A True Mother's Love

This is a story taken from the book Jesus Freaks by DC Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs. It's a very touching, true account, of a God-fearing mother's love for her God and her son.

“Tell us!” the officer shouted, as he brought the whip down again across the pastor’s back. “We must know who else is working with you.” Day after day, the Chinese Communists tortured Rev. Fang-Cheng, but no matter what they did to him, he steadfastly refused to give them the names of his fellow Christians.

One day Cheng was brought again before the examining officer. In a corner of the room, he saw a heap of rags and heard a rattling of chains. As the image became clearer, he realized it was his mother. Before she did not have white hair; but now she had. The color of her faces was like ashes. He could see that she too had passed through heavy suffering.

The Communist spoke to Cheng: “I have heard that you Christians have Ten Commandments, supposedly given by God, which you strive to obey. I would be interested in knowing them. Would you be so kind as to recite the Ten Commandments?”

Cheng was in a terrible state of heart, but any opportunity to acquaint a Communist with God’s law must not be neglected. He began to list the commandments. When he arrived at “Honor your father and mother,” he was interrupted.

The Communist told him, “Cheng, I wish to give you the opportunity to honor your mother. Here she is, suffering in chains. Tell us what you know about your brethren in faith and I promise that tonight you and your mother will be free. You will be able to give her care and honor. Let me see now whether you really believe in God and wish to fulfill His commandment.”

It was not easy to make a decision. Cheng turned to his mother: “Mother, what shall I do?”

The mother answered, “I have taught you from childhood to love Christ and His holy Church. Don’t mind my suffering. Seek to remain faithful to the Savior and His little brothers. If you betray, you are no more my son.”

This was the last time that Fang-Cheng saw his mother. It was likely that she died under torture.

Be Still My Soul

As a Christian, I really love to get up and do something really amazing for God. Like volunteer at a camp, or help someone move, or make someone a meal. Something hard and fast that people can see and feel. Something that I can feel and be satisfied about. Sometimes I get frustrated with doing my personal devotions because it seems like all I'm doing is staring at a page with red words on it, trying to hear God's voice coming through. Problem is I can't make God talk. God will say what He wants me to hear in His own good timing. Sometimes he calls for us to be still and wait. Time to just reflect on the being that is God.

"Be still, and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10


Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

What have we become?

After watching this movie, please read the following:

Exodus 20:3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Psalm 149:1 "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congragation of the godly ones."

Barack Obama has become an idol in the minds of many Americans. Some people believe that he has made society better already (in less than a year of office). They can't believe why one would be opposed to his leadership. Has he REALLY benefitted the country? I'm not saying that he won't do something great for our country. But has done anything yet? He's said quite a few speeches about what he wants to do. People have been almost brainwashed by him. Now we have young children being taught to praise President Obama through song. They are putting Obama in the place of Christ. Will our coins begin to say "In Obama we trust" instead of "In God we trust"? Will our hymns be turned from "Jesus saves" to "Obama saves"? I would like to doubt these possibilities. But I cannot doubt that the minds of Americans will be changed from that of "God is holy" to "Obama is holy". Not only is America forsaking its history and founding, but it's forsaking our God. What have we become? Recall World War II. Hitler's Youth paraded the streets singing Hitler's praises and asking other children to "convert" to Hitler. It was as if Hitler had become a religion. Will that happen to our country? I don't know. I certainly pray not. We have become a self-indulgent people. We are so happy with ourselves and our choices and even our ability to choose, that we forget to choose truth. Will America wake up from this happy slumber of self-gratification? Or will it continue to dream beyond reality and be ruined by crushed visions?

Please join me in praying for our government and our President. We need to be thinking seriously about the well-being of the souls who are making the life-changing decisions for Americans. It is all we can do while submitting to our authorities.

Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted among the earth!"

My new dress

Hey, so I've been working on this Edwardian style costume for a while now, and I've finally finished it. Here are some pictures! Enjoy!

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our
prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and
patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4
knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come
to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much
assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And
you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in
Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has
sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your
faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For
they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and
how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to
wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who
delivers us from the wrath to come.

- What does it say about God and us?

Those who are chosed are loved by God; the gospel comes to unbelievers by power and the Holy Spirit; believers become imitators of the Lord with the joy of the Holy Spirit. God is living and true and He raised His Son, Jesus, from the dead, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

- Are there any cross references?

no.

- What is the main verse of the passage? Write it in your own words.

vs. 6: So you became imitators of us and Christ, because you received the gospel with much affliction, with the joy of the Spirit.

- Is there a command?

There is not a direct command, but there is a command that has been acknowledged.

- What is the command?

Work in faith, labor in love, have steadfast hope, become imitators of Christ, have joy in the Holy Spirit, set forth an example, turn to God from idols, and wait for his Son from Heaven.

- How can I follow this command?

1) Work in faith that God will accomplish the task for you. Whatever God needs done, He will accomplish Himself. God does not need us to accomplish His will.
2) labor with a love for God and your neighbor
3) ALWAYS hope in Christ
4) always ask the question: "What would Jesus do?" before anything you do and therefore, become an imitator of Christ
5) be joyful, rejoice in everything
6) set forth an example: live in a way that shows Christ in your life; actions speak louder than words
7) Every idol in your life set aside for God.
8) anticipate Christ's coming

'Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus

Ah, the blessing of resting in Christ. When you are first saved, it seems really easy to be a Christian. Your faith is new and strong and everything seems to be going right. Then, the first "bad" thing happens to you. You lose your job, your car breaks down, your bank goes bankrupt, you are not able to pay your mortgage or rent. Then, you start to wonder if Christianity really makes your life better. Be strong. This is where you prove your faith. Christ didn't promise a smooth journey on Earth and a wonderful reward in heaven at no extra cost to you. No, Christ said, "Take up your cross and follow me." Everyday, you have a cross to bear for Christ. Do you think Christ carried His cross easily up the hill of Calvary? No, He buckled under the weight of it. But, although chased with whips and denied any assistance with His burden, He kept walking, all the way, step by step, to make the supreme sacrifice for us. He walked alone, forsaken by the world and seperated from His Father. Our cross is significantly lighter than His was. And we aren't trudging away to our death. We are hiking to our victory in Christ Jesus. We don't walk alone, but we walk with our Savior and with the fellowship of believers. Christ said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." To our mortal bodies, our yoke may not seem so easy and so light. But look at what you are comparing "easy" and "light" with. You are comparing it to the standards of the world. According to some people in the world, having a burden that is easy and light would be owning a million-dollar home in Hawaii, with no debt, and a yearly income of $3 million dollars. However, according to the standards of the Bible, having a burden that is easy and light is not paying for your sins with your blood, and having a Savior who did it for you. This is what Christ has promised. This is what you should expect, and receive. This is what salvation is. Your daily mission as a Christian must be to glorify God in everything that you do. So what about that bankruptcy? What about that car that broke down? Give it all to God. He gave this to you for a reason. Whatever mishap or trial you are going through now is all because of His grace. He has put this in your life for a reason. God will never inflict you with something that you can't take. If you put your trust in Christ, then you will find rest.

When it all boils down, no matter what happens to you here on Earth, you will always have a Savior whose promises never fail. And no matter what, you are still going to have the wonderful reward of living in heaven with Jesus, if you keep your trust in Him, and find delight in His grace and bringing Him glory.