Thursday, September 30, 2004

Update

See Question 2 below for an answer about sinful shrimp
Feel free to post a comment on Keith's blog - click here - encouraging him to investigate the answers and continue communication.

New friends abound

Well folks it seems that our friend Mike has posted on his blog about me - click here . Now you all know I love the heat of battle, but I am finding it a bit difficult to answer all Keith's questions, carry on normal ministry, spend time with my wife and 2 kids and also now answer Mike. But i will. All I'm saying is that I need to get by "with a little help from my friends". If anyone would like to help in this endeavor, just leave a comment here, or on Mike's blog - click here, or post a comment below if you have an answer to some of Keith's questions.
Today however I am off to read Bible stories to the daycare kids, knock on doors, kiss my wife and hug my boys. Back soon.

ShawnCuthill.com

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Keith's retreat

Keith's retreat wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that he has been revealed by our friend Chris - click here - now would it? As soon as this post went up, Keith stated "it's over". Coincidence? I think not. And why didn't he respond to Question 9 about the days of creation?

ps. it seems that Keith makes it a habit to post obscene comments on people's blogs so as to provoke them info fiery debate, then flee in the heat of the battle.
1. "Dan Rather" comments
2. "My Dog" comments
3. "Posters" comments
4. "It's official" comments

Let's not fault Keith for this, he is a lonely lost soul. Let's pray for him that he would find fullfillment in God.

More answers to Keith's questions are on the way.
Stay tuned.

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

10 - Responsibility for sin

10. Keith: And if each person's quantity of sin is independent of his fellow man, how come so many children bore the sins of their parents?
- anyone have an answer? Please post it below under "comments"

9 - Creation days

9. Keith: Did God create men or beasts first? (See first and second chapters of Genesis, tool)
Shawn:- Our friends at www.answersingenesis.org have spent much time studying issues such as these and provide us with an excellent explanation:

Because in Hebrew the precise tense of a verb is determined by the context. It is clear from chapter 1 that the beasts and birds were created before Adam, so Jewish scholars would have understood the verb ‘formed’ in Genesis 2:19 to mean ‘had formed’ or ‘having formed’. If we translate verse 19 as follows (as one widely used translation1 does), ‘Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field …’, the apparent disagreement with Genesis 1 disappears completely.

8 - Jesus' grandpa

8. Keith: And who was Jesus' grandfather? Jacob or Heli?
Shawn: "The Jerusalem Talmud indicates that Mary was the daughter of Heli (Haggigah, Book 77, 4). Joseph was the son-in-law of Heli. Luke could rightfully call Joseph the "son of Heli" because this was in compliance with use of the word "son" at that time. Moreover, designating a son-in-law as a son had scriptural precedent. Refer to Son in Jewish Genealogies under Principles of Interpretation for more on this topic. Thus, Joseph was the son of Jacob, and the son-in-law of Heli."

4 - Jesus in India

4.Keith: And how do you explain the existance of historical artifiacts in India - click here - that make reference to someone named Jesus AND the striking similarities between Jesus's teachings and certain Buddhist texts?

Matt Cook (who's wife is from Pakistan) replies:
This theory mainly comes from an Urdu/Muslim work called Masih Hindustan Mein which means Christ in India. You see, the general idea from the Muslim camp is that Jesus never did die on the cross at all. In fact, one of the prevailing theories is that Judas (a good guy in Muslim tradition) took His place. Either way, the Qur'an makes it very clear that Jesus did not die on the cross, but someone was in His place. After the cross incident, there are two main schools of thought. The more traditional Muslim one is that Jesus was taken up into heaven and will return to judge the world at some point in the future (sounds familiar, eh?). The second one, from the book I mentioned, is a bit more interesting. It states that Jesus never did ascend to God. He lived a very long life (125 years) and died. In fact, there is a grave in His honor in Kashmir. It also says that He was a travelling prophet, going through jungles and visiting the lost tribes of Israel through modern-day Pakistan and eventually died there.

