Two Thousand and Eleven

Saturday Morning, January 1st 2011- NEW YEARS DAY!!

It is so weird to write 2011! Happy News Years Day! :) I'm sure everyone enjoyed celebrating the New year...I would love to hear what everyone did!

I am actually pretty excited for this year. I know God can and probably will do something amazing to me and through me in this up coming year. What am I looking forward too? Well...I turn 17 in a month from tomorrow!!! (That sounds kinda old hahaha) And I don't really know what else is going to be happening, but I know that God is in total control and that He is very capable of doing amazing things-I just have to be looking for them. God, I want You to be ahead of my every step this year. I want you to make me bold for you and strong for what I know is right. Like the song, give me your eyes for the ones who are hurting, Lord. And give me your heart for those forgotten. I am so excited to see where You take me in 2011 and I pray that You keep me just as excited as I start school again and go about my daily life. I pray that You help me to keep my priorities straight and help me to love and serve others above myself. God, I know You have an amazing plan for my life. Right now I don't know what that is. But help me to make that my mission for 2011. I might not be able to figure out the whole puzzle in one year, but I can make it my goal to figure out one piece and to see how it fits! I pray that You will help me to focus on the beautiful memories and times and to endure the hard and not so fun times. Help me to keep you ahead of me in every thing (no matter how small they may seem). I have some serious growing to do in my areas, I know, but I ask that You shape me to be the Young Woman that You want me to be. I pray that You start revealing to me why I am here on this earth-and why I am where I am. I pray that You will help me to work really hard on school and all of the stuff that I don't really enjoy but I have to do and that you help me to find time to do the stuff that I love to do and also to help Mom. Help me to stop wasting time and to start making a difference in this broken world, even it its on the internet or with my closest family and friends. This is my prayer for 2011...I will probably end up adding to it day-by-day-Help me to live out my Faith!!

The above is what I wrote in my journal when I came home from church tonight. I just thought I might share this with you all. I would love for someone to comment or post something on your own blogs about what you're hoping for in 2011. I love you and I hope to become a better friend and a closer friend to whoever reads this :) Have a wonderful year!

(By the way-you better make this the best year of your life because according to Jay Sean the world is going to end in 2012! haha I'm just kidding...I don't believe that we know when the world will 'end' but I do know that I intend to make this the best possible year for me that I can! Who's with me?!) 
*******

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27: 1, 3)

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8) 

Her Last Prayer

[Girl, 16 or 17 years old, Asia, 1970s]

The Communist soldiers had discovered their illegal Bible study.

As the Pastor was reading from the Bible, men with guns suddenly broke into the home, terrorizing the believers who had gathered there to worship. The Communists shouted insults and threatened to kill the Christians. The leading officer pointed his gun at the pastor's head. "Hand me your Bible," he demanded.

Reluctantly, the pastor handed over his Bible, his prized possession. With a sneer on his face, the guard threw the Word of God on the floor at his feet.

He glared at the small congregation. "We will let you go," he growled, "but first, you must spit on this book of lies. Anyone who refuses will be shot." The believers had no choice but to obey the officer's order.

A solider pointed his gun at one of the men. "You first."

The man slowly got up and knelt down by the Bible. Reluctantly, he spit on it, praying, "Father, please forgive me." He stood up and walked to the door. The soldiers stood back and allowed him to leave.

"Okay, you!" the soldier said, nudging a woman forward. In tears, she could barely do what the soldier demanded. She spat only a little, but it was enough. She too was allowed to leave.

Quietly, a young girl came forward. Overcome with love for her Lord, she knelt down and picked up the Bible. She wiped off the spit with her dressed. "What have they done to your Word? Please forgive them," she prayed.

The Communist soldier put his pistol to her head. Then he pulled the trigger.
~*~
Most of those facing persecution today could have escaped if they had denied their faith. The question is not whether we are persecuted, but whether we are willing to lay down our life for our faith in Jesus Christ.

