This Is Your Promise!

You shall seek those who

contend with you, but you
shall not find them; those
who war against you shall
be as nothing at all.
Isaiah 41:12.
I will contend with him who
contends with you and I will
save your children.
Phone: 044-65145334 | Email: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com Isaiah 49:25.

Vol. 7, No. 8 DECEMBER, 2010 Price: Rs.2/-

TOUGH TALKING: US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton released the

annual report on international religious freedom recently. The report,
while commending the Indian constitution that provided for freedom of
religion, was critical of some state governments’ laws and policies that
restricted religious freedom by enforcing anti-conversion laws and by
not effectively prosecuting those responsible for riots. In particular, the
report was critical of the Sangh Parivar. See detailed report on Page 7.
 THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com REGIONAL Page 2 | December, 2010
LOOKING FOR MALE OR FEMALE
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spoken by the community.
There may be very few followers of Jesus Email: gijohn@rediffmail.com 329/4, HIG Flats,
Christ today among the Hindu Bhat, but pray Poonga Apartments,
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Pray that they will live a life worthy of their Chennai 600 040.
calling in Christ. Pray also for the availability of
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recordings. Monday to Saturday
Pray each individual in the Bhat community
who is capable of making a decision about The purpose of the newspaper
Christ will be given opportunities to do so. Pray is to report newsworthy religious
the message will be in the mother tongue of the events and activities within the
individual, and will be clearly presented. local community, nationwide and
‘All the ends of the earth will remember and around the world, to increase the
turn to the Lord, and all the families of the awareness and activism of
nations will worship before you.’ Psalm 22:27. believers regarding the moral
Text source: Joshua Project. issues of today, to provide
thought-provoking commentary,
and to provide an effective
advertising vehicle for Christian
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claims or representations made by any
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Padi,Chennai 600 050.
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E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com INTERCESSION Page 4 | December, 2010