This veiw is really only held by a sect of Islam called Ahmaddyia (not too sure I spelled that right). This sect is really only found in Pakistan and is not considered to be truly Islam by other Muslims.My point in saying all of this is that the view that Christ travelled to India is only held by a small, varient sect of a religion that already has some funny vews of Christ (the Muslims also believe that Jesus, as a child, made birds of clay fly). It's not a buddhist thing, as our friend suggests, it's purely Muslim. The reason people often think that it has something to do with Buddhism is because Gautama (called The Buddha) had a similar life of self-sacrifice, temptation, etc. Some of the same words were used to describe Buddha that were used for Jesus. Buddha is called the light, the refuge, the king, etc. He is said to have been tempted by the devil, to have been full of compassion, the list goes on. I'd like to note that Buddha, however, lived many hundreds of years before Christ came into this world. The similarities between the teachings of Christ and Buddha must be coincidental. Many teachers preach the morality that Christ did. I've read a few of these Buddhist texts that people claim influenced the teachings of Christ. Let's remember, the idea is that Christ went to India after the incident at the cross. This is after the Gospels were written! Buddhism had made no inroads to Israel at that time. It's logistically impossible for Buddha to have influenced the Gospels like you suggest. Remember that every person had some sense of morality in them from the image of God. These "striking" similarities mean nothing. The view of Christ going to India is mainly from a deviant sect of Islam, nothing more. I could say more if you want, but only is you're still struggling with this idea. I'm cutting it short for space and time right now. Later I can bring out the specific texts in question, but not for now, this is too long as is.

5 - Eden

5. Keith: And what about the stories of Eden and The Flood being found first in Sumerian mythology?
- anyone have an answer? please post below in "comments"

2 - The Sin of Shrimp

2. Keith: Then, let's go to the old testament that makes it sinful to consume the staple protein sources of the Pacific Rim (www.godhatesshrimp.com).
Shawn: By their nature, a water animal that has no fins to swim will crawl along the ground. Shrimp are scavengers, picking up and eating the junk on the sea floor. God knew this and instructed the israelites, who were living in pre-historic times void of a local hospital, not to eat these dirty animals. What a great God!

"Shrimp are scavengers, and will eat everything short of poo, including rotting organic matter- such as fish food that's been rotting in your gravel for a week (you dirty bugger you)"


Keith, would you eat a Racoon sandwich? How about a Seagull stew? No, because you see them going through your garbage. Same with these types of fish, they are the garbage men of the sea.

Also, this recent CNN article - click here - states that:
The typical serving of shrimp has two-thirds the amount of cholesterol you should consume in an entire day.

That's BEFORE butter, batter or deep-frying. Can you say "triple-bypass"?

- anyone have a better answer? Post in "comments" below

Friday, September 24, 2004

1 - intro and the devil

What I have decided to do, is answer Keith's questions 1 by 1, post by post. I will not go into all the questions because some do not have simple answers. Some questions will take a little longer to find answers to, but answers are there, so thank you in advance for your patience. As you can see below, Keith was speechless when I replied with real data concerning the reliability of Bible translation. Therefore I have determined that the best way to answer the questions is not in a group, but individually. So here is question 1:

1. Keith: The original Hebrew text (about Satan - Isaiah 14) was about some Babylonian king who did bad things to the Jews. A bunch of dumb monks screwed up the translation for King James.
Shawn: Upon further analysis it seems I missed Keith's question here, which makes it much easier for me since Keith did not stop to read the Old Testament himself before blurting out his "vitriolic hatred." A simple search for Satan in the NIV (since I know you and King Jim aren't buddies) shows that Satan is mentioned many times. Far from Keith's claim that "he doesn't exist".

Also see Wikipedia for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil
2.

Textual critisism

Well now on to the higher and loftier discussions with our friend Keith about the Holy Scriptures. Keith raises some great questions. Questions that I wrestled with before I became a Christian. Questions that need, and have answers. I will seek to answer them each thoroughly, for Keith's sake, but also for the rest of you reading this site.

