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.

Yesterday I reported on the assassination of Pierre Gemayel and today WorldNetDaily also has a story concerning this story and all of the recent happenings with Pastor Rick Warren.

One of the biggest stories in the news today is the assassination of Lebanese Christian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel who was a very outspoken anti-Syrian critic.

In today's Extreme Devotion I was reminded that there is no such thing as an unanswered prayer. The faith of these believers also inspired me to want to continue to stand for Jesus and not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ that delivers us from all sin.