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! 

If you're subscribed by email...nothing changes. If you're not yet subscribed to get notices about my latest blog posts...there's no time like the present. :) 

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

Great Calm Amidst Great Fear

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them,“Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them,“Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”  

Mark 4:35-41, ESV

Great fear

The disciples were in a huge storm that frightened them greatly. Yet, after the storm ceased, it was Jesus who they truly feared. They were in awe of him. 

Jesus is the one I need to fear. There is nothing in this world I need to be afraid of because Jesus has overcome the world and is greater than any issue or circumstance I can ever face. 

He could sleep in the midst of a raging storm because he knew that the storm really was in the "teacup of the world." In the true reality, the spiritual dimension beyond our visible reality, all was calm. Great calm! 

He asked the disciples why they were so afraid. They feared becaue they looked at the circumstances instead of at the author of life and the rule of all things. Lack of faith causes fear. Faith leads to peace on earth and fear (awe) of God. Perfect love casts out fear. Jesus is perfect love.

Great calm

This passage challenges me not to look at the weather forcast or the weather. Instead I need to look beyond the earth's atmosphere to God's reality for true peace and great calm...in the midst of circumstances.

Men: Beware of these 9 Phrases

My mother sent this to me via email. Have you seen it before? These "Nine words and phrases women use" are written as a warning guide for men. It's funny because it's so true. I was surprised that after significant personal growth and 30 years of marriage this still applies! Do you relate?

Guys, this one is for you! I hope it helps!

Nine words and phrases women use... (a communication guide for men)*

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question or faint. Just say you're welcome. (Warning clause: This is true unless she says, "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome"... That will bring on a 'whatever').
8. Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying, "Go to h#!!..."
9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

* Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.

Thanks to Dina Dijkxhoorn via Erskine Austin for sending this to me. Do you have a funny story, great quote or cartoon? Please send them to me at info@sempervita.org and I'll share them on Fridays!

You Are Just Like Snow!

Forgive us Western Washingtonians...we've got snow on the brain. It is melting today but we have had a lot of it. I have not left my house for days, just like everyone else around here. Maybe that's why I'm comparing everything to... snow.

We are just like snow!

Snow is intriguing and fascinating. It is mesmerizing when it comes down in all its forms. Sometimes it falls in big flakes swirlingly floating to the ground. Sometimes it resembles a fine mist. It can even come down in mini snowballs that look hail but are a type of snow. 

Gathered snow looks like a big white, beautiful blanket. Lots of snow looks great but the individual snowflake is truly amazing. We have all heard it before...each one is unique! All snowflakes may look alike but they are orginals, every one of them.

That's how we are like snow

We are just like that! We are each unique. One-of-a-kind. God made us original, according to his image. He did not make batches of Bobs or piles of Paulas. He made individuals! I love that. It's why I love coaching using StrengthsFinder and Myers-Briggs. Every person is so interesting! And, every person is one tiny aspect of God's entire Person. Just like the snowflake. Mind boggling!

Often we look at people as a group, clan or race. We see them from afar and totally miss the wonderful individuality. Just like when we only look at the blanket of snow. It's looks great but we miss the true beauty.

Let's not miss the wonder of what God created in the people around us. Let's all choose to look closer and truly see and hear each other! Pass it on...