Intolerance – in the United Kingdom and Cambodia

Rev Ross Rennie, Director of Grace Missions, recently wrote to Mrs Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He assured her of his prayers, and those of many other Christians, regardless of political views or affiliation, who accept the authority of the Bible’s injunction in 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 to pray for all who are in authority. He wrote,

You are my prime minister and as long as you decide to keep your position I and the true Christian church of Jesus Christ will pray for your protection, for wisdom for our nation, to heal the wounds and rebuild this country, to root out bigotry and hatred in our nation, so as an Englishman I and others can be proud again of our nation and our democracy.

Ross also alerted the Prime Minister to two dangers which cause him great concern.

The Intolerance of the British Media

In his letter to Mrs May and another to the Director General of the BBC, Ross expressed his disappointment and anger at how the BBC has abandoned the value of impartiality with which it was founded and has become a platform for elitist, anti-Christian, anti-Brexit views. This is symptomatic of the way our news media have been corrupted.

To quote The Christian Institute,

The BBC has openly mocked the beliefs of millions of Christians and others with socially conservative views in its election commentary.

During an interview on Monday morning, Radio 4 presenter John Humphrys laughed at former MLA Nelson McCausland when he stated that the DUP’s policies are “compassionate”.

The BBC also ran a sizeable feature highlighting mockery of the DUP’s socially conservative values by various satirists.

Other media outlets have attacked the party for its views on sexual morality and marriage in recent days.

Telegraph columnist Dr Tim Stanley said the hostility shown towards the DUP because of its stance on same-sex marriage and abortion shows that mainstream Christian beliefs have become toxic in politics.

Writing about the resignation of Tim Farron as leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, who said, “To be a political leader… and to live as a committed Christian… has felt impossible for me”, Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre, said,

“Tim Farron’s treatment demonstrates that Christians are simply not tolerated by the illiberal elite in positions of influence. This, alongside the widespread reaction to the DUP’s views on abortion and same-sex unions, is further evidence of this anti-Christian morality.

“The vilification of the DUP for its opposition to abortion and same-sex unions and castigation of Tim Farron is shocking and upsetting. If we continue in this crusade of ‘totalitolerance’, we will enter a harsh and conformist world where Christianity will be ‘no platformed’ and eventually squeezed out of every sphere of public life. The elite determines what are toxic unacceptable views. Unless you approve of their ‘new morality’ you are punished. At first comes the loss of privilege, a political position, a place at university, then the detriment: the refusal of a grant and ultimately criminal sanction.”

The Intolerance of Opposition in Cambodia

Ross wrote to Mrs May about the possibility of violence in Cambodia if the opposition party wins next year’s general election:

Many in Cambodia are very concerned about the possible actions of Mr Hun Sen, the Prime Minister, who has over many years marginalised all opposition even back to the time in 1997 when using his control of the army he ousted Prince Norodom Ranariddh when they were first and second prime ministers in a coalition government.

For many years Hun Sen has been seeking to neutralise the principal opposition party and he has made repeated threats that he will hold on to power, if necessary using military force, even if his party loses in the general election.

When Ross wrote to Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary, asking to discuss this with him, he was told he was too busy. Instead he was assured that the British government was giving money to Cambodia for election monitoring. Ross suggested to Mrs May that this was like giving money to Hitler to protect the Jews.

Alarm Bells

The alarm bells are ringing.

The tendency of the authorities in the United Kingdom seems to be to ignore them and only take action when it is too late, whether it is erecting barriers to protect pedestrians on London’s bridges or enforcing fire safety standards in high-rise buildings. Christians should be different.

  • It was said of the sons of Issachar they were “men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do….” (1 Chronicles 12: 32).
  • The Lord said to Ezekiel, “If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.” (Ezekiel 33: 6)

Where are the watchmen? Who will speak up? Who will give a warning? What will you do?

Reliable Phnom Penh Tuk-Tuk Driver: Mr Polo

Touch Polo and Ross Rennie

Mr Polo Touch (left) with Rev Ross Rennie

Mr Polo Touch, who featured in the BBC TWO programme A Cabbie Abroad in 2014, drives a tuk-tuk (a motor cycle and passenger trailer) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Mr Polo provides a taxi service and usually waits for custom outside the Golden Gate Hotel in Street 278.

We have found Mr Polo to be extremely reliable, honest, conscientious and friendly. He speaks English and knows the city well. He will give you a fair price and will not overcharge you.

You can contact him on telephone number +855 11 899 261 or by email at polodriver7@gmail.com.

