Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. Romans 14:9
Samir Yelda (2005)
Kidnapped and Killed
Iraqi Christian Samir Yelda, a lecturer at Baghdad University, was kidnapped on 23 August 2005. A ransom was demanded, and somehow his family found the money and paid it. But when they went to collect him on 24 August, they were given Samir’s head in a sack.
Christians in Iraq have been targeted by Islamic militants seeking to “cleanse” the country of Christian presence, despite the fact that there have been Christians there since the first century.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888)