Special thanks to our persecution blogger who alerted us to this wonderful cartoon. :)

“You are saying it wrong,” the exasperated guard instructed the elderly Chinese believer. “You are supposed to say ‘Prison is good,’ not ‘Jesus is good.’”

My heart has been stirred in the past week concerning the nations of China and North Korea. God has allowed me an opportunity to have a glimpse of what is happening to Christians in these countries. Most Christians are aware of the challenges that North Koreans face because the media has focused on the failing economy, famine, Kim Jong Il’s dictatorial leadership and recent nuclear tests. In mainstream media, we rarely hear about our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted because they believe in Jesus Christ.

“Kill her! Long live Diocletian!” echoed in Zoe’s ears as she stood in the middle of the Coliseum before the angry crowd.

During this time of year we hear people saying, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” We hear this phrase so many times during the Christmas season we run the risk of it sounding cliché. Sometimes the same words repeated often can be “tuned out” and as a result they lose their powerful meaning. There are so many things happening around us this time of year. The malls are packed with people looking for a good deal, tables are overflowing with food and families are driving hundreds of miles to celebrate this joyous season. In all the activity, I encourage and challenge you not to forget our family in chains.

Christianity Today has an article today titled Fleeing Nineveh about Assyrian Christians who are under persecution. Check it out here.

This week I thought we'd focus a little bit on what's happening in Uzbekistan. Here's some of the latest news we have.

It was midnight when officers burst into their home and abruptly awakened Eskinder Menghis and his wife and three children. They walked out to find agents with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior ransacking their home.

UPDATE - On Tuesday, December 13, a Cuban court absolved Rev. Carlos Lamelas of all charges of trafficking in illegal immigrants.

Today we have another great round up for you. Special thanks always to those of you who are participating faithfully.