First Keith asks: "Do you have any idea how messed up our translations are? "

Actually Keith, the good folks at the Canadian Bible Society can give me all the details about how accurate the translations are that we have. Why not check it out at: http://www.biblesociety.ca/translation/inside/index.html

Here's just a snippet of how the translators can translate DIRECTLY from the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts from the first or second century. For example:



So really there is nothing messed up with our English translation, and if there is we can go right back to the original Greek to translate a new version. No need to trust what old King James says when we have the original Greek.

And if you have a problem with the Greek manuscripts, here are some links: http://www.bible-researcher.com/links03.html. The New Testament has a little less than 15,000 copies and stands alone among ancient works of antiquity.

I'll give you some time to digest all that, as you are no doubt amazed that the Bible has such a firm foundation. More enlightenment soon.

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Thanks for visiting

Keith, is it??
Well, that was quite an interesting statement to make.
Thanks for commenting...2x, shows that you are at least visiting the website and have done it at least twice.
Did you know that God isn't found in a building through common man made practices...he is real and available and it is your choice to get to know him. You have people here who will talk to you...I don't think you stumbled on this site by accident.
It takes alot of courage to write in a comment...let alone 2 times. I think that the Lord hasn't given up on you...yet.
Paul (from the Bible) said alot of horrible things about Christians and in the end became one and had to live with the things he had done and said to them. But he was forgiven and became one of the strongest Christians mentioned in the Bible!!
Anyhow...you can do with these words what you wish...but if you were saying things just to cause a reaction...becareful what reaction you ellicit...might be a life changing experience??

My new friend Keith

Logged on to the Athensblog today to discover our friend Keith from Austin, Texas had visited the comment section and posted a revolting verbal picture of his bowels:
http://www.haloscan.com/comments/paulroides/109582187510544842#55701

That's ok with us here at Athensblog, cause it is a free-speech world and those left-wingers like Keith usually push the envelope morally, any way they can.

After receiving the comment, I dashed to Keith's blog: http://likescyberpunk.blogspot.com, where I found this post entitled "Church":
http://likescyberpunk.blogspot.com/2004/09/church.html.

In it Keith says:

"I'd go to church if they used Guinness instead of sacramental wine or holy water."

Since I am an evangelical Christian, and not a catholic that is familiar with holy water, I wanted to quote one verse of the Bible to you our friend Keith, to see what his response was to God's word:

Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not be drunk... but be filled with the spirit".

My understanding of the verse is that someone can experience a better "buzz" by worshiping God than by any alcoholic beverage, be it Guiness or otherwise. So instead of asking church for a different kind of alcohol, why not try a big drink of Jesus for your soul? Let me know Keith, if you're up to the "taste test" ;)

ShawnCuthill.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Run the race

Not sure if anyone else watched the grand finale of "the amazing race" last night, but there are a few things I wanted to comments on it:
1. The greece trip was just like amazing race - teamwork, endurance, tension,
struggle, comaradary, purpose, fullfillment, victory, glory
2. we are in a race - Heb 12
2. we need to be wise as serpents - christians had best attitude, but not killer instinct
3. satan is in the details - what cost them 1 million was one flight
4. tortoise & hare is so true
5. "reaching forward to win the prize" - not relaxing till the race is done, we cannot sit back and just go to church and think that the race is not important or not ours to run, or that someone else will run it.

I'll elaborate on these more soon.

Mel is a blogger :o

Check it out folks - www.freegift.blogspot.com - Melanie Gibbons is a blogger.

Rock on!! Welcome to the club. More inspirational comments once the kids are napping :)

Sunday, September 19, 2004

The Mow-lett

Today I did some googling and discovered who started this mowhak/mullet style that we discovered was so prevalent in Europe....and I should have known. I should have known who the culprit was...I was there... I was watching him while we were in England in 2002....during the world cup....the envy of every 13 year old "bloke" who ever stepped on a "football" field. When we were in Greece in 2002 I remember giving Lukas a mowhawk:

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

and everyone calling him "baby Beckham"...



David Beckham, you'll pay for this...


Saturday, September 18, 2004

Let the presentations begin....

