As Australian woke this morning they were inundated with the news that Saudi Arabia government had executed 47 Shiite and Sunni prisoners referred to as 'terrorists'.
Among them was 56-year-old Muslim Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, who had been a key figure in anti-government protests in the kingdom's oil-rich east. Shiite leaders across the region swiftly condemned Riyadh and warned of sectarian backlash as Saudi Arabia insisted the executions were part of a justified war on terrorism.
This came after innumerable media reports along with social media alerts of Muslim refugee into Europe creating havoc, German political leaders throwing their hands up in the air with the Muslim refugee intake and a Swiss Federal Minister giving dire warnings for their own country.
Nigeria and Kenya likewise are having nightmare scenarios with Islamic terrorism with churches being destroyed, Christians being massacred and officials traumatised unable to handle such localised political disasters.
Belgium cancelled their mid night new year celebrations, German's Berlin was unusually quiet at mid night, Paris was awash with police .....
A different story
In spite of such secular news items coming across the media, the Christian media was at the same time announcing revival in numerous parts of the world with people being save to Jesus Christ's Salvation.
A witch doctor comers to Christ
Ukraine is awash with conversions
UK Schools to teach Christianity the foundation of the nation
Hundreds converted in Kenya
Nigeria seeing thousands respond to Christ
Indonesian churches open for business
Singapore churches growing and growing
China has 50 million Christians
Evangelical / Pentecostal churches in Britain growing
Beijing calls for more Christian businessmen due to honesty
Jewish scholars affirming Jesus and Christianity
The Christian news wire means hundreds of such reports come across Australian Christian editor's desk every week. Any number of social media networks has such good news stories. We can't print it all. Be assured the Good News it's happening.
Indeed 2016 brings huge contrasts across the world.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html