Persecuted Church Awareness Month

November is "Persecuted Church Awareness Month."
I want to encourage YOU to remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted for their faith! I have been reminded recently of the incredibly importance and responsibility of "free" Christians to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith!

The Voice of the Martyrs website has been really effective in reminding me of the needs of other Christians. You can receive monthly newsletters in the mail or weekly email prayer requests. I strongly encourage you to take a peek!

Another very helpful resource is the list of ways to prayer for persecuted Christians that uses the Scriptures. http://www.persecution.net/prayer.htm Often we tend to trivialize the incredible power of prayer. Do not be deceived - our prayers are powerful!

Here is the VOM website - please do take a look.
http://www.persecution.net/
(this is a subsite of the official site, which is http://www.persecution.com/)

ALSO the Bible League has a ministry for the persecuted church.

http://www.thebibleleague.ca/internationalministries/persecutedchurch/index.html

picacho picnic

Just for fun memories...! :)
(Kristi helping Betsy and I celebrate our birthdays "Honduran style.")

Death

This is a really neat poem. Read it once or twice, noting the symbolism and the emphatic "BUT" in the middle of the poem. :)


Death
by George Herbert

DEATH, thou wast once an uncouth hideous thing,
Nothing but bones,
The sad effect of sadder groans:
Thy mouth was open, but thou couldst not sing.

For we considered thee as at some six
Or ten years hence,
After the loss of life and sense,
Flesh being turn’d to dust, and bones to sticks.

We looked on this side of thee, shooting short;
Where we did find
The shells of fledge souls left behind,
Dry dust, which sheds no tears, but may extort.

But since our Saviour’s death did put some blood
Into thy face;
Thou art grown fair and full of grace,
Much in request, much sought for, as a good

For we do now behold thee gay and glad,
As at dooms-day;
When souls shall wear their new array,
And all thy bones with beauty shall be clad.

Therefore we can go die as sleep, and trust
Half that we have
Unto an honest faithful grave;
Making our pillows either down, or dust.

Wisdom from Elliot

"The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived--not always looked forward to as though the 'real living' were around the corner. It is today for which we are responsible, God still owns tomorrow." ~ Elizabeth Elliot


"We accept and thank God for what is given, not allowing the not given to spoil it." ~ Elizabeth Elliot

I often struggle with always looking forward to the "next thing" rather than fully enjoying God's gracious gifts of the moment. These quotes really challenged and encouraged me! (Thanks Osanna!!)

Lindsay and Tim's wedding

Wedding are always joyous events.

But this one was especially so for me!


- I was blessed to see 5 of my dear college roommates, which is a special treat (two of whom are expecting)!

- I was honoured to be a part of the wedding party (a new experience for me).

- The love Lindsay and Tim shared and displayed was so evidently a picture of Christ and his bride, the church, that it made my heart sing and swell!


Congrats, my dear Lindsay!

Psalm 139 to music

I love this song entitled Before there was time sung by Caedmon's Call on their "In the Company of Angels - A Call to Worship" album.

It reminds me of the remarkable truths of Psalm 139.

Before there was time
There were visions in Your mind
There was death in the fall of mankind
But there was life in salvation's design

Before there were days
There were nights I could not see Your face
But the night could not keep me from grace
When You came and took my place

Chorus
So I cry holy only begotten Son of God
Ancient of days
I cry holy only begotten Son of God
And sing the praises
Of the One who saved me
And the promises He made

Before there was time
You counted the hairs on my
knew all the words I've said
You purchased me back from the dead

Before I was made
You searched me and knew my ways
You numbered all my days
And You set forth the steps I would take

You saved me;
You raised me
You saved me;
You pulled me from the grave

Chorus 2x
So I cry holy only begotten Son of God
Ancient of days
I cry Holy only begotten Son of God
And sing the praises
Of the one who saved me
And the promises He made
Before there was time