Silence is Not Golden

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given one Spirit to drink...If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
1 Corinthians 12: 13, 26

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:21

     There is a foul stench rising from the Middle East as ISIS breathes threats and persecutions against the Christians. As this "angel of death" creeps over the land, Christians have been given a choice: convert to Islam, leave the country or be killed. Indeed, ISIS thugs have beheaded, executed and even crucified those they deem as apostates. Those who chose to flee left with only the clothes they wore; all else was confiscated. Now, winter is approaching. Where will they go? What will happen to them?

     Franklin Graham, head of the Samaritan's Purse, reports:

     "Just outside the 6,000-year-old citadel at the heart of Erbil, the owner of a shopping center opened the vacant top floor to refugees. When Samaritan's Purse checked  them, we found over 1,200 people living there who had almost nothing to eat. We joined with local churches and Christian refugees to bring them baskets of food, p[ray with them and shar the Gospel."

     Columnist Cal Thomas recently wrote, "Help for Middle East Christians," exhorting the American Christians to step up to the plate. He said Mark Burnett and wife, Roma Downey (who produced "The Bible" epic for the History Channel) have announced a campaign to raise $25 million to aid these homeless believers. They've set up a website called, "The Cradle of Christianity," promising that donations will go directly to the churches for distribution to those in need.

     And the needs are great. There are over 800,000 displaced people in Kurdistan alone. Don't sit back and assume the United Nations will take care of it; if it operated at 100% efficiency, it could only take care of 40% of these desperate people.

     The body of believers is worldwide. What affects those on the other side of the globe affects all. Do you feel their pain? We must do our part to overcome evil with good, or the terrorists win. Here's what we can do:

1. Pray. Ask God to protect these refugees and those who are bringing aid.
2. Talk. Bring up this topic among friends, coworkers, congregants. Do not be silent but educate yourself and others of these affairs.
3. Give. Send what you can to Samaritan's Purse, The Cradle of Christianity, or another competent organization

     Remember the Golden Rule. If this were happening to you, you would want someone to send aid.