The attached video (to the right of this front-page posting) tells the story of Shadi, an indigenous Christian in Gaza who chooses against all odds to live out his faith in a very volatile setting.  His pastor was recently murdered and thrown into an empty field.  Muslim children at the school where Shadi teaches are magnetically drawn to the love of Christ that emanates from Shadi’s being. How strange for a Christian to be teaching in a Muslim school. Sounds like the kind of thing that Jesus would do.

What are you living for? What is your bold step of faith in the midst of a world that is either complacent or hostile toward faith?

If I am living a life of purpose, I am on a path of knowing nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  To know The Crucified One results in self-crucifixion by believers today.  Since Shadi has placed himself on the cross already, he also is living by the resurrected power of The Resurrected One.

So in the story of Shadi, it becomes clear, when you’re already crucified there is no need to fear death. And when your already living in the power of the resurrection, there is power in your walk and talk.   Living purposefully? It’s about being crucified with Christ, nevertheless living in His resurrected power – even on the streets of Gaza.

Read the “Last Letters” of missionaries and contemporary leaders at www.thelastletter.org