Update on Egypt's Government

Muslim Brotherhood Fully in Power in Egypt
After the citizens of Egypt ousted military ruler Hosni Mubarek from office in the Spring of 2011 the Muslim Brotherhood has stepped into a new role in Egypt. They were legalized as a political party and the people elected the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood into office as President of Egypt. As of Sunday, August 13, 2012,President Mohammed Morsi took over total control of the Egyptian military as well as the government. It was a silent coup with Morsi retiring the defense minister and chief of staff and retaking military powers the generals grabbed from his office days before his June 30 inauguration.

Shortly after Morsi's election, the Senior Muslim Brotherhood leader Essam el-Erian assured the world that the Muslim Brotherhood plans to work with the world along with the people of Egypt and to take its place in the governing of the country. The election of Mohammed Morsi need not bring fear to the world. President Morsi planned to build unity in the government. "If we can build a wide coalition instead, this would be good," Erian says. "This is our strategy for many reasons: not to frighten others, inside or outside, and also because this is a country destroyed, destroyed by Mubarak and his family – why would the rebuilding task be only for us? It's not our task alone, it's the job of all Egyptians." He adds: "The Muslim Brothers are a special case because we are not seeking power through violent or military means like other Islamic organisations that might be violent. We are a peaceful organisation; we work according to the constitution and the law ("http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/08/egypt-muslim-brotherhood-uncovered)

According to el-Erian, "The Mubarak regime was very skillful at exaggerating the influence of the Brotherhood and painting them as a threat to Egyptian society and to the west," he added. "It was the pretext for Mubarak's rule, and it was a lie. I think that if Egypt held free and fair elections tomorrow the Brotherhood would not get a majority; it would enjoy a significant presence in parliament but the overall makeup of seats would be pluralistic. This is the time for the west to rethink its attitudes to the Muslim Brotherhood. If they don't start assessing the weight of the brotherhood accurately, they will make major miscalculations in the coming days." (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/08/egypt-muslim-brotherhood-uncovered)

I can not say I understand Egyptian politics. It is so complex. I do know that the Muslim Brotherhood is an organization that has its roots as an Islamist religious, political and social movement. The organization was outlawed in Egypt more than once after supporting Nazi Germany during WWII. Since that time they have fought for legitimacy at home and abroad. As an organization they have been community activists and represented in the government of Egypt for years.

It has taken less than two years for the Muslim Brotherhood to become the leading power throughout Egypt. It is important to understand that it is the goal of the party to institute Islamic Shariah law across the country. This will have immediate and heavy consequences for women, the Coptic Christians and other minority groups within Egypt. It also leads to many questions regarding Egypt's support or lack thereof of its neighbor Israel. Israel and Egypt have long held an uneasy alliance in the Middle East and Egypt has helped the smaller Israel by standing at its side through some dangerous times.

I, personally, am watching for the re-emergence of the antisemitism that happened during WWII. The history of the Muslim Brotherhood includes detailed support for Adolf Hitler and his way of governing including the persecution of Jews. The Muslim Brotherhood is viewed with great doubt from other countries as it has been considered a terrorist organization during its history. Christian throughout the world must not let the antisemitism that ruled during Hitler's reign gain momentum and lead to tragic results for the Jewish people or for Israel.

I believe Christians throughout the world must understand that this change in Eygptian leadership is a call to prayer. It is a call to pray for protection of the Jewish people of the world and for the non-Islamic people of Egypt. It is a call to evaluate our understanding of the Jewish state of Israel and how God's plan for his people is playing out in today's world. I think many of us are sitting on the fence in this area. We are choosing to stay oblivious because these things are happening across the ocean. Wake up people! God has us here in this time and in this season for an important reason. We need to pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We can not be stagnant Christians, interested only in our daily lives. We must turn our face to the Lord and worship Him, give Him glory and prevail upon Him that in His mercy He bring peace to earth and protect His people.

