8-29-19, CBN.com -- Under the Obama administration Veteran Hospitals were removing Bibles and limiting worship. In a recent visit to the Manchester, NH Veterans Medical Center Vice President Mike Pence has vowed: "the Bible stays" in a display of a "Missing Man" table in the center's lobby. That Holy Bible was contributed by a US Veteran and prisoner of war in World War II:

Bedford ex-POW at center of VA Bible flap tells his story of capture ...
 7-20-19, Bedford New Hampshire's ex-POW, Herman “Herk” Streitburger, a 100-year-old World War II veteran  at center of VA Bible flap tells his story of capture, survival and escape from the Nazis. He tells of how they survived by tricking the Germans using “kranken-wagen,” the wagons used to carry sick prisoners. ... 

A lawsuit filed by The Military Freedom From Religion Foundation on behalf of one Air Force veteran, claiming the addition of the Bible in the display is unconstitutional. The Trump Admin says the case comes down to freedom of religion. VP Pence said: "It's really no surprise because, under the last administration, VA hospitals were removing Bibles and even banning Christmas carols in an effort to be politically correct.  But let me be clear: Under this administration, VA hospitals will not be religion-free zones."  ​More here

Chick-fil-A sets up Missing Man Tables 
5-28-19, USAToday -- Why these tables were empty at Chick-fil-As around the country this weekend ..... Missing Man Tables are memorials set up in military dining facilities. According to the National League of POW/MIA Families, here's what on the items on the tables represent:

• The table is round: To show our everlasting concern.
• The cloth is white: Symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to serve.
• The single red rose: Reminds us of the lives of these Americans and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, while seeking answers.
• The yellow ribbon: Symbolizes our continued uncertainty, hope for their return and determination to account for them.
• A slice of lemon: Reminds us of their bitter fate, captured or missing in a foreign land.
• A pinch of salt: Symbolizes the tears of our missing and their families.
• The lighted candle: Reflects our hope for their return.
• The Bible: Represents the strength gained through faith to sustain us and those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
• The glass is inverted: To symbolize their inability to share a toast.
• The chairs are empty: They are missing.

Isaiah 28:5

6-27-19, * -- There is wonderful news for every Christian who's discouraged by the apathy and godlessness in the United States of America. Regardless of how wicked and corrupt this society becomes and how many Christians compromise and fall into sin, God still has a mighty remnant of holy, separated followers. [James 1:12]

Christians may be deceived into thinking that Satan is winning the battle for the saints, and that the predicted “falling away” has touched all of God’s people. The Bible does predict that in the last days many will be turned aside; men will love pleasure more than God; the love of many shall grow cold; evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse; and Satan will declare war on the saints of the Most High. [2 Timothy 3:2]

It is also true that Satan is now going about as a roaring lion, with great wrath, seeking victims to devour. [1 Peter 5:8] The enemies of God are going all-out in an attempt to deceive and seduce every true follower of Christ. However, the truth is not all of God’s people are falling away! Not at all [Galatians 6:9]— and the Holy Spirit has a glorious and encouraging word for His Church. Currently God is raising up a multitude of sanctified saints who are standing against the idolatry of this age. [2 Thessalonians 3:13] They are so filled with love for Christ; they are ready and willing to be persecuted [Hebrews 10:36; 2 Timothy 3:12-13; John 15:18] for their faith and devotion.  [Currently many being persecuted**]

The call of Jesus is to be thoughtful and clear-headed. Paul told Titus, “Exhort the young men to be sober-minded” (Titus 2:6). And Peter admonished the Christians, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit” (1 Peter 1:13, NASB). As materialism eats away at our spiritual life and compromise erodes our standards, Christians are called to get deadly serious about the things of Jesus. Peter further said, “Be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7).

