The Phil Files

Last week, news trickled out of North Korea about a mother being executed for simply handing out a Bible. Her husband and children were sent to labor camp. Charges were trumped up to justify the harsh treatment, but the fear is that North Korea will continue this policy if unchallenged by the free world. Clearly, believers should pray with and for our persecuted brothers and sisters throughout the world.

In addition, my heartlight.org this week is entitled “Follow Me” and focuses on the unjust suffering of by Christians and how process this problem through the eyes of faith. While I ask some questions at the end of the article, I also believe it is appropriate that we pray the Lord’s Prayer today with a special emphasis on being delivered from evil.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.

I tried to prepare myself to not watch as much as previous Olympics. I didn’t want to blow a bunch of time watching the drama and hype known as the Olympics. I am very very concerned about our Christian brothers and sisters in China next year after all the concern for PR by the Chinese ruling government has evaporated with the conclusion of the Olympic games.

However, the competition and the stories behind the athletes and their families is mesmerizing. The difference of two inches on a touch in the pool carries such huge expectations and surprises — for both women and men competitors. Watching young men hanging on for dear life to keep a bronze medal was exhausting in gymnastics. The incredible strength, grace, and stamina as athletes compete in multiple events and preliminary rounds or heats for their chosen sport.

Yet what also weighs heavily on my heart tonight — or better yet, early this morning — are all those who are battling hard illnesses, disconcerting job losses, foreclosure on their homes, and unexpected and untimely deaths. Their battles are more private and equally as life-altering. Often times, these unseen battles are much harder and there are few if any cheering fans. So let’s make sure we look around our circle of relationships and find someone to cheer on and lift up — especially those no one else seems to notice.