Watch this interview with Mr Polo by Rev Ross Rennie:

If you really want to see God move in your life, then obey His word

Guest Testimony by Noel Linton

“If you really want to see God move in your life, then obey His word”

My name is Noel Linton, and that subtle revelation above has kept me testifying of the goodness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

A few years ago, my wife tells me about a dream she had about a place called Liverpool. I listen and then tell her, that it was just a dream; after all, we live in Texas, USA and not in England. My wife goes on to have at least 3 more dreams about living in England and I continue to dismiss them as just dreams. Time goes on and I forget about the dreams, despite receiving numerous prophecies about my family making a move out of Texas.

I guess God got tired of my stubbornness because every door for me in America suddenly closes and I am left looking outside the US. My wife reminds me of the dreams she had of England, and me being a British citizen, we make plans to move.

I told my wife that I am not moving to England until I at least get a job first. So I received a position from the company I worked for in the US. I book my flight and a room in a B&B and in early March I fly to England. Shortly after arriving, I receive a call that the job I was coming for is no longer available. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. So here I am thousands of miles away from my family, in a foreign land, with no home, no job, and no joy.

So feeling completely down, I decide to go to visit Liverpool, but the Lord leads me in the opposite direction to Chester. Once there I walk into a café and it is in that café that everything changes. Kunle, the owner of the café, approaches me and we start talking. After hearing part of my story, he tells me that he will pray for me. I’m thinking he will pray later at home, but he sits me down and calls over a lady named Fran. They both start praying for me in the middle of this café and God is revealing everything to them about my hurt, my disappointment, and most of all, my anger at the situation. They encourage me, and Kunle invites me to his church’s revival.

I had no way of getting there but Kunle said he will take me and have a man name Ross Rennie take me back. Now Ross had no plans or intentions of going to the revival, but said he will go just to take me back home. Another divine appointment. I was blessed at the revival and Ross says he will pick me up for Sunday service the next day. It’s a long drive, so we were sharing our visions for ministry and we had a lot in common. He invites me to breakfast the following Monday and he reveals that God told him to look out for me. Unbeknownst to him, I received a prophecy shortly before coming to England that I would meet a man who will show me around and help me get settled. Ross has done just that, he allowed me to stay in his home so I won’t have to pay for the B&B and has taken me to various places and shown me around. He has assisted me with getting my home furnished and prepared for the arrival of my family.

Ever since I arrived in England, I have seen God move in my life. I’ve seen prophecies fulfilled in regards to the people I will meet and even to the home I have. All because I finally aligned myself with His will for my life.

Be blessed in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Noel Linton

Noel’s House Needs

  • Cooker Provided!
  • Microwave
  • 3 Seat Sofa
  • TV Stand Provided!
  • Coffee Table
  • Desk
  • Double or Bunk Bed
  • Single Bed
  • Single Bed
  • Wardrobes
  • Dressers

Steve Dowall – Well Done

Stephen Hunter Francis Dowall, 1963-2015

Steve Dowall and family

Steve went missing on Aoraki Mount Cook on 25 November 2015 when he became separated from a friend with whom he was climbing. Steve was an experienced climber but for some reason did not reach the hut that he and his friend were making for. There are some large crevasses and some avalanche debris in the area where Steve was last seen. Bad weather has prevented police from undertaking an intensive search, and they now describe their task as no longer a rescue mission but a recovery mission. A celebration of Steve’s life was held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Timaru, today, 5 December.

I first met Steve in 1991 when he joined me in Cambodia to work with Southeast Asian Outreach (SAO), now Cambodia Action. Steve was co-director (later director) of SAO’s SCALE project, which aimed to combat Cambodia’s decline in natural fish stocks by promoting the adoption of aquaculture by subsistence farmers. Steve was totally committed to improving the living standards of the communities in which he worked. He worked tirelessly, he was always ready to go the extra mile and he combined deep compassion and a gentle spirit with a tough, uncompromising, hands-on approach. On one occasion, the struggle to protect a hatchery reservoir from being overwhelmed by rainy season floods required Steve to swim in the reservoir, where he found he was being accompanied by venomous snakes. Steve was a highly principled man who held tenaciously to a course of action when he believed it was the right thing to do. Above all, Steve was motivated by his love of the Lord Jesus Christ, for whom he was an effective and faithful ambassador in word and action.

Having stayed with Steve and Sovann in their homes on several occasions, I had the privilege of observing Steve in his role as husband and father. The same qualities of strong moral principles, humour and tough love that I had seen in his professional life were evident in the home. It was plain to see how his children both adored and respected him. I can also understand why Sovann has been quoted as asking a few days ago, “What can I do without him?”

I mourn the loss of a dear friend, but I celebrate the accomplishments of a man who has made such a huge difference for good to the lives of refugees, the poor of Cambodia, Myanmar and elsewhere, his colleagues, his family and his friends.

Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.

Myers Cooper

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