Guardian Angel

Angels on My Mind

Recently, I have had angels on my mind. I have always believed in angels. As a child I learned about guardian angels. (Exodus 23:20 NIV "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.) I learned about Gabriel who appeared to Zechariah to tell him his wife Elizabeth was pregnant. (Luke 1) Again in Luke, Gabriel appears to Mary to tell her she was to give birth to a baby and that the name of her child was to be Jesus. It was so easy to believe in the presence of angels when I was child. I also loved to hear how when Jesus was born the cherubim and seraphim sang in the heavenlies and the shepherds could hear them rejoicing. (3 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2) Angels were just a part of my understanding of God and His creation. It remains so until this day.

As an adult I learned more about the fallen angels - satan and his demons. I learned how one of the greatest lies that satan wants everyone to believe he does not really exist and is only a figure from mythology-a way primitive people across cultures have depicted evil when it was impossible to understand the bad things happening around them. The second greatest lie is that satan is more powerful than the Trinity. God the father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit have been impugned to the point where even some of those professing a love for them believe they are impotent against satan and his legions. Sadly, many Christians have taken the knowledge of God’s power to act in this world out of their theology and insist that the power God displayed in the early days of the church is gone. It was only for a special time period.  This belief leads to ineffectual prayer and long suffering of God’s people. God’s word shows us the truth about His angels and about satan. God’s angels are present today and many people can give a voice to their experiences with them.

My own life story includes many times where I have “seen” angels. It is hard to describe what open-eyed visions are unless I am speaking to another who has experienced them. It is a bit like looking out over a field and seeing a very ethereal, fine mist. In my visions, I see angels superimposed over what I see in the natural. They are indistinguishable as either male or female and tend to look more like a fine smoke than a full figure of a person although I can always sense the presence of the angel itself, its beginning and its end. 

My most recent experience with seeing angels was when I came home from the last NRSD Retreat. This is a weekend spent in prayer, learning about the Bible, and fellowshipping with other Christians. Since I moved into this particular apartment I have been asking the Lord for His presence in my home and welcoming Him to abide here with us. I also welcomed His angels. Well, I really never sensed any presences or any movement in this area until the morning after our retreat. I was sitting and drinking coffee and pondering over the events and teachings of the weekend when I glanced up and there before me in my apartment were angels. They all appeared just as I described above, however, this time they all seemed very busy! I sighed, smiled and thanked God for His presence with His angels. Since then I have been assured that my home is a place where angels know they are welcome. I feel like perhaps my home is now a rest stop for angels as they go about their earthly assignments.

This same retreat weekend I also experienced a comforting touch on my shoulder that I believe was an angel. I had just heard my father had experienced a severe heart attack and was in surgery, so I withdrew to my room to pray for him and to rest a bit. While praying for my dad, I felt a hand on my shoulder which imbued great comfort and peace to me. I felt better and was assured my dad was in God’s hands. 

It is common in our modern day culture to be drawn to angels. I know that I am not alone in my experiences with them. It is good to know God will send His angels to protect us, minister to us and to assist us in worshiping Him. I know many people believe in angels but they do not believe in God. They may believe in a god or a goddess but not the God of the Bible. The one caution I give all my friends regarding angels is DO NOT WORSHIP them. To worship angels is the same sin satan committed when he was expelled from heaven. Angels are a wonderful and necessary part of God’s creation. I am so thankful for them in my life and for my increasing understanding of them, but I am always reminded that I worship only God. Jesus saved me and pulled me from the miry pit. That was not angels. That was Jesus-the Word Incarnate. To God be all the glory!

Politics and Belief in Jesus

Ok, I need to start off by saying that I claim no authority in talking about this topic. I am just trying to process politics and belief in Jesus Christ as my Savior.

That said…here I go.

I was raised in a democratic household. My father once ran for Minnesota State Senate on the issue of abortion rights. He was and still is strongly opposed to abortion and believes that life begins at conception.  At that time Republicans were pro-choice and Democrats were pro-life. One of my brothers has served as district chair a number of times for the Democratic Party in his home district. Another brother ran for Minnesota State Legislature and won. He was a member of the House during the Jesse Ventura governorship. Lest you think the women in my family are less active in politics, I also have a sister who worked as an executive secretary to Representative Bruce Vento in Washington D. C. for 4 years of so.  As a sign language interpreter, I was the floor interpreter for a number of democratic state meetings and caucuses. In addition, one of my favorite memories of my youth is of running through neighborhoods across St. Paul doing literature drops for Mayor George Latimer and other candidates running for office during the late 1960’s and the 1970’s.  The pizza party and fun at the end made all the labor worth it to me.