YOU are Fearfully and Wonderfully made

"Hanging On" lyrics by Britt Nicole:

you see my anxious heart
you see what i am feeling
and when i fall apart
you are there to hold me
how great your love for me
now i see what You're thinking
You say i'm beautiful
Your voice is my healing

without You i just can't get by
so i'm

hanging on to every word You speak
'cause it's all that i need
hanging on to every word You say
to light up my way
even every little whisper i'm
hanging on as if it were my life
i'm hanging on

and when the darkness falls
i can't see what's before me
Your voice is like the dawn
always there to guide me

without you i just can't get by

so i'm

hanging on to every word You speak
'cause it's all that i need
hanging on to every word You say
to light up my way
even every little whisper i'm
hanging on as if it were my life
i'm hanging on

You know me better than i know myself
better than anybody else
Your love is sounding like a ringing bell
oh, oh, i won't let go

hanging on to every word You speak
'cause it's all that i need
hanging on to every word You say
to light up my way
even every little whisper i'm
hanging on as if it were my life
i'm hanging on

This is a video of her explaining this song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE0EnhkX6pw
And this is the whole song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRgEO40glG8&feature=related

I will Praise God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!!

Comment if this meant something to you. I have said this before, but I totally admire Britt Nicole. She is basically my role model. That might sound stupid but I love her music & everything.

Trust vs. Worry

Why is it that we have more faith that the pieces of a puzzle made by a company in Taiwan will all fit together than we have that the pieces of our life that are presented to us by God will fit together? One person chooses to put like pieces together first, while another chooses to put the edges of the puzzle together first, but neither individual ever really doubts that the puzzle will somehow fit perfectly. The edges in and of themselves probably have little to do with the main image or idea of the puzzle, yet without it, the puzzle is incomplete. In fact, although these pieces appear to have little to do with the main idea or image, they are nonetheless as important to the puzzle's completion. In the beginning some pieces, even when they fit perfectly together, might not help you to understand what the puzzle is about; only in its completion can you appreciate the parts that at first seemed insignificant and pointless.
-James Blanchard Cisneros, You Have Chosen to Remember: A Journey From Perception to Knowledge, Peace of Mind and Joy, p. 55

Do you trust God? If you were asked this question, your immediate response would probably be, "Yes, I do trust God." If you were also asked: Do you ever worry? Your answer would probably be, "Yes, I worry sometimes." My friend, let me say that if you truly trust God, then you would never worry. If you choose to worry in any situation then know that you are not fully trusting in God.

Trust God or worry. Those are the two choices you have in every situation. Trust God and be at peace. Worry and experience stress. Your choices are that simple and you will make your life as peaceful or stressful as you choose to make it. Trust God and be at peace. This is all that is asked of you. Yet, over and over again, you choose worry over trust, and make your life a living hell. 

- James Blanchard Cisneros, You Have Chosen to Remember: A Journey From Perception to Knowledge, Peace of Mind and Joy, p. 128 

*This one really got me. How many times do I choose worry over trust? Why am I so stupid? haha

 

You're not Safe and that's Okay

God has an amazing plan for your life-and mine. Don't be afraid to step out in faith and accept what He has for you. I know sometimes I am so afraid to go somewhere that isn't familiar...that I've never done before. But I know that fear is not the right approach. After all, when God is with us who can be against us? Safe is another song by Britt Nicole:

You keep tryin to get inside my head,
while i keep trying to lose the words you said
can't you see i'm hangin by a thread,
to my life what i know, yeah i'm losing control and
oh no, my walls are gonna break
so close, its more than i can take
i'm so tired of turning and running away
when love ju--st isn't safe
(your not safe, mmm-mm)

i'm strong enough, I've always told myself
i never want to need somebody else
but I've already fallen from that hill,
so i'm droppin that guard here's your chance at my heart and

Oh no, my walls are gonna break
so close, its more than i can take
i'm so tired of turning and running away
when love ju-st isn't

everything you want, but its everything you need

its not always happy endings but its hap-py in between
its taken so long, so long to finally see
that your love is worth the risk