Jesus does not want you to go around with a long face or a lack of humor. But he wants you to live like people who are soon to leave this earth — to be with him!
​===

** Persecution: ​Alarming Rise of Christian Persecution - Gatestone Institute
6-26-19,  According to a recent interim report published in the U.K., "it is estimated that one third of the world's population suffers from religious persecution in some form, with Christians being the most persecuted group." More here from Gatestone

Joel 2:32; Romans 11:1-5
===
*Excerpted and adapted full original message from Archives of David Wilkerson here: 
​WORLD CHALLENGE
Live a Better Life, Make a Better World Through Jesus Christ
1125 Kelly Johnson Blvd, Suite 321
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Persecution Hmong, Montagnard Christians in Vietnam
03/24/2019 Vietnam (International Christian Concern) – Christian minorities in communist Vietnam are facing systematic discrimination due to their Christian faith. UN needs to step in to address the issue.

Vietnam: Hmong and Montagnard Christians denied basic civil rights ...
3-24-19, Christian Persecution -- Another example of how the persecution of Christians is often abetted by or even initiated by government authorities and ignored by the world ... ​More here

Esna, Egypt: Christians Imprisoned for Worshiping at an Unlicensed House
9-6-18, (Morning Star News) – After Muslim mobs demonstrated against the Virgin Mary and St. Mahrael church in Luxor [435 miles south of Cairo] police accused five Coptic Catholics of worshiping without a permit. Many churches have waited 15 years for decisions on their applications for permits on applications from “unofficial” churches.

According to Coptic rights activist, Safwat Samaan police closed the church in Al-Zeneeqa village, in Esna, Egypt that has been holding worship services at the site for 18 years. As reported by U.S.-based Catholic publication The Tablet, fifteen Muslims were also arrested as they prepared another demonstration against the church.

The Catholic outlet reported that the Copts were arrested even though they did not take any action against the demonstrators. In addition to charging the Christians with worshiping in an unlicensed venue, they and the Muslims were charged with illegal gathering, disrupting public peace and inciting sectarian strife.

In four months, the Al-Zeneeqa church was the third one in Luxor closed after Muslim extremists protested their existence. They gave police the pretext of “security” threats for shuttering them. ​Egypt was ranked 17th on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2018 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. More here

8-12-18, President Trump announced punitive doubling tariffs against the nation of Turkey in protest over the detention of American Christian Pastor Andrew Brunson who was arrested on terrorism charges after the attempted coup against Mr Erdogan in 2016, saying: “Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!”

The Turkish lira tumbled more than 16 per cent on Friday, 8/10/18 – a record low against the dollar – after Washington imposed sanctions as well as steel and aluminum tariffs demanding that jailed American pastor Andrew Brunson be released. ​The US is the biggest destination for Turkish steel exports with 11 per cent of the Turkish export volume.

On July 25, 2018 it was reported that Pastor Brunson was released to house arrest ... apparently not or not good enough!

President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said: “It is wrong to dare bring Turkey to its knees through threats over a pastor. I am calling on those in America again. Shame on you, shame on you. You are exchanging your strategic partner in Nato for a priest. We have not made concessions on justice so far [on Brunson] and we will never make any!" More here

Couple sues Sewickley Heights PA over order banning  Bible Studies
Jul 19, 2018 - The owners of a historic farm in Sewickley Heights, Scott and Terri Fetterolf have been in a quiet, but lengthy [Since Oct 2017] battle over whether they're allowed to host Bible studies in their private home. ​
 The Harrisburg-based Independence Law Center filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of Scott and Theresa Fetterolf alleging the borough’s attempts to keep them from using their farm for religious purposes violates their civil rights.
“The borough has no business overseeing a group of people reading and discussing a book together on private property — even if that book is the Bible,” Randall Wenger, chief counsel for the Independence Law Center, said in a statement.
The lawsuit said the 32-acre property has been used for such events by its prior owner “for many decades.” According to her 2012 obituary, the previous owner, Nancy Doyle Chalfant, one of the founders of the nonprofit Verland, “opened her home, and her beloved Dundee Farm, to church retreats, seminary picnics, youth groups and many other organizations she supported."
The Fetterolfs attended church with Chalfant and bought her property in 2003. The Fetterolfs bought the property carrying on the traditions started by Nancy Chalfant. They did so without incident until Oct. 5, 2017, when the borough served a notice of violation and cease and desist order on the Fetterolfs. It said that activities including a Bible study, worship night, religious retreats and fundraisers were not permitted in the borough’s historical rural and residential zone without a variance.
The Fetterolfs appealed to the borough’s zoning hearing board. Several meetings have been held since January, but the matter remains unresolved.  More here