Today, the world has changed mightily. Now the Republican Party carries the banner of pro-life and the Democratic Party carries the banner for pro-choice. I have learned it is very difficult to vote along party lines when there are issues in both parties and within the party platforms that I abhor. I constantly question the inconsistencies within party politics. How can the Democrats platform be pro-choice allowing innocent children to be killed and yet also be anti-capital punishment? Shouldn’t the choice of the right to life be for the full life period? How can Republicans take such a strong stance for pro-gun legislation when that legislation allows persons to purchase and legally own sniper rifles and automatic weapons never, ever needed outside of a military situation? It doesn’t make sense to me.

The area I struggle the most with is the different views the parties hold on how to be fiscally responsible. The Republican Party’s 2008 platform states, “We believe government should tax only to raise money for its essential functions. Today’s Democratic Party views the tax code as a tool for social engineering.” The Democrats Party Platform for 2008 states, “Today, America must unite again to help our most vulnerable residents get back on their feet and to restore the vitality of both urban centers and family farms –because the success of each depends on the success of the other. And America must challenge us again –to serve our country and to meet our responsibilities –whether in our families or local governments; our civic organizations or place.” I guess that sounds like social engineering but is it wrong? Is it wrong to help the poorest of the poor? Is it wrong to spend our hard earned money on helping our neighbors meet their needs? Is it wrong for Republicans to cut funding to social services in light of the huge amount of money being pumped into supporting business and the military?

The two different belief systems about taxation are very strong world views that few people are able to counter. Raised with one perspective it is almost impossible to change to support the other philosophical position. It is done, but I don’t think it happens very often. My opinion is that those Independents out there are people tired of the two party system operating in the United States.

I take all the differences between parties and try to place my belief in Jesus Christ as Savior as my guide in voting. Who would Jesus vote for as a modern day American?  Hmmm. I am sure none of us can guess correctly. I do think it is important to think on the underlying assumptions both parties bring to the table. Then it is important to evaluate candidates on an individual level. I admit that I have been disappointed and sometimes shocked by policies President Obama and the Democratic Party support. I do not support many of those decisions. Yet, the same can be said about the policies supported under President George W. Bush. Without completing my in-depth evaluation of the candidates for 2012 I can only state what I see on the service. President Obama is a practicing Christian. Yes, I know the theories that he is influenced by Muslim relatives. Ok, I believe in generational spirits that transcend our parents’ lives and are passed down to us through the ages. Do I believe President Obama knows the Lord at the depth to be able to pray about demonic strongholds in his life? I tend to believe he doesn’t have a clue. Does that make him less a Christian than thousands of Christians across the United States? Is he an apathetic Christian just trying to look good? Only God will know. Only God can judge the heart of a man. I will not judge President Obama and his stated belief in Jesus Christ. I will pray for him as he is an authority in our government and as such needs our prayers.

The Republican candidate Mitt Romney is a practicing Mormon. I have some very good friends who are Mormons and I hold them in highest regard for living lives committed to serving others and God. However, I have to ask the question. Do Mormons believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior in the same way that Christians do? No. They believe that Jesus is an entirely separate being from God the Father (Elohim). Mormons believe that Jesus was once created as a spirit child and that he is the eldest brother of all men and spirit beings (including Lucifer). Although Mormons confess that Jesus’ died for their sins, they believe that His atonement only removes guilt from past sins. Man must then earn his own salvation by his works and membership in the Mormon Church. http://christian-way.com/mormon-beliefs-what-do-mormons-believe/ 7/31/2013Thus, is it right for me as a Christian to even consider voting for a Mormon for the office of Presidency over the United States? Doesn’t he carry with him his own generational spiritual connections that I know to not be based on Christ? Doesn’t this background eliminate him from the running as a President of the United States to any Christians? Isn’t a flawed Christian better than a non-Christian? I don’t know the answers to any these questions. These are thoughts that whirl through my mind as the Presidential election draws closer. I also realize that while one person is the head of the political party, many others are members of each party. Are they better or worse? Is the Republican Party platform for 2012 more right or more wrong than the Democratic beliefs, or vice versa? Do we face choosing the better of two very bad choices? If this is end times politics in the U. S. I tend to think so. 

