I LOVE the way the Lord works in my life and I totally love how He is constantly reminding me through various means about the saints of old who were martyred for their faith.  This morning I was reading my email and I received an email from Pastor Steve, a friend of mine I work with at the Lutheran church, and he was reminding us that today is St. Stephen’s Day – yes, that’s right, December 26th is St. Stephen’s Day.

Did you know that?

Me either, which is why I love writing this blog because I always learn something new.  Pastor Steve wrote this in his email and then I’ve followed up what he says by some other information I found online.

From Pastor Steve…

Today the church remembers Stephen, the first deacon and martyr of the church.  Called to do the jobs that others didn’t want, Stephen rose to the challenge of leading the faithful in caring for the poor, widows, children, the indigent.  He also took a public stand for his faith and was summariliy stoned by an angry mob.  Following in the footsteps of Christ is no guarantee of an easy life!

Many in the world celebrate "Boxing Day" today as well, when gifts are shared beyond the boundaries of the traditional family: why not include the marginalized in the world in YOUR circle of grace today (in honor of Jesus and Stephen!).

And from Wikipedia we receive the following information about St. Stephen’s Day.

St Stephen’s Day, or the Feast of St Stephen, is a Christian saint’s day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. Churches which adhere to the Julian calendar mark St Stephen’s Day in January, although from their perspective they are celebrating it in December. It commemorates St Stephen, the first Christian martyr or protomartyr.

UPDATE: Our interview with Director, Writer and Actor David deVos is now live.  Click here to listen.

Have you heard about this brand new movie called The Theory of Everything?  Well, if you haven’t don’t fear because in a few hours I’ll be posting my interview with the writer, director and actor in the film, David deVos.

Here’s a small blurb to whet your appetite for the movie and our interview.

Envision the Possibilities

Does God exist? Does science prove it or give us reason to doubt?

Doug Holloway (David de Vos), a family man on the verge of finacial and marital ruin, embarks on a journey to find his birth father, Dr. Eugene Holland (Victor Lundin). Dr. Holland is on a mission of his own – to prove the Holy Grail of physics – the Theory of Everything – that may prove the existence of God. His greatest challenge? Completing his quest before a degenerative brain disease (CJD) claims his ability to reason. Soon the two journeys become one as the men struggle together to rebuild their family and find new hope in God.

A moving story of family, faith, and theoretical physics, The Theory of Everything will inspire you to "Envision the Possibilities."

I’ll be back soon with the interview.  Hit time is 2:30 PT

Recently I came across this story in a book written by Joe Wheeler, a book that compiles stories of inspiration that are great to read during the Christmas season.

This story is about the famous miraculous staircase that was built by an anonymous person some think may have been St. Joseph.  Some say this is part legend, while the reality is that this staircase was really built.

Listen to my podcast to hear the story and then check out the website to learn more about this miraculous staircase.

Last week a gay activist wondered why some of us on the right didn’t come to Dr. Dobson’s defense.  I didn’t write anything for a few reasons.  First, I am very busy this time of year.  Second, I spoke to Dr. Dobson’s office last week and they told me they were penning a response.  And Third, I wholeheartedly support and trust Dr. Dobson, so I don’t feel a need to defend him or have to answer the attacks against him.  I think Dr. Dobson is one of our modern day heroes and I believe that the gay activists would love to silence him.  So with that said, here’s the response Focus has penned in response to the vitriolic attacks from the gay activists and some on the left.

Left Apoplectic Over Dr. Dobson’s Time Platform
by Gary Schneeberger

by Stacy L. Harp

Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. Yesterday the radical liberal website Crooks & Liars wrote a post titled Military Christianists: America #3 on their Loyalty list which was a very feeble attempt to vilify Christians who work in our United States government.

What are they complaining about? A video about the Christian Embassy in which people are actually having the nerve to wear their military uniforms and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Crooks & Liars quotes the Washington Post to explain the complaint against these Christians further.

A military watchdog group is asking the Defense Department to investigate whether seven Army and Air Force officers violated regulations by appearing in uniform in a promotional video for an evangelical Christian organization. In the video, much of which was filmed inside the Pentagon, four generals and three colonels praise the Christian Embassy, a group that evangelizes among military leaders, politicians and diplomats in Washington. Some of the officers describe their efforts to spread their faith within the military.

Now I know what you’re thinking. There are so many more things in the world that are offensive and disgusting than military people praising God while in uniform, but for those who are trapped in the darkness this scares them to death.

The good news and the irony of it all is that while Crooks & Liars is claiming that, “I’m not against religion at all, but not in this context.” They themselves unwittingly are spreading the good news of Jesus Christ by linking the promotional video from the Christian Embassy on their website.

Yes, the Lord even uses Crooks & Liars to spread His Truth. Click here to watch the video.