Oh no, my walls are gonna breeeaakk
Oh no, my walls are gonna break
so close, its more than i can take
so tired of turning and running away
when love ju-st isn't safe

Oh no, my walls are gonna break
Oh no, my walls are gonna break
so close, its more than i can take
so tired of turning and running away
when love just isn't safe

your not safe
and that's okay

I think she says it better than I ever could: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FWt_4CRv3M

This is the whole song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLQduUi1tW4

I Am a Soldier of Christ

[Roy Pontoh, 15 years old, Indonesia, 1999]

The teens could tell that the shouts and chanting were getting closer and closer. An older teen looked nervously at his friend. "The Muslims are coming. We'd better hide the kids," he said. Others, following his lead, helped the smaller children find hiding places in the buildings nearby. Then they hid themselves.

It was January and a crowd of mostly Christian children and teenagers had gathered for a Bible camp at the Station Field Complex of Pattimura University on the island of Ambon, Indonesia. When the campw as over, cars came to take the laughing, rejoicing children back to their homes. But there were not enough cars to hold the young people.

Mecky Sainyakit and three other Christian men had gone to Wakal village to try to rent additional transportation to take the rest home. But they had not yet come back.

What the kids waiting for rides home didn't know was that on their way to the village, the men were attacked by a Muslim mob, who pulled them from their car and out onto the road. Mecky and one of the other men were stabbed to death, and later their bodies were burned by the mob. The two other men escaped with their lives.

Before long, the mob reached the University. They found many of the teens and forced them to come out of hiding. Roy Pontoh was forced from his hiding place and made to stand before the mob.

"Renounce your Jesus, or we will kill you!" they threatened.


Roy was terribly frightened. Though trembling, he answered, "I am a soldier of Christ!"

At this, one of the Muslim attackers swung a sword at his stomach. The sword hit the Bible Roy held, and ripped into it, knocking it out of his hand. The man's next swing sliced open Roy's stomach. His last word was "Jesus."

The mob dragged Roy's body out and threw it in a ditch. Four days later, his family found it. Even though they were wracked with grief, Roy's parents stand proud of their song, who stood strong in his faith to the end.
~*~

Whoever declared openly-speaking out freely- and confesses that he is My worshipper and acknowledges Me before men, th e song of man also will declare and confess and acknowledge him before the angels or God.
   -Jesus (Luke 12:8 AMP)

Walk On The Water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAFup_5dPaQ

Britt Nicole is such an inspiration to me. I love all of her songs. They are so well written and most of them totally apply to my life. :) I would love to be like her one day. She seems to be not afraid to step out and to follow God and do what He has called her to be.
This is one of her songs called Walk On The Water:

You look around
It's staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder

What if I'm overtaken
What if I never make it
What if no one's there?
Will you hear my prayer?

When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that he won't let you go

Chorus:

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to hold to you

You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water too

Verse 2:
So get out
And let
Your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste
Don't wait
Don't you turn around and miss out
Everything you were made for
I know you're not sure
So you play it safe
Try to run away

If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go

(chorus)

Bridge:
(step out)
Even when a storm hits
(step out)
Even when you're broken
(step out)
Even when your heart is telling you telling you to give up
(step out)
When your hope is stolen
(step out)
You can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid

So what are you waiting,
What are you waiting for?

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to hold to you

You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water...
Walk on the water too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=125Ppy25QIw&feature=channel

Released From Death Row

[Gul Masih, Pakistan, 1992]

The judge looked at Sajjad Husain, who was the only witness against the Christian Gul Masih. The judge liked what he saw:Sajjad was young and fervent, college-educated, and with his full beard he looked like a true Muslim.

No one else had heard the conversation between the two neighbors. No one could confirm that Masih had defamed the Islamic prophet, Mohammed. It was Sajjad Husain's word against Gul Masih's word.

