My first "Morning After" blog post for Victory International Church's Women of Destiny!

This Monday was all about revelation, purpose and samosas!

Great food, great fellowship in the presence of our GREAT God! What a blessed and necessary time we women of destiny shared together; sometimes we just need to share share share what God is doing in our lives!

God spoke through our sisters reminding us not to be full in the world but to allow ourselves to be stretched, be willing to be stretched and strengthened by Him. We were also reminded that people are always watching us.

Isn’t it amazing over the years how small this world has become, technology is increasingly creeping into our daily lives and we have all become so dependent on it that sometimes we forget the reality of the souls around us. There are people in need every day looking at us, at the Church –we represent Christ in this world to them. God always leads His children into places of influence, and I for one need to always remember to influence others in the RIGHT way!

The only way to do this is to be PASSIONATE about God, when we’re really all out for Jesus –we begin to understand and truly love Him; and are therefore able to receive His love. As one of our beautiful sisters put it: His people NEED to receive His love, to spend time with Him and in His Word. When we do this we don’t even need to speak about God, we show others what He’s really like.

Have any of you ever gone to church, or a business, or an organization and looked around at the women there and just thought –wow, now she has got it all going for her. 

Sometimes we put women in leadership positions on a pedastal and forget to remember that they too go through trials and temptations, just like us. As sister Angie so eloquently put it, we all go  through “issues too big for tissues”; but we should thank God when we go through our problems because we are going THROUGH them, we’re not stuck and smothered in them –our God will bring us out the other side.

Sister Angie shared an amazing revelation that she had for the Women of Destiny; a reminder that God doesn’t need to use complex formulas and hidden passages to tell us what He wants from us –often it’s His simplest revelation that has the greatest impact on our lives. She told us about one particular day when she was praising God –and that praise moved into WORSHIP. The kind of worship that gets “a little ugly”, tears pouring, crying out to God; and that’s when He spoke to her and revealed something for us all.

Angie taught us the 7Revelations on How to “P”.

Passionately pursue persistently the purpose and plan provided by God for you to prosper. 

7P’s, each one having a unique meaning. We all thought up and discovered synonyms for each of the words and sought out one that really spoke to us; and Angie gave us a bible verse for each “P”

1. PASSIONATELY: Deeply, devotedly, excitedly, intensely

-Galations 2:20

2. PURSUE: seek, accompany, look for, search

- 1Corinthians 14:1-40, 2Timothy 3:16

3. PERSISTENTLY: determinedly, constantly, fervently

- 1Thesselonians 5:17

4. PURPOSE: calling, intention, direction, ambition, proposal

- Jeremiah 29:11, 1Peter 2:9, Psalm 138:8

5. PLAN: design, layout, map, arrangement, outline, pattern

- Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 1:4-5

6. PROVIDED: given, supplied, accomodated, afforded, arranged, bestowed, dispensed, equipped, favoured, fed

- Matthew 6:33, Song of Songs 2:1-17

7. PROSPER: “to journey well”, advance, arrice, bear fruit, thrive, multiply

- Romans 8:28, 3John 1:2, 1Corinthians 3:10-15, Luke 11:28, Song of Songs 2:1-17

So this month, Woman of Destiny you have an assignment –to read the Word of God and find a synonymous word for each “P” that fits YOU –plug it in and share it here with us in the comment section.

What’s my line? To fiercely and vigilantly strive for the calling and design predetermined by God for me to do well (which for me is right in James 2:8 –”However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well”).

Looking forward to hearing all of your synonyms and getting to know your God given purposes! Keep learning, keep sharing –as Angie put it, none of us are here together or reading this by choice or chance, God is calling each one of us uniquely and specifically, and it is our responsibility to respond to our God-given ability. Stay blessed sisters!

by: Serena Samuel

11yr old Christian Boy Tortured and Tormented to Death in Pakistan

via Christians in Pakistan:

As Rimsha, the Christian girl with downs syndrome is charged with blasphemy and awaiting justice, another heinous crime has OCCURRED  with an 11 year old Pakistani Christian boy.

