Hua Huiqi, a Christian considered a “religious dissident” was arrested on Sunday on his way to a church service at Kuanjie Protestant Church, an officially sanctioned church, where President Bush and his family felt perfectly safe to worship.

Mr.Hua Huiqi escaped from police custody. He now fears for his safety. His mother has been imprisoned, his land seized, his brother also arrested but released.

Meanwhile President Bush and his family enjoyed the service where a children’s choir sang “Amazing Grace” in English and Chinese.
I couldn’t help but wonder if President Bush was as saddened by this as I was, or if he even knows the history of this heart wrenching song.

For those of you who don’t know, the song amazing grace was written by John Newton a British slaver who had come to accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He left the sea and became a teacher of The Word Of God.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

A tad bit more than a small contradiction between China’s claims of religious freedom and the reality lived by Chinese citizens.

Qin Gang, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, continues to insist Chinese citizens have complete religious freedom.
Slavery comes in many forms.

Yes China, you can be proud of the religious freedom you offer to your citizens.

Tags: Amazing-Grace, china, Christianity, human rights, president-Bush, religious-freedom

A friend must have sensed the turmoil in my soul, she sent me this beautiful poem.
I probably haven’t read it in 20 years..It is so worth reading!

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Tags: Christian, Faith, Life

I had news yesterday that my dear friend Ruth went home to be with the Lord.
She was a faithful saint. She was my friend in some dark hours.

I will miss her.

My friend Elaine wrote:
I wrote your name on a piece of paper, but by accident I threw it away.
I wrote your name on my hand, but it washed away.
I wrote your name in the sand, but the waves whispered it away.
I wrote your name in my heart, and forever it will stay.

That sums it up…

I believe in angels, the kind that heaven sends. I’m surrounded by angels, but I call them my friends.