Marwan Aboul-Zelof
@theUrbanArab
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1 wife 2 kids / planting pastor @cbcbeirut / pursuing mdiv @sbts / san diego raised, beirut living / link below for my articles & talks
Beirut, Lebanon
Joined July 2009
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I’ll add my amen to this and say that for those of us outside the US, the term evangelical still holds great meaning.
I love the way it is in Arabic. We say إنجيلي (en-jeelee) - which directly translates as one “of the gospel”
“Why not just get rid of the word evangelical and call yourselves something else?”
Because most evangelicals are in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and like the word evangelical just fine. North Americans aren’t entitled to choose what we’re called.
Read more here:
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Why do we Christians fight so hard to hold on to our rights and freedoms?
It’s because we have falsely believed that the goodness of God is experienced through the comforts of life.
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Some footage from the church. There is so much destruction in this neighborhood being so close to the blast site. Difficult to process it all. Trusting the Lord. Pray with us.
#prayforbeirut
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I so love and appreciate Dr. Moore, but there are some big misses here.
Any conversation that starts with “Israel’s right and duty to defend itself” has begun by discounting any context.
American Christians Should Stand with Israel Under Attack. My thoughts here:
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Just received photos from the church. Major damage. We are so thankful this didn’t happen during a worship service.
#prayforbeirut
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I just prayed for the peace of Jerusalem.
When you do the same, who are you praying for? Who crosses your mind?
Are you praying for a certain people? Or all peoples?
Brothers and sisters, let’s not only pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but also for Gaza and Bethlehem.
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I was asked to share my reflections on the
#BeirutExplosion
. I wrote these words after visiting our church and seeing the destruction on the streets.
#prayforbeirut
Beirut pastor
@theurbanarab
, whose church (
@cbcbeirut
) was the closest church building to the explosion, shares how we can
#PrayForBeirut
.
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Today we celebrate 5 years since
@cbcbeirut
was planted.
Oh how faithful God has been to us!
(Here’s a clip of us singing at this morning’s gathering)
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Started the morning with a baptism in the Mediterranean Sea!
This dear brother has received many death threats since converting. As he shared his story this morning, he said they’ve only strengthened his faith in Jesus.
Rejoice with me in God’s goodness and please pray for “S”
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Thank you for praying. This blast is absolutely devastating for Lebanon. Notice that
@cbcbeirut
is minutes walk away from the blast site in
#Beirut
.
There will be much work to care for this city. Pray for us and others who will be serving the city in the coming days.
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I think this is what the kids call a timeline cleanse/algorithm reset.
I designed this pulpit w/inspiration from Spurgeon’s preaching desk. 5 legs for 5 Solas, carved to match his preaching rail. Made out of 400 year old Lebanese cedar.
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There are thousands of comments like this made by North American Christian leaders who don’t know their right from their left when it comes to these matters.
The only voices you should listen to right now are Middle Eastern Christians.
If you somehow believe Israel is oppressing Palestine, you’re not only believing in propaganda—you’ve embraced postcolonial theory (the global version of critical race theory), and you’re not aware of it.
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Overwhelmed by how many have reached out to help
@cbcbeirut
and the city we love.
We’ve partnered with
@Acts29
to set up a relief fund. You can give through the link below.
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Spurgeon: If we had to preach to thousands year after year, and never rescued but one soul, that one soul would be a full reward for all our labor, for a soul is of countless price.
Reminder to my brother preachers out there preparing for Sunday.
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Two paths before us as Christians:
“Kill your neighbor for your freedoms and rights.”
or
“Die to yourself and lay down your freedoms/rights for your neighbor.”
Unbelievable that some want to debate this.
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Was just sent footage of the Beirut explosion recorded just steps away from the entrance of our church.
I have no words.
#prayforbeirut
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Here’s an important consideration:
Christian Nationalism isn’t a topic of discussion anywhere else in the world.
(This distinction isn’t a positive one for American Christianity.)
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Friends, as you’re praying for Beirut and for the spread of the gospel, here’s a document with information and points for prayer.
I can’t express what your prayer and support means to me, my family, and our church in this difficult time.
