Four Christians were killed, many injured and numerous homes and churches destroyed or damaged in Orissa state in violent clashes that began on Christmas Eve.

As most of you know if you read this blog regularly, Turkey is a nation where Christians are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Today Christianity Today has a very lengthy article called Jesus in Turkey that is worth the read. Here is a brief snip from the article.

A reader for the Voice of the Martyr's monthly magazine recently wrote a very good article that is published at The Bulletin - Philidelphia's Family Newspaper. In their lengthy article they cite VOM numerous times and I thought you may enjoy the article. Please check it out, especially if you didn't get January's issue.

Christian Today is highlighting a story today concerning the reopening of a case in Turkey where three Christians were murdered last year. Glenn Penner, from The Voice of the Martyrs Canada says,

NEW DELHI, January 2 (Compass Direct News) – Orissa state’s Kandhamal district remains tense 10 days after a series of anti-Christian attacks began, and thousands of Christians whose houses have been burned down are facing hunger and fear. Pastor Victor John, who came to Udaigiri village in the Mallikapur area of Kandhamal as a guest speaker in a Baptist church on December 24, the day the attacks led by the Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) began, told Compass that the atmosphere was still tense despite the deployment of troops. According to a memorandum submitted to the National Human Rights Commission on Monday (December 31), Christian leaders said that around nine people had been killed, close to 90 churches burned, about 600 houses torched or vandalized, and 5,000 people affected. VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati told media on December 25 that the reason for the violence was conversions by area Christians.

“When I address the question, “What should I do if I don’t desire God?” I am addressing the question: “How can I obtain or recover a joy in Christ that is so deep and so strong that it will free me from bondage to Western comforts and security, and will impel me into sacrifices of mercy and missions, and will sustain me in the face of martyrdom?” Persecution is normal for Christians. “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).