The judge looked at Gul Masih. Despite constant persecution, Gul Masih had chosen to be a Jesus Freak. In fact, his name "Masih" means Messiah. Many Christians in Pakistan, especially those who convert to Christianity, unashamedly use this as a public source of identification with Jesus Christ.

Pakistan's blasphemy laws are harsh: every critical word about Mohammed or the Koran, their holy book, is considered blasphemy, and violators are sentenced to death. (12 other Pakistani Christians have been accused in recent years under these laws. Five of them were acquitted by the courts, but then illegally murdered by Muslim extremists. Many others are still being accused.)

The judge nodded toward Husain and said, "I have no reason to disbelieve this witness."

Then he turned to Gul Masih. "I sentence you to death by hanging."

When news of Gul Masih's situation was published, Christians from all over the world wrote to him in jail to encourage him that people knew of his situation, that they cared, and that they were praying for him. He responded to a Canadian woman:

"First of all, I am thankful to you that you have encouraged me. My Lord has come to me twice in my prison cell. One day, I was sitting in my cell thinking about this injustice in a sad and hopeless mood. Suddenly athe cell filled with light and my body trembled. I saw my Lord. Four days after this, my Jesus came again and overshadowed me by raising His hands & blessing me. From that day on, I have been happy & at peace. My Lord is with me in Jail. He doesn't leave me alone. We are five members in our family. We have a great love for each other. I am very grateful to my Lord. He has fulfilled all my needs in the best possible way. I am also thankful to you and my other brothers & sisters who have supported me. I hope that by the grace of God we will see one another. Let us not forget the power of prayer."

In addition to writing to Gul Masih, many also wrote to the Pakistani Ambassador saying they were aware of the "unproven and unjust" sentences of Gul Masih and two other Pakistani Christians. One Christian leaders says the law is used as a weapon against the Christians in the country. Many blasphemy charges are lies from a jealous, neighboring shopkeeper or farmer.

These letters were used by God to help facilitate Gul Masih's release after almost 3 years in prison. In a miraculous turn of events, on November 29, 1994, the Lahore High Court of Pakistan cleared Gul Masih of all charges of violating the blasphemy law and removed him from the danger of certain death.

Being released from death row does now exactly mean freedom for Gul Masih. His life remains threatened by Islamic fundamentalists who were outraged by t he court's verdict. Within a month, the leader of the Muslim temple in Sarghoda issued a fatwah, an order for Gul Masih's assassination. Wanted posters were placed throughout the city of Sarghoda, pleading for his execution. Death threats were called out on the loudspeaker from the tower of the local mosque. Gul Masih remains fearful for his life and is in hiding despite his release from prison.
~*~

There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them.
-Jesus (John 16:2-4, The message)

I Will Follow

"I Will Follow"-Chris Tomlin

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow <3

I will trust Him

I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us. He does nothing in vain.  -John Henry Newman

I still have two years (more like one and a half now!) of high school left. Sometimes that seems like forever...like I will never get out of high school! ...But sometimes it seems like its going too fast. I am so excited to go to college...I mean I'm sure parts of it are really fun-and its something different! I am also scared, though. It will be hard, I know, and a lot of work. But even though I'm not sure what He has in store for my life, I will trust Him! I am so excited to see where he takes me...where he leads me. I'm not even sure what I want to major in in college and I have no idea what to do after college. To be honest I haven't really thought about it much yet! That seems like an eternity away!

If you've never heard this song, check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY 

Walled In

[Wrunken, Roneses, Flanders, 1500s]

"I found one!" The Inquisitor held up the forbidden book as he called to his assistant. "Bring in the mayor and his family. Someone is studying the Bible in this house!"

In the 16th century, Philip 2 sent the Duke of Alba to Flanders to stamp out the Protestants who insisted on ready the Scriptures in their own language. Anyone found studying the Bible was hanged, drowned, torn in pieces, or burned alive at the stake.