W E encourage you to use pc) constitute the majority

these points in your
daily prayer as a family,
prayer group or an individual. We
would be glad if you take copies of
these prayer points and share them
with other believers in your
church, prayer group or
workplace. If you have a specific
prayer point that you would like us
to pray for along with our readers,
you can email it to us at
christianmessenger.in
@gmail.com Blessings, Editor.
People
Dec 1: Pray for David
Emmanuel, a graduate student in
Pakistan, who wants to dedicate
his life for fulltime ministry. Pray
for teenagers in Pakistan who are
in the grip of alcohol and drugs
that they may know the Lord.
Dec 2: Pray for CS today. The
young minister of God needs the
healing touch of Jesus Christ. Pray
that he is healed of the sickness in
the body and is able to discharge
his ministerial responsibilities
effectively.
Dec 3: Pray for ER today. The
mother of two young children, she
suffers from recurrent pain in the
back. Pray that she is able to claim
God's healing and be a mighty
witness to the Lord.
Dec 4: Pray for your spouse and
children today. If you are
unmarried, pray for your parents
and siblings. That they may come
to know the love of God and be
worthy witnesses to His Name.
Dec 5: Pray for those who rule
over us, according to 1 Timothy
2:2. That God may grant them
wisdom and compassion and
make them open to the Gospel.
Dec 6: Pray for The Christian
Messenger founders today. That
they will remain faithful to the
calling in their lives and be a
blessing to many. May all their
efforts for the Kingdom bring
glory and honor to the Lord.
Dec 7: Pray for Pastor Peter
today. That God will keep him
under His wings and give him the
grace and guidance in leading his
family and church in a village in
Tamil Nadu.
Dec 8: Pray for KV today. The
Christian businessman is in huge
debts and needs a miracle to get
out of the mess he is in. Pray that
the Lord's hand guides him and
protects him.
Dec 9: Pray for all evangelists,
field workers and those engaged in
various ministries such as
distributing tracts, visiting
hospitals and prisons and
ministering the Word of God to the
lost in India. If God lays a burden
in your heart over them, pray that
He meets at least some of their
needs through you.
Dec 10: Pray for your pastor.
That God will give him more grace
(James 4:6), spiritual revelation
through the Holy Spirit (John
14:26), anointing (Isaiah 10:27)
and holiness (1 Peter 1:15,16).
Bro.Devarajulu will start again
with renewed vigor. May God add
more souls to His Kingdom
through these efforts among urban
slum dwellers.
Dec 13: There are an estimated
50 million plus Muslims living in
the Arabian peninsula. How can
we reach them with the Gospel?
The Word of God asks us to pray.
Let us pray according to
Philippians 4:6.
Dec 14: The United Nations
says by 2040, Europe will be 55 pc
Muslim. Already the signs of this
happening are seen in the UK,
Germany and France. Pray that
Gospel outreach among Muslims
in Europe is redoubled.
Dec 15: Pray for peace in the
middle east region. There is
general strife among Christians
living in the region with many
emigrating to Europe and the US
to escape persecution.
Dec 16: In the evangelized non-
Christian world, there are 1.31
million full-time Christian
workers. Pray that their needs are
met and more resources made
available to them.
Dec 17: There are
approximately 83 million Bibles
being distributed around the world
in a year. Pray for more Bibles to
be made available in several
languages to meet the growing
search for peace with God, others
and oneself.
Dec 18: Pray for a supernatural
move of the Holy Spirit to reveal
Jesus to the many Muslims who
“YE SHALL BE MY WITNESSES…… AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH” ACTS 1:8
DATE
With experienced and knowledgeable international faculty
Seats are limited to 60 on first-come, first-serve basis.
Ü
Sponsored candidates need to submit the requisite testimonials in
Ü
advance with recommendation letters from the concerned authorities
seek God for peace (Psalms 118:2;
Acts 4:33).
Dec 19: Pray for victory in a
court case that KB, a widow, is
fighting in Kerala. Pray to the One
who sits on the throne judging in
righteousness (Psalm 9:4). The
case comes up for hearing
tomorrow.
Dec 20: This Christmas, pray
that all mission agencies and
missionary organizations
redouble their efforts to reach out
to non-Christians through skits,
film shows, musicals and other
innovative methods.
Nations
Dec 21: Pray for Honduras
t o d a y. T h e c o u n t r y o f
approximately 79 lakh people is
known for its excess mortality due
to AIDS. As a result it is common
to see higher infant mortality and
higher death rates than in other
countries.
Dec 22: Christians account for
only 10 percent of Hong Kong's
population. Chinese constitute the
majority of the people. The people
speak Cantonese, English and
Putonghua (Mandarin) besides
various dialects of Chinese. Pray
for more language literature to be
available.
Dec 23: Let's pray for South
Africa today. The country of 50
million reported 14,195
carjackings, 50,000 rapes and
18,148 murders last year. May the
lost souls be touched by the love of
religions in Vietnam. Protestants
account only for 0.5 percent of the
population. A large number of
Vietnamese can read English.
Dec 30: Pray for Iraq today.
Jesus Christ. Ninety-seven per cent of the Iraqis
Dec 24: Iceland was in the news are Muslims. Since the beginning
early this year thanks to of this year, violence against
Eyjafjallajokull that erupted and Christians has been on the
disrupted air traffic in Europe due increase. Pray for their safety.
to its ash spillage. Though a Dec 31: Rededicate your family
Christian-majority nation, pray to the Lord today. Even as you
that Holy Spirit revives the nation thank Him for all His mercies and
for the Lord’s return. grace, ask Him to cover you and
Dec 25: Pray for the peace of your family in the blood of the
Jerusalem today. Christians Lamb. Pray that 2011 may be a
account for only 2.1 percent in year of new revelation from God
Israel. Jews constitute 75.5 and a year of greater closeness
percent while Muslims form 16.8 with the Lord.
percent of the population. Pray
John’s Music Inc.
according to Psalm 122:6.
Dec 26: Pray for our country All Hi-Quality Music Instruments
today. Scams have become the ¬ Dealers
order of the day. According to a ¬ Hirers
report, India has lost 462 billion ¬ Music Classes
dollars in illegal capital flows ¬ Rehearsal Hall
between 1948 and 2008. The loss ¬ Gospel Audio
has been caused because of Studio (Pro Tools)
companies and individuals Music
channeling their wealth overseas. Compositions
Dec 27: A mixture of Buddhist & Orchestra
and Taoist constitute the majority
religion in Taiwan. Christians Backup Available
account for 4.5 percent of the Suncity Shopping Mall, 182/183,
population. Pray that the Purasawalkam High Road,
(Near Abirami Theatre) Kellys,
Taiwanese people will come to
Chennai 600 010.
know the love of Jesus Christ. Ph: 044-25323627 | 09381977234
Dec 28: Pray for Yemen today. E-mail: johnsmusicinc@yahoo.co.in
Of the 2.3 crore people, Muslims Web: www.johnsmusicinc.com
constitute the majority although
small numbers of Jews, Christians If any of you lacks wisdom,
and Hindus also live there. Pray
that evangelists with knowledge
let him ask God, who gives
of Arabic will minister to the generously to all without
people. reproach, and it will be given
Dec 29: Buddhist (9.3 pc),
Catholics (6.7 pc), Hoa Hao (1.5 him. James 1:5.
VENUE