The child, named Samuel, was the resident of a Christian Colony in Faisalabad, Punjab.

Police have said that the young boy was inhumanly tortured before being killed.  On the eve of August 20^th 2012, Samuel had headed to the market from his home and not returned. He was last seen by loved ones leaving for the market, unbeknownst to them that this would be the last time they would see their beloved child; he had been missing since that evening.

Relatives have stated that Samuel's body was found near one of the drains of the Christian Colony on Wednesday. His body so marred that his own relatives could barely recognize it; his lips, nose and belly were cut off and his body was ruthlessly burnt --recognizable only from a birthmark on his forehead.

Pakistani police have sent the body for autopsy.

The residents of the Christian Colony along with Samuel’s family have staged a protest, demanding a proper investigation and arrest of the psychopath murderers. Asiya, Samuel’s mother has informed the police that her family had no dispute or enmity with anyone in the area. She said that “we neither received any phone call for ransom nor were we told that Samuel had committed blasphemy”.

The Assistant Sub-Inspector Shafiq Ahmed has stated that police are investigating all aspects of this case. He said Samuels’s father had passed away a few months ago and the family was very poor, thus, ruling out the possibility that he was kidnapped for ransom. “We have not received a complaint of blasphemy. However we are investigating this possibility as well. The autopsy will determine whether or not the boy was sodomized,” Ahmed said.

The killing has come at a time when fear and despair are especially high in the Christian community, just days after Rimsha an 11year old Christian girl with Down’s Syndrome was arrested by police in Islamabad on a Blasphemy charge for allegedly burning 10 pages of the Quran.

Rimsha Masih’s family and dozens of Christians have fled their homes due to threats from local Muslims.

President Asif Ali Zardari directed the Interior Ministry to investigate the incident and to provide protection to Christians.

Will justice be served to this 11 year old Christian boy? Will his killers be arrested? These questions linger unanswered among Christian Communities of Pakistan. This is not the first time a Christian has been brutally murdered, and often these crimes go unmentioned and unreported. 

Please take a moment to pray for Samuel and Rimsha's families --and for all Christians in Pakistan.

Hindus in Pakistan Migrating to India

via Xavier Patras William:

“We are insecure in Pakistan; we were born here not never accepted as the children of the soil. They say become a Muslim and we will not do anything to you, otherwise you will pay a heavy price” Raj Kumar a resident of Ghotki Sindh said. His daughter was abducted and forcefully converted to Islam. He tried to go to the police and get a FIR registered, but no one stood for him.

Forced marriages have increased at an alarming rate. More than 300 families crossed over to India from Pakistan via the Attari border on Sunday in the wake of their harassment in Sindh province. More have already fled and more are on the way.

Mukesh Kumar a Hindu activist said,” Hindu business men are abducted for ransom in Baluchistan, we have been trying to contact the government, but no one came to our rescue. Our daughters are forcefully taken from the houses and converted, married and sold. What should we do? Where should we go? In 2011 more than 7000 families migrated to India, as their motherland refused to protect them or save their lives. There are at least 5,000 Hindu families who are waiting to move to India but the Pakistani authorities are holding them back. According to immigration officials, over 30 Hindu families have come to India by the train.”

PDSN (The Pakistan Dalit Solidarity Network) Secretary General B M Kutty said on Monday that both the federal and the provincial governments had failed to protect the lives, dignity and properties of the Hindu community and other vulnerable groups, which is creating unrest among a larger section of the population. The kidnapping for ransom, abduction and conversion of Hindu girls; growing lawlessness; forced encroachment of Hindus families properties; and growing violence against minorities in Sindh districts of Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur and Kandhkot had become an everyday story now. The police doesn`t even register a FIR for the Hindu kidnappings.