Thank you!
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It does for us who live outside the States.
I love the way it is in Arabic. We say إنجيلي (en-jeelee) - which directly translates as one “of the gospel”
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Had the privilege to be at a small gathering with
@JohnPiper
last night. I asked him for advice/encouragement for preachers.
He replied, “Labor to love what you’re about to say.”
Such a good word.
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When said breakthrough doesn’t come, but instead your city explodes, economy collapses, currency crashes. money stolen, can no longer get food, water, meds, gas, or electricity all during a pandemic - this theology is empty.
What’s true/better is that God is still God in it all.
You’re on the verge of a breakthrough, a healing, a promotion. You’re going to be able to say, “Nothing is missing in my life.”
Check out this powerful message, "Nothing Missing" from Joel!
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Praise and prayer night at City Bible Church—Beirut, Lebanon.
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History will show that the biggest failing in American Christianity is they listened to themselves before listening to their brothers and sisters.
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Your freedom isn’t for yourself. Your freedom is an opportunity to serve one another in love.
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My reflections on the role of the Church in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
Thanks to
@ChristianPost
for the feature.
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No words to express the paralysis I’m feeling.
I stand with those who condemn the horrific actions by Hamas.
Yet I’m mindful of the well documented lies and propaganda by Israel.
Any voice that questions Israel is seen as a threat and enemy — which is almost too much to bear.
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As a Palestinian Christian who spent years in a church that very actively supported Israel, I have a few thoughts on these current events.
I appreciate your prayers as I’m working on an article right now.
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And so, in my paralysis, I pray.
Jesus be near. Bring an end to the violence and brokenness. Let justice reign in the Holy Land.
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“Church planting is the normal means and result of obeying the great commission.” -
@MarkDever
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May we pray and labor so that Christ would be worshiped throughout this region.
May we live today with our hope set on Christ, and eyes fixed on the New Jerusalem.
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Got a scared boy who doesn’t want to sleep because he’s afraid of another earthquake.
Praying and singing and snuggling sure do go a long way. 🙏🏽❤️
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Have American Christian leaders written anything that calls for peace or cease-fire?
Or has everything been about “just-war” and “reasons why Israel must defend itself?”
My soul is wearied that gospel-brethren are not centering on nor prioritizing the gospel.
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This is why I moved back to the Middle East.
Remember us and other believers in this part of the world.
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EVIDENCE! A FISH! Ha!
Makes for a fun memory!
We were a bit nervous about cold water, but this was the most beautiful day!
Baptisms this morning were beautiful! There’s a rumor that a fish jumped out of the water behind us as one of the girls was going under.
Waiting for video evidence to surface!😅
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Let me clarify a couple of things:
1. North American bias/blindness on this issue is so deep that you need global voices — Middle Eastern Xians should be a primary voice.
2. M.E. Xians incl. Israeli & Palestinian.
3. M.E. experts outside the US are voices you need.
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Jesus gave His sermon on the mount, here’s my sermon on the stairs.
(Some lovely person cut our main electrical cable, so this was how we gathered this morning
@cbcbeirut
)
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Today I preached my last sermon in our current church building.
I’ve had the privilege to preach nearly every Sunday for the last five years from this spot.
I took a photo of the congregation as seen from my pulpit.
(Will share photos of the new place soon enough!)
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I myself had some unexpected anxiety as I laid down to sleep the night after the earthquake.
Absolutely exhausted; but was too concerned to sleep. My head filled with “what ifs”…
To sleep was to entrust my family and myself to God. And by His grace I was able to.
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Here the
@CTmagazine
article (w/updates) where you can read about the experiences and work of fellow ministries in Lebanon; including
@cbcbeirut
.
Keep praying Church! We need you!
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When I peer into the depths of my heart & think upon my deep fears & sadnesses—I find this there.
The thought of my sons having to grieve my death at a young age makes me tremble.
To think this has happened thousands of times & can be avoided fills me with unspeakable emotions.
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What a day!
Started with 2 baptisms in the Mediterranean (both came to faith through our church!)