Issues

Dec 11: Pray that the social

stigma attached to same-gotra
marriages is removed from the
minds of traditional Hindus in the
country. Honor killings have
become rampant in north India,
especially Uttar Pradesh. # 4-1-1001, Methodist Boys School Campus, Abids, Hyderabad - 500 001. A.P.
Dec 12: Pray that the street-
corner outreach ministry of Phone: 040-2475 2058/59, Contact: Elwin - 0-99494 22193. Email: church2missions@gmail.com
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Page 5 | December, 2010 PROMOTIONS E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com

“YE SHALL BE MY WITNESSES…… AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH” ACTS 1:8

FROM 21 to 24 ST. ANN’S GENRALATE

FEBRUARY, 2011 TARNAKA, HYDERABAD

èSecond sleeper train / bus 50% reimbursed upon submitting the

tickets, boarding, lodging and study material will be provided
è
èSeats are limited to 60 on first-come, first-serve basis.
èSponsored candidates need to submit the requisite testimonials in
advance with recommendation letters from the concerned authorities
With experienced and knowledgeable international faculty

# 4-1-1001, Methodist Boys School Campus, Abids,

Hyderabad - 500 001. A.P. Ph: 040-2475 2058/59,
Contact: Elwin - 0-99494 22193,
Email: church2missions@gmail.com

