Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
The music scene in 1970's Boston had some interesting characters. Along with musicians, roadies, fans, promoters, songwriters, and venue owners, there were also a certain amount of "wannabees" who trailed along, wanting people to "set their awesome poetry to music" and asking if they could sing a song with the band, etc. One of these was a girl named Darlene. At least Darlene was her GIVEN name. One day she showed up at a songwriters' get-together, and she was wearing flowing silks and had painted a spot on her forehead.
"My name is Dharma now," she said. "I've become a Hindu."
Well, OK, Darlene...er...Dharma. It's a free country. Whatever floats yer boat, etc, were the responses.
The next time I saw Darlene, the silks and spot were gone and she was wearing a hijab.
"Don't call me Dharma now, as my name is now Dafiya. I have become a Muslim."
I was stunned. Even in the Seventies, Long before 9/11, and before I was Born Again, I KNEW this was not going to be easy for her to "change back" when she lost interest. As an ardent "feminist (at the time), I felt that, by choosing Islam, she was betraying all that women had fought for to achieve equality in our culture. We knew how women in Saudi Arabia were "under the veil", were not allowed to drive, and were trapped in polygamous marriages and so on. Even my little knowledge of that culture was enough to start a lecture from me, chastising her for this "choice" and warning her that it would not be as easy to discard when she finally was sick of it. I was met with a harsh rebuke, and I ended up leaving the party with anger burning in me at this foolish woman.
That was 40 years ago. In retrospect, I have prayed for Darlene, and hoped she was able to escape. The point is, though, in The Land of The Free, she was free to make her silly decisions. And since that time, I have been lectured by people who thought that MY conversion to Christianity was the wrong thing to do. But at least I won't be put to death as an apostate if for some crazy reason, decided to "change". ( won't ever happen!)
I can't even imagine the difficulties Cornelius would be encountering in his new-found Faith. He was risking being rejected by his Employer (The Roman Army), his countrymen (who worshiped the Roman gods and goddesses), the Jewish people (who probably already hated him for being an occupier of their homeland), and the Believers themselves, who still considered themselves Jews, albeit of the Messianic sect. I'm sure he got plenty of lectures from well-meaning people who may have felt he made a very stupid decision to involve himself with these renegades. But, as there is no record of Cornelius ever turning back, and since the early Church considers him a saint in heaven, we can infer that he did NOT.
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
"The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance..” Psalm 33 NASB
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS