The Persecuted Church

[Wren]

its pretty convicitng when you realize what our brothers and sisters around the world endure for the sake of the gospel. meanwhile we're over here crying persecution because retailers wish us happy holidays instead of merry Christmas. Or because so-and-so doesn't support conservative politics *facepalm*

Yeah, I thought of this, too. It's one thing to prefer a "Merry Christmas," but that's nothing compared to fearing harassment, imprisonment, death, etc for being a Christian.

(Off-topic thoughts: Besides, I like to say Happy Holidays when I work with the public (unless I'm a bell ring for the Salvation Army) because I'm wishing them happiness for all of the holidays of the season: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day.)

 

[Blank123]

Amen Amen Amen!!!


It *does* bother me so the whole "don't use Merry Christmas" thing ..

BUT Yes...it's incredibly convicting...

it's also incredibly convicting in the sense of what we let in our lives...and settle for in our lives (whether it's sin, compromise, luxury) and what we attach ourselves to...the only thing so many of our brothers and sisters cling to is Him - as it should be...puts our faith here to shame..absolute shame...

oh for sure. I keep wondering what people in the church over here in Canada and USA would do if real persecution happened here. i think the face of the North American church would change dramatically because there's really no room for extraBiblical nonsense or apathy when your life and the lives of your family is on the line.

Yeah, I thought of this, too. It's one thing to prefer a "Merry Christmas," but that's nothing compared to fearing harassment, imprisonment, death, etc for being a Christian.

(Off-topic thoughts: Besides, I like to say Happy Holidays when I work with the public (unless I'm a bell ring for the Salvation Army) because I'm wishing them happiness for all of the holidays of the season: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day.)

exactly.

(I tend to wish my customers/patrons a merry Christmas mostly out of force of habit i think, i wasn't raised to say "happy holidays" so it usually doesn't occur to me Even people who you can tell by the clothing they wear are not Christian (like Muslims, Hindus, etc...) have always smiled and wished me a Merry Christmas back. But it might be the culture over here too... we do have our grumpy PC people but more often than not Canadians are an easy-going people.)

 

[leothelioness]

I read about an Iranian pastor who is supposed to be put to death for apostacy. Several foreign dignitaries have come out against it, but who knows what Iran will choose to do.

I pray he is allowed to live, but martyrdom is a noble thing.

 

[SplendidTree]

I hope that I never take for granted our freedoms here to worship Jesus Christ and go to church.

 

[Sketcher]

I once heard a missionary to persecuted nations speak. What he taught us was, don't do to yourself what persecutors do to Christians. Persecutors try to deprive Christians of the Word, of worship in song, and an evangelical spirit, to name a few things. It makes no sense to starve ourselves of these kinds of things that persecutors intentionally starve Christians of.

 

[Rhamiel]

I once heard a missionary to persecuted nations speak. What he taught us was, don't do to yourself what persecutors do to Christians. Persecutors try to deprive Christians of the Word, of worship in song, and an evangelical spirit, to name a few things. It makes no sense to starve ourselves of these kinds of things that persecutors intentionally starve Christians of.

wow, well said

 

[Apollo Celestio]

It was often included in my education as a Christian and I chose to research it. Awkwardly enough, if you want to see the true power of the message, go there. You have people there who would die for their faith and each other, while here we plot against each other and look down on others because they're not married.

Suffering is not a competition, but you gotta wonder what they have that we don't. Danger there brings out purity of spirit, while here it brings out scumbaggery.

 

[Marycita]

oh for sure. I keep wondering what people in the church over here in Canada and USA would do if real persecution happened here. i think the face of the North American church would change dramatically because there's really no room for extraBiblical nonsense or apathy when your life and the lives of your family is on the line.

Which really, in some ways (obviously not persecution ways ) they are on the line now, and we put up with non-biblical and extra-biblical nonsense ...

I think if persecution happens here, we will be seeing that there are so many less true Christians than claim Him.

I once heard a missionary to persecuted nations speak. What he taught us was, don't do to yourself what persecutors do to Christians. Persecutors try to deprive Christians of the Word, of worship in song, and an evangelical spirit, to name a few things. It makes no sense to starve ourselves of these kinds of things that persecutors intentionally starve Christians of.

Awesome!

It was often included in my education as a Christian and I chose to research it. Awkwardly enough, if you want to see the true power of the message, go there. You have people there who would die for their faith and each other, while here we plot against each other and look down on others because they're not married.

Suffering is not a competition, but you gotta wonder what they have that we don't. Danger there brings out purity of spirit, while here it brings out scumbaggery.

ugh... so true..so sad...

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we as a CF Singles community could do something like this. There need not be a main speaker. But everyone of us who desires to bring a verse or passage and some thoughts on what it means to us.