The Inquisitors had found the Bible while inspecting the house of the Mayor of Brugge. One by one, family members were questioned, but everyone claimed they knew nothing about how the Bible got to their house.

Finally the officials asked the young maid-servant, Wrunken, who boldly declared, "I am reading it!"

The mayor, knowing the penalty for studying the Bible tried to defend her, saying, "Oh, no, she only owns it. She doesn't ever ready from it."

But Wrunken chose not to be defended by a lie. "This book is mine. I am reading from it, and it is more precious to me than anything!"

She was sentences to die by suffocation. A place would be hollowed in the city wall, she would be tied in it, and the opening would be bricked over.

On the day of her execution, as she stood by the wall, an official tried to get her to change her mind, saying, "So young and beautiful-and yet to die"

Wrunken replied, "My Savior died for me. I will also die for Him."

As the bricks were laid higher and higher, she was warned again. "You will suffocate and die in here!"

"I will be with Jesus," she answered.

Finally, the wall was finished, except for the one brick that would cover her face. For the last time, the official tried to persuade her. "Repent-just say the word and you will go free."

But Wrunken refused, saying instead, "O Lord, forgive my murderers."

The brick was put in place. Many years later, her bones were removed from the wall and buried in the cemetery of Brugge.

~*~

Wrunken trusted her life to Jesus, knowing that the end of her life on earth was no the end of her life.

So we always have courage. We know that while we live in this body, we are away from the Lord. We live by what we believe, not by what we can see...we really want to be away from this body and be at home with the Lord. Our only goal is to place God whether we live here or there.

Paul the Apostle
Martyred in Rome, 65 AD 
(2 Corinthians 5:6-9, NCV)

Yes I'm Called...but for what?!

Tomorrow I am going to a church in Columbus for a youth rally with a couple of teens from my church. :)

I just feel like journal-ing for a little bit. I have to tell you that I am pretty excited to see what God has in store for me. I will also admit that I am a little scared, because I know that it will all be new...but I am still excited. I have one more year of high school...and then off to college!! I am hoping and praying that my Senior Year will be really fun! But I kinda just realized that life gets a lot harder when you grow up! I was pretty stressed last night thinking about all of the stuff that I have to do. I just got the ACT prep stuff last night and I'm already busy enough as it is without that! And that will be super hard. And I'm not even doing a sport right now (which is killing me, btw!) And I'm not even taking guitar lessons right now so basically I'm stuck doing school all day and basically not going anywhere/seeing anyone!!! =[ And somewhere in there I"m supposed to find time to study for my tempts and then get my tempts and drive around & stuff! HA.HA. OH! I almost forgot...and I'm TRYING to get ahead in math so I don't have to do any math my senior year, but that's not really working out for me-at least it hasn't so far.

I really can't wait for college, though. I've heard its really hard...but also really fun! But before that, I have to take the ACT and actually get INTO college...yeah. That'll be fun!
I kinda wish I knew something about my future...what will I be doing in  3 years...in 5...in 10?!  

The First Jesus Freak

[Stephen, Jerusalem, Israel 34 AD]

Across the courtroom, the young man on trial continued preaching. The jury fidgeted nervously as he told of their religious heritage and forefathers. What did Abraham and Moses have to do with this Jesus? Another young man in the audience, about the same age as the defendant, seemed not to be listening. His mind was already made up on the matter of this Jesus follower. The crowd of Jewish leaders, however, grew more agitate at every word from the young defendant.

Suddenly the preacher turned to the audience. "You stubborn and hardheaded people! You're always fighting against the Holy Spirit, just like your ancestors did. They killed the prophets who told about the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have turned against Him and killed Him. You have received the law of GOd, but you have not kept it."

When the crowd heard this, they were even more furious, but the defendant ignored their growing anger. His face glowed like that of an angel, and he stopped talking and pointed to the ceiling. "Look! I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

This was too much. Yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him. They dragged him out of the city to stone him. He continued preaching all the way.

