Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Pray for Burundi!

The elections in Burundi are coming up in just over a week. There has been major turmoil in the country. The following is from an email I just received from Frederic Harerimana, ECLEA-Burundi's national coordinator:

1. Pray for peace reestablishment in Burundi. Since the beginning of demonstrations against the "third term" of president Nkurunziza, the security of Burundians especially at Bujumbura has been threatened. In addition, there is too much rumours which have prompted some people to flee the country and are living in pathetic conditions in neighbouring countries.

2. Pray for the refugees who are living in poor conditions in fear of coming back to Burundi. Some ran away for their security, but a few may have gone for other reasons (not verified though). The mixture of motivations for fleeing complicate further the options of finding acceptable living condition and of returning to Burundi.

3. Pray for the search for lasting solution in Burundi. Politicians have failed quite a number of times to reach a consensus while trying to negotiate a peace deal. Pray for humility and a new rebirth of a spirit of peace in Burundi. Pray for the renewal of our minds so that Burundians reject the rebellion spirit, we embrace a spirit of tolerance, cohabitation, acceptance of one another, patience etc.

4. Pray for the church in Burundi so that we all work for peace. Currently, the church, instead of playing its unifying role, she contributes to the worsening of the situation with a few exceptions! The church needs to authoritatively lead the nation to peace and stability.

5. Pray for the protection over our families. Pray for God's guidance in taking the decision whether or not to stay in the country.

Frederic Harerimana

Saturday, July 4, 2015

The state of the church in Garissa, Kenya

You may recall some time ago Muslim terrorists attacked a university in Garissa, Kenya. They specifically targeted Christian students, killing approximately 150. I recently received an email from Josiah Joab, a pastor who lives in Garissa who has attended ECLEA training sessions. Here is what he says about the situation in Garissa:

"It's well with our souls in Garissa. There are lots of hope for the come back of Garissa. Most people (both Somalis and non Somalis) are tired of these demonic attacks and are crying and fighting to restore our county Garissa and region back to sanity.
 
As Christian, we have lost so much in terms of business and employments. Church attendance has also gone so down that it has affected church leaderships and programs. We are crawling so to say. However the few of us who have remained are zooming in to Much Prayers and encouragements from each other. We've been organizing joint prayers and fastings. The best is yet to come for the path of the just is like a shining light of a new day that shines brighter and brighter to a perfect day. IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER!"
 
May God watch over, protect, strengthen, and encourage Josiah and the other believers in Garissa.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Biblical Eschatology listed on website

On June 2 Community Bible Chapel of Richardson, TX listed my book, Biblical Eschatology, as one of their new and recommended books. Here is what they said:

Biblical Eschatology, by Jonathan Menn. Eschatology from an amillennial perspective. Sam Storms rated it number 6 in his top books of 2014, due to its “near exhaustive treatment of every issue imaginable and his fair-handed and always biblically grounded interaction” with other views, which make it “an extremely valuable resource for anyone wanting to dig deeply into the swirl of debate regarding the end times”.

The website page link which includes the other new and recommended books is here: http://communitybible.org/new-books-june-2015.