INTERNATIONAL WITNESS 

Os Guinness is an author and social critic. Great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer, he was born in China in World War Two where his parents were medical missionaries. As a witness to the climax of the Chinese revolution in 1949, Guinness was only 7 years old when the chaos started. He recalls, “I will never forget the day in January of 1949 when my dad said, ‘Son we’re in trouble.’” In 1949, the term "Reign of Terror" was used to describe events in China under Mao Zedong's Communist regime, and all Westerners were considered suspects. As the Communist Party solidified its control over mainland China following its victory in the Chinese Civil War, a campaign of violent repression was launched against perceived "counterrevolutionaries" which included mass executions, public parades of prisoners, and state-controlled media propaganda that reinforced and justified the killings as a mean to save the majority and deter future crimes 

“I saw what the revolution did and may now have killed up to 50-75 million of his people. In other words, more people have been killed under the atheist regime in the 20th century than all the religious oppressions probably in human history,” he shares. This campaign marked a brutal phase in China's transition to Communist rule, characterized by fear and widespread violence. It drew comparisons to earlier historical periods of political terror, such as the French Revolution's Reign of Terror.

In 1951, Guinness, along with many other foreigners, were expelled from China and sent to Europe. He was educated in England and moved to the United States in 1984.

THE CRISIS OF THE WEST

In his book, Our Civilizational Moment, Guinness highlights the crisis facing the West today. Rejecting our foundational Christian faith and the ideological roots that made our nation dynamic has led us to such a place. Attempts to replace our ideals with enlightenment secularism and reason have proven insufficient, leading to a decline in cultural and institutional cohesion. Guinness has categorized those threats into what he calls “ideological waves” as follows:

1. The Red Wave (Marxism)
This wave encompasses various forms of Marxist ideology, from classical Marxism to neo-Marxism. It includes revolutionary socialism, communism, and cultural Marxism, which have historically sought to dismantle traditional Western structures and replace them with socialist or communist systems. This wave has been influential in shaping modern political and social movements, particularly in academia and cultural institutions.

2. The Rainbow Wave (The LGBTQ Revolution)
This wave refers to the sexual revolution and the rise of LGBTQ+ movements, which challenge traditional norms around gender and sexuality. Guinness argues that this wave has led to significant cultural shifts, particularly in the West, where it has influenced laws, education, and societal attitudes.

3. The Black Wave (Islamic Radicalism)
This wave represents the rise of radical Islamism, which poses a threat to Western values and institutions. Guinness highlights that this wave is not just a religious movement but also an ideological one that seeks to replace Western civilization with Islamic governance.
These waves, according to Guinness, are part of a broader "war of the worlds" that is being waged against the West from both within and without. He argues that understanding these threats is crucial for addressing the current civilizational crisis and determining the future trajectory of the West.

CALL TO ACTION

Guinness explains the critical juncture civilizations face when confronting existential threats, requiring strategic and often radical responses to navigate the challenges ahead. He suggests that three broad options typically emerge:

1. Renewal: This involves revitalizing the foundational values and principles that originally sustained the civilization. To restore cohesion and purpose, a return to core beliefs, such as faith or cultural traditions is often required. For example, Guinness emphasizes the need for the West to reaffirm principles like human dignity and freedom to combat its current decline.

2. Replacement: This option seeks to adopt new ideologies or systems to replace the failing ones. However, this approach can be fraught with challenges, as seen in the critique of Enlightenment secularism, which has struggled to provide a unifying framework for Western civilization.

3. Decline: If renewal or replacement fails, the civilization may enter a phase of decline or collapse. This can manifest as social fragmentation, loss of cultural identity, or systemic breakdown. 

To purchase the book or find out more about O's Guinness click the LINK! 

CREDITS

Written or edited of over 30 books, latest: Our Civilizational Moment: The Waning of the West and the 
War of the Worlds (Kildare, 2024); Undergrad, University of London; D.Phil in social sciences, 
Oriel College, Oxford; Guest Scholar, Woodrow Wilson Center for Int’l Studies; Guest Scholar and Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum and the EastWest Institute in New York (EWI); Lead drafter of the Williamsburg Charter in 1988, a celebration of the bicentennial of the US Constitution, and later of “The Global Charter of Conscience,” published at the European Union Parliament in 2012; Spoken at major international universities, etc. 
 