“We consider the ongoing development as highly unsatisfactory and a cause of great concern for all the citizens. According to the Constitution and international law, it is the responsibility of the state to protect lives and properties of all citizens without any discrimination. Unfortunately, the vulnerable religious groups face tougher social, religious and economic challenges to the extent that that leaving the country is the only option to save their lives.”

The recent national media reports of the migration of Hindu families from Jacobabad, in large numbers, has suddenly caught the attention of the state machinery that is spending more energies on covering the issue than addressing it. The FIA, under the directives of the Federal Interior Minister, reportedly forcibly stopped over 150 Hindus at the Wagah border in Lahore. They were coerced to sign an affidavit committing a return to Pakistan.

These types of pressure tactics are not only a violation of the right to free movement of citizens, they will never help the exodus of the Hindu community that receives little support from the state in terms of security and well-being.

Jamat-e-Islami Chief Syed Munawar Hassan termed the Hindu migration as propaganda. He said, “The religious minorities in Pakistan enjoy all sorts of equal rights. They are free to practice their religion. Pakistan is the only Country in the world which ensures the protection on religious minorities.”

Commenting on forced conversions he said, “ It is the duty of every Muslim to increase the Uma (generation) so that on the day of judgment we can proudly face our creator that we are the largest population and saved so many lives.”

PM Harper wishes all Pakistanis a Happy Independence Day!

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the 65^th Anniversary of Pakistan's independence

14 August 2012

Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the 65^thanniversary of Pakistan’s independence on August 14^th:

“Today I extend my best wishes upon the 65^th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence, which also coincides with the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Canada.

“Canada is home to a vibrant community of Canadians of Pakistani heritage, who continue to make significant contributions to our nation’s cultural, political and economic life.

“On this special occasion, we reflect on these contributions as we celebrate together the long-standing ties between Canada and Pakistan.

“On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I would like to wish Pakistanis, as well as Canadians of Pakistani descent, a happy and festive Pakistan Independence Day.”

Another Booked for Blasphemy

Chairman Jesus World Mission Rev. Zafar Bhatti belongs to Mehmoodabad, Karachi. He shifted to Lahore in the year 2010 and resided at Nawaz Sharif colony Ferozepur road, Lahore. He worked for persecuted Christians.

On 10 July 2012 he shifted to J. Salk colony G 8/I Islamabad. On 11/7/12 an application was filed at the New Town police station Rawalpindi by Ahmed Khan the Deputy Sectary Jamat Ehl-e-Sunnat Rawalpindi. The complainant said that on 11 July 2012 he received two sms on his number +923066771010 from the number +923215223557 containing abusive language about the mother of Prophet Muhammad. They insisted on registering a FIR under section 295 C of the PPC (Pakistan Penal Code) or the religious parties would protest against the police. The New Town Police station Rawalpindi registered a FIR 526/12. 

According to the legal experts anything said or written against Muhammad it comes under 295 B and C which are punishable by death. But this was referred to Muhammad`s Mother, so it falls under 295 A. The FIR is technically registered under the wrong act and should be challenged. 

On 16^th July 2012 around 1pm the police raided Rev. Bhatti`s house and arrested him and his sister in law Nasreen bibi under act 109 (Anyone can be brought to the police station for investigation, but cannot be detained for more than 24 hours without arrest warrants).

In this case Rev. Bhatti was illegally detained, tortured and sent to the jail without proof. The police is trying to put all the blame on him and forcing him to take the blame.

Rev. Bhatti`s wife wrote an application to APMA (All Pakistan Minorities Alliance) to help them. Mr. Khalid Gill on behalf of APMA hired the lawyer Pervaiz Khan to defend Rev. Zafar Bhatti, his appeal for the bail has set for 13^th August 2012 to grant the bail. 

