A Dead City

Noviy Vestnik ^ | 29.09.2004 | Natal'ya Fomina

[TEXOKIE]

Heavenly Father,
We commend into your keeping the souls of the innocents whose lives were taken in Beslan. We commend into your keeping and care the ones who are left behind.

Father, we have in our hearts a desire for the balancing of the scales. We implore you to intercede and grant your magnificent Justice. Help us to put away from us the base motive of mere revenge. Guide our leaders and those prosecuting the war on terror in the proper actions which are in keeping with that overriding perfection which your real Justice always brings.

Please, Father, take command of this entire situation and mitigate the suffering, comfort the grieving, bring to account the perpetrators, and grant victory to those who are seeking to be your instruments of Freedom and Peace.

All of this we ask in the Name of our Lord, and that it be done only in accordance to thy Will.

amen

[The Mayor]

October 3, 2004

Don't Despair, Share

Read: 2 Peter 3

Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. —2 Peter 3:14

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33

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During these days of horrific world events, Christians should be appalled but not taken by surprise. Jesus forewarned us of terrible times to come (Luke 21:25-28). In today's reading, Peter reassured believers by reminding them of God's unfolding purposes and final victory.

The apostle described ungodly scoffers, who in the last days will say, "Where is the promise of His coming?" (2 Peter 3:4). We too may wonder why Christ doesn't come back and change things now. Peter affirmed that the Lord "is not slack concerning His promise," but delays His return to give people everywhere more time to repent (v.9).

We mustn't forget that "with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (v.8). Eventually the day of the Lord will come, bringing a judgment of consuming fire. This will be followed by a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness and of God's forgiven people (v.13).

As we anticipate that triumphant day, we must live consistent, holy lives (v.14), resist all evil influences (v.17), and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (v.18). Then, instead of despairing over evil, we will be able to share the good news of Jesus with the world. —Joanie Yoder

We know not when the Lord may come
To right the wrongs of this old earth,
But this we know—He's left us here
To share good news of second birth. —Hess

We don't know what this world is coming to, but we know the One who is coming to this world.

[struwwelpeter]

A Russian Orthodox custom - placing food and drink on the deceased's grave.

[Calpernia]

[Donaeus]

Heavenly Father, please be with the grieving families of Beslan. Bring peace to those who have buried loved ones, give strength to the ones still searching for relatives and show mercy and comfort to them all. Let all who can bring relief to this people show compassion in their time of need. Father, help the world's leaders to wake up and recognize the danger terrorist behavior places us all in and that decisive action must be taken now to stem the tide of violence and death. Father especially be with those who are already in the fight. Keep Your hands upon President Bush, PM Blair, PM Howard, PM Alawi and other coalition leaders: give them the stamina and courage to remain strong in the face of evil. Be with all the troops who are in the field doing the jobs each of these men command. Let them know so many in the world love and appreciate what they're doing because we understand what is at stake. Be with us all Father. Amen.

[Chong]

Amen, Sister, Thank you so much. God bless you.

[Alouette]

BABI YAR

By Yevgeni Yevtushenko

No monument stands over Babi Yar.
A steep cliff only, like the rudest headstone.
I am afraid.
Today, I am as old
As the entire Jewish race itself.

I see myself an ancient Israelite.
I wander o'er the roads of ancient Egypt
And here, upon the cross, I perish, tortured
And even now, I bear the marks of nails.

It seems to me that Dreyfus is myself.
The Philistines betrayed me - and now judge.
I'm in a cage. Surrounded and trapped,
I'm persecuted, spat on, slandered, and
The dainty dollies in their Brussels frills
Squeal, as they stab umbrellas at my face.

I see myself a boy in Belostok
Blood spills, and runs upon the floors,
The chiefs of bar and pub rage unimpeded
And reek of vodka and of onion, half and half.

I'm thrown back by a boot, I have no strength left,
In vain I beg the rabble of pogrom,
To jeers of "Kill the Jews, and save our Russia!"
My mother's being beaten by a clerk.

O, Russia of my heart, I know that you
Are international, by inner nature.
But often those whose hands are steeped in filth
Abused your purest name, in name of hatred.

I know the kindness of my native land.
How vile, that without the slightest quiver
The antisemites have proclaimed themselves
The "Union of the Russian People!"

It seems to me that I am Anna Frank,
Transparent, as the thinnest branch in April,
And I'm in love, and have no need of phrases,
But only that we gaze into each other's eyes.
How little one can see, or even sense!
Leaves are forbidden, so is sky,
But much is still allowed - very gently
In darkened rooms each other to embrace.

-"They come!"

-"No, fear not - those are sounds
Of spring itself. She's coming soon.
Quickly, your lips!"

-"They break the door!"

-"No, river ice is breaking..."

Wild grasses rustle over Babi Yar,
The trees look sternly, as if passing judgement.
Here, silently, all screams, and, hat in hand,
I feel my hair changing shade to gray.

And I myself, like one long soundless scream
Above the thousands of thousands interred,
I'm every old man executed here,
As I am every child murdered here.

No fiber of my body will forget this.
May "Internationale" thunder and ring
When, for all time, is buried and forgotten
The last of antisemites on this earth.

There is no Jewish blood that's blood of mine,
But, hated with a passion that's corrosive
Am I by antisemites like a Jew.
And that is why I call myself a Russian!

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel ping list.

G-D Bless the innocent Russian Christians who died at Beslan,
Sanctifying His Holy Name.

WARNING: This is a high volume ping list

[Mustng959]

Rest in Peace and may God Bless the families of those whose loved ones were taken from this Earth much too soon. May our Lord comfort them in these trying times...and may they know that others throughout the world are heart sick for their loss and that prayers are being said.

[Salem]

From Mel Gibson's, "We Were Soldiers Once ... And Young," dedicated to the Beslan innocents which died under the hands of the Islamic terrorists who believe they are doing their god's will...

"Oh yes, and one more thing dear Lord, about our enemies? Ignore their heathen prayers and help us blow those little bastards straight to hell. Amen again. Thank-you."

G-d bless and strenghten the men and women of the combined forces of the United States Military, deployed at all points overseas, and the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces in country, and operating in Gaza tonight. May they continue to prevail against these murderous, bloodthirsty killers wherever they can hunt them down.

---

AMERICA AT WAR
At Salem the Soldier's Homepage ~

[struwwelpeter]

No monument stands over Babi Yar.
A steep cliff only, like the rudest headstone.
I am afraid.
Today, I am as old
As the entire Jewish race itself.

[Velveeta]

Thank you, Peter for continuing to post the reminders of this horrifying slaughter.

Praying for the victims and their families.

[sheik yerbouty]

Hopefully soon, and in the harshest manner.

[appalachian_dweller]

Thanks for the ping granny. Very very sad indeed.

Story fills me with dread. I fear if we do not change our course and get off the PC BS, we will suffer a similar incident here.

[nw_arizona_granny]

I think we were/are very close.

That disk on the school in San Diego, that was found in an
arrested terrorist home, worries me.

[af_vet_1981]

G-D Bless the innocent Russian Christians who died at Beslan, Sanctifying His Holy Name.

May G-d comfort all who mourn and avenge the innocent blood.