freedoms and rights we hold to be universal and true."

This is one of several consultations the government is conducting across the country and around the world. The Office of Religious Freedom is a key priority for the government. The commitment was included in the Speech from the Throne on June 3, 2011, and again in Minister Baird's speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2011.

http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/speeches-discours/2011/2011-034.aspx

Address by Minister Baird at Office of Religious Freedom Stakeholder Consultations

No. 2011/34 - Ottawa, Ontario - October 3, 2011

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to join you this morning. This is an opportunity to exchange ideas on a key priority for our government: establishing an Office of Religious Freedom.

We announced our intention to do so in the Speech from the Throne on June 3. And I repeated our commitment most recently at the United Nations General Assembly this past week in New York.

This office will be created to promote and protect freedom of religion and belief, consistent with core Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Most importantly, it will demonstrate that Canada truly is a free society.

Canadians enjoy the rights and privileges that come with living in a free and democratic society in which human rights are respected. We are also keenly aware of the struggles that religious minorities face around the world.