The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has released its annual report, detailing the 16 countries which are of particular concern because of their stringent opposition to freedom in matters of religion. The countries of particular concern this year are Burma, North Korea, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan (North),... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on Death and Suffering
What is it with all this death and suffering in our world? Has science not yet eradicated the inimitable Grim Reaper? In the age of nuclear medicine and MRI’s, we seem to be capable of better identifying the diseases which cause our suffering, but we still can’t seem to eliminate the pains. And as for... Continue Reading →
Tom White: What Happened (and What Might We Learn)
Tom White has been the face of Voice of the Martyrs for the past two decades. With Tom White as its head, the ministry of Voice of the Martyrs increased exponentially. What will happen next to that ministry is in the Lord's hands (which is the best place for it to be). The tragic details... Continue Reading →
Adoption Yearning
Any pastor worth his salt (as the saying goes) must, at times, identify with the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel was more than a preacher to God’s suffering people—he was a vicarious enactment of their plight, having to lay siege against Jerusalem (Chapter 4); eat “unclean” food; pack his bags for exile (Chapter 12), and lose his... Continue Reading →
Adoptions Down
The 2011 adoption statistics were just released, and they showed that adoptions are down in the U.S. Indeed, adoptions were down a significant 15% from the 2010 numbers, and down a mind-boggling 60% from the peak numbers of 2004. One must go back nearly two decades (1994) to find a year in which there were... Continue Reading →
Path to True Blessing?
How do you know when you are blessed? On first blush, you might respond that you know you are blessed when you have peace with God and peace with your wife and family. Many of us would think we are blessed when we have plenty of money. We think that NFL players who get paid... Continue Reading →
Islam Run Amok
UPDATE: Thanks to Nina Shea, we now have word that Pastor Yousef did not waiver in his faith. He stood firm and once again refused to deny Christ. From the court proceeding: The Washington Post’s blog Religion Right Now posted a piece by Jordan Sekulow that included the following excerpt from court proceedings this week:... Continue Reading →
Tebow’s Nose
Folks are upset. Fans are upset that the Denver Broncos lost their home opener for the first time in more than 10 years. Even with the abysmal Bronco record of 4-12 last season, the team was at least able to win the home opener against the Seattle Seahawks. This year, however, it was not meant... Continue Reading →
Life Is the Winner
In any game, 73-0 is a lopsided blowout.
Faithless Funerals
There is a controversy brewing in Houston, TX, between veterans and the Veterans Administration. I am interested in the controversy for a couple of reasons. First, I attended the funeral service of my wife’s grandfather not too long ago in Houston. He was a veteran, and there was a veteran’s service for him at the... Continue Reading →
Some Relief for Sudanese Christians?
Sudan has been a nation at war for years. The Muslims of the north have waged an all out war against the non-Muslims of the south, who are mostly Christians and animists. As of today, South Sudan is a country of its own. Let's hope this move brings peace. Indeed, let's pray for peace. The... Continue Reading →
Maybe Some Good News from Iran
According to the Jubilee Campaign, there is good news from Iran. Pastor Youcef will not be executed for being a Christian in Iran. The report makes it unclear exactly what will happen next. It almost sounds as though he will be asked to deny Christ and return to Islam in order to have the charges... Continue Reading →
Remember
Remember those in prison as though in prison with them...
A Painfully Good Question
I will be out of the country for a few weeks, but I wanted to leave you with a painfully good question that comes to us from a Jew: "Why don't Christians help Christians?" The question was asked by Dennis Prager with reverent concern for the health of American Christianity. His article (read it here)... Continue Reading →
Arab Spring More Like Kentucky Spring
Spring is supposed to be the time of blossoming life. Flower buds burst forth with petals gleaming white against the grassy green canvas of trees and lawns. Purple, pink, and yellow splash throughout the portrait we call spring. It is springtime. But in Kentucky, spring has brought violent storms, tornadoes, and rain. Lots of rain.... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 