When the year ends we start wondering what changes have to be made in our lives for the coming year. Most of us want to lose weight, buy a membership to the gym or decide to take up a new hobby which will “enhance” our quality of life. Unfortunately, the excitement lasts until maybe March and then we fall off the wagon and slip back into our old habits.

I LOVE the way the Lord works in my life and I totally love how He is constantly reminding me through various means about the saints of old who were martyred for their faith. This morning I was reading my email and I received an email from Pastor Steve, a friend of mine I work with at the Lutheran church, and he was reminding us that today is St. Stephen's Day - yes, that's right, December 26th is St. Stephen's Day.

With 2007 coming up quick on us in a few days I thought that I would highlight for you a great program that you may want to make part of your 2007. Why not become a volunteer with The Voice of the Martyrs next year?

On this day after Christmas I thought I'd share with you about how much I totally love Bibles Unbound. This morning my husband, who is recovering from this yucky flu he had all day yesterday, and I mailed out 5 more bibles to China!

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.