Aches and Praise Three Hundred & Forty Six

April 26, 2018
 

Dear friends,                                                                                                                   

 

The news that many people have anticipated for a long time came this afternoon: a prominent comedian was found guilty of aggravated indecent assault of a Canadian woman in 2004. Bill Cosby’s lawyers said that they were disappointed with the verdict, but would appeal the case. Earlier today, we received an email from Jay Sekulow, the Chief Counsel of ACLJ, describing a case that also involves an appeal, but is otherwise completely different than the one in the news. Here is what Sekulow wrote: “A Christian mother has been sentenced to hang in Pakistan for her faith – but finally there’s a glimmer of hope. Asia Bibi has spent nearly 8 years on death row in Pakistan, separated from her husband and five children. Her supposed “crime” – blasphemy, for offering a Muslim co-worker a glass of water. It’s not justice. It’s barbaric.”
 

Sekulow continues: “Her stagnate appeal has been delayed time and again. Finally, the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s Supreme Court has just announced that the Court will soon here Asia Bibi’s appeal. It’s unfathomable what this ordeal has done to her horrified family, having her ripped away, knowing she faces execution, and desperately praying for any sign of hope.

 It is our sacred duty to act. At the ACLJ, we’ve mobilized our office on the ground in Pakistan. We’ve sent numerous legal letters to Pakistan demanding her freedom. We’ve made oral interventions on her behalf at the U.N.

Now as Pakistan’s Supreme Court prepares to hear her appeal, Asia Bibi needs YOU. Join over 700,000 people in demanding this Christian mom’s freedom.” You can sign a petition demanding the freedom of Asia Bibi at: https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=d-04262018_top-PC_seg-NOexNO20plFBR_typ-PT

On Sunday evening, hundreds of believers gathered at a church in Montreal to sing praises to the Lord, led in worship by Paul Baloche and Brian Doerksen. Singing “Your Name” and other songs in English and French was a special blessing, as was meeting Brian Doerksen. During Sunday’s concert, Brian told how he went through a difficult period of five years where “the words would not come.” We are very glad that he is writing songs of adoration again.

Scripture for the weekend: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) 

Thought for the weekend:  “The word patience is derived from the Latin word for suffering … True patience is the losing of our self-will in His perfect will.” – Andrew Murray (from his book “Waiting on God”)

 
By His grace,  
 
Steve                       

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