E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com
BY PALLAVI BHATTACHARYA
IN MUMBAI
V IJAY Benedict came from
Allahabad to Mumbai looking
for a big break. A postgraduate in
business management, the
youngster could sing well too.
Convinced he had a talent for
music, he hitched his wagon to the
flourishing Hindi film industry.
Soon enough he got a break in
playback singing in films. Public
and professional recognition
followed after the phenomenal
success of the Mithun
Chakraborty starrer ‘Disco
Dancer’ in which he had sung the
title song ‘I am a disco dancer.’
The song sparked off a craze all
over the country with both the
young and the old humming the
number. He went on to sing in 35
films under top music directors of
those times. While the song ‘I am a
disco dancer’ catapulted him to
fame and name, little did Vijay
realize that God had different
plans for him. When Vijay was
riding the crest of success a tragic
thing happened. His younger
brother was brutally murdered in
Germany. That shook him and
made him rethink the purpose of
his own life. When the love of
Jesus Christ touched him, he quit
the film industry and took to
Gospel singing. Step by step, God
revealed the purpose in his life
was to be at the centre of the Lord’s
will, bring glory and honor to Him
through his songs and bring many
lost souls to the Cross. In an
exclusive chat with THE
CHRISTIAN MESSENGER,
Vijay Benedict talked about his
spiritual journey so far and what
music means to him. Excerpts
from the interview:
In earlier interviews, you
have reminisced about being
mentored by a pastor in an
Assembly of God church in
Mumbai. What did you learn
from him?
Pastor Charles of the Assembly
of God church in Mumbai is now
with the Lord. He was a lovely
person and one of the finest
pastors I have ever met in my life.
The things I learned from him stay
with me till this day. I learned what
it means to be humble in life from
him. He never talked about
money. He would tell me money is
not a big thing. It will not make
much of a difference in our lives.
He taught me to serve the Lord is
far more important than anything
in life.
When I accepted Jesus Christ as
my Lord and Savior, pastor
Charles would spot me as soon as I
came into the church and ask me to
pick up a guitar and sing every
Sunday. Eventually, I got a little
tired singing every week and told
him that I didn’t wish to sing
regularly.
From then on, he would make
me sing only on occasions. Even
then, I kept telling him I was a pop
singer and not into singing Gospel
music. He then told me something
that I would never forget. He
turned to me and said ‘I will pray
that God would make you a
Gospel singer.’ I thought to myself
that would never happen but
God’s ways are not our ways. He
had already planned my life and
that’s why I am serving God
through Gospel music now.
After you were born again,
you said you were able to forgive
the man who had murdered
your brother. How did the
transformation from a vengeful
man to a peace-loving person
happen?
My younger brother who lived
in Germany was murdered by a
mafia dealing in drugs. When I
went to Germany to take
possession of his body, a powerful
thought hit me. My brother who
had everything going his way left
behind all his material possessions
when he died. Nothing could save
his life. I returned to India
confused and feeling dejected. In
my own work, there was a lot of
competition, anxiety and pressure.
I found life quite meaningless. I
realized that any day I could leave
this world like my leaving behind
all the fame and riches I had
acquired. I tried to look for
something more meaningful in
life.
At that time, I toyed around with
various philosophies. Several
earnest and well-meaning people
consoled me but peace remained
elusive. It was then that I came to
know about Jesus Christ through
some born-again believers.
Though initially I hesitated to
accept him as my savior when I
prayed to Him for forgiveness of
all my sins, He filled me with great
peace. He woke me up and gave
me a new life. There was a new-
found joy in my heart. Initially, it
was tough to forgive my brother’s
killer. It’s humanly impossible. I
wanted to harm this man when he
came out of the prison. He had just
got a seven-year prison term for
t h e c o l d - b l o o d e d m u r d e r.
However, when Jesus filled me
with His love, I softened. At the
cross, Jesus Himself had forgiven
those who had crucified him. I
realized that if my heavenly Father
could forgive me, I had no right to
hold on to my grudges.
When did you compose your
first Gospel song and what was it
about?
After accepting the Lord, I
started going to church regularly. I
started reading the Bible -
something I hadn’t done earlier. I
realized that God wanted me to do
something more but I was so pre-
occupied in films that I didn’t have
the time. There’s just too much of
glamour and glitz in films which
people don’t want to leave. After
all, you are singing for the film
stars.
I have sung for Mithun
Chakraborty, Govinda, Amir
Khan, Anil Kapoor and others. I
was being feted and awarded for
my performances.
In the midst of all my work, one
morning when I was composing a
song, I heard a voice asking me:
“Can you not make one song for
me?” The Holy Spirit gave me the
song Yeshu Tu Hain Mahan.
The song is basically a
testimony of my life. That song
was very well accepted by people
from all walks of life. Even today,
when I do a concert the audience
will invariably demand that I sing
that song.
INTERVIEW
BEST FOR GOD: Bollywood
playback singer Vijay Benedict
on his spiritual journey
Aren’t your songs well
received by even non-
Christians?
Yes, both Christians and people
of other faiths love my songs
especially the ones which talk
about God’s love and the songs
about God’s blessings on my great
country. I always tell everyone
that if you preach hatred you can’t
win. But if you preach love you
will always win. Jesus preached
love. There is nothing beyond
love.
How many Gospel albums
have you launched till date?
I have launched 20 albums. I
mostly sing in Hindi. When I was
in school I would sing only
English songs. I was quite
influenced by Western music but I
had also been trained in Indian
classical music. I had seen that in
films there was a blend of Indian
and Western music. I blend
modern music in my albums.
There can be Greek, Turkish and
Japanese influences. Whatever be
the music, you sing with the same
guitar but when you use the words
of Jesus Christ and put the Word of
God into the song it becomes
Gospel music.
What do you tell Christians
who are enamored by films and
still so lured by the money that
they can’t leave Bollywood?
T h e
Wo r d o f
God says
that the
rich man is
attracted to
money. I
found it
v e r y
difficult to
love God
and be in
the film
i n d u s t r y,
so I left
films and
chose Lord
J e s u s
Christ
instead.
People still
call me to
sing at film
concerts,
but I refuse
saying that
I only
serve God.
The film
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
industry is a high voltage place
where you can’t think about
anything spiritual. You are always
thinking about how to meet
someone, how to please him, how
to bag that contract and make more
money. The film industry is a great
place to have a ‘good time’, get
acknowledgment and earn money.
But it’s also a place where you
would get highly depressed. It is
not going to give you fulfillment.
When you reach a certain amount
of ‘high’, there is a big vacuum
around you. The money, name and
fame around you can’t fill it.
What’s most important is God’s
love, peace and joy.
How did you meet your wife
Rebecca?
Rebecca is someone who has
influenced me greatly. She is a
born-again Christian and so are
her parents. I was very impressed
by their way of living. Rebecca is a
prayer warrior. She prays most of
the time. She was working with
the Cathay Pacific Airlines when I
met her. She had a great job and
was earning a lot. But after her
marriage she worked for two more
years and quit to take care of our
son. However, she is not a typical
housewife as she manages my
schedule, printing and distribution
of my CDs. She is a great blessing
to me.
How do you rate the quality of
Christian music in India?
It is becoming very good now
because of the availability of latest
musical instruments and good
studios. The recording charges are
coming down. It is easy to record
even at home. Now it’s much
easier for musicians to deliver
quality music.
Isn’t copyright still a worry in
the Christian music world?
There’s a lot of piracy going on.
As soon as we release a CD, the
pirators duplicate it. If I sell 10
CDs, they sell 90 CDs. So 90
percent of the CDs in the market
are pirated. I am not angry because
they get to make a lot of money.
Look at it this way: I spend a lot of
time, money and energy in the
studios to make high quality music
Page 6 | December, 2010
to the best of my ability However,
the pirators use the cheapest mode
to duplicate music. As a result the
level of quality I have maintained
goes down. That's quite
unfortunate.
How do you define praise and
worship?
Praise is giving Him a high
place and telling Him that He is
great and is to be honored. He is
worthy to be worshiped because
God is great. God made man in His
own image. He did that so we
could have fellowship with Him.
Basically worship is a part of
fellowship. Worship is to tell God
how great and kind He is. Tell God
that you love Him. Talk to Him
and ask him what He desires of
you. Open your heart out and talk
to Him. Tell Him of all your
problems. Give Him glory and
praise. That’s worship all about.
Traditional
rich
plum
cakes for
Christmas
Contact
Mrs. Janet Durairaj
Phone: 044-26157846
Mobile: 9710071540
Gift this newspaper
to your friends
Do you want to introduce this
newspaper to your friends?
Send their names and addresses
to us. We will send it to them
FREE of cost for a limited period
(3 months).
That way, you can help us
find new subscribers!
Write to us at:
The Editor,
The Christian Messenger,
20/20, Bharathiar Street,
Srinivasa Nagar, Padi,
Chennai 600 050.
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Page 7 | December, 2010 NATIONAL E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com

