Middle East

Irate Iranians

I just saw this photo on Drudge:

That is such a sad photo, if you stop and think about it well.

What hope is there for them?

Are they even alive yet?

The unrest and violence and efforts-at-revolution in Iran remind me again of my immense blessing at living in the United States. Why me and not they?

And I wonder again, how are God’s people faring in Iran? Right now?

And how many of God’s people in the USA are praying for those in Iran?

And how many other countries are experiencing this kind of chaos…but just aren’t getting the attention?

Now another thought: Will this mess cause Iran’s leaders to launch some sort of strike against Israel in an effort to turn national disunity into national unity?

And another thought: If Iran’s leaders determine they are on the way out, will they try to take out Israel with them?

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…and of Persia!

Iranian Birdies?

Look, I’m no gullible neophyte, OK? Maybe what I’m linking to is a set of shams.

But the idea of using Twitter this way is fascinating to me.

Share photos on twitter with Twitpic

That was allegedly taken in Iran. (Click for larger image.)

And here are links to two Twitter-ers claiming to be in Iran: Change_for_Iran and persiankiwi.

May the Lord keep His people. And use them as lights in the night.

HT: WorldMagBlog

Israel’s Opportunity?

Just wondering after reading this: Clashes erupt for 2nd day in Tehran over vote.

Here’s a bit from the piece:

There’s little chance that the youth-driven movement could immediately threaten the pillars of power in Iran — the ruling clerics and the vast network of military and intelligence forces at their command — but it raises the possibility that a sustained and growing backlash could complicate Iran’s policies at a pivotal time.

Maybe Israel will figure out this is a great time to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Or maybe they’ll decide a strike now will reverse the opposition to Iran’s president and thus could be counter-productive to Israeli interests.

Perhaps in his much-anticipated speech today, Israel’s Netanyahu will borrow one of President Reagan’s lines: “The bombs start falling in five minutes.” 😯

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

And of Tehran.

They Found Grandpa Lemuel

I mean, Grandpa Lemur. 🙄

The search for a direct connection between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom has taken 200 years – but it was presented to the world today at a special news conference in New York.

The discovery of the 95%-complete ‘lemur monkey’ – dubbed Ida – is described by experts as the “eighth wonder of the world”.

Oh. I got the name wrong. Sorry about that, Grandma Ida.

They say its impact on the world of palaeontology will be “somewhat like an asteroid falling down to Earth”.

Researchers say proof of this transitional species finally confirms Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, and the then radical, outlandish ideas he came up with during his time aboard the Beagle.

I thought ole Piltdown was the “finally confirms” they’ve been hunting.

Sir David Attenborough said Darwin “would have been thrilled” to have seen the fossil – and says it tells us who we are and where we came from.

First of all, I thought I’d heard/read information that Darwin actually would have been dismayed. Maybe that’s just an urban legend sprung forth by an overzealous right wing (different, non-simian branch of the evolutionary tree apparently) conspiracy.

Secondly, if a monkey tells us who we are, what are?

Thirdly, and most importantly perhaps, where are we going?

Anyway, if you want to learn more about this Would Have Been Thrilled news (and it may be a good idea), here you go: Missing Link: Scientists In New York Unveil Fossil Of Lemur Monkey Hailed As Man’s Earliest Ancestor

Meanwhile, in other monkey business that should weigh more heavily on your mind than Grandpa Lemur-el Grandma Ida:

Good day?

Morning News Lines

Sixteen people banned from entering the UK are “named and shamed” by the Home Office Ya s’pose Michael Savage is feeling shamed?! 🙄

On May 5, Mexican dominance irks other Latinos Is this about Mexican imperialism? 😯

Michiganians mine bodies for cash to make ends meet The worn-out pro-death line ought to work for these folks also: “It’s my body!”

Emanuel: Thwarting Iran easier with Israeli-Palestinian talks Israel, beware! 🙁

What’s your choice for news line this morning?

Tightening Screws

Iran: Screws Tighten on Christians in Government Crackdown

The threatening environment facing Christians in Iran continues to worsen. That’s saying something, considering Christians there have faced incredibly hostile responses for a long time.

[…]

Open Doors tracks the hatred and distrust of Christianity internationally, assigning rankings to the most dangerous spots for Christians to practice their faith. For the past seven years Iran ranked third behind No. 2 Saudi Arabia and No. 1 North Korea. In January, Iran moved into a tie for second with Saudi Arabia.

[…]

The government is reacting to the growth by expanding the powers of Parliament to effectively persecute Christians. Currently, anyone charged with apostasy goes before a court, where the judge rules on a case-by-case basis. The penalty might be hard labor or prison or simply a fine.

If the recent bill becomes law, however, it would create a new penal code by which conservative Muslim clerics would make the final decision on each case of apostasy. Any Iranian man found guilty would be put to death, while women would receive life imprisonment.

Hat Tip: International Christian Concern

Above all, love God!