Mark Morrow, a pastor, just knocked out a time on the treadmill better than any he had since high school. Even though he was a day away from turning 58, he was in the best shape of his life. And then at 5:15 am, he was dead. Victim of a massive heart attack. Those at the gym performed emergency CPR as they waited for paramedics. First Responders found Mark completely lifeless.

“He was completely gone at that point,” said Landon Morrow, Mark’s son. “There’s a paramedic straddling over top of him, slamming on his chest, trying to get some sort of response.”

The EMTs had to shock Mark’s chest six times before they got a pulse. While trying to jumpstart his heart, they scorched his chest. But while they were able to resuscitate Mark, they weren’t able to intubate him. For 33 minutes, both on the floor and in the ambulance, Mark was without oxygen. He flatlined, twice, on the way to the hospital.

“There was no life in his body at that point,” said Landon. “And that was probably the hardest sight to see through the whole experience.”

The ICU staff revived Mark and placed him on a ventilator. But there was only so much they could do, so they airlifted him to a Level Two Trauma Center twenty miles away. 

“We were thinking this could be the last time we see our dad,” said Landon.

Landon and his mother, Pam Morrow, followed behind in their car. Shell-shocked, they prayed for Mark’s healing. “The prayer at that point was just a prayer of desperation,” said Pam. “God spare him. Save his life. Don’t let this be the end.”

Mark was placed in a medically induced coma. Doctors told his family that he might not wake up. Even if he did, the time spent without oxygen made it likely that Mark would suffer significant brain damage.

“That was a very hard conversation,” said Landon. “I appreciate that doctor telling us the truth, but it was hard to hear that.”

Landon and his family kept crying out to God on Mark’s behalf. The following morning – Mark’s birthday – Pam says she felt the Holy Spirit speaking to her.

“The Holy Spirit said, ‘Just stand,’” Pam said. “And I knew that I could stand on who He was: He was the healer. He was in control.”

“And from that point on, we were going to believe that God was going to heal my dad,” said Landon. “We were going to believe that God was going to bring him back to us. Everything was going to be okay.”

Outside the hospital, members of Mark’s church gathered for a time of praise and worship. Other congregants hosted prayer meetings in their homes. “Seeing the faith of the people of our church and the people of the community was such a comfort to us,” said Landon. “It encouraged us and it caused our faith to rise up.”

The prayers continued throughout the week. Then, at about 72 hours after the initial heart attack, the doctor called Mark’s name. To everyone’s surprise, he opened his eyes.

“It was kind of like a Lazarus Moment,” said Pam. “I knew at that moment he was going to be raised up.”

A few days later, Mark was awake and alert. When Pam told him what had happened. Mark scrawled out, “God must not be finished with me yet.” 
That morning, he was up and able to watch church online. That day, the doctor told him the unbelievable news. Mark had no signs of brain damage or any sort of residual damage to his heart. In fact, they expected a full recovery.

“It could only have happened by the healing touch of our Great Healer,” said Pam.

Not even ten days after he dropped dead, Mark was cleared to go home.
 “Right before he was released, the ICU doctor looked at my dad in the eyes and said, ‘You are a miracle,'” said Landon.

Just a few weeks later, against all odds, Mark returned to the pulpit. “I know Jesus healed me,” said Mark. “He touched me.”


Since then, Mark’s church has hosted Encounter Nights where he and his staff pray for healing. “Everyone wants to know the story,” said Mark. “You’re the ‘Miracle Man.’ If he can heal you, I’m sure he can heal someone else that we know. And so we pray for them and lay hands on them and see them healed.

These days, Mark is thankful to be back with his family and his church. He’s even back in the gym. He’s since completed the work to get his doctorate. And he’s grateful for God giving him the second chance. “God is not finished with me yet,” he said.

