THE LONGEST HATRED

There is no end to the number of people today who deny the Holocaust yet, desire another one. The most obvious is Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but there are many others. At Columbia University, Ahmadinejad really just parroted what much of the Arab world says; the Holocaust did not occur, or is overblown, or is a fabricated lie. Ahmadinejad stated when in America that 9/11 could become "Another false idol like the Holocaust."

This is not unique to just the Arab world as parts of the West have beaten this story to death as well, even though pictorial evidence abounds and a smattering of survivors still live to tell true stories of survival and miracles.

But the Arab world is without excuse. Arab leader (within Israel, although the nation had not yet been re-born) Hajj Amin al-Husseini was called "Palestine's national leader" during World War II. He made an alliance with Hitler. He played an active role in promoting the Holocaust and in sending Arab troops to stand with German soldiers. Strange that men like Ahmadinejad never refer to al-Husseini who is in reality, a real hero to them. It is a convenient thing to try to make the world forget this figure along with the entire Nazi era and their dirty deeds to helpless Jews.

But be it the Arab world or the Western world, enemies of the Jews have been firing up literal or figurative gas chambers for a long time, even those who play this game that it never took place. They carry on with the mantra, "first we will dehumanize you, and then we will destroy you" agenda.

Survivors of the ordeal are vanishing. I was privileged to meet one almost 27 years ago. Her name is Anita Dittman. A pastor in the Twin Cities area called me, knowing I had just launched a writing career, and urged me to interview her. When I did, it took but minutes to know that this story had to be told. At that time Tyndale House took the book the day they read my manuscript, and suddenly the world started to learn of a story just a bit like Corrie ten Boom's story, yet remarkably different at the same time as "Trapped in Hitler's Hell" would get circulated around the world in many languages.

Anita Dittman and her mother were Jewish believers. When her Aryan father saw the rapid rise of the Third Reich, he deserted his family for his life. Anita was a young child and an aspiring ballerina, but one day after a childhood performance, the newspaper in Breslau, Germany, screamed, "We no longer wish to be entertained by Jews," with a direct reference to Anita. And so the saga began that would last 12 1/2 years.

The Confessional Lutheran Church stepped in to try to spare Anita and her mother, but it wasn't enough. They would eventually endure fear, separation, starvation, disease, grief, loneliness, concentration camps, work camps, and the constant threat of an oven. But if you think this is a downer, think again. They overcame all because they hung on to the Hand of the One who promised them He would never leave them nor forsake them. He didn't.

This is a faith builder you must share to encourage yourself and others. I do not write this with any book sales as a motive; rather, a desire to encourage believers, for that is the purpose of Anita Dittman's story. Two years ago it was published by Lighthouse Trails. You can learn more at Lighthouse Trails. Also, if you are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area, you are invited to a new DVD filming of Anita testimony this Sunday night, October 14, 6:30 PM at Twin City Fellowship. The event is free. The church is located at 2734 Rhode Island Avenue South in the suburb of St. Louis Park. I will be present and will also be a part of the filming. An offering will be received with fellowship to follow.

A DVD currently exists about Anita, "The Holocaust: The Pain and the Praise," but this Sunday's filming will be a much-needed update. The new DVD will be available sometime in November. You can watch my Web site at "Our Products" or visit Lighthouse Trails. The book I wrote, "Trapped in Hitler's Hell," will be available Sunday evening. It is also available on our Web site and through our print newsletter.

Get acquainted with this story. It could very well change your life due to its inspirational content.

LIVE RADIO THIS WEEKEND: Dr. David Reagan, one of our "Understanding the Times 2007" speakers, will join me on air to talk about Bible prophecy. Catch the important conversation on the North American Union on my "Radio Archives" for October 6, hour 2. For all conference information, you can visit the Web site and the category, "CONFERENCES." The event is now around the corner: October 19 - 20.