Terror attack in Kenya

This just received from one of the good pastors I work with in Kenya:

"Yesterday morning the Nation woke up to 28 deaths caused by Al Shabab [Islamic terrorist group based in Somalia]. This happened near Mandera, a border town to Somalia, 6 hours away from where I preached last.

The bus was coming from Mandera to Nairobi. One hour away they were hijacked and led into Somalia. It had rained and the bus got stuck. They forced all the 60 passengers to recite Koran. Those who could not (Christians) were separated and made to lie down and they shot them all: 19 men; 9 women."

Words cannot express one's sorrow (and anger) at the brutal, violent, and cowardly act of these murderers.

Recommendation of Biblical Eschatology

I am happy to say that Sam Storms, Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a member of the Board of Directors of both Desiring God and Bethlehem College & Seminary, and who also serves as a member of the Council of The Gospel Coalition, recommended my book, Biblical Eschatology, in his blog ("Enjoying God") post of October 16.

The title of his blog article is "What is the Second Coming of Christ?" It consists of a number of questions and answers concerning the Second Coming. The last Q&A are as follows:

Can you recommend any resources for further studying Christ's second coming?

Without wanting to appear self-serving, I should probably recommend my own book, Kingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative. Anthony Hoekema’s excellent treatment of eschatology, The Bible and the Future, should also be consulted. And Biblical Eschatology, by Jonathan Menn, is a comprehensive survey of all the options.

The entire blog entry is located here: 

http://samstorms.com/enjoying-god-blog/post/what-is-the-second-coming-of-christ

The least of these

Have we willingly chosen to forget about "the least of these"? https://www.facebook.com/ProLifeAlliance/photos/a.153781571335145.28267.145170355529600/730526966993933/?type=1

A sight you won't see in the USA

I have been in East Africa since the last part of October and just returned. While there I was not able to update this blog.

While I was in Arusha, Tanzania, we got behind a taxi (or matatu as they are called), a 14- or 17-passenger Toyota van. Look at the picture on the rear window. We would not see that in the US, but Islam is a growing force around the world, including in East Africa. The more power it gets, the more intolerant and violent it also becomes (that has been true since its founding in the early 7th century).

I hope that what we are doing with ECLEA can help to diffuse the violence and lead to greater reconciliation (one of ECLEA's courses is Forgiveness & Reconciliation) and better lives for all.