[Note: I called Sewickley Heights PA Admin Offices [(412) 741-5119] trying to get information of the cost and process required for the Fetterolf's to acquire the 'variance,' but they're not answering the phone. I did however reach the offices of Sewickley Borough and was told theirs is $550.00 to apply. Not saying I agree that they should be required to get the variance however. -- Ed.]

Christian Persecution in Myanmar | Open Doors USA
During the campaign and elections, the Burmese army continued its attacks ... Christians who come from Buddhist, Muslim and tribal families experience this ...
​More from Telegraph

​Uncovered: 'Worrying evidence' of new genocidal campaign
Jun 5, 2018 - Attacks by the military on the Kachin people are increasing in intensity and ... of new genocidal campaign on Kachin Christian minority in Myanmar.

Kachin parliamentarian Ja Seng Hkawn Maran said, “What we are seeing in Kachin state over the past few weeks is wholly unacceptable, and must stop immediately. Innocent civilians are being killed and injured, and hundreds of families are now fleeing for their lives. Today all the ethnic people from our viewpoint are just existing, they are just protecting their land and trying to share [human] rights together." 

​Burma's Leader Ms Aung San Suu Kyi and the Islamic "Rohingya" crisis
​Jan 2018, Myanmar leader Ms Aung San Suu Kyi has overseen what is said to be the world's fastest growing refugee crisis, as hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims flee to neighbouring Bangladesh.

Confusion! Buddhists or Muslims Attacking?
9-11-17, BBC -- Hindu families all had the same story to tell of Muslims attacking, of fleeing in fear. Oddly, Hindus who have fled to Bangladesh all say they were attacked by local Rakhine Buddhists, because they resemble Islamic Rohingyas. No one seems to know how the Rohingyas entered Burma; there has been communal violence incited by both the Muslims and the Buddhists. The heavy-handed tactics of the police and the army have only added to the tensions that made Rakhine into a classic war zone of death and destruction. Emotions and prejudices are so intense that it is hard to imagine that even if Burma were to find some accelerated path into a full democracy a peaceful and equitable solution to the Rohingya problem could be found. More here

UN Says it's the Muslims who are being persecuted ... not a word about the Christians
​Christians also persecuted in Myanmar among Muslim population ...
As Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voiced concerns over the treatment of persecuted Muslims in Myanmar, a spokesperson from Open Doors Canada says we must also remember persecuted Christians who are the Karen people of Burma. More from Washington Post

'Anne Frank' Holocaust drama changes historic facts -- Jews hiding from Nazis ... to illegal migrants on run from American Immigration
8-4-18, FoxNews -- A new stage production of 'The Diary Of Anne Frank' rewrites the heart-wrenching history of Jews being hidden from the brutality of the holocaust Nazis ... Scheduled to open on 9/6/18 at the Dorie Theater in L.A. California. Directed by Stan Zimmerman, a "Roseanne" writer.
***
8-8-18, FrontPage --  A new leftist politics-tainted theatrical production of The Diary of Anne Frank outrageously compares President Trump's administration to the German Nazi regime. It has replaced the Nazis hunting for Jews with America's immigration authorities; ICE agents tracking down Latino illegal migrants. The comparison between Anne Frank and illegal aliens in the United States is beyond disgraceful. Illegal migrants are, legally speaking, the authors of their own misfortune as they are illegally entering America without going through proper channels; they are criminals - the holocaust surviving Jews were not criminals. When ICE apprehends them, they are at all times, treated humanely. They are given a hearing and due process of American law. If they are found to be present unlawfully in the country, they are removed from it, THEY ARE NOT SENT TO NAZI LIKE FORCED LABOR OR DEATH CAMPS.