The young man who had been in the audience, one Saul of Tarsus, followed after them. He stood a short distance away from the defendant, looking steadily at the sky as the mob grew larger. The cries grew more heated now. A man handed Saul his coat, then stooped to pick up a stone as though waiting for a signal from Saul. Saul lowered his gaze, then looked directly into the man's eyes and nodded. It was time to silence the young preacher.

Stephen, the defendant, continued despite and crowd's jeers, because the Man he was telling them about was so important to him. He couldn't stop talking about Him. Several more men had now removed their coats, handed them to Saul, and began gathering rocks, many of them so large that the men had to lift them with two hands.

"This blasphemer must be dealt with!"

"He speaks against Moses!"

"We don't want to hear about your Jesus anymore!"

A rock sailed past Stephens head. He stopped speaking long enough to duck it, dazed  for a moment, then stood to continue. The second rock caught him near his temple, and he fell to his knees. Another hit his shoulder. Then there were too many to count.

"No more Jesus talk!"

"Let this be a lesson to all who would proclaim this Jesus!"

Another stone found its mark. Then another. He couldn't open his eyes for the sting of the blood. His clothes were torn by the blows and blood dripped freely from the tatters. He began to pray, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he scanned the crowd until his eyes locked with those of the young man who held a bundle of coats. "And Lord," he continued, "do not hold this sin against them."

When he said those words, Stephen died.

Slowly men gathered their coats from young Saul, who was soon alone with the body of the young preacher. Saul had come to Jerusalem to help silence this growing crazy about Jesus of Nazareth. Despite his hatred, he could not shake the young man's words and how fearlessly he had faced death. He stood staring at the body of the first martyr for this Jesus. The glow that had so angered Saul was still on the young man's face. He had seen it as the smug pride of a heretic, but could it have been something else? He quenched the thought and turned away, more determined than ever to crush this Jesus movement.

~*~

Saul did not persecute men like Stephen for much longer. One day, soon after, on his way to Damascus to imprison more believers, he saw Jesus. From that encounter he later became Paul, the first Christian missionary, who traveled everywhere proclaiming the name of Jesus. He eventually wrote a good part of the New Testament.

It started with a seed placed in his heart by a young man full of faith, grace, and power-a Jesus Freak who could not stop telling people about Jesus, even if it meant his life.

Strengthened by Angels

[Ivan Moiseyev, 18 years old
U.S.S.R., 1970]

