Blessed are the Persecuted

I receive a weekly update from Voice of the Martyrs. Sometimes I have to force myself to stop and read it so I don’t forget what others are going through while I’m safe and warm. This story in particular really struck me, so I thought I’d share.

Members of the extremist Islamic group al Shabaab, executed 23-year-old
Christian convert, Mumin Abdikarim Yusuf, and his body was discovered in
Mogadishu's Yaqshid district, according to Compass Direct News. On Oct. 28, al
Shababb members detainedYusuf and searched his home for Christian materials,
after a 15-year-old Muslim boy accused Yusuf of trying to convert him to
Christianity. While interrogating Yusuf about other Somali Christians, the
extremists knocked out all of Yusuf's front teeth and broke several of his
fingers. They then shot him twice in the head and dumped his body on an empty
residential street. Since it is unknown whether Yusuf revealed information about
other Christians while he was tortured, the underground Christians who knew him
have relocated for their safety. Yusuf's Muslim family members are also in
danger, as extremists have accused them of failing to report his conversion. The
Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted Christians through a project to assist
evangelists and encourage converts from Islam. Pray for all those mourning the
death of this brother in the Lord. Pray for safety for the relocated believers.
Pray that Yusuf's faithful witness will be a testimony to his Muslim family
members and that they will turn to Jesus for their salvation.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:6-10

From Heather

Merry Christmas: a Play in One Act

Merry Christmas!

A play in one act

 Open on a well-lighted street covered in a glistening blanket of soft, undefiled snow. A bunch of Christmas carolers are wassailing from door to door, provided I used the word “wassailing” correctly in that sentence.


Carolers (singing, probably at least slightly off-key): We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!

A door opens. Out steps a kindly old gentleman with a steaming hot cup of coca in his hands.

Old gentleman: Well thank you, kind folks! I love a good song this time of year...it warms the cockles of my heart, provided I just used the word “cockles” correctly in that sentence.

Caroler 1: It’s our pleasure!
Caroler 2: Merry Christmas, sir!

Old gentleman: And a happy holidays to you, too!

Caroler 1: Thank…uh, wait a second? Did you just say “happy holidays”?
Caroler 2: That’s what it sounded like to me.

Old gentleman: Well, gee…I guess I did…I certainly didn’t mean anything by it…

Caroler 3: Sure you didn’t, pal…sure you didn’t.

Caroler 4: Yeah, we’ve heard that before…

The scene turns ugly. Happy melodies are replaced by grumbles and glares. The Carolers begin throwing down their whatever-carolers-carry and replacing them with torches and pitchforks, transforming into a violent, rabid mob before our very eyes.

Carolers: GET HIM!!!!

Scene fades to black as kindly old gentleman retreats into his house, a look of terror on his face as he is pursued and eventually overtaken by the mob.

End

Ok, so it might not win any Tony awards – but hopefully it proves a point. At the time of year when Christians should be giving full attention to the birth of our Lord and Savior and all that it entails, we instead find ourselves embroiled in a culture war.

This morning I read an awesome blog at RelevantMagazine.com that looked at Focus on the Family’s “Save Christmas” campaign and their StandForChristmas.com website, a site at which you can rate popular local retailers and indicate to what degree they are “Christmas-friendly” (options include "Friendly," "Negligent," and "Offensive").

The blogger went on to list a whole bunch of reasons why this is a ridiculous and misguided waste of energy, including that all retailers are trying to make money this season and paying lip-service to vocal Christian groups is more than likely just another means to that end.  I highly recommend checking it out.

Now, just to be clear – If you want to say “Merry Christmas” (which I do), then by all means say “Merry Christmas.” If someone is offended, tough. I am a follower of Christ first and foremost - I make no apologies for this fact.

By the same token, I don’t think it’s fair of Christians to be offended when others choose to offer different holiday greetings.

Am I wrong here?

From Adam

Elusive Faith

Last Sunday in church we sang a song about belonging to Christ no matter what—even in the face of broken dreams. That struck a chord with me. Sometimes I feel like the queen of broken dreams.

This week, I find myself rather unexpectedly looking at a life-long desire coming true. Yet as I walk through this process, it’s occurring to me just how easy it is for me to believe I’m headed for another shattered dream.

I’m realizing how truly scared and discouraged and weary I am. My faith is terribly weak.

This didn’t happen overnight and I can’t point to one thing that caused my faith to erode. It was lots of things—some big, some little. Some the result of my own complacency, some attacks from without.

But whatever the cause, there is only one solution I know of.

I have to stop worrying about the hows and the outcomes and turn my focus to Christ. Experience has taught me that if I can obey him, if I can submerge myself in following his word and drawing nearer to him, then he will give me peace. And then without even realizing it, I will find myself where he wanted me to be all along.

From Heather

Throwing Down the Present Gauntlet

A couple of weeks ago we posted about the Missouri Baptist Children's Home and their Christmas Wish List, noting that they were in need of donations of presents for all of the beautiful kids who might otherwise not have a single thing to open this Christmas.

They are still in need of lots and lots of presents.

Heather and I talked about it and we really want to put our money where are mouths are, so here's the deal: When you're out shopping, pick up an extra present for the Children's Home. Let Heather and I know about it (comment here, on Facebook, via email, whatever) and we will match every present bought.

You buy a present, we buy a present.

Please feel free to share this message with friends or family or anyone else who might be looking for an opportunity to do some good this season - Let's work together to make sure that these kids know that they're loved.

Click Here for a list of items needed and instructions to donate.