THE US government has sharply instances of communal violence in

criticized state governments and which 125 persons were killed and
local councils for rising 2,424 injured. According to this
communal tensions in India. report, there were 76 incidents of
In its annual report on Hindu-Christian violence in 2009,
international religious freedom which resulted in two deaths and
released last month, the US 44 injuries, compared to 44 deaths
Department of State, however, and 82 injuries in 2008.
said the Indian constitution There were anti-conversion
provided for freedom of religion. laws prevailing in six of the 28
Despite that, it said, some state states.
governments’ laws and policies The BJP and its parent body the
restricted this freedom by RSS expressed the view that ‘all
enforcing anti-conversion laws citizens, regardless of their
KNEE POWER: Christian refugees in Orissa praying on their knees at and by not effectively prosecuting religious affiliation, should adhere
a make-shift church in a relief camp in Tikabali in Kandhamal. Photo by those responsible for riots. to Hindu cultural values.’
Soumitra Ghosh/Hindustan Times The report, released by Secretary of State Clinton said:
The report documented
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, “Religious freedom also includes
widespread atrocities against
A fast track court in Orissa Lalaji Naik of Rudangia village. said: “Despite strong official legal the right to raise one’s children in
minorities including vandalism
sentenced 14 persons accused in Among the acquitted is BJP protections for minorities, weak one’s faith, to share one’s faith
against religious properties and
the 2008 Kandhamal riots to three MLA Manoj Pradhan who had law enforcement, a lack of trained peacefully with others, to publish
allegations of police brutality.
years rigorous imprisonment. over 14 cases against his name for police and an overburdened court religious materials without
Quoting the Ministry of Home
Justice C R Das of Fast Track involvement in the riots. system played a role in censorship, to change one’s
Affairs’ 2009-10 annual report ,
Court II in Phulbhani sentenced Church administrators have e x a c e r b a t i n g c o m m u n a l religion – by choice, not coercion,
the US report said there were 826
s e v e n p e o p l e t o r i g o r o u s expressed shock at the acquittals. tensions.” and to practice no religion at all.
imprisonment for setting fire to
houses in Budamaha village in
Raikia during the anti-Christian
violence. The court also imposed a
fine of Rs.4,500 on each of them.
Another seven people were
sentenced to three years
imprisonment and a fine of
Rs.6.500 each for burning houses
in Sindherigaon village.
In a case relating to murder, the
court acquitted 31 persons while
two were sentenced to six years of
rigorous imprisonment.
The two were part of a mob that
attacked three villages, setting fire
to hundreds of houses that
belonged to Christians. On
September 30, the mob attacked
and killed Ramamani Naik and

