Why I'm Leaving the Voice of the Martyrs

Dear {Supervisor},

I told you a couple months ago that I was praying about resigning from the VVN when my year’s term of commitment is up in May.

I feel like the Lord is confirming that I should indeed resign then. I wanted to let you know in advance so that we can work together to make the transition as seamless as possible for the reps.

First of all, I want to make sure you know that I’m not leaving the VVN because of any problem with you, with VOM, or with any of my team. You have all been a delight to work with, and I feel like I have grown tremendously as a result of the training and opportunities that VOM has given me. I’ve experienced so many wonderful times with my VOM “family” and have memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Richard Wurmbrand’s writings have impacted me in ways that no other human writings have. I continue to believe that all Christians must support the persecuted church and that Tortured for Christ and the VOM newsletter are “required reading” for everyone. 

Here are the factors that have led to my decision.

First, getting to know the persecuted church better has shown me that they need far more than “tools”. They need models. Originally I naively imagined that all persecuted Christians were more or less junior versions of Richard Wurmbrand. Now I see that most of them have deep spiritual needs, not just physical needs. Sending dollars and blankets and even Bibles is not enough for me any more. Some day it would be my dream to actually live as a tentmaker in a restricted nation and disciple pastors and evangelists. 

Second, the Lord has opened my eyes to the strategic importance of strengthening the members of my own local church. It’s easy to “love” a persecuted Christian from afar, but quite another thing to love a Christian with whom you have to regularly interact. Yet, I have been realizing that the love of local believers for one another is one of the most important (and in my case, neglected) facets of evangelism. I am seeing the importance of strengthening persecuted churches, not just persecuted individuals. As you know, I have gotten more involved with ministry at church and so far, it’s been great. The experiences I had with VOM helped prepare me for it, and I hope that the experiences I am gaining in church ministry will in turn prepare me for better ministry to the persecuted church in the future.

Third, during the last year or so it seems that my VVN team has wilted under my oversight. I am down to just four active reps now. I think it would be best to transfer care of these reps to someone with fresh energy and vision. 

I will check with the inactive reps and ask them whether they think they may get active in the (near) future. If they say no (I’m pretty sure all 3 will), I’ll formally deactivate them as reps so that the new area coordinator doesn’t have to be the “bad guy”. 

Things are coming together for our annual “in person” team meeting to be held on Saturday, May 12^th. This year, it will be in north Tucson. (Most of the active reps are now in southern Arizona so I thought it best to hold the meeting closer to them.)

My thought is to make that team meeting my last official act. This will give me a chance to say “goodbye” in a meaningful way and bring closure to what has been a wonderful season of my life. 

Your thoughts?

In the joy of the gospel,

Daniel B.

Area Coordinator (AZ, UT)

Voice Volunteer Network

The Voice of the Martyrs

"Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?" -- Leonard Ravenhill's tombstone.

What to tell an adulterous pastor?

Mom recently had a pastor in another nation write her.  He had committed adultery with his best friend's wife.  He had not told anyone yet, and asked for her advice.  Wow.  That doesn't happen to us every day!  What would you have said?  Here is what she told him.  (Pray for this man.)

My family and I are praying for you. 

First please take time to prayerfully read and listen to the messages on this link. This helps someone to know their true spiritual condition as God sees it.
http://illbehonest.com/biblical-gospel

Operation World states that of those who claim to be believers in {your nation}, sadly only 10% are truly converted. So I always ask a person to examine themselves [read 2 Corinthians 13:5], and if needed ask a mature believer to speak with you to see if you are genuinely converted. Many pastors are NOT yet converted. I read the testimony of a pastor's wife who was an evangelist for many years. 12 years after being married to her pastor husband, she came to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus.

Now as to what the Bible teaches regarding what to do with this sin you have committed. You must repent, trust Christ and be born again of the Spirit of God if this is not your true condition. After this, you can ask and receive forgiveness from God.