It is horrendous that this theater group trivializes the suffering of millions of Jews; and the good work done by the girl Anne Frank; besmirching the reality with this piece of leftist propaganda. The play treats those who enforce America's immigration laws as monstrous genocidal brutes and absurdly equates the idea of maintaining national borders with violent governmental persecution. ​More here
***
​Anne Frank Biography - Biography
Anne Frank was a Jewish teenager who went into hiding during the Holocaust ... Published in 1947. Fleeing Nazi persecution of Jews, the family moved to Amsterdam and later went into hiding for two years. She was 15 when the family was found and sent to concentration camps, where she died sometime in March 1945 from typhus, only a few weeks before British soldiers liberated the concentration camp where she was a prisoner.

​U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson released from prison in Turkey
7-25-18, NBC News -- ISTANBUL, Turkey — North Carolina USA Christian  pastor Andrew Brunson 
was released from a prison in Turkey. He was incarcerated for nearly two years under the ridiculous charge of terrorism. In April 2018, President Trump demanded Turkey release him - hooray for this president! Thank YOU, God. Brunson is now under house arrest while the charges remain the same; he faces up to 35 years in prison and now under house arrest. More here

Growing Outcry President Trump Demand Turkey Release 
Pastor Brunson
6-10-18, Newsmax -- President Trump and Sec of State Pompeo and 100 members of the European parliament have signed off on a letter to Turkish Pres Erdogan demanding the release of imprisoned U.S. Pastor Andrew Brunson who has spent much of his incarceration in solitary confinement, and reportedly has lost over 50 pounds due to illness and stress. 
***
7-21-18, Gatestone -- American Christian Pastor Andrew Brunson was charged with terrorism (including "Christianization") and espionage, which carry a sentence of up to 35 years' imprisonment. A Turkish court has decided to continue holding American Pastor Andrew Brunson in prison, to await a fourth hearing on October 12.

Brunson, who has been in jail in Turkey since October 7, 2016, is accused of "membership in an armed terrorist organization." His first court hearing took place on April 16 this year, after 18 months in detention. Meanwhile, according to a 2015 "confidential" note by a Turkish chief of police, there are Islamic terror ISIS sleeper cell houses in seventy cities across Turkey, 

According to the lengthy indictment, the pastor is linked to the movement of Fethullah Gülen -- an Islamic cleric who has lived in self-exile in the United States for three decades – and whom the Turkish government accuses of plotting the failed coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016. Many observers report that Andrew's real crime was being an American Christian in Turkey.  ​More here

The nation of Turkey became a NATO member in 1952. "NATO enlargement has furthered the U.S. goal of a Europe whole, free, and at peace," according to the U.S. Dept of State. However, Turkey's actions appear to make the region a more unstable, un-free and violent place. 

Turkey's arbitrary arrests of Brunson, Erdem and many other innocent individuals expose Erdogan's regime as a brutal dictatorship that invades its neighbors, does not tolerate diversity targeting Christians and peaceful dissidents who oppose Islamic jihad. Clearly Turkey does not meet basic requirements for NATO membership here.

5-23-18, American History & Heritage Foundation -- Arkansas Sen. Jason Rapert, said:

“The sole reason we donated this [TEN COMMANDMENTS] monument to the State of Arkansas is because the Ten Commandments are an important component to the foundation of the laws and legal system of the United States of America and of the State of Arkansas. Today several anti-American organizations have filed federal lawsuits basically declaring their own war on the Arkansas Ten Commandments Monument and ACT 1231 that passed with an overwhelming majority by the Arkansas legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in 2015. If the Ten Commandments are good enough to be displayed in the United States Supreme Court Chamber and other state capitol grounds and around our nation, they are good enough to be displayed in Arkansas. I look forward to a vigorous defense of the law in Arkansas ... Passive acknowledgements of the role played by the Ten Commandments in our nation’s heritage are common throughout America and the Supreme Court ruled in Van Orden v. Perry in 2005 that such monuments are constitutional.”

