Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

Update: Chinese church leader given severe prison sentence

Alimujiang Yimiti (36), a Uyghur Chinese house church leader who was arrested and imprisoned in January 2008 has received a 15-year prison sentence for allegedly "providing state secrets to overseas organizations." The verdict, which stunned Yimiti's lawyers and family members, was read to him in prison on October 27. One of Yimiti's lawyers, Li Dunyong, has reportedly filed an appeal on his behalf. Li Dunyong also stated that Yimiti's Muslim background was a factor in his legal battle, stating, "The whole case is about religious faith issues which are being used against [him] for his conversion from Islam to Christianity, by biased law enforcement agents, prosecutors and the court." (Source: ChinaAid)

Pray that Yimiti will continue to draw near to his Heavenly Father amid his trials.

Pray for Yimiti's wife and children, who are suffering many challenges in his absence.

Pray for spiritual and physical strength for the thousands of Christians in prison for their faith in Christ.

My husband grew up in the Christian Reformed Church. Most members of this denomination are from a Dutch background. My husband's parents both immigrated from the Netherlands after WWII. One of the traditions of CRC church is to sing Ere zig God during Christmas services. They do say you can sing in English, but there is something lost in sound. I have, however, put the translation of the song for you.

Glory to God! Glory to God!
In the highest, in the highest, in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth
To the people whom God delights in.

Glory to God in the highest, glory to God in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth
To the people, to the people whom God delights in,
To the people whom God delights in, whom God delights in.

Glory to God! Glory to God!
In the highest, in the highest, in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth
To the people whom God delights in.

Amen. Amen.

Now share your favourite song on Saved by Grace.

This week, our Caffeinated Chieftain has asked what our favourite Christmas Songs are. To tell you the truth I haven't met a Christmas song I didn't like. However, I'll give you my top three (you can even dance to two!).

The song that reminds of Reason for the season is Who is This Child. It reminds us why He came and what the purpose of Christmas is.

My favourite childhood Christmas song is Suzy Snowflake. I had a record (yes Virginia there were big large black disks that spun around and made music) that had numerous Christmas songs by artists from the 50s and 60s. Growing up where we received little or now snow (I can count on one hand how many White Christmas' we had) I could imagine the little mischievous snowflake calling me to come out and play.

The other Christmas song that I love to hear is of course Elvis' Blue Christmas. Who cannot listen to this song with singing "wohoho?" This was the song we often played while decorating the tree.