We are forgiven because of what Jesus did on the cross... Jesus took the full wrath of God against our sins... and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins. Our faith is in the Person of Jesus, not in our prayer or confession of sins.

You must also confess this sin to the ones you have sinned against. This includes the husband of the woman you slept with, your friend... also your wife. 

You must also resign as pastor for a time until you work through what is needed to be restored. According to the teaching of 1 Timothy 2 and Titus 2, you no longer meet the Biblical requirements for an elder [pastor]. This means to notify the man coming from {another country} that you will not be part of the planned crusade. If you are part of a network of pastors, they need to be told. You don't need to tell them who is the woman. You do need to confess adultery. The idea here is to get under the authority of local Godly men who will help you rebuild your marriage and your life.
God forgives all sin, even adultery. However you need to think seriously about the teaching in 1 Corinthians 6 as well as following chapters. It may take a very long time to rebuild trust.
There are sometimes bitter and lasting consequences to such a grievous sin. 

Proverbs 28:13 gives advice about if we should keep silent about our sins. "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. "

Psalm 51 is the prayer/confession of King David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba.
 

Psalm 32:1-4 is also a good place to read. Here in English:

(NIV)

Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one
whose sin the LORD does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

James 5 tells us how to confess our sins to others.

So, first look at website above. If you are NOT sure you are true child of God, please contact us.

Next, you need to confess this sin to a local Godly pastor who will walk with you as you will need to: resign from being a pastor, confess and ask forgiveness of the husband of the woman, confess and ask forgiveness from your wife, put yourself under a pastor who is trained to help people get restored to wife and to understand what is God saying to you now.

Here is a message from a Godly pastor on the subject of what has happened in your life.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ask-pastor-john/is-it-possible-to-restore-a-pastor-who-has-sinned-sexually

We love you and are praying you will come through this time once again doing the work of the Kingdom.

Mom's Knee is Improving!

Well friends, it seems that our gracious and all-powerful God is answering your prayers by bringing healing to Mom's body once again.


Last Friday the doctor loaned us a “pivot disc” which is like a lazy Susan that she stands on. It makes it much easier to transfer her from chair to walker to toilet to bed. Since then it has only taken one of us to move her rather than two. This in turn has meant that Dad and I have been able to take turns getting out of the house, going to church events, etc.

This week her pain level has improved. She has been able to get better sleep at night.  The sound of my mother's soft snoring in the other room is one of my favorite sounds.

 A physical therapist has come twice this week. She has been quite knowledgeable and helpful, recommending exercises that Mom is capable of and which actually seem to be helpful. Mom is now able to put some weight on the leg, and is able to move it more freely.

 Another amazing thing is that Mom has been able to tolerate the smell of a natural muscle ointment (smells and works like Ben-gay). In the past the smell would have made her sick.

We are so thankful for your prayers and support during this time!

Is Youcef Nadarkhani a Christian?

Hi ____,

An Iranian Christian news agency is reporting in more detail about Youcef’s non-trinitarianism.

http://parsaweb.org/index.php/english/news

Perhaps the Iranian gov't is shrewd enough to use Mr. Nardakhani's membership in a cult as a way to try to escape Western pressure. Martin' Niemoller's statement about "First they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist..." comes to mind.

The video almost makes the "Christian" Iranian pastors seem unconcerned about Youcef... "Agh, he's doesn't believe in the Trinity. Let him die while we go burn some more incense."

A double tragedy if Youcef is executed: he goes to hell, and the Iranian government is emboldened to further restrict religious freedom.

All the more reason to pray for our brothers and sisters in Iran.

In the joy of the gospel,

Daniel

----------------

Reply I received from M____:

Please note the following comments

The best source for information about Youcef and the small network/movement/denomination of which he is a part (“Church of Iran”) is Jason DeMars at Present Truth Ministries (http://presenttruthmn.com/blog/iran/church-iran-network/ ). Here is the key point, including a quote from Firouz, an elder in Youcef’s network:

Recently, Mohabat News has claimed that the Church of Iran network is closely associated with the United Pentecostal Church, believes in baptismal regeneration, salvation by works, Jesus only Sabellianism and that “speaking in tongues [is] the main sign of true salvation.”

