In Other Words

"They gave our Master a crown of thorns.
Why do we hope for a crown of roses?"
~ Martin Luther ~

This quote by the Father of Protestant Reformation sure is a great reminder to us in the comfortable United States. I know Martin Luther had a good reason to say this. He sure lived in turbulent times and a lot of that turbulence was brought on by himself. Would Luther have done what he did if he always expected a crown of roses from the Lord? I don't think so. He was willing to take a good dose of "suffering" because he knew what he did was right and it honored his Lord.

It is clear that the Prosperity Gospel is only prevalent in the USA and other well-off western countries. Where did we get the idea that if we only have enough faith then the Lord will bless us with material wealth? I know why. We are spoiled as a nation. I have no doubt that God does bless some with material wealth as a result of their faithfulness, but there are also people with incredible faith who struggle to find food for dinner each night.

It is a personal passion of mine to learn more and support our fellow Believers who are persecuted for their faith. These people have faith in Jesus that I can only dream of having and yet they struggle everyday. Does that mean that God has abandoned them? Heavens no! He smiles down on them everyday as they show their love for Him with every sacrifice they willingly accept. But, I believe our brothers and sisters accept the persecution because they believe and KNOW that there is far more in heaven just waiting for them. They have a mansion and a white robe hanging up inside. If these Believers expected earthly wealth as a reward for their faith all they would face is disapointment and bitterness towards God. They know that in this fallen world they may only receive a crown of thorns just like their Savior did but that very same Savior will adorn them with a crown of roses when they arrive Home.

We may or may not experience true persecution in our lifetime. But, I do know that if we don't expect anything more that a "crown of thorns" on this earth then we'll be far happier, more content people. God doesn't promise us a "crown of roses" while we are here. We do know, though, that he has so much more just waiting for us. It is just a matter of knowing where your wealth really is and where you really want to build it.

Go on over to Sting My Heart to read what other faithful women are saying.

Independence Day

HAPPY 4th OF JULY !!!!

Now go hug a soldier or veteran for their contribution to making this day possible.
THANK YOU!

Also, please go read this post over at Laced With Grace. It makes me that much more thankful to be an American.

The Testimony of Maximilian Kolbe

When I went to visit Auschwitz in Poland I was reminded of the story of Father Maximilian Kolbe. I even saw the cell where he died and Pope John Paul II left a candle in his memory. I was inspired by his story greatly (more detail below) and thought about him a lot the rest of the trip. Then a pastor at our church mentioned him in a sermon and told his story there. I thought it was kind of neat that I heard that story twice in less than a week and was even there. THEN, I received my July 2007 issue of the Voice of the Martyr's Newsletter and there he was again! Three times in less than two weeks. Apparently God wants people to know Father Kolbe's story.

Here is what is written in the July 2007 issue of the VOM newsletter.

"I am a priest. I wish to die for that man."

These were the last words of Maximilian Kolbe as he offered to give his life in a Nazi Concentration Camp for another man who pleaded for mercy. Kolbe was born to hard-working Polish nationalist parents onJanuary 8, 1894. At 12 years of age he gave himself completely to the service of the Lord. When asked whether he would like a crown of purity or of martyrdom he said, "Both." After his studies, Maximilian served as a missionary in Japan, opened a seminary in Warsaw and started a radio station, newspaper and magazine. At age 45 Kolbe was a vibrant leader, but to be a Polish leader in 1939 was neither safe nor prudent. Indeed, his media outreach began to assail the dangers of Germany's militarism. Kolbe and his team also began to hide Jewish refugees. Before his arrest by the Gestatpo, they kept 1,500 Jews under cover.

In a well known statement Kolbe said, "No one can change the Truth. What we can do is to seek truth and serve it when we have found it...There are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are victories on the battlefield if we are defeated in our innermost personal selves?"

Kolbe brought these words with him to Auschwitz in May of 1941. After offering his life for another his wish was granted and he was locked in a starvation cell with nine other prisoners. Kolbe was heard leading hymns and prayers. When he was too weak to speak, he whispered. After two weeks he was still alive, so a Nazi guard injected him with carbolic acid to kill him. He was later found drowned in the camp latrine.

Kolbe also wrote: "Your blood now runs in mine; Your Soul, Incarnate God, penetrates mine, giving courage and support. What miracles! Who would have ever imagined such!"

Francis Gajowniczek, the man whom Kolbe offered his life, lived to an old age, dying in Poland in 1997 owing his life to a faithful priest who had chosen the two crowns of purity and martyrdom.


I think the story of Father Kolbe speaks for itself.