On April 8, 2015, the Arkansas General Assembly passed SB939 – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS MONUMENT ACT – and Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the bill into law becoming ACT 1231. On June 27, 2017, the original Ten Commandments Monument was installed on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol using private donations. In the early hours of June 28, 2017, less than 24 hours after the monument was erected, it was intentionally destroyed when a man rammed his vehicle into the monument.

On April 26, 2018, just over three years since the law was first enacted, and less than one year since the monument was destroyed, the replacement monument was installed and given to the State of Arkansas by the American History & Heritage Foundation, who fully funded the project. More here and here

Satanic Temple plans to sue Arkansas over Ten Commandments ...
May 16, 2018 - The Satanic Temple responded swiftly to the installation of a new Ten Commandments Monument on its Capitol grounds. A satanic group wants to install its own statue of Baphomet, ...

UK Proposes Six Year Prison Sentences for Online Posts ...
May 10, 2018 · People promoting “hostility” towards a religion or the transgendered online could be charged and sentenced to six years in jail, especial if they have a large online audience according to new proposals. The Sentencing Council for England and Wales has drafted changes to public order offences, including anyone perceived as targeting online a “protected characteristics” including “race; sex; disability; age; sexual orientation; religion or belief; pregnancy and maternity; and gender reassignment.” [Focus on criticizing Islam and homosexuality ... clearly no prosecution for scoffing at Christians & Jews.]

The most severe punishments will be handed to those “in a position of trust, authority or influence and abuses their position to stir up hatred,” such as political leaders or figureheads and anyone whose offences are “persistent.” If an “offender was a member of, or was associated with, a group promoting hostility based on race or religion,” their sentence will also be harsher. The Sentencing Council believes that the use of social media, YouTube, and other “websites” to stir hatred is a growing problem

England: Christian preacher arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin - Telegraph​
May 2, 2010 - The 42-year-old Baptist, who has preached Christianity in Workington ... Mr McAlpine was handing out leaflets explaining the Ten Commandments or offering a 'ticket to heaven' with a church colleague on April 20, 2010 when a woman came up and engaged him in a debate about his faith ...  During the exchange, he says he quietly listed homosexuality among a number of sins referred to in 1 Corinthians, including blasphemy, fornication, adultery and drunkenness. After the woman walked away, she was approached by a PCSO who spoke with her briefly and then walked over to Mr McAlpine and told him a complaint had been made, and that he could be arrested for using racist or homophobic language. McAlpine said, “I am not homophobic but sometimes I do say that the Bible says homosexuality is a crime against the Creator”. The PCSO then said he was homosexual liaison officer for Cumbria police. Mr McAlpine replied: “It’s still a sin.” He then began a 20 minute sermon, in which he says he mentioned drunkenness and adultery, but not homosexuality. Three regular uniformed police officers arrived during the address, arrested Mr McAlpine. He was charged with Public Order Act, which outlaws the unreasonable use of abusive language likely to cause distress.

A Changing North Korea - Liberty in North Korea
The North Korean PEOPLE have massive potential to drive change in their country.

​8-18-17, Fox News -- For 16 years, North Korea has been ranked the “most oppressive place in the world for Christians,” and this week the U.S. State Dept re-asserted it as one of the world’s worst religious persecutors – torturing and executing those even suspected of worshiping God. But that still hasn't stopped an estimated 36 percent of the population – around 9 million – from practicing Christianity.

Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern said, “Christians are accused of being imperialists seeking to overthrow the government and those who are caught practicing their faith are arrested, horrendously tortured, imprisoned and [sometimes] immediately put to death.”

So how do these brave devotees do it in the most closed country on earth?

One Huge Obstacle Christians Face is Paranoia
Fear of close friends and family members snitching; the Kim Jong Un regime encourages tattling for rewards. Vernon Brewer, founder and president of humanitarian organization World Help reported on one case: There was a girl named Eun, whose third-grade teacher gave the class a “special assignment” to go home and “look for a book” and if it’s the right book, the student will be honored. Eun found a Bible. “The next day she received a prize at her school. But when Eun returned home, her parents weren’t there. It’s hard to imagine such cruelty that would turn children on their own parents.”

