Prior to diving into my devotional (as if anything else could be more important) I read an interesting article in Newsweek entitled The War On Christians by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. His thesis was a simple statement that Christophobia is on the rise. This he clearly documented through statistics clearly showing an increase of violence against Christians. He does make the case that across the globe within Muslim-majority nations Christians are becoming targets of hatred. There were graphic pictures of death and destruction because that seems to sell magazines. The article had tweaked that righteous tendency within just enough for me to enjoy a thought; those who commit evil should receive evil in return.
As I was beginning to dehumanize the other children of God (Fundamental Muslim Clerics and their students who kill non-Muslims) Mark's testimony about how Jesus after healing the Gerasene Demoniac, placed before him a life long mission, "Go home to your family and friends. Tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you." (5:19-20). God quickly intervened and asked me how successful I had been with my own family and circle of influence with regards to showing them His mercy. It was hard for me to continue down my war path.
Don't get me wrong, those who kill the innocent in the name of God should be brought to justice. I was challenged to live out our final devotional prayer "May the PEACE of the Lord Christ go with you...
With Love,
Jeremy
Welcome to the conversation! For as long as our own discipline will allow, I hope to use this resource as a forum for prayer and reflection for the community of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church. We'll be working through Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals as our daily devotional guide. Since we're beginning the journey on Ash Wednesday, the hope is that this will be an additional venue for us to pray together throughout this holy season.
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