Mr. Khalid Gill from APMA said, “ APMA has always defended the rights of the persecuted minorities in Pakistan. I will continue the struggle of my leader Shahbaz Bhatti. Zafar Bhatti is innocent and we will fight for his freedom. The police registered the FIR under pressure; we will appeal against the wrong section of the FIR.”

The Bishop of Rawalpindi / Islamabad said, “This is indeed a sad incident, another case of misuse of the blasphemy laws. The FIR was registered on the name of unknown person; I fail to understand that how the police is so sure that a person who just shifted to Islamabad sent a blasphemous text message to someone the very next day. Why are they so sure it was Zafar Gill? It is clearly evident that this is because of personal enmity.”

Published on behalf of Xavier William, Pakistan. Many thanks to Mr. William for his updates.

PC Friday Night Movie: The Stoning of Soraya M.

It's almost the weekend, and I thought I'd post an interesting film I found for you all to be able to watch. This movie shares the harsh realities of women living in patriarchal societies --and no I'm not talking about North America, for all the whining feminists out there-- set in Iran 1986, this film depicts an issue that is STILL an issue TODAY. Give it a go and try watching; unlike most things coming out of that region these days-- it's got English subtitles built-in so we can all keep up!

Via IMDB:
"A drama set in 1986 Iran and centered on a man, Sahebjam, whose car breaks down in a remote village and enters into a conversation with Zahra, who relays to him the story about her niece, Soraya, whose arranged marriage to an abusive tyrant had a tragic ending."

Hear Me Out on SoundCloud!

Hey Inquirers!!

From the moment I asked God to lead me, He's been leading me to some pretty unique places and I'm expecting a lot more! I had the opportunity to do two interviews on Power 93.9FM's Reality Radio a couple of weeks ago and I thought I'd share them with you!

Now, I realize maybe not everyone agrees with everything I say (which is A-OKAY) but I hope that this encourages all of you to take another step towards letting God make the plans for you! It's about time we all act on our faith.

Got a BIG problem? Talk to Jesus.

I love the "KEEP CALM AND.." poster trend going around everywhere so I thought I'd make my mark, and show you all how to deal with your frustration with all that's taking place in Pakistan...

Join LTNI November 30 with Keynote Speaker Michael Coren & Special Performance by Ooberfuse --Click Picture for More Information!

LTNI Yard Sale -- We're Selling Our Stuff to Raise Money For Our Mission!!

Day 2 of the #100DayFast - A Message from Serena & Zarin

PLEASE SUPPORT US IN THE #100DayFast FOR LTNI

Hi Inquirers!!

My studies, my family, and my mission have me tied up pretty tight but I wanted to share with you all what I'm doing for the next 98days!!

My younger cousin and literally best friend are taking a HUGE leap of faith and going through a ONE HUNDRED DAY FAST to lift up our lives, families, mission and the persecuted Christians of Pakistan --and to continue to seek guidance and provision from God for the burden he's placed on our lives.

Our families and others have joined together in Love Thy Neighbour International to get some serious work done for Christians that NEED it in Pakistan. We want to lift up our nation to the Lord and bring forth a GREAT HARVEST from within His own chosen people!! We're building a Primary School and Health Clinic in a population of over 100thousand Christians --and where there is a huge need.

If you could take the time to go to: http://www.indiegogo.com/james2-8benefit?c=home&a=942512 & support us in any way, whether it's with a dollar or a hundred dollars every penny counts. 

Stay tuned and I will keep showing you all how our project is progressing and how your support has helped us change the futures of hundreds of children. They crave love, they crave Jesus, they crave knowledge --help us feed their hearts and minds.

To watch Zarin & I as we embark on our #100DayFast journey click here:

Please let us know if there is anything you would also like us to pray with you about so that as we fast we can lift up your needs to Jesus!! He is our Provider!


For Information about LTNI go to: http://www.lovethyneighbourinternational.com/
For more details about the James 2:8 Project go to: http://ltniproject2012.webs.com/