Palin and the Pentecostals

From time to time, I see things in the press that move me to write out a few of my thoughts in response. The recent attacks on Governor Sarah Palin's Pentecostal heritage are a case in point. I have posted three such items on my Hillcrest Church Blog:

• On Sarah Palin and Religious Prejudice
• Washington Post Cartoon Mocks Speaking in Tongues
• Palin the Pentecostal: Journey From Obscurity to Ubiquity

Click on any of the titles to be taken directly to that post.

I would love your thoughts!

Updated and Corrected Turkish Martyrs Report

I just came across information on the web indicating that the report I posted earlier, while substantively true, may contain some inaccuracies. I'll post more information as it becomes available. For now, Christianity Today's website has an article here giving a more irenic report on what happened.

They loved not their lives unto the death - Persecution of Christians in Turkey

The British Christian Today website is carrying an item (click here) about three Christian missionaries in Turkey who were martryed on Easter Sunday. Unfortunately, severe persecution of Christians is alive and well around the world today.

"32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them..." (Hebrews 11:32-38, NIV)

For more information on the persecuted church, check out www.persecution.org and www.opendoors.org.