World Digital has revamped its international content and my persecution stories are now part of a roundup called “World Tour.” Here are the past few which include my reporting on false charges against Indian Christians for kidnapping and forced conversion, a trend in attacks on pastors in India, and the Russian Supreme Court‘s decision to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses (and why that will hurt Christians), and how persecution is a part of the refugee crisis.
Screenshot from a video about a UNHCR refugee camp.
I try very hard to stay away from politics here at Steak and a Bible. That isn’t because I don’t have strong political opinions, I do. I avoid it because I do not want my political opinions to get in the way of God’s truth. The Bible and the truth it contains is essential. It is non-negotiable. That is my focus and it will remain so.
But occasionally a political issue (or current event) bleed so much into my faith that I feel compelled to say something.
This is one of those days. Continue reading
This past weekend I wrote about the arrest of a Christian teen in Pakistan. Last week I wrote about the persecution of evangelical Christians in rural, Southern Mexico. Continue reading
This New York Times story is almost two weeks old, but if you haven’t read it yet it is still worth it. The Times writes about how some politically conservative evangelical Christians in Georgia are embracing Syrian refugees (including Muslim refugees) and giving of their time to help resettle them.
Q&A: How Do I Change as a Christian?
This is an awesome new video from Apologia Studios.
Pray for South Sudan
Associated Press reported today that more than 1 million refugees have fled the conflict in South Sudan. Stay informed and keep these suffering people in prayer.
Washed Away – Obbie Todd
The flooding in Louisiana is a real tragedy and has robbed at least 13 people of their lives and damaged at least 40,000 houses. Here’s Pastor Obbie Todd’s first-person account of the 20 minute scramble to abandon his new home in order to protect himself, his wife and twin babies.
No, God Isn’t Transgender
Robert A.J. Gagnon criticizes a recent New York Times op-ed in which someone argued God is transgender. You can find it at First Things.
HRW Talks about the Olympics Refugee Team
The Rio Olympics are just days away and I just found out there is a team of refugees competing together. Their presence will highlight the massive and ongoing world refugee crisis. Human Rights Watch has a dispatch.
Michelle Lesley Tackles the Question: What is Contemplative Prayer?
She also tackles the follow up: is it biblical? The short answer is no, but check out her response here.
Infographic to help explain the Sudan/South Sudan history and conflict
Faith & Forced Migration has an explainer on Sudan and South Sudan, their history and some information on the recurring conflicts. Continue reading
Concerns about Together 2016 from the Reformed Nazarene blog
In less than a week, Together 2016 will happen in Washington, D.C. (where I live). Bringing together a wide range of speakers and musicians. Reformed Nazarene delves into who is speaking and performing and brings up some reasons to be wary. Which begs the question, when is unity right and when is it wrong?
Russell Moore on the shootings and racial justice
The news of the past week has been heartbreaking, both the news of black men being killed by cops and the news that police officers were targeted and murdered in Dallas. Evil continues to ravage our world. Since I do not know what to say in the wake of all this, I will share a piece by Russell Moore that definitely made me think.
Very interesting news coming out of Bangladesh: Continue reading
Andy Stanley Claims People are ‘Selfish’ for Choosing Small Churches
There’s an uproar going on after North Point pastor Andy Stanley bashed small churches and insulted people who choose them by calling them “selfish” and claiming they don’t love their kids.
There’s a ton of reaction online, including this one.
Here’s mine … the Bible tells pastors to be shepherds, not CEOs. Stanley and other mega-church pastors are CEOs due to the sheer size of their churches. I’ll take my tiny little church and its verse-by-verse Bible teaching and pastor who knows my heart for truth and actually listens if I’m concerned by a song we’ve used or if I don’t agree with something he says. I’ll take that anytime over a megachurch and a false teacher like Stanley who openly rejects the biblical calling for a pastor.
10 Reasons to Break Up with Joel Osteen
The Messed Up Church blog has 10 compelling reasons to “break up” with Joel Ostend’s teaching.
