What have you done with your day?

In the past 24 hours approximately 480 people have died simply because they are Christians. That averages out to about 3 per minute around the world. It's so easy to forget that we are not alone in this world and not everyone enjoys the relative ease that we do in regards to serving our King. The most dangerous thing you will probably face today is that driver who is more concerned with their cell phone than with their driving. You will face no danger or persecution from others for being a Christian. Oh, you may hear a word or two of scorn from some but you'll not have to face the sticks and stones that many Christians around the world will. So why is it, that we who are free to say and believe what we wish without fear of retribution beyond that which is offered by a few scoffers, so silent? Could it be that we are so distracted by all of this affluence and comfort that we have forgotten what it means to be a disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Paul said to Timothy in II Timothy 3:12 "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (ESV) Now I ask you as I have asked myself, "what form has your persecution taken?" It seems to me the modern day church in America is so concerned with what version one uses or just how relevant one is to his or her culture that we have completely missed the point of our being here in the first place. How big of a discussion do you think the persecuted church in China is having over the role of praise bands in the church? Or how much energy is wasted there debating the version of the Bible the preacher preached from? The church in this country is too concerned with the size of their youth groups, and the amount of time the praise band has to practice their culturally relevant rock ensemble to worry with whether or not God's Word is preached faithfully with authority and power. I wonder if those 480 men, women, and children who were martyred today were culturally relevant? Of course all of their suffering pales in comparison to evangelical christians who got blamed by the homosexuals for being homophobic because they voted for the christian boy on American Idol.

I encourage you to visit The Voice of the Martyrs web site and become a participant in their ministry. One way you can do this is by writing a letter to a Christian who has been put in prison for their faith. Let them know they are not forgotten.

http://www.persecution.com/

Remember, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Many millions of Christians have given their all for the cause of Christ. God expects no less from us. Be a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Sacrifice this life for the one to come.




Chris Connally
Romans 8:28

What are you prepared to do?

American Christianity didn't end up in the state that it is in overnight. Wicked men have crept in unawares and made a mockery of the grace of God as evidenced by their lascivious deeds. All the while those who knew better remained silent and allowed this to happen. Time after time, when the opportunity to take a stand against this carnal tide that has swept up the American church presented itself, those who knew better chose to do nothing. It's time the truth was brought out of the closet and the men of God take their stand no matter the cost. We cannot be silent any longer. The truth is not out there somewhere but it abides in all who truly serve the King of Kings. To the King! Rally round the blood stained banner of the King! What are you prepared to do to see Christ glorified and His Word honored?

BE PREPARED TO STAND CONTRA MUNDUM!




Chris Connally
Romans 8:28

On December 20, 1989

My good friend Phillip "Butch" Lear member of the 2/75 Rangers was killed in action during Operation Just Cause. Freedom didn't mean as much to me before I received that phone call at my duty station in Germany informing me of his death. A very high cost accompanies freedom and thanks to that winter day in December of 1989 I'll never forget it. Thank you Butch for giving all. I love you man.

Chris Connally
Romans 8:28

American Idol

Another season has come and gone on American Idol with all its accompanying fanfare. Now let me be upfront with all 0 of my readers and admit that I have never watched a single episode of American Idol. However, it is impossible to visit the plethora of media sources in our great land and not be inundated with Idol chatter. One aspect of this chatter caught my eye and has caused me more than a little consternation. That is the focus on the evangelical vote and it's effect on the shows final outcome. I have even witnessed 'christians' express concern that the media would blame them and their supposed homophobic ideology for the 'gay' contestants demise (I have no clue if this is true or if there was even a gay contestant on the Idol stage). All the while the 'christian boy' is the beneficiary of evangelicalism's homophobia. At least this is the way the 'christians' feared the media reaction would go down. Yet more persecution for the American Church to endure simply because we happen to enjoy our American Idol. Can we not get our fix of worldliness in peace? Why must we endure such contradiction of sinners? Can we not vote for our little 'christian boy' without being persecuted? After all our little 'christian boy' is a worship leader at a church in Arkansas so he must be letting his light shine before men that they may see his talent and glorify him as America's newest idol. Right?
I sometimes feel like Rip Van Winkle and wonder how long I've been asleep. How did it come to this in evangelical circles? It is hard for me to believe that people who claim the name of Christ spend so much of their energy on things such as this. Could it be that all the men, women, and children who have been martyred for Christ laid down their lives so the evangelical world could vote a 'christian boy' as the American Idol? Is this what Christianity has come to in the USA? When we begin to equate a negative response to how we voted in relation to a TV show with persecution we have truly Americanized Christianity. What an insult to all those who came before us who endured persecution for the gospel's sake. Then again persecution for our American Idol vote is our cross to bear and the American way of letting our light shine, and what shines brighter than the American Idol? God save us from ourselves.

Chris Connally
Romans 8:28