This week's persecuted church: Nigeria

Suspected Islamist extremists have killed 15 Christians by slitting their throats in an attack on a village in Nigeria's volatile northeast, residents and a relief source said Sunday. The gruesome violence was the latest to be blamed on Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, though this Christmas season has been notably less bloody than in 2011, when attacks on churches and other locations left scores dead.

"From the information we gathered, the attackers broke into selected homes and slaughtered 15 people in their sleep," the relief official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Authorities had previously confirmed the predawn Friday attack in Musari, but gave few details and said only five were killed. Musari is located on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Boko Haram's base.

Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, spokesman for a military task force in the area, told AFP on Sunday that he stood by the toll of five dead, adding that some were shot and others attacked with machetes. Nigerian authorities tend to under-report death tolls however, and the relief official's information matched up with that of residents, who spoke of 15 people having their throats slit.

Thought of the Day: Winter Camp
Song of the Day: Sara Groves-Maybe There's a Loving God

It's Showtime!

"I thought I would never see Showtime again. The Clippers are Showtime! THIS is Showtime."
-Magic Johnson


Thought of the Day:  막걸리
Song of the Day:  Blur-Song 2

Is this your church?

Thanks, Sam!

Thought of the Day:  전구
Song of the Day:  The Temptations-My Girl

고백

Love this song/performance!

This week's persecuted church: Laos

As a member of the government, Boun had permission to cross in and out of Thailand to conduct business. There, in 1997, he sought out the man he had heard speaking on the radio.

The Christians there were afraid of him, and he was just as afraid they would report him to the Lao government. But the man he sought was willing to meet with him. This man took him to a private room and explained Christ to him. The soldier was baptized that night and began to share the gospel wherever he went.
The authorities warned him over and over to stop preaching. He was let go from his job. He was arrested June 8, 1999, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. On Feb. 2, 2012, he was released, two years early.

Thought of the Day:  담배가게 아가씨
Song of the Day:  담배가게 아가씨

Following the Leader

There are two things that I've always hated talking about.  Politics and the economy.  Unfortunately, these two subjects seem to get thrown at me more and more as I get older and become a bigger part of society.

Last night, I tossed and turned in my sleep after hearing about Korea electing its first female president.  I even had a dream that I was working for her red-colored administration with some of the staff at my school. Ms. Park let us off early that day and everyone was happy, including myself.

News articles say that the no. 1 issue for most voters is the economy.  That means that the candidate who offers the most financial benefits will win the election, apparently even at the cost of moral issues.  That is why a leader's character and integrity are considered secondary to their financial promises and economic plans, and corruption can easily be ignored, explained, or excused.  There is a self-serving agenda on everyone's mind.  Is it any wonder why bad leaders get elected?

Thinking and talking about the recent election in Korea, I am reminded of God's anger and displeasure with the nation of Israel throughout the book of Ezekiel.  The widows, orphans, and foreigners are neglected while the poor are abused.  Everyone is selfish and greedy.  Killing and injustice are rampant.  There is a lot of judgment ready to be poured out.

But as I think about these things, I am also reminded of the few who are faithful, living under godless leadership during the times of Daniel and Esther.  Despite the oppression and in the midst of the wailing and cries of the suffering, we have a small number that is living upright and honest lives.  They may not be able to overthrow or change the government, but they choose to live in a way that challenges it and points to the real leadership that every creature is under.

America or Korea, you may be happy or upset by the newly elected leaders that will lead for the next 4-5 years.  If you are happy, do not put your hope in the government administration that is prone to all sorts of unspeakable evils.  If you are upset, do not feel so disappointed and helpless because every country is still in the bounds of God's rule and sovereignty.  Do not worry about the daunting present or unforeseeable future that we cannot control, but live faithfully now and never lose hope for a good tomorrow that is promised to come.

Thought of the Day:  Passionate
Song of the Day:  Third Day-Your Love Oh Lord

This week's persecuted church: Iran

Thought of the Day:  Candy Canes
Song of the Day:  Sara Groves-Star of Wonder

Kill Park

You have to be in Korea to understand/enjoy this.

Thought of the Day:  피부과
Song of the Day:  The Game (feat. 50 Cent)-Hate It Or Love It

This week's persecuted church: Cuba

David became a believer when he was 15 years old. His family kicked him out of the house, and he was forced to work as a field hand to sustain himself. He didn't give up his faith though, and at 22 he became a pastor. At 57, he’s lived through the decades in which many Cuban Christians left the island and the church was whittled down to a faithful few. He also led his church during times of revival. But “if you want to pastor in Cuba, you cannot say anything against the government,” he said.

He has been interrogated more than 20 times, and humiliated, beaten and threatened. His interrogators blamed him for the growth of his church, accusing him of using “secret indoctrination methods” from the United States. For these offences, he was forced to spend six months cleaning public outhouses every day. He was also prohibited from leaving the island for more than four years. The officials in charge never told him why his exit permits were never granted. There was always an excuse: “We lost the paper work!” or “We never got your application.”

When David was finally able to obtain a telephone connection for his house, the first phone call he received was from the state security office, warning him that they knew his phone number and they knew all about him. They even described the color of the books in his office, and told him, “We can make something happen to you if we want.”

Thought of the Day:  버럭
Song of the Day:  Dumb Ways to Die

Shaqtin' A Fool

Simon, this one's for you.


Thought of the Day:  RAM
Song of the Day:  Oasis-Champagne Supernova

Dumb Ways to Die

Thought of the Day:  Chocolate Cake
Song of the Day:  The Beautiful Mistake-A Cradle in Bethlehem

Childish

Legos are the best toys in the world.  I used to be obsessed with these building blocks as a child, but I still like to stop by the toy aisle every once in a while to see some of the newest Star Wars or Technic series' models.  I secretly want to buy a lot of the overpriced Star Wars stuff, but I restrain myself because I know I would hate myself for buying something so


childish (expensive).


But I couldn't hold back from getting the best of two worlds: Legos + Transformers!  Although I wanted to buy some Decepticons that come with cool Kreons, I knew they would be way too childish (expensive).  So I settled with the smallest Optimus Prime.  I still haven't built it yet, but I get happy every time I look at the box.  Still a child.

Thought of the Day:  Sujin
Song of the Day:  Justin Bieber-Mistletoe