Today's Extreme Devotion is about Ignatius of Antioch. As I read through this wonderful devotion I was totally inspired to do a little research on Ignatius. The first thing I found was the picture you see below. That is a depiction of Ignatius being eaten by lions. Although, I'm pretty sure it didn't really look like that.

This week we have a few entries for our weekly Persecution Blog Round Up...so savor these posts and as always, please remember the persecuted in your prayers.

Wow....read this.

The following news item comes from VOM partner Compass Direct.

Merry Christmas everyone! Okay, I know that technically it's a little bit early, but when you love Jesus and can't wait to celebrate His glorious birthday, you can't help but shout from the blogtops that it's the Christmas season. Which is exactly why I wanted to share with you that The Voice of the Martyrs has some Christmas specials going on.

It's almost December and what better time for you and me to take action with a Voice of the Martyr's Action Pack! I think Christmas time is an awesome time to step up and take part in one of VOM's greatest programs - Action Packs.

If you're like me when you read stories of our persecuted brethren your heart is moved to action. This morning as I was looking at the Prisoner Alert site and reading the story of Li Ying, everything within me wants to give this dear sister a big warm hug. In fact, I wonder when the last time was when she had a hug. Wow...I can't even begin to know.

Happy Monday to all of you! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are growing closer to the Lord Jesus even as we fellowship together through this blog.

Where there is no cross, there is no crown. This lesson cannot be learned from books, and men do not usually taste this sweetness. This rich life does not exist in a comfortable environment. If the spices are not refined to become oil, the fragrance of the perfume cannot flow forth; and if the grapes are not crushed in the vat, they will not become wine.

If it's one thing I've learned writing about Christians who are being persecuted is that they are people of prayer and they are thankful to the Lord for the privilege of suffering for His precious name. So as we go into the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, will you please join me in praying for our suffering brothers and sisters in countries that do not have religious freedom.