Compass Direct has the following lead story regarding an Elder of a Christian church who was kidnapped and murdered in Iraq recently. Here's a blurb and you can read the whole article here.

This is an example of Christian pastors being persecuted apparently because they were in an area a group of people didn't want them in.

This is an example of persecution by Hindu militants toward a Pastor's wife in India. Their goal, to ultimately stop the gospel from being shared.

Recently I posed the question on my other blog asking the question What Are You Being Persecuted For? and among the responses I got to my question I was asked how I define persecution. At first glance I honestly couldn't believe I was being asked that question, and I referred them back to this site. However, upon further reflection I guess I can see how someone who leads a different lifestyle than me would want to know. Do I think that being called names is persecution? How about someone who has a different opinion or worldview than I - is that persecution? Or is being raped, killed, defamed, ridiculed, beaten, decapitated, spit on, scourged, burned alive, or reviled, discriminated against at work, and all because I believe in Jesus the only persecution?

I have another question for you. If The Voice of the Martyrs were to offer a Christmas card through the ministry as another way to help support the persecuted church would that be something that you think you would buy?

I was thinking about all of you who are so faithful in coming to this blog every day and every week and I was wondering what keeps you coming back to this blog?

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.