Overall, I find my mind spends hours fruitlessly scrabbling through these thoughts and many more about our country and my part in our country’s politics and future. God always brings me back to the basics. God is God!

He is the Creator. The Alpha and the Omega. I can trust in Him. I cannot trust in myself to choose correctly. I just do the best I can. I cannot trust politicians. I can trust only the Triune God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit to guide my walk in this world. Whoever, is elected I will be okay and so will my country. God is good all the time!

A Fourth of July Prayer for Our Nation

This prayer is a prayer I found posted at elijahlist.com under one of the Words. This is a website dedicated to providing a gathering of the Christian prophetic voices from across America. As I read this prayer, the Holy Spirit within me was stirred up, and I was able to pray for our nation in a new way. Hopefully, you too, will find your Spirit renewed as you prayer for our country.

 Lord, anoint us to rise and rebuild the cities of our fathers as an inheritance for our sons and daughters. Give us boldness, Your authority, and the resources we need to rebuild our spiritual and national defenses. Give us leaders such that it would be to Your glory to repair our borders, our homes, our families, and give us the victory. Jesus, we declare You Lord over ourselves and over our nation. We plead Your Blood by which You purchased nations, tribes, and tongues over America. We cry, "Arise O God, let Your enemies be scattered!"

...And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. Nehemiah 2:8

 Nehemiah 2:9 There are more that are with us than against us. As we pray and stand in the gap for America, let us not forget the heavenly hosts are rallied to His cause. We have personally received many confirmations of this truth, including the angel fresh from battle who appeared to Mahesh. I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. Nehemiah 2:13

The Lord is revealing His strategies both hidden and revealed to His servants in the Church and in the public square in this hour. So, as you look around and as you listen to the reports, do so using the down payment of your inheritance, the presence of the Holy Spirit for manifold equipping and enabling to see, understand, judge, and move in His power (see Isaiah 11).

This is our prayer: Lord, by Your Spirit, enable us in the fear of the Lord to not judge by what our eyes see, or decide disputes by what our ears hear, but to judge with righteousness and decide with equity so that harmony is restored in the demonstration of Your Kingdom and will on earth as it is in Heaven. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. Nehemiah 2:10 Demonic principalities and powers are stirred up in great displeasure at the audacity of Believers who have determined to seek the welfare of their cities and nations – submit to God and resist the devil. So I answered them, and said to them, "The God of Heaven Himself will prosper us..." Nehemiah 2:20 We are in a prophetic hour, a set time of favor for America to arise and shine in her destiny. It's not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord that we will rebuild and restore the desolate places of our nation and heritage. Let God arise!

Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda Chavda Ministries International Email: info@chavdaministries.org

Adoption

Have you experienced an inner “calling” or desire of your heart and yet that desire has remained elusive throughout your life? I have a number of these in my life but one of the most persistent has been the desire to adopt a child from an orphanage. I remember sitting in the pew of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in St. Paul listening to a missionary speaking about the children in orphanages in Africa. This missionary spoke of children who had very little physically and truly needed adoptive parents. Forty years later the need for adoptive parents has not diminished. Adoptive parents are needed for the thousands of children throughout the world who have lost their parents due to poverty, abuse, or illness.

My heart especially gravitates towards deaf and hard of hearing children. This is a natural outflow of my love for American Sign Language and the deaf community. It breaks my heart that deaf children are still, in many cultures, viewed as curses or punishments upon their families. It is still common for deaf children to literally be left in the streets in some countries as their families view them as so shameful they do not want to recognize them. I have also worked with many children with disabilities that are very minor and in the United States are easily managed. These children thrive and live vibrant lives and contribute to their families and communities as much as anyone contributes.

