Iran holds trials on Easter for 12 jailed Christians

TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)– Twelve Christians were to stand trial in Iran on Easter Sunday on charges  including “crimes against the order”, an activist assisting them with advocacy told BosNewsLife.

Jason DeMars, director of the Present Truth Ministries group, said Friday that the Christians are facing the court in the northeastern city of Rasht, though “they were earlier for the same ‘crimes’ last year in [the Caspian Sea city of] Bandar Anzali.”

“This highlights once again, that it is illegal to be a Christian in Iran,” De Mars said.

Among the Christians is Pastor Matthias Haghnejad and his wife Anahita Khadeimi, he explained. Others were identified as Mahmoud Khosh-Hal and his wife Hava Saadetmend, Amir Goldoust, Mina Goldoust, Zhaina Bahremand, Fatemah Modir-Nouri, Mehrdad Habibzade, Milad Radef, Behzad Taalipasand and Amin Pishkar.

It comes amid reports of mounting pressure on devoted Christians in Iran, including former Muslims, amid a rapidly growing house church movement in the Islamic nation.

“We pray that God gives them courage to stand for their faith, to express themselves clearly and to bring him honor and glory. We also pray that he touches the heart of the judges to acquit these saints of these “crimes,” DeMars told supporters receiving his electronic newsletters.

Full story: http://www.bosnewslife.com/21171-news-alert-12-iranian-christians-stand-trial-easter-sunday

More stories on Iran holding Christians: http://deskofbrian.com/?s=iran+christians

Looking at Christ's Birth: Merry Christmas

This is a fascinating look at scripture, historical records, and astrological estimates.

http://www.versebyverse.org/doctrine/birthofchrist.html

The rundown is below after the analysis:

1. Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem for the "census" (registration) at the very close of the Jewish civil year (an apt time for a registration of peoples to occur) in late Summer, 3BC, Lk.2:1.
2. Jesus was born in a stable in the early evening hours (just as the Jewish calendar advanced to 1 Tishri) of September 11, 3BC.
3. He was circumcised on September 19, 3BC, Lk.2:21
4. He was dedicated in the Temple on October 21, 3BC.
5. Luke says, "they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth", Lk.2:39. This means that they did not go to Egypt after the birth of Christ. After all, they had only gone to Bethlehem for the "census", not to move there. So, the family returned to Nazareth in the latter part of October (during that time, they located a house to live in).
6. Then for some reason (they probably thought that a better place to raise the Messiah would be in Jerusalem’s back yard) they decided to move to Bethlehem. This could have been in the Spring or Summer of 2BC. They set up house there, Mt.2:11.
7. Then on December 25, 2BC, when the planet Jupiter came to its stationary point in mid-Virgo and was in meridian over Bethlehem, the Magi arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts meant for a king.
8. Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt, having been forewarned by an angel in late December, 2BC.
9. Herod killed the male children "in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi", Mt.2:16. This matter of killing two-year-old children can now make good sense. If Jesus was born in September, 3BC, the slaying of infants was about 15 months after His birth. If the conception period were also considered, it comes to 24 months exactly.
10. Joseph and Mary returned from Egypt, having been told that Herod was dead (Herod died in January, 1BC) and took up residence in Nazareth, Mt.2:19-23.
11. In the spring of 11AD, Jesus visited Jerusalem with His parents and observed Passover, Lk.2:41-42.
12. Jesus began His public ministry just after He reached the age of 31, in October or November, 29AD. This satisfies the statement in Lk.3:23 "And when He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age…".

2nd grader sent home for drawing of Jesus on the Cross

Merry Christmas!

Please don't let your child draw a picture of their savior in our secular school system or he/she may be sent home. Sound ridiculous?

From the article:

"The boy drew the picture shortly after taking a trip with his family to see the Christmas display at the La Salette Shrine, a Christian retreat in nearby Attleboro, Massachusetts. "

The child is EXCITED and at age eight, he drew what he was excited about. If we search his portfolio we'd probably find other drawings of things that he was excited about: airplanes, dinosaurs etc....it this case, his parents should be happy their some connected so well with Christ.

But see, that's NOT Christ on the cross, the child depicted himself -- therefore, he must be disturbed. He had to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to return to school.

One report claims that the "X's" on the eyes indicated violence and that was why the school raised the red flag.

Kerri Augusto, a professor of psychology and family studies at Becker College told WBZ (local media) that the school did more harm than good for the boy.

"More disturbing than the knee-jerk interpretation of this child's drawing, is the response of the school," Augusto said.

"The extreme lengths to which the administration went to 'protect' the child, resulted in punishment for the child and his/her family and shows blatant disregard for the child's social and emotional needs."

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/dec/09121509.html