Finished preaching the 10 Commandments.
Membership class after the service.
(The unplanned event was a small car accident between baptism & church🤪)
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I so desperately want people to read Elisabeth Elliot’s words on Palestine, Israel, Zionism, etc—that I’ve recorded a reading for you.
She is a trusted voice w/profound insight. You’ll think she wrote this yesterday, not 1978.
Would you share it?
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Closing song from our first gathering in our new church home. What a joy to lift our voices together in worship!
#cbcbeirut
#beirut
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US Embassy in Beirut sending more notices recommending to leave Lebanon.
We have no plans to.
I have a lot of sermon prep left for Sunday (Galatians 2:14-26) — but how can I focus on anything right now?
So burdened by the dismissal of life and laws and corrupt leaders.
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How does someone focus on sermon prep when there are armed protests, heavy gunfire, and the possibility that this is the start of civil war just minutes from your home?
Asking for a friend…
#Lebanon
#BeirutBlast
#judgeBitar
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@MattSmethurst
@ahc
I love this. Especially since Christian tradition tells us that Quartus was one of the 70, and he established the church in Beirut (Quartus of Berytus)
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The default position for American Evangelicals is support for Israel because of poor and political hermeneutics. But, even to the brethren who prize careful exegesis, it seems quite difficult to come against Israel.
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"A humble Arminian can be a good Christian. But a proud Calvinist cannot be a good Christian or a good Calvinist." (
@rayortlund
's forward to
@mrmedders
soon to be released book)
#HumbleCalvinism
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Told him living forever means we’ll be with Jesus and with each other forever. He liked that.
We made a plan to go grab coffee one day soon and read more about Heaven so we learn to love it.
What an undeserved and sweet moment I had with my firstborn.
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Excited to visit my friends in Erbil (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) as I’ve been invited to lead a conference.
I’ve never done anything like this before! 5 talks & a sermon in 2.5 days!
If you think of it, please pray for my preparation & for all those who will attend.
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My goodness how our apartment building shook from those earthquakes!!! Lasted for a few minutes.
7.8 in Central Turkey
4.7 in Syria
Praying for those affected where it hit hardest.
And praying for my dear Beirutis experiencing PTSD from the blast.
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@mbird12
I tell people how I was “evangelized” to good coffee. Hated the stuff. But a coffee snob friend showed me the ways. Different roasts, brews, etc.
I realized it wasn’t coffee I didn’t like, but bad coffee.
Everyone has a coffee snob in their circles - find one to walk with you.
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I really love that we do our baptisms at the beach (Mediterranean Sea). We have one tomorrow morning—but it might be our last at the beach as we’re considering holding them at the church.
Here’s a video from our baptisms this summer. Brings a smile to my face!
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There is such a fear to lose individual freedoms and privileges, that to be a Christian has become equated with national rights and personal freedoms.
Most Christians outside the US rightly understand (whether a result of maturity or force) that this world is not our home.
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“As Americans, we should stand with Israel under attack because it is a fellow liberal democracy-and a democracy in a region dominated by illiberal, authoritarian regimes.”
This could’ve come from any American media outlet. It’s a biased and uneducated commentary.
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With all the burdens and distractions, frustrations and fears, God is faithful to comfort and strengthen us as we gather around His Word.
We studied James 1:19-27 in preparation for Sunday’s sermon — (which I’ll be preaching)
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As a complementarian pastor, I have a bigger issue with male pastors who are quarrelsome, harsh, and lack self-control than I do with female pastors who meet the rest of the qualifications.
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Six years ago today we got on a plane and moved to Beirut.
There have been many challenges in these years, but what a privilege to serve the Lord here.
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What does this even mean??
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, now a city in Palestine — Do we rage against Israelis because Jesus’ birth city is under an inhumane regime? This makes no sense.
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I’m worried that church history classes 500 years from now will look back at this time in Western Christianity and report that it was “marked with a lack of Christian love and filled with internal fighting over non-salvific issues.”
It’s not too late to repent.
