This is the most wonderful time of the year for Christmas miracles, and if the Lord-wills maybe Pastor Tibo and his two friends will not be executed for the crimes they are accused of. Last week we discussed this story here.

Today The Baptist Press News has a very interesting article on the recent election in Iraq, and it touches on the issue of religious freedom. This is an interview with a former Whitehouse staffer named Daniel Heimbach who now write books on morality and sexuality, as well as teaches at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Today both Catholic World News and the Asia News Website are reporting a story about the call for Christians in Indonesia to live without fear during this Christmas season.

Is Christmas persecution really Christian persecution? That is the question that has been on my mind the last few weeks. I've heard some people say that Christians are just overreacting and need to build a bridge and get over it, and I have heard others say that this is the most Christmas persecution we've ever seen.

Compass Direct is reporting a sad story today that took place in October. The story doesn't indicate if the pastor being run over by the taxi was intentional, but it does tell us that Pastor Habib had been tortured and jailed for two years prior to his death.

Sherrie Gossett from CNS News.com has written a powerful article today that centers around the persecution of the three Indonesian women who were imprisoned for simply teaching during Happy Week.

I believe that one of the qualities required for greatness in the Kingdom is the ability to admit when we have been mistaken or wrong. King David is a Biblical example of a man willing to see his own shortcomings; one who mourned them greatly before God.

The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle has a nice tribute to some missionary women who were murdered 25 years ago. I love stories like this because it shows that we can't forget the sacrifices, and we must keep remembering. Here are a few passages...

Have you heard the great news about Pastor Green, a pastor in Sweden, who preached biblically on homosexuality? Yesterday we got the news that he was acquitted of his "hate" speech by the lower court in Sweden! My friend Trophy Husband has a nice write up about it, check it out.

This news is a few days old, but still worth sharing especially since we've been talking about President Bush's trip to China. This is from the VOM website.