Tambaram, Chennai-59, Tamil Nadu.

Offers

Highlights

Contact: The Director, IACS

Madras Christian College (Autonomous)
Tambaram, Chennai - 59, Tamil Nadu.
Phone: 91-44-22390991 Cell: 0-9840994088 | E-mail: iacs@mcc.edu.in Website: www.mcc.edu.in/iacs
Registrar of Newspapers in India No. TNBIL/2004/15307
INTERNATIONAL THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Postal Registration No. TN/CCN/271/10-12 E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com
Licensed to Post Without Pre-payment WPP No. TN/CCN/77/10-12 Published on 2nd / 3rd of every month | Page 8 | December, 2010

... AND THAT’S THE PHYSICS, GENETICS, AND

GEOLOGY BEHIND WHY WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE
IS TRUE AND EVOLUTION IS A LIE JESUS
a report. IS OUR CREATOR AND REDEEMER AND HIS
Bibi was arrested in June 2009 WORD IS TRUE!
in her village of Ittanwalai, west of
Lahore, and prosecuted under
Pakistan penal code. She became
the first Christian woman in
Pakistan to be handed the death
sentence during a court hearing on
Nov 8.
However, faced with increasing
pressure from the international
community, Pakistan president
Zardari pardoned her on Nov 22.
The Centre for Legal Aid,
Assistance and Settlement
(CLAAS), which provides free
legal support to persecuted
Christians in Pakistan, welcomed
news of Bibi’s release.
CLAAS’ coordinator in the UK,
Nasir Saeed said: “This is the only
FREEDOM AT LAST: Daughters of Asia Bibi stand outside their acceptable outcome to what has
home in Pakistan with a photograph of their mother on Nov 13, 2010. been a travesty of justice from the
outset. She should never have If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all
PAKISTAN president Asif Ali year and a half in prison after been charged with blasphemy, let knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not
Zardari freed a Christian mother Muslim colleagues on the fruit alone sentenced to death.” love, I am nothing. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:2
of three facing execution for farm where she worked accused
s u p p o s e d l y c o m m i t t i n g her of blasphemy following a
blasphemy. bitter dispute between them over CHRISTIANS Against Poverty now and this year.”
Asia Bibi had already spent a their different faiths, according to is urging people not to give into Shopping: Do I need it test?
the temptation of a loan to cover Before you decide on shopping
the cost of their Christmas this season, put yourself to a
celebrations. buying test.
The debt counseling charity Give yourself this self-test to
says it is not out to kill the festive determine whether your purchase THE Free Church of Scotland
WHILE the media around the threat, Wang Dao, pastor of the season but that it wants people to would be a wise decision. has overturned more than hundred
world has congratulated China for Guangzhou Liangren church, have a clear spending strategy to Ask yourself these seven years of tradition by moving to
the near perfect way in which it dismissed the allegation as see them safely into the New Year. important questions: allow music and singing during
organized the 16th Asian Games baseless. CAP chief executive Matt 1. Do I really need this? services.
in Guangzhou, what has gone “This is not an issue with Barlow believes such a strategy is 2. Do I need this now? The decision was made
unreported is the clampdown it security,” he said. “It’s just an wise as yet more economic 3. Can I get a better price following two days of discussion
had on ‘house churches’. excuse, so they can undertake a uncertainty looks on the horizon. elsewhere? in Edinburgh. Ministers voted 98
According to a news report, total crackdown and cleanup of “These are difficult times for a 4. If this is a bargain, is it a to 84 to allow congregations to
Chinese officials in Guangzhou house churches.” lot of us and the temptation is to current or suitable model? choose whether or not to
had banned ‘house churches’ from Chinese officials scrutinize all say ‘at least we’ll have a great 5. Can I get by with a less incorporate hymns and musical
holding services from Nov 12 to faith-based activities in the Christmas’ and use that as an expensive version or model of the instruments into their services.
27 – the 15-day period during country. Though freedom of excuse to spend what we haven’t product? Until now, Free Church
which the Asian Games were held. religion in the People’s Republic got,” he said. 6. Is the item of good quality? congregations were only allowed
Quoting Tang Jingling, a lawyer of China is provided for by the “The New Year is full of 7. Will I still be pleased with my to sing the Psalms but without
who is also a house church country’s constitution, the uncertainty: job losses, VAT will purchase in 30 days? musical instruments. The vote
member, the news report said government restricts religious be going up, benefits are Answering these questions will made during the first plenary
officials had asked pastors of these p r a c t i c e t o g o v e r n m e n t - changing, energy bills are rising help you decide whether this is an meeting to be held since the Free
groups to stop or cancel all sanctioned organizations and and we don’t know what interest impulse purchase or one for which Church split from the Church of
meetings during the period. registered places of worship. rates will do. If we were ever going you have done sufficient research. Scotland in 1843.It came in spite
While the official reasoning There are five registered religions to get our spending under control Have a blessed Christmas of opposition from traditionalists
was that the holding of meetings at in that country among which are at Christmas – it should be right within your means and reach. who wanted to worship without
the house churches was a security Protestantism and Catholicism. any instruments.