Well folks, it's time for the part of the missions trip that everyone loves...the reports!! Pictures, videos, souvenirs, nick-nacks, stories, new words you learned!! Kinda like show and tell, but the grown up version.

Here are a few days to keep in prayer as our team goes coast to coast (well the coast of lake ontario maybe) reporting on the things the Lord has done:

Sunday, September 19th, 2004 - 6:30PM - Bridlegrove Bible Chapel
Sunday, September 26th, 2004 - 7PM - Greek Evangelical Church
Saturday, November 13th, 2004 - 8AM - MIC missionary breakfast
Saturday, November 13th, 2004 - 4PM - Rossland Ridge Bible Chapel "no lime" rally.

Others have asked for times me or the team can come to do a presentation so hold on to your souvlaki, we will be comin to your town any day!
If you're reading this and WANT us to come to your church, charitable event, hellenic cultural festival or olympic gala dinner to do a presentation just click on "comments" below and let us know what dates work for you. Our 24 hour customer sercvice representative will get back to you as quick as you can say "2AM diaper change".

Chow for now,
Shawn

Friday, September 17, 2004

Operation Gideon?

Check out http://www.palestineremembered.com/Baysan/Qumya/.

Seems like the Israeli army staged "operation gideon" over 50 years ago...wonder how many Bibles they gave out. :)

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Mark Taylor OG bloggin

Hey guys, check out our good ol' southern friend Mark Taylor's
website describing his experience
during the Olympic outreach.
Here's a taste of southern-finger-lickin-proclomation-evangelism goodness! Seems
like he spent some time doin evangelism in Halkida on our Island of Evia! Who knew?


I finished my responsibilities and went down to Sintagua Square on the bike to meet the team. As soon as I found a parking spot and found the team Alex Macris called. He had left the papers for the 65' sailboat at the house and needed me to run them an hour and a half north to the island of Evia so he could bring the boat under a draw bridge! Those of you that know me best know I love evangelism but riding motorcycles isn't too bad either! I picked up the papers and went to island. As I arrived I called Alex and he was still 3 hours away! I was mad! In my mind I was missing out on evangelism and the concert and could of still made it up before he got there! The island was one HUGE party! 400 yards of boardwalk covered in sin! I was very distraught! I started to pass out tracts and kid you not offered literature to probably 200 people, not one of them accepted! Now I was steaming! I
decided I was just going to eat a nice dinner and "watch the crowd" and the water, I went to sit down but couldn't. I had noticed a small pizza place on a back street and grabbed a couple of slices. Finally the lady working there accepted a tract! I was pleased. After eating I spent 20 minutes in prayer getting my heart right! I went back to the same boardwalk and am happy to say passed out over 150 tracts, it was amazing to walk through and see so many sitting on the benches reading about God's promises to us! Also that night I was able to preach to a couple of dozen people, 2 of which stayed with me till 3:30 am that morning and allowed me to pray for them, only God know's if they are saved now, but I know they are very close if not already! What a roller coaster night



Who knows, maybe he ate at "old faithful" and was able to "warm up" some folks before we arrived.

check 1,2

just testing the email blog feature. hope it works

Monday, September 13, 2004

Cry for Argentina

Got together with Daniel Cittadino on Saturday to hammer out some details on a proposed Bridlegrove Bible Chapel (www.bridlegrove.com) sponsored missions trip to Argentina.

We would be visiting "El Alba" childrens home - http://www.hogarelalba.com.ar/indexx.php -

- around March 13th to April 2nd time frame. This would correspond with the extended March break.

If anyone is interested in going, contact me or Daniel, or leave a comment. We are still working on an application form and are thinking of going through MSC and using their application. More details soon :)

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Why did God allow Sept 11th to happen?

Here's the way I look at September 11th:

1. God looked down and saw a mighty and rebellious nation (I'm talking about the U.S. not Canada) and wondered if there was a way to humble it and bring it back to Him.
2. God also saw a little country called Afghanistan, which was ruled by the Taliban and had restricted His gospel. He needed a way to get rid of the Taliban and open up that country to the gospel.