So, today, I extend to you an invitation to consider adoption of a child or children as a viable option in your life. Instead of thinking,”Why would I want to adopt?” maybe the question is really, “Why not adopt?” There are children out there who desperately need a parent or parents to step up and to help them. I may not have been able to adopt so far in my life, however, I will continue to advocate for adoption. Please watch the video at rainbowkids.org that I have linked you to if you click on the hot link.

Churches in Foreclosure

6/22/12
I recently came across an article by Hazel Trice Edney. The article by Mr. Edney is in the June 18, 2012 issue of Insight News. Edney interviewed Michael Grant who is the head of a national Black banker’s organization. Mr. Grant is sounding the alarm that banks are foreclosing on churches across the nation at an alarming rate. His primary concern is that church leadership is making decisions primarily on visionary plans and faith versus on sound business plans. He is encouraging all churches to “think of themselves as a business,” when it comes to finances.

I have to admit that I have had some of the same concerns for Christian based non-profits and churches. I worked in the non-Christian, non-profit sector long enough to get a glimpse into the financing practices for non-profits. Later in my life I became more aware of the Biblical teachings about finances and I have tried to reconcile my thoughts about the two. This article stating that some churches are engaging in some rather risky financial practices brought all of these thoughts to mind.

I believe there are successful ways to marry the Biblical principles for finances with the modern day world of finance. While world financial practices come in many shapes and forms there are reasonable, compatible business practices and financing practices available to Christian churches and non-profits. In all probability some churches have not thought of financing building projects and major outlays as business transactions, typical of other non-profits. They have viewed them through the lens of reaching out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ and supporting the church family. Perhaps, due to budget limitations some church bodies have not taken the steps they need to take when dealing with large sums of money.
Michael Grant lays out five basic patterns he has seen in churches that leave them vulnerable to foreclosures and to financial difficulties. These patterns are:
1. Expansion plans not directed by sound financial plans developed by someone with the expertise in finance necessary for long term success.
2. Frugal planning was not an inherent part of many plans he has seen. Nor has financial monitoring and accountability been at the levels necessary for major projects.
3. Record keeping that was not in sync with standard accounting practices.
4. Lending institutions not notified early enough in the process for loan modifications or forbearance.
5. Many churches believe that bank assistance is available AFTER foreclosure procedures are initiated.
(Insight News, June18 – June 24, 2012, pg. 13)

Out of these five patterns that can lead to problems, I believe they all can apply to all non-profits and churches. The first three patterns are patterns I have witnessed personally. Often organizations are running more on faith and vision than on sound financial planning and practices. Please, if you are involved with a church or a non-profit voice up and help your organization stay on top of their record keeping and accounting practices! Hire a person with expertise in finances if you need to when making building plans. Volunteers have a place and a sound, valuable purpose in Gods’ plans, however, sometimes you may need advice from a hired professional because there is no one truly qualified to be giving you advice. Sometimes, hiring an outsider also provides a needed voice of neutrality during the development of your financial plans. It can be difficult to join a vision and a God-given directive with financial plans. Hearing from all angles will only benefit the project in the end. Discernment is necessary in all phases of a major building project or program project.
Finally, I want to address the issue of loans. I have been learning that loans are not necessarily “evil” however as Christians we must remember Gods’ plan is to prosper us. Taking our loans is not a way to prosper but a route to survival. Funding plans before building may sound like a monumental task; however, it provides the clearest route to financial freedom for a church body. Paying for building as you go protects you from ever facing foreclosure. God will provide for you and your plans as He wills it. If your church is in debt as I personally am, there are routes to financial freedom available. Let us take the steps to redeem the past and to create a new plan for our future with our finances.
I still struggle with the idea of finding funding for large, multi-million dollar projects, but I have found people and ministries who are role models for me. Financial planning belongs in the church. Biblical financial planning belongs in the church. Sound accounting practices belong in the church and sound record-keeping is a foundational practice for a healthy organization. God is good. He can redeem past mistakes and clear a path to financial stability. I pray that all Christian organizations take a deep look at their “business” practices and keep their houses clean. I pray for our nation’s churches that have been ensnared by the enemy during these difficult economic times and call upon you to stand beside me in prayer that God can take what was planned for evil and turn it into good according to His plans. I pray God rescue His churches and set them on the path to financial stability through sound Biblical planning practices.