Hanwritten Bible Finally Finished

I wasn't planning on writing anything this evening but then I came up on this news story. (Thank you Stacy at Persecution Blog for the tip.) Vernon Henson finally finished hand copying the ENTIRE Bible after 40 long years. I have heard of people in closed countries copying portions of the Bible because that is the only option they have and I've heard of people in America doing as a spiritual discipline. But, this is the first time I've heard of someone actually finishing the entire Bible. Wow!! I am inspired by Mr. Henson's dedication to the Word and how he stuck with it for 40 years. Aren't you inspired too?!

Remembering

For Easter my church put on a play called "Our Deliverer." It was all about Christian martyrs throughout history. I longed to see this production but life and busyness just got in the way and we couldn't go. Oh well! I saw the program and there was this quote on the back:

A Christian prisoner in Cuba was asked to sign a statement
containing charges against fellow Christians that would lead to their arrest.
He said: "The chain keeps me from signing this. "
The Communist officer protested, "But you are not in chains!"
"I am," said the Christian, "I am bound by the chain of witnesses who throughout the centuries gave their lives for Jesus Christ. I am a link in this chain.
I WILL NOT Break it."

I tore that part of the program out and I've kept it near me ever since. I am touched and convicted by those words. Towards the end of the program, when they are depicting modern day martyrs, there was a list of names of Christians who are currently being persecuted for their faith scrolling on the screen. During the second week of productions the staff of my church got word that one of the names on the screen was killed by Hindu extremists. She was the wife of one of the pastors who works with the India Mission we support. She was struck by a rock when she and her husband were stopped by a gang of Hindus. She was pregnant with their first child. Her husband is 29 years old. He is only one year older than me. I was struck by how much he is already enduring when I still feel so young. It brings me comfort knowing that he will see his beloved wife and child in heaven someday. I pray that brings him comfort as well and that his faith in Jesus brings him strength to keep running the race.

My Heart and My Prayer

Each and every week (well, mostly) Chris, Caleb, and I go to Church on Saturdays. We've come to LOVE going to church on Saturday evenings because it completely frees up our Sundays and that allows for a more relaxing Sabbath and Family Day. Once we get to church Caleb goes into the nursery, Chris goes to teach his 2-5th grade boys in his small group and I go to the church bookstore to serve. After the first service is spent in service, we gather again for the worship service. Then we go home for bedtime, dinner, and usually a movie.

Our evenings of service and worship are so easy and even routine. Sure, we are fed and we don't move around like robots. But, it is so EASY to realize how EASY we really have it. We give no second thought to getting up and going to church with our two Bibles which are only two of many more left on the bookshelves at home. We have Kiddie Bibles, NIV, NASB, NKJV, German Bibles, Teen Bibles, Precious Moments, and the list goes on. We have our BIG Study Bibles and the smaller Bibles we carry around with us. There is a Bible in my car that stays there for church. We have a Bible on CD for the cars and we have access to any number of Bibles on the Internet.

WOW! How Lucky we are!!!

A couple of years ago, I subscribed to the Voice of the Martyr's newsletter. I read it every month and I am moved and convicted. I am reminded that it is so EASY to be a Christian here in the U.S. of A. It is so easy that people take it for granted most of the time. I hear the word "persecution" tossed around by peers when they complain of someone picking on them at work or from family members. Do they even know what real PERSECUTION is? Since becoming involved with Voice of the Martyrs I know what it is and I KNOW it doesn't happen here

My heart grows more and more for our Brothers and Sisters in places where Persecution is very real. Where they are literally chained up in jail, forbidden to worship together, forbidden to hold even one page of scripture, and even executed because they committed the "crime" of loving their Savior, Jesus.

My prayers for them grow in number and I always wonder what can I do more. I have participated in the Bibles Unbound program and I've donated funds to various VOM ministries. I know my gestures make an eternal difference and yet I desire to keep going and to never stop.

A few months ago, I signed up to blog for the Persecuted Church with VOM blog. I confess that I have been delinquent in not keeping up my end of the bargain. My blog has suffered lately from my lack of writing and unfortunately, my commitment to the VOM blog has gotten the shortest end of that stick. I have confessed to the Lord and I seek forgiveness from the people at VOM blog.

From this day forward, I will make a difference in my corner of the Internet by raising awareness about my Family who can't gather up their families and so easily go to Saturday evening services because that is the most convenient for them (out a choice of 6 total services). I pray that my heart will not grow soft because of how easy I have it and I pray that I can raise my son to remember his little friends in Christ in other parts of the world.

To my Brothers and Sisters in Chains, we hear your cries and we pray daily for you. Keep the Faith and Keep Strong in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.