3. With that in mind, God looked down and saw a guy named Osama Bin Laden who was scheming to blow up the trade center.
4. God "allowed" Bin Laden's plans to prosper, so that both of His objectives could be accomplished and people in both countries would repent, and cry out to Him.



Some other examples in scripture of similar circumstances would be:

1. God "raising up" the Babylonians to humble Israel.
2. God "allowing" Satan to torment Job
3. My personal favorite, 1 Kings chapter 22, an amazing story of how God uses the plans of evil people to accomplish his plans. Here is a sample:

19Then Micaiah continued, "Listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left. 20And the LORD said, `Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so that he can be killed there?' There were many suggestions, 21until finally a spirit approached the LORD and said, `I can do it!'
22" `How will you do this?' the LORD asked.
"And the spirit replied, `I will go out and inspire all Ahab's prophets to speak lies.'
" `You will succeed,' said the LORD. `Go ahead and do it.'
23"So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your prophets. For the LORD has determined disaster for you."


God uses the lies of false prophets to lure the king into battle, then during the battle he is killed:

29So the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead. 30Now King Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes." So Ahab disguised himself, and they went into battle.
31Now the king of Aram had issued these orders to his thirty-two charioteers: "Attack only the king of Israel!" 32So when the Aramean charioteers saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. "There is the king of Israel!" they shouted. But when Jehoshaphat cried out, 33the charioteers realized he was not the king of Israel, and they stopped chasing him.
34An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops, and the arrow hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. "Get me out of here!" Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. "I have been badly wounded!" 35The battle raged all that day, and Ahab was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran down to the floor of his chariot, and as evening arrived he died.


Conclusion: God is soveriegn and he brings good things out of evil plans.
1. The church in Afghanistan is growing like never before
2. People in the US, and all over the world, stop to pray to him every September 11th.

What do you think about September 11th? Why do you think would God allow it to happen?

Google Searchin

Google Search for paul roides click here

This site ranks #2 on a search for "Paul Roides". Cool.

Google Search for athensblog click here

This site ranks #28 (page 3!) on a search for "athensblog". Very cool. Just think of all the blog competition out there!



Friday, September 10, 2004

Reaching out

Just wanted to encourage everyone with an experience I had today. I was cleaning up at the chapel and sorting some tracts when I decided to bite the bullet and actually give some out.

Since Mel Gibson's Movie "The Passion of the Christ" just came out on DVD, I grabbed a few "webcards":

(available at http://www.sharethelife.com/materials/materials.html) and headed to the local highschool, Sir John A MacDonald. It was quite terrifying because I didn't know when school ended, so I showed up a full 45 minutes early. Looked like quite a dork just standing there with a hand full of propoganda. As I waited though, I prayed to God, that he would give me conversations and that he would bring the right people my way. Key. It never ceases to amaze me that I am surprised when God answers my prayers. :) And He did, again.

Pray for some great conversations God gave to me:
- James, a chinese student and his group of 5 friends that stood and listened for at least 10 minutes
- 2 Sri Lankan girls who had an interesting Hindu/Christian background
- A muslim guy and his girlfriend who had the "i'm getting this" look
- Many other chinese students who said they had seen the movie
- Different people that I had met before and was able to reconnect with

Just wanted to encourage the team, as well as anyone else reading this, that it takes just as much faith to stand in front of your school and hand out tracts as it does to get on a plane and fly half-way around the world. Perhaps a bit more. I pray that God would give all of us the extra grace and encouragement to reach out to those around us.

Thursday, September 09, 2004

Inspired by Paul

Thought I'd post all the pics I have online too.
Check the left margin for links to Paul's page, and mine.
My pics might not be as artistic as Paul, but I hope you like them :)
Post a comment on which picture you like best!!

Wednesday, September 08, 2004

They've arrived

The fabled "lost films" have just been developed to shocking results!

Copy http://photos.yahoo.com/ferrari_modena@rogers.com into your adress bar.

Check it out. I'd appreciate any feedback!