Three-year-old Khanun was born with a cleft lip, a condition that brought both emotional and physical challenges to his young life. His parents, Sambath and Kim Rotha, watched helplessly as their son struggled to breathe.

"I worried about my son’s health," Sambath shared. "His cleft lip made it hard for him to breathe, and his skin would turn pale. He would cough almost every day."

Khanun’s breathing issues were especially alarming for his father.

"I remember when the weather got cooler, my son could not breathe well," Kim Rotha recalled, his voice trembling. "He would choke and gasp for air. I could not stop crying when that happened. I didn’t know what to do."

As heartbreaking as the health challenges were, the comments from others in their community added to the family’s pain.

Kim, a carpenter, and Sambath, who worked in a factory earning just $4 a day, struggled to make ends meet. Even with their combined income, affording surgery for Khanun was impossible.

"I took him to a clinic, and they said an operation would cost $500," Sambath said. "I felt hopeless because we didn’t even have money for bus fare to the city!"

Then, hope arrived in the form of Operation Blessing. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Khanun received the life-changing surgery to repair his cleft lip.

"My son's surgery went well!" Kim exclaimed. "People now come to see him and even give him small gifts. Everyone says he’s adorable, and I just can’t stop smiling."

For Sambath, the difference in her son is like night and day. "My son no longer has a problem breathing or choking. He has gained weight and loves playing and laughing with his brothers and sisters. Seeing him smile every day just makes me so happy."
Both parents are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support they received.

"Thank you so much, Operation Blessing, for helping our son with this surgery," 

Sambath said with a smile. "Thank you!"
Kim echoed his wife’s sentiments. "I’m so grateful to Operation Blessing for everything."

Today, Khanun is thriving—a healthy, happy little boy whose smile is as bright as the hope that made his transformation possible. 

Partnering with CBN means more than just giving—you’re helping feed and clothe families, providing medical aid to those without access to hospitals and doctors, and helping provide clean water for the thirsty. Your faithful giving brings hope to the hopeless and the truth of God’s Word to millions of homes through The 700 Club! Help bring the love of Christ to the world when you become a CBN partner today! 

In the bustling country of Vietnam, an 8-year-old boy named Danh embarked on a journey that would transform his life and bring joy to his heart. Danh was often a quiet and reserved child; he rarely smiled and sometimes felt sad, especially when going to school. Born into a family that did not believe in God, Danh lacked the joy and enthusiasm that comes from a relationship with the Lord. His family seldom attended church. 

Danh’s life began to change when he was invited to church to study the Bible in a Superbook Academy class. This marked the first time he engaged with God’s Word in a structured and meaningful way. The Superbook Academy curriculum, with its high-quality and engaging materials, played a crucial role in this transformation. Over more than a year of learning about God through Superbook, Danh showed remarkable changes. He began to enjoy Bible study and looked forward to attending church every Sunday.

The impact of Superbook on Danh’s life was profound. The stories—brought to life through captivating animations—helped him deeply understand God’s Word and experience Jesus’ love. The newfound joy and enthusiasm were evident in his daily life. Danh’s transformation was not just internal; it also influenced those around him. He invited his father, who did not believe in God, to join him at church. Recently, during a Sunday service, Danh’s father accepted Christ, creating a significant milestone for their family.

“Thank God for the high-quality and engaging Superbook materials that have helped Danh deeply understand God’s Word,” shares a teacher from the church. “Thanks to this, the teachers at church have been able to effectively teach the Bible, helping children like Danh enjoy learning about God. Through this, God’s Word has transformed the children’s lives.”

Danh’s story is a testament to the global reach and impact of CBN Animation’s Superbook. Through engaging storytelling and captivating animations, Superbook brings the Word of God to children worldwide, fostering spiritual growth and transformation. In Danh’s case, the stories of the Bible inspired him to live a life filled with joy, faith, and a desire to share God’s love with others.

Join us in this mission to bring the Word of God to life for the next generation. By donating to CBN Animation’s Superbook ministry through the link below, sharing this story, or accessing Superbook resources for your own families, you can help extend this ministry to even more children and families around the world. Together, we can bring the love of Jesus to more children just like Danh.

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