Internet attack is what has taken place in the ministry of Christian Destiny. A computer virus slipped into our system, effectively blocking our Internet access for quite a number of days. We look at this as a careful reminder that no Christian is immune to attack. No one lives far enough away, or is so well guarded, that he is guaranteed easy and safe passage in his outreach for Christ.

We are in a war, a great spiritual battle that is larger than any one of our lives. It has been waged since before mankind was created, but it will conclude one day, perhaps very soon, right here on Planet Earth.

According to a recent Time magazine article, Americans are more anxious and fearful than ever—especially since the September 11th terrorist attacks and the subsequent war on terror. The article in the June 10th issue is entitled “The Science of Anxiety” and analyzes the different anxiety conditions, their symptoms and treatments. Unfortunately, although interesting reading and seemingly quite scientific, it really is just another attempt to explain the condition of mankind from a purely humanistic perspective.

It would be greatly beneficial for all of us, but especially for those who suffer from various anxieties and fears to remember what God’s Word has to say about worry and fear. “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).

Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God. He never lied, never was mistaken, died, in fact, on the cross of Calvary for our sins, rose again in triumph over the grave, ascended into heaven and is coming back again. He has promised to give us abundant life in this world, and the unimaginable blessing of eternal life with Him.

Oh, in this world we will have tribulation—yes! We may come under personal attack as Christians—yes! We may even be required to give our lives for the Savior. But we have the “hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began”(Titus 1:2). “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Sabre rattling and mounting tensions have marked the stormy relationship between two of the world’s newest nuclear powers. A million troops have been amassed on the border between India and Pakistan. With the threat of nuclear war hanging ominously over the earth, the world is waiting to see what will happen.

What if the unthinkable does happen and these countries exchange a volley of nuclear warheads? Pentagon intelligence reports suggest that the possible death toll could range from 9 to 12 million, but since literally hundreds of millions could be exposed to radioactive fallout, the scope of human suffering would be almost incalculable.

What about increased exposure to radiation here in the U.S.? Health experts agree that due to the “combined effects of distance, dispersion and dilution, the levels of increased radiation in U.S. air would be barely measurable.”

Are “dirty bombs” coming? “We have disrupted an unfolding terrorist plot to attack the United States by exploding a radioactive dirty bomb” states U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to do the math. If there are potentially thousands of people out there, each with his own plan to disrupt commerce, kill people, and destroy society, then, despite all our efforts, eventually one or more of them will be successful. And the question will most assuredly be raised once again, “Are we now in ‘The Day of the Lord?’” The answer, of course, will be the same as that given by the Apostle Paul: not unless there has come the Great Apostasy, the revelation of Antichrist, and the Rapture of the Church. So if you’re a Christian, and you haven’t already been taken in the Rapture, then “The Day of the Lord” hasn’t begun. Plain and simple!

A missionary couple’s yearlong nightmare has finally come to an abrupt and tragic end. New Tribes missionaries, Martin and Gracia Burnham, were kidnapped by a Filipino terrorist group. Literally tens of thousands of Christians around the world had prayed on their behalf, asking God for their safe return to family and friends.

But God, in His infinite wisdom chose to allow both to come home, only not exactly in the way we had hoped. The Lord allowed Gracia to return home to her family and friends in the states, but Martin, who was killed in a rescue attempt by Filipino troops, received a higher summons to his eternal home.

Only in eternity will we fully realize the extent to which God used this tragedy to bring much good to many lives.

A personal note: When our young grandson heard of Martin’s death, he said, “I’ll bet grandpa is really shaking hands with Mr. Burnham.” That brought us to tears. Dave worked closely with many New Tribes missionaries.

We sorrow with the Burnham family at this tragic development, and encourage your prayers on their behalf.