I have been hesitant to write this post so close to Christmas, not wanting to weigh you down during this joyous time of year. However, in light of the increase in radical Islamist terrorism of late, I feel it is necessary to do so. 

“Jimmy was nine when his mom told him his little sister was sick and would die if she didn’t get a blood transfusion – and that Jimmy was one of the only people in the world who had the rare blood type needed. She asked him if he would be willing to let the doctors give his blood to his sister.

Several years ago, a couple of days before Christmas, I was rushing around, doing some last-minute shopping. I went inside one of those stores where everything costs a dollar. While looking for gift bags near the front of the store, I heard the doorbell ring, announcing that another customer had entered the already over-crowded shop. The aisles were packed with shoppers who were in a hurry to get things done and get home. The joy and reason for the season seemed to have been