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Some photos showing pre-explosion, damage, and clean-up. So thankful for those that helped! @ City Bible Church
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Having conversations w/my boys about the war. Mindful that there may be escalation & I want to have some grounding for further discussions.
Of course my prayer is they won’t see/hear anything.
Noah (8) asked: Why is there this rotten war anyway?
Me: Because people are rotten.
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“It is a very confused line of thought that construes Zionism as theologically based, failing to recognize it as a political and economic movement, or that equates the modern state of Israel with the Israel of God.”
—Elisabeth Elliot
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Tell me you’re going on a short-term mission trip without telling me you’re going on a short-term mission trip.
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A few weeks ago, a young Muslim guy reached out online with questions about Christianity.
I just met up with him to give him a Bible. Please be praying for him as he reads it; that God would save him.
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I’ve just reread
@drmoore
’s first article after the Oct7 attack—he wrote, “Many of us are quite willing to call out Israel when we believe it is acting wrongly.”
With great concern and genuineness I ask: Has there been nothing to call out Israel for in these past 32 days?
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Is this where I share that POD went to my church and Sonny was one of my youth leaders?
It’s 2004 and your friend tell you that Christian music sucks. Which CD do you put on to prove them wrong?
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Not an excuse for war crimes. Both sides must be held accountable for breaking international law.
But, context is vital —and these are just the statistics for 15 years. There are countless stories that go back generations.
The events this week didn’t start last week.
The human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (deaths/injuries): documented by the UN:
2008:
Palestine 🇵🇸: 3,202
Israel 🇮🇱: 853
2009:
Palestine 🇵🇸: 7,460
Israel 🇮🇱: 123
2010:
Palestine 🇵🇸: 1,659
Israel 🇮🇱: 185
2011:
Palestine 🇵🇸: 2,260
Israel 🇮🇱: 136
2012:
Palestine 🇵🇸:
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I’ve been deeply, deeply disappointed by the many pro-Israel Christian leaders. There is no difference between their talking points and what secular news or Israeli propaganda are saying.
Christians are desperate to learn and understand how to interpret these things biblically,
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After a sleepless night, a long day clearing out the church, and with hundreds of messages/notifications coming in I stayed up late and wrote this article.
Many moments like this that I’ll never forget.
#BeirutBlast
#August4
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“The tragedy is that this war, which was supported by many evangelicals, will almost certainly bring an end to the Christian presence in Gaza”
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Reflecting on the hundreds who reached out, checked-in, prayed and sent financial support so that we can rebuild
@cbcbeirut
and serve so many in our community.
A special thanks to the
@Acts29
family for coming alongside us so well.
The body of Christ is a beautiful thing!
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On a missiological note:
In the years since planting
@cbcbeirut
, missionaries from 7+ orgs who’ve found a home at our church have been asked to leave when tensions rise. It’s happening now. I get it.
But, only once has an org spoken to me before making the call —
@RTMinistries
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@JoashPThomas
@martyduren
One fundamental issue with the statement is why it was even written. Why does a US Evangelical group need to make a statement? Where are all the other statements condemning all the other injustices in the world?
Ah, yes — Israel.
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May we never consider the birth of Christ apart from the death of Christ, that we would have hope in the resurrection of Christ and look forward to the return of Christ.
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I so love and appreciate Dr. Moore, but there are some big misses here.
Any conversation that starts with “Israel’s right and duty to defend itself” has begun by discounting any context.
American Christians should stand with Israel under attack, writes
@drmoore
.
While we pray for peace, we should have moral clarity about this war.
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I’ve been dreading this update. I don’t have the words to share now, but soon I will.
I can say that Tim has always pointed me to Jesus, and he’s done it again w/these words: “I’m ready to see Jesus. I can’t wait to see Jesus. Send me home.”
Health Update: Today, Dad is being discharged from the hospital to receive hospice care at home. Over the past few days, he has asked us to pray with him often. He expressed many times through prayer his desire to go home to be with Jesus. His family is very sad because we... 1/3
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The other night, after the missile strike on the church in Gaza, I made an aggressive/sarcastic tweet.
What I said wasn’t untrue—but it came from a place of hurt/frustration/anger.
