A Dangerous Faith

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

From CNN today comes another reminder that Christianity is not "safe." Many people are coming to faith in Christ around the world, including a number of Muslims. In Islam, it is more than a trivial thing for a Muslim to convert to any other religious faith. It is a high dishonor. And in some Islamic-law countries, it is punishable by death. Conversions of Muslims to Christianity has cost many people their lives in places like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Blessed are the persecuted, our Lord said. Why, when persecution sometimes brings death? Because they will inherit an eternal reward in heaven. They have become a part of the Church, the Christ-followers, who will enter the gates of heaven and enjoy eternal bliss in the presence of their Savior. There is pain on earth but the hope of heaven soothes the wounds.

Here's the first part of the story.

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(CNN) -- A Muslim teenager from Ohio says her father threatened to kill her because she converted to Christianity.

Rifqa Bary claims her father wants her dead after she converted to Christianity.

Rifqa Bary, 17, ran away from her family in Columbus, Ohio, in July and took refuge in the central Florida home of the Rev. Blake Lorenz with the Global Revolution Church in Orlando.

The teen heard of the pastor and his church through a prayer group on Facebook. The girl's parents reported her missing to Columbus police, who found her two weeks later in Florida through cell phone records.

The teenager, in a sworn affidavit, claims her father, Mohamed Bary, 47, was pressured by the mosque the family attends in Ohio to "deal with the situation." In the court filing, Rifqa Bary stated her father said, "If you have this Jesus in your heart, you are dead to me!" The teenager claims her father added, "I will kill you!"

Mohamed Bary told CNN a lot of false information has been given and "we wouldn't do her harm." He knew his daughter was involved with Christian organizations.

"I have no problem with her practicing any faith," he said, but Bary admitted he would have preferred his daughter to practice the Muslim faith first.

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May the Lord our God protect this young lady. And may the Body of Christ surround her with love, security, and grace.

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