From the late 19th century until the Korean War, North Korea was a Christian stronghold – and Pyongyang was considered the “Jerusalem of the East.” While it is now anything but friendly to the faithful, activists claim Christianity is still burgeoning in the deeply tyrannical country.
Despite efforts to eradicate Christians, the Church of Christ in North Korea is actually growing.They know only God is powerful enough to break through the darkness of the most oppressive regime on earth. More here

Acts 7:59

*** Update *** 
Senators warn of 'measures' against Turkey over Andrew Brunson
4-20-18, NBC -- In a letter to President Erdogan the senators describe the indictment detailing the allegations against Christian evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson as "an absurd collection of anonymous accusations, flights of fantasy, and random character assassination. In September 2017, Erdogan hinted that Brunson would be returned to the U.S. if Washington extradited Pennsylvania-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen...

***
Turkey Leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan Admits IT! Brunson is a political pawn ...

On April 21, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a live interview that if the United States government wants Brunson to be released, they must extradite Fethullah Gulen and hand him over to Turkey. Gulen is a Muslim cleric residing in the United States whom the Turkish government believes orchestrated the failed 2016 coup. Erdogan declared, “The US is behind [Gulen]…. If you want Brunson, look at the steps you have taken in the past. Why don’t you deport this man in accordance with the extradition treaty?”

​Turkey rules to keep US Pastor Andrew Brunson in Prison One More Month
ALIAGA (Turkey) (AFP) - Monday, 4/16/18 a Turkish court ruled that American Pastor Andrew Brunson will remain in prison one more month. He has been officially accused of “dividing and separating the country by means of Christianization” of the population. Prior to his imprisonment, for 23 years Brother Andrew lived peacefully in the city of Izmir. He stands accused of aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), considered a terrorist group by the Turkish government for its separatist insurgency. He is also accused of having links to followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim imam who lives in Pennsylvania USA and who the government blames for the coup against President Erdogan. His heartbreaking appeal to the court was denied although Pastor Brunson revealed that he had suffered a breakdown in jail and stopped eating. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina USA, Brunson’s home state, was present for the trial; also Sam Brownback, a former senator and governor from Kansas whom President Trump recently appointed as ambassador at large for international religious freedom. More here

4-16-18, Breitbart -- ​NBC’s Sunday night sci-fi drama, Timeless has joined Hollywood’s anti-Christian crusade by mocking Christianity. It demeans the practice of prayer and insisting that,”God doesn’t exist.”

The series follows a group of government agents who use a time machine to track a murderous madman with his own time machine, who is bent on making major alterations in the timeline to destroy the United States both in the past and for the future.

On Sunday, one of the heroes of the show went after Christianity. Rufus (Malcolm Barrett) in a conversation about a “higher power” with fellow traveler Jiya (Claudia Doumit) asked Rufus if he ever thought there was “something bigger out there,” or a higher power in the universe. In reply, Rufus garbled the concept of prayer and mocked Christians for bothering. More here

This is one show that will not appear on my screen! 

1-11-18, Associated Press -- This week in northern China's coal country in the city of Linfen in Shanxi province, govt authorities demolished the well-known Christian Golden Lampstand mega-church. This act has underscored the long-standing tensions between Christians and the official atheistic Communist Party of China. Paramilitary People's Armed Police forces used excavators and dynamite to destroy the building.

​The Church was built by husband and wife evangelists Wang Xiaoguang and Yang Rongli as a permanent home for their followers. The couple had been preaching around Linfen since 1992, establishing congregations in improvised spaces such as factory dormitories and greenhouses.

ChinaAid, a U.S.-based Christian advocacy group, said local authorities planted explosives in an underground worship hall to demolish the building, which was built with nearly $3 million in contributions from local worshippers in one of China's poorest regions.
​
The church, with a congregation of more than 50,000, has long clashed with the government.

In an earlier 2009 crackdown, hundreds of police and hired thugs attacked the church and congregation. They seized Bibles and destroyed church property ending with church leaders receiving long prison sentences. The leaders were charged with illegally occupying farmland and disturbing traffic with a prayer gathering.