I don’t want that, so I deleted it shortly after.
(Just wanted to inform anyone who noticed.)
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Much push back at my comments that Christians should call for ceasefire rather than argue reasons for “self defense”.
We are Christians, not politicians.
An earthly gov’t doesn’t need our support nor defense—human lives do.
But let’s look to politics for a moment—
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Two years since the
#BeirutBlast
.
Some footage from the church. There is so much destruction in this neighborhood being so close to the blast site. Difficult to process it all. Trusting the Lord. Pray with us.
#prayforbeirut
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“Are we less Christians because we’re Palestinians?”
What a heart breaking question!
Biblically, we know the answer is a resounding no.
And yet, Palestinian Christians are forced to ponder these questions because of the way they’ve been treated by Christians in the West.
Today marks the 40 day memorial since
#ShireenAbuAkleh
was killed. We have been overwhelmed with the outpour of support we received. Yet, we are still saddened and disappointed by the failure of
@Pontifex
to take a position. Are we less Christians because we’re Palestinians?
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Reminiscing with family about how 32 years ago today Iraq invaded Kuwait.
August 2nd, 1990.
I was on vacation in San Diego where my Iraqi grandparents were living.
Our tickets to return home to Kuwait were for August 3rd.
One day difference changed my entire life.
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🙌🏽🙌🏽
What a wonderful privilege we’ve had to serve our community in these especially difficult days!
Thank you to all who served along side us; for those who’ve prayed; and for those who contributed financially!
#cbcbeirut
#beirutexplosion
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Starting a series through the Book of Galatians this Sunday and I’m leaning towards taking 2/3 of the sermon time to read through the entire letter.
Preacher friends? Non-preacher friends? Thoughts?
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With Reformation Sunday tomorrow, here’s a photo of my dear boys at the Reformation Wall in Geneva (Spring ‘23).
We took a Calvin Tour and my boys impressed the tour guide w/their reformation facts (largely due to the Reformation ABCs book)
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I referenced this photo in this morning’s sermon (1 Peter 5:1-5).
A shepherd in Northern Lebanon. One of my favorite shepherd photos!
Captures the role of shepherd/elder better than most shepherd images!
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This Sunday will be my first Sunday behind the new pulpit! Preaching Luke 14:25-35.
400 year old Lebanese cedar wood. Pulpit legs carved same as Spurgeon’s preaching rail. Five legs - Five Solas.
#sdg
@mrmedders
I’m excited about the new pulpit we’re getting built. Spurgeon-inspired, made of Lebanese cedar wood. Here’s hoping it comes out as beautifully as I’m picturing! 💪🏽🙏🏽🇱🇧
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I’d like to throw out an apology in advance to the Apostle Peter as I get ready to preach through his first epistle starting Sunday.
I will refer to you as Paul. I don’t want to. I’m gonna try not to. But we both know it’ll slip out.
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Daily insane events in Lebanon have made it difficult to focus on preparing Sunday’s sermon. Many distractions & many needs.
Nonetheless, I’ve been encouraged to think on the nearness of God all week & look forward to gathering w/the saints tomorrow
@cbcbeirut
.
You’re invited.
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Three Thoughts on Anti-Semitism
1. All racism is evil, but something deeply wicked about anti-Semitism.
2. Christians mustn’t have a hint of anti-Semitism.
3. The blind and insistent support of Israel spurs on anti-Semitism.
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This was disturbing & frightening, and yet not surprising at all.
What do Christian Zionists think about this? When you support Israel, do you have in mind religious Jews? Secular Israelis who couldn’t care less about God?
Or does it not matter as long as “Israel has the land”?
Israeli police on Wednesday raided the anti-Zionist Jewish neighborhood in occupied
#Jerusalem
to take down Palestinian flags and brutally attacked anti-Zionist Jews, knocking them down on the road, hitting, and punching them in the face.
#Palestine
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Lord have mercy.
Would you pray with me for peace?
Pray for those suffering?
Pray for justice?
Pray for restoration?
Pray for a swift end to this disaster?
They killed everyone in this picture.
They erased the entire family.
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