Paul Roides

God provides

Just a quick encouragement for everyone, and for myself. I'm not sure about you, but I found after I got back from Greece that I got a bit selfish....ok alot selfish. I began coveting alot and thinking "I gave alot of money to God, now it's time to spend some on ME!" First I started browsing through the Ikea catalogue looking at expensive pieces of furniture, beds. Then it was mini-vans, home renovations and nice toys for the kids.



This might not seem like much to some Christians, but "living on faith" can sometimes breed a sense of desperation for finances that, if not handed over to God, can manifest itself in selfish desires.

So we decided to "indulge" and buy a new computer desk. As we were getting ready to walk out the door, our neighbour walked up to say hi and ask about our trip. We chatted for a bit, then she said "we are throwing out an old computer desk and a couch if you want to look at it". Hayley and I looked at each other, amazed at "the goodness of God which leads us to repentance". We took the old desk and repented of our coveteousness.

It's just great to know that God is there and can be trusted when we wait on him for provision for our "daily bread".

Monday, September 06, 2004

CONTACT!

Hello to all who are reading our team's website...still!!!
Hi to all the team members who have all returned safely home!
I just wanted to let everyone who is reading this know that, in a previos post I had stated that I had given literature to a young man working at the internet cafe we frequented.
Well I received an e-mail from him and he told me that he had read some of the literature given to him!!!!!!!! And after reading that post on priests wanting to burn bibles...I say way to go Thimios..and if people could continue to pray for him and that the Lord would reveal himself to Thimios...AND why not, that all this controversy with wanting to burn the bibles, would cause a curiosity amongst the Greeks to read the bibkes and literature for themselves and SEE what all the fuss is about??!!!
Miss everyone already..thanks so much for your prayers!
Melanie

Sunday, September 05, 2004

The Evidence Bible

Before we left for Greece I had ordered a copy of "The Evidence Bible" by Ray Comfort (http://www.thewayofthemaster.com/bioray.shtml)




When we arrived back from Greece it was there waiting with the rest of the pile of mail. I cracked it open today and took it to the chapel. I quite enjoyed it, and wanted to recommend it to the team that went with us to Athens, as well as anyone that is interested in doing evangelism.

Check out the link - http://www3.sympatico.ca/twc.1/EVIDENCELEATHER.html and order one. Here are a few quotes:



First Sunday back

Well it's the first Sunday back after the trip. What a wierd feeling. How to answer the question "how was it"? I never know how much detail to go into.
Anyone else fall asleep during the sermon? I was exhausted. It's great when you can see that Isaiah 40:31 verse come true, about running and not growing faint! I say that because really, I'm not fainting in the weary/give up sense like in Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. The word "spent" or "poured out" comes to mind. Or "we gave ourselves wholly" to the work in Greece. God is good, I'm rambling, gotta sleep, bye.

Saturday, September 04, 2004

My favorite poem

This is my favorite poem of all time. I used to have a copy of it over my bed when I first became a Christian:

If, by Rudyard Kipling (http://www.everypoet.com/archive/poetry/Rudyard_Kipling/kipling_if.htm):

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Thursday, September 02, 2004

Urgent News from Greece!!

If ever there was a time to pray...
I recieved this e-mail from a missionary couple working in Greece with HM:

"Teams who came to Greece for the Operation Gideon outreach had a terrific
experience distributing door-hanger gift bags of Greek New Testaments,
newspapers and tracts during Greek siesta hours; however, about one-third of
the people were extremely displeased. People have complained to their
priests, and the priests have complained to the bishops. The Arch Bishop
has instructed the priests to gather all the bags of Bibles (even though
they have the approval letter of the Orthodox church in 45,000 of them)and
burn them. The believers on the islands are now suffering and taking the
brunt of the International teams
actions. Pray for God to bring good out of this situation, and honor and
glory to His name. The battle still continues here for the souls of men.
Pray also for the follow-up of requests that daily come in from the islands
for further contact."

It's very evident that Satan has contrived a swift backlash to our efforts through the Lord while on the Island. We need to be in fervent prayer about the above situation with the knowledge that the Lord is in control.
Len

P.S. Hope you guys had a safe trip home, missing you allready ;)