The assertions that you see above are false. I have met personally with pastors, missionaries and evangelists that are a part of the Church of Iran network. I can assure you that they preach the Gospel and that salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. They reject the teaching of the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit being tongues, Jesus only Sabellianism and baptismal regeneration. Not one of the brothers that I have been in contact with has stated they hold to these beliefs, but in fact have told me directly that they do not believe in them.

Firouz Sadegh Khandjani, an elder in the Church of Iran, states that, “We disagree with the oneness [Jesus only] understanding of the unity of God. We do not believe in a simple unity, as in God being one as your finger is one.” Pastor Firouz informed me that he has also written an article in Farsi detailing why the Oneness doctrine is Scripturally wrong.

We know the individual that is spreading the information to the contrary – and he is not close to Youcef as Jason and Firouz are. So, I recommend we say that we have definitive sources that refute the claims about Youcef advancing oneness theology and being part of a cult.

---------

My replies to M____: 

Hi M____,

Thanks for the link. I had seen this before. What you may not be aware of is that Present Truth Ministries (Jason DeMars) is itself Branhamite. William Branham believed he had found a position halfway between trinitarianism and oneness; but when you study his teachings, it quickly becomes apparent that it is just another spin on modalism (sabellianism).

You can find corroboration of what I have just told you on Present Truth Ministries’ web site:

http://presenttruthmn.com/william-branham-doctrine-god/

More info on Branhamism here: http://www.equip.org/perspectives/william-marrion-branham

Hope this helps!

Daniel

---------

P.S. M____: here is even more clear oneness theology as written by Jason DeMars:

http://www.jasondemars.com/blog/biblical-doctrine/oneness-of-god/

http://www.jasondemars.com/blog/biblical-doctrine/historians-speak-honestly-trinity/

If you hover your mouse over “Biblical Doctrine” on either of these pages, you’ll see articles by Jason supporting other Branham doctrines such as the Serpent Seed (Satan had sex with Eve and produced Cain).

DB
---------

Note: another person pointed out that oneness theology would be very appealing to a person coming out of Islam.  It seems to offer them a way to be a Christian without believing in the Trinity.  To a Muslim, the Trinity is abhorrent (because they think it violates the Quranic injunction against "ascribing partners to God").  Sadly, oneness theology is just another route to hell. True Christians believe that God is one being in three persons.  For more background on the importance of the doctrine of the Trinity, see the teaching I gave last year.

Free online BrainBench testing next week

Hi A___ and B_____,

Not sure if this would be of interest for you, but thought I’d tell you just in case.

BrainBench is an online testing service. Their exams are not proctored (you do them from your own computer) but otherwise are on par with CLEP-style tests. They offer about 600 different exams on a wide range of subjects. Normally they charge between $30 and $50 for a test.

Next week (March 5-9) all tests will be free. No catches. Details here: http://www.brainbench.com/xml/bb/landing/offer/promotion.xml?contentId=2042

Probably the big question you’re wondering is, “What good is a non-proctored test?” While there actually is use of these exams in the business world by job applicants, in the case of your families I thought maybe your older kids might be interested in trying a few. It’s a convenient (from home), cheap (free), and very challenging (these are adult-level tests) way to measure their skill levels. The test results are also comprehensive: it’s not just a pass/fail result; they give you a score, tell you how your score compared with other test-takers, how many questions in each section of the test you got right, and what your areas of strength and weakness are.

It won’t get them any college credit, but it will give them practice at taking exams, and might help them know where they want to focus their studies.

Blessings!

Daniel

Why I'm Voting for Santorum

Hi G_____,

Any thoughts?

Leaning towards Santorum.

But haven’t studied it too deeply.

None of the GOP guys please me too much this year.

Pretty sure Obama will win 2^nd term.

Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I just cast my ballot for Santorum. I do not have a candidate whom I support much. But I like Rick's ethics the most of all.

My brother was a Committeeman for the GOP in the Philadelphia suburbs several times and is still up on much of what the thinking is in PA. He says Santorum is appreciated for not using attack ads and speaking to issues. BUT he does not think Rick is liberal or middle of the road enough to win many states. He lost election in PA. He is too liberal for the really conservative deep South and Tea Party.

Newt is horribly obnoxious but may be the only candidate who can defeat BO. Fight fire with fire. He's smart and knows how to control Congress. He is one of them but they are afraid of him because the ruling geezers since Newt was no longer so influential would lose their power if Newt gets in. So, the geezers want the Mormon to win because he is more liberal and more of a yes man.

If Santorum gets a few more primary victories and Newt does well and wins in some of the large industrialized states there will be an open GOP convention and that will be a blood bath for all the GOP candidates. Not beneficial. Airing the false lies and dirty laundry will harm them all in a bid against BO.

Santorum doesn't have the war chest to defeat BO but may get money if he keeps winning primaries.

The carpet bombing, like in FL, of attack ads works. Should not but it does. Santorum has had a free ride so far on attack ad stuff because it has been aimed at the leaders and he looked benign. NOW he will have to go on the defensive or on the attack. Let's see how he does with that. I do not think he is believable as a bulldog. More of a Labrador in my view.

I wish we could win with a candidate who has the moral credentials Santorum seems to display.

The GOP may be trying to shoot the party in the foot again.

I like Dr. Paul but he'd never win nationally nor do I think he's got what it takes to lead the Party or the country.

Well, there you have my thoughts and opinion on Santorum for what they're worth.


G___

A Torn Meniscus and the Good Fight of Faith

It's been several days since I updated you about Mom.  The delay is not because there has been a lack of activity, but because there has been a lot.

Since she cannot put any weight on her left leg, we help her move using a sit-down walker.

We have learned ways to get her to recliner chair, to toilet, to bed with the least amount of pain possible.  That said, her pain at times can still be very bad, and there is a level of unpredictability to it.  Tuesday night she didn't get any sleep; last night she got a pretty decent sleep.

Part of the complication is in dealing with the pre-existing problems of her osteoporosis and colon paralysis, both of which cause pain of their own.  Not being able to walk at all has only intensified this.

On Tuesday we received the results of her latest Dexa-scan (bone density measurement).  The results were a blend of encouragement and fear: her spinal bones have improved about 3% in the last year, while her hip bones have lost about 9%.  A hip fracture would most likely ultimately prove fatal for someone in her condition.

Today a friend who is a good physical therapist came over.  After examining her leg, he believes she has a torn meniscus which would not improve without surgery.  But a verifying MRI is in order first.  If she has surgery, a post-op stay in a rehab facility might be needed.

For a healthier person, such an outpatient surgery and subsequent rehab are no great hurdle; for someone in Mom's condition, they are a daunting challenge. 

But the challenge is not just physical, but also emotional and spiritual.  And the challenge is not just for Mom, but also (to a lesser degree) for Dad and I and all who care about her.

The fight is for faith.  The battle is to believe.  To trust that God has a wise and loving purpose in this, as in all suffering.  That all things (whether they be miraculous healing or surgery and rehab) will work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  That this momentary, light affliction is producing for Mom an eternal weight of glory, far beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17).  That the things which are seen (like Dexa-scan reports and terrible pain and our house in disarray) are temporary, but the things which are not seen (like the honor God will receive through this, and our eventual joy of forever being in the presence of Jesus, with other redeemed sinners) are eternal (2 Cor. 4:18). 

As Paul reminds us, the fight of faith is a good fight.  (For a wonderful message from John Piper about why it's a good fight, click here.)  And we are grateful for your help in this fight.  Through your prayers and encouragement, you have been strengthening our grip on God.  (1 Sam. 23:16)  Thank you.  And please, don't quit!