The Haunted House of Muscat?!

  I wonder if any of the Omani bloggers have heard of this so-called haunted house in Shatti across the highway from The Intercontinental.  Apparently (and I’ve heard this from quite a different number of people), the family living here was driven out by evil spirits that scared the living daylights out of them.  I don’t believe in “wandering spirits of dead people” which is such a popular notion today through movies and tv shows like “Medium” and “Ghost Whisperer” but I do believe in evil spirits.  The Bible refers to such entities in several places, one of the more famous stories being “the seven sons of Sceva” found in Acts 19:13-17.  “¹³Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  ¹⁴And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.  ¹⁵And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?   ¹⁶And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.  ¹⁷And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”   Has anyone from Oman heard of this place and know more about the story?

My Favorite Couple in Oman Breaking New Ground!

  Pastor Michael Peppin and his wife, Vinoo, were greeted with flowers when they attended the first Telego service at the PCO church in Ghala.   The congregation cheered “Michael-Peppin-Michael-Peppin” over and over as he came to the front to give a word of encouragement at their first meeting.  It was great to watch, especially knowing how humble Michael is!  As expected, he said “Michael Peppin is nobody” and he gave God all the glory.  (And THAT is the kind of person Christians love to cheer on!  )   This was the first church service for the Telego people (southern region of India and the name of the language as well) in Oman on January 29th at 1:15pm.  It was great to witness this significant event as God provided a place/time of worship for these people.  It’s interesting to note that all the women are on the left and the men on the right!  Except for me, Che, Michael and Vinoo sitting in the back together, ha!ha! 

Youth Ministry Garage Sale in Ghala this Friday!!!

  For any of you readers in Oman, why not come by the Ghala church compound this Friday, Feb. 27th, to support a good cause?!  You could donate things for sale or you could help by coming or advertising the sale to friends, maids, and colleagues.  (Church office number is 24799475/24702372)  Proceeds will go to various youth projects and anything left over will be given to the Nearly New Thrift Centre (located in Ruwi).  (The Nearly New Thrift Center is a great charitable movement to help low-income earners who have come to Oman to get by and often to support their families in India, Pakistan and elsewhere.)  Who doesn’t love garage sales?! 

Omani Roadside Fruitstands Rock!

  This Omani gentleman is selling fruit almost everyday just near the Seeb Sports Stadium.  My honey likes stopping here for corn from time to time which usually sells at 1 RO for a bag of about 8 ears.  The simple pleasures of life!

Every Tribe, Language, People and Nation

  “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation:”                          (Revelation 5:9)

Welcome Potluck Dinner for Pastor Jack Buteyn and Linda

  The PCO (Protestant Church in Oman) has a new pastor!!!  Pastor Jack and his wife Linda (spelled “Lynda” on the cake…) arrived in January and we finally threw them a welcome dinner on Sunday, February 15th.  I like what Pastor Michael said about the potluck: “It’s a rather unfortunate term as I don’t like the word pot or the work luck.”  Members brought different dishes and we all shared an incredible meal with fantastic fellowship after the service.  Pastor Jack’s first sermon a few weeks back was on AMAZING GRACE.  To get an idea of what he preached on check out this link from my old web-site: http://andyinoman.blogspot.com/2008/05/amazing-grace-nation-was-blind-until.html  Looking at the fresh, youthful faces of Jack and Linda, you may be surprised to learn that they have been married 43 years!!!  I was quite surprised myself and asked them, “Did you guys marry at the age of 5?!”

PLEASE be praying for Jack and the other pastors of the PCO, Michael Peppin and David Raj (in Sohar) (and their families!) as they serve the LORD here in Oman.

The Word of the Day is “Narcissism”

  It amazes me how selfish some people can be.  Could you EVER imagine parking in a handicapped zone?!  I noticed that there wasn’t a handicapped sign or anything on the windshield of this car in the mall and so I approached the car and tapped on the glass of the window.  I asked the “gentleman”  in the backseat if anyone he had come to the mall with was disabled (because it is possible that they could have forgotten the “disabled parking pass” at home).  While I was talking with him, 3 other punks approached the car saying “sorry, sorry” but there was no indication that they intended on moving the car.  I told them to move the car immediately and said that they should be ashamed of themselves.  How would they feel if they were handicapped and the only 2 spots available to them in the mall were taken by selfish young punks?!  I was thinking about this and realized that if they really were reasonable people they would NEVER have parked in a handicapped zone in the first place.  It brought up the whole notion of “narcissism” which I seem to hear all the time these days.  John Edwards used it as an excuse for cheating on his wife as did Christie Brinkley’s husband.  I am starting to hear it used in a different context though.  I’m hearing people JUSTIFY their excessive preoccupation with self and lack of empathy for others.  They wear it like a badge of honor rather than a shameful vice.  I’ve even seen people proudly proclaim that they are narcissist for all their family and friends to see on facebook!  This is the generation in which we live.  It’s no surprise though.  “This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, without self-control, fierce, despisers of those that are good,traitors, reckless, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

People today have no concept of even trying to live by “The Golden Rule”.  It is all about self.  “…men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself..” (Psalm 49:18)   VS.   “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23)

For those in love, Valentine’s is 365 days a year!

  The love of my life!   I am now starting to understand an old quote that has stuck in my mind: “He who tries to love all women never really loves even one but he who truly loves just one woman shows a deep love for them all.”  We spent Valentine’s Day evening at the Ramada Hotel in Muscat which was a sweet choice.  Were we ever pampered!

Nothing quite says “I love you” like…..a donut?!

  Stopped in at Dunkin’ Donuts after church yesterday and got a couple of these “donuts of the week” in celebration of Valentine’s Day.  It made me laugh imagining some guy coming home to his wife with a “love donut” to express his love.  Anyway, it made me think about the whole “expressing your love on one day” nonsense that Valentine’s Day encourages.  Of course, anyone would agree that it’s just another day but it IS a great chance to remind your wife JUST how much you love her, isn’t it?! This is an especially important Valentine’s Day for me as it’s the first one being married!  I wanted to try, even just a little, to express all the joy and happiness that Che has brought to my life.  She doesn’t know yet but I’ve reserved us a room and a special Valentine’s five course dinner at the Ramada here in Muscat.  I am SO looking forward to learning more and more about my wife and what makes her tick! 

For you single people out there, don’t rush in vain to find love.  God will send the PERFECT mate in HIS timing if you will only wait on the Lord.  Don’t give into your lusts but honor God with your body.

By the way, “the best place to find love is not in another person but in a book, the Bible.  The Bible tells us of God’s great love for us.  This is expressed in what has been called the best love note ever.  It’s found in John 3:16.              

God loves us like no one else ever could.  He showed that love when He sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior.  He’s also the best companion we’ll ever have.  Open a Bible and learn more about Him.”  (from RBC Ministries)

Back to the romance thing…I wonder what all my friends/family members/or random readers are going to do (or have done) to express their love to their loved one this Valentine’s Day. Please feel free to “comment” and share your plans/experiences.  Would love to hear them!

How’s your vision?

  “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” ( Proverbs 29:18 )