The Death Toll

Posted on 30 April, 2013 by Jon Gleason

Just a little perspective….

Terrorists (apparently Muslims) in Boston killed four people.

In the last three years, Muslims have killed an estimated three thousand Christians in Nigeria.

The Communist regime in North Korea has killed probably many thousands of Christians, and has incarcerated perhaps as many as 200,000 Christians in concentration camps.

Burmese Buddhists, who in the past set out to exterminate Christianity, continue to kill civilians, reported to be more than 200 in recent months, as well as other atrocities.

In 2008, Indian Hindus killed hundreds of Christians and made thousands homeless.

In 2009, eight Christians were killed and more than 100 homes burned in Gojra, Pakistan.  Untold numbers have been killed, injured, or made homeless in alleged “blasphemy” riots.

Egypt.  Iraq.  Vietnam.  Sudan.  Iran.  And more.

And too often, Christians even forget to pray for our brothers and sisters.  We are too busy catching the latest news, news deemed more important (by Western media) than the news that believers are being oppressed, tortured, and murdered.

Hebrews 13:3

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

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The Parable of the Husbandmen — the Chief Cornerstone

Posted on 29 April, 2013 by Jon Gleason

In the last “Passion Tuesday” post, we saw the Old Testament roots of “The Parable of the Husbandmen.”  Israel’s religious leaders had rejected the prophets, especially John the Baptist.  They were prepared to rebel, and even murder the Son, to try to cling to power.

We’ve seen that Jesus’ words on this day were rooted in the Old Testament Scriptures, and that pattern continues as He tells the consequences of their actions.

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On Spiritual Experiences

Posted on 27 April, 2013 by Jon Gleason

Years ago, a friend phoned to tell me of his spiritual experience.  I wrote him the following letter.  I’ve removed identifying details, made it more general, and this could be considered an open letter to any friend who seeks spiritual experiences.

Dear ,

I wanted to write and thank you for calling me. As you could probably tell from our conversation, I have concerns about what you have experienced. I want you to know, however, that I am thankful for your desire to know God more fully and serve Him.

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Bertrand had it Wrong

Posted on 26 April, 2013 by Jon Gleason

To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
– Bertrand Russell

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
– Solomon (Proverbs 1:7)

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Three More Boston Thoughts

Posted on 24 April, 2013 by Jon Gleason

Three items I have read really caught my attention in the aftermath of the Boston terrorist attacks.

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Acts 23-25

Posted on 23 April, 2013 by Jon Gleason

Sunday, I preached on Acts 23-25:12.  Here’s the sermon in a nutshell.

Jewish lies and Jewish plots,
Roman pride and Roman greed,

send

God’s Man
to God’s Place
in God’s Time,

at Rome’s Expense

Read those three chapters in Acts and you’ll see what I mean.  Key verse for this section, indeed, for all of the last eight chapters of Acts:

Acts 23:11

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

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Trapped

Posted on 22 April, 2013 by Jon Gleason

The young man, bleeding and injured, crawled into a boat to hide.  Bleeding, and hunted.  The sirens, the flashing lights in the darkness.  Soon there would be helicopters, perhaps dogs.  They would probably shoot to kill when they found him.

He was only a teenager, but now he was a killer.  He had no right to expect mercy — he had shown none.

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