Are you a writer?

CAUGHT ON THE WRONG
FOOT: Rev. Cedric Miller
preaches at his Neptune church
in New Jersey, US in this file
photo.
Owned and published by Elsy Robin from 329/4, Poonga Apartments, HIG Flats, II Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600 040.
Printed by L Cyril Sagayaraj at VS Printograph Pvt Ltd., 1, Narasinghapuram Extn.., 1st Lane, Maduvankarai, Guindy, Chennai 600 032. Editor: Elsy Robin
A pastor in New Jersey, United
States, who asked church leaders
to quit Facebook or resign because
of its negative impact on marriage,
has offered to step down over his
own three-way affair with a
church worker 10 years ago, it has
been reported.
Pastor Cedric Miller, senior
pastor of the 1,100-member
Living Word Christian Fellowship
Church of Neptune in New Jersey,
warned last month that Facebook
can lead to infidelity by rekindling
old passions.
However, Miller’s own conduct
came under scrutiny when a local
newspaper Asbury Park Press
reported on the affair, to which the
48-year-old pastor has admitted.
On Nov 21, he led a rousing
two-hour sermon after offering to
step down if church leaders
Have you written Spiritually-edifying prose or poetry?
thought him unfit to serve. Do you want to publish it as books?
The newspaper said the THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER can help you with:
congregation offered strong
support with repeated shouts of
‘Amen’ and ‘Praise Jesus.’ Miller
reiterated his warnings about the
dangers of Facebook, the
newspaper reported.
The newspaper, which broke
the story, said the information was
contained in a testimony Miller
gave in a criminal case against the
assistant who was eventually
dismissed.
Justifying his anti-Facebook
stance, Miller said: “Married Writers from around the world have benefited
couples are going on Facebook from our professional services.
and what happens can end up in
my office. I know from where we
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stand in the Christian perspective, For details, contact The Christian Messenger at
the connection is inappropriate.” Phone: 044-65145334.
“I'm trying to save families and
marriages,” he added. Email: ChristianMessenger.in@Gmail.com