Although he had never been there before, Private Ivan "Vanya" Moiseyev knew what awaited him at the Major's office. The Communists were endlessly calling him to headquarters for talks, trying to "re-educate" him, to talk him out of his faith in God.
It was lunchtime. The sun was shining brightly in the blue sky and the snow was glistening. As Moiseyev walked along the snowy sidewalk, he praised God for t his time alone, time to sing and pray.
The morning was so bright, at first Moiseyev didn't notice; suddenly, it caught his eye. A bright star began to fall from heaven. Like a comet, it came closer and became bigger & bigger.
He looked up to see an angel above him, bright and powerful. Moiseyev's heart was filled with joy-and fear.
The angel did not descend all the way to earth, but hovered about 200 yards above ground. He walked in the air above Moiseyev as though walking along the same road. Then the angel spoke:
"Ivan, go. Don't be afraid. I am with you."
Ivan couldn't speak, but his joy was like fire within him. Somehow he made it to Major Gidenko's office and knocked quietly at the door.
Major Gidenko, head of Political Directive Committee, looked up as the young soldier entered. Ivan Moiseyev had been interrogated again and again by many others and had never backed away from his faith. Still Gidenko was certain he could solve this problem.
"Moiseyev, you don't look like a poor pupil to me. Why are you not learning the correct answers?" he asked.
"Sometimes there is a difference between the correct answers and the true ones," Ivan answered. "Sometimes God does not permit me to give 'correct' answers."
"So, God talks to you? Who is this God of yours?" As soon as he had asked the question, Gidenko regretted it. Ivan leaned forward in his chair, his face glowing with joy at the opportunity to share his faith.
"Sir, He is the One who created all the universe. He greatly loves man, and sent His son..."
Gidenko interrupted. "Yes, yes, I know the Christian teaching. But what has that got to do with being a soldier? Do you disagree with the teaching of the glorious Red army?"
 "No, sir."
"But you do not accept the principles of scientific atheism upon which is based out entire Soviet state and the military power of the army?"
"I cannot accept what I know to be untrue. Everything else I can gladly accept."
"Moiseyev, no one can prove the existence of God. Even priests and pastors agree on that."
"Sir, they may speak about not being able to prove God, but there is no question about knowing Him. He is with me now, in this room. Before I came here, He sent an angel to encourage me."
Gidenko stared intently at Ivan. At last he spoke wearily, "I am sorry, Moiseyev, that you will not be reasonable. Your persistence will do nothing for you except bring discomfort. However, through the years I have found that men like you often come to their senses with a little discipline. I am ordering you to stand in the street tonight after taps are played. You will stand there until you are willing to reconsider this nonsense about talking Gods and angels. Since the temperature is likely to be thirteen degrees below zero, for your sake, I hope you quickly agree to behave sensibly. Tomorrow we shall make a plan together for your political re-education. You are dismissed."
Gidenko expected Moiseyev to hesitate, to reconsider. Instead he squared his shoulders and walked quietly to the door.
"Private Moiseyev!"
When the soldier turned around, Gidenko noticed he was a little pale. Then he had understood the order!
"You will obey my instructions in summer uniform. That is all."
That night, as the bugle sounded, Ivan made his way down the stairs of the barracks and into the snowy street. He recoiled from the icy blast of wind that burned his ears and made his eyes water. His thin, summer uniform was no help in the bitter cold. He glanced at his watch. It was one minute about ten o'clock.
Tonight, he would have a long time to pray! But for the first time since he had been in the Soviet army, prayer did not come easily. He was worried. Could he stand out here all night? What if he froze to death? Would they let him freeze to death? What if he got so cold he gave in to their demands?
The "what ifs" flooded his mind and left it spinning. He knew he had to think of something else. Then he remembered the angel who had visited him that morning. The angel had said, "Do not be afraid, I am with you!" Suddenly he realized the angel's words had been for tonight! Although he could no longer see him, Moiseyev knew the angel was still there with him. He began to pray fervently.
It was twelve-thirty when he was distracted from his prayers by the crunching of snow. Bundled in their overcoats, hats, & boots, 3 officers were slowly making their way toward him.

"Private Moiseyev, have you changed your mind yet? Are you ready to come in and get warm?"
"No, comrade officers. As much as I want to come in and go to bed, I cannot. I will never agree to remain silent about God."
Even in the dim light Moiseyev could see the officers were amazed and confused. How could he stand such cold?
"Do you plan to stand out here all night long?"
"I don't see how anything else is possible, and God is helping me." Ivan checked his hands-they were cold, but not too cold. He could still move his toes easily. It was a miracle! He looked at the officers and could see that even in their coats they were already shaking from the cold. They were stamping their feet and slapping their hands, impatient to return to their heated barracks.
"You'll feel differently in another hour," the senior officer mumbled as they quickly turned away.
Ivan continued to pray for all the believers he knew. He sang Christmas carols. He prayed for every officer he knew and knew of. He cried out to God on behalf of the men in his barracks. But gradually his mind seemed to be floating somewhere outside of his head. As much as he tried, prayer eluded him.
Ivan was dozing on his feet when, at 3 o'clock, the senior officer on duty woke him up and let him return to the barracks.
For the next twelve nights, Ivan continued to stand in the street outside his barracks. Miraculously, he did not freeze, nor did he beg for mercy. Ivan continued to speak about his faith to his comrades and officers. He sang about the glory of Jesus Christ in his barracks, though this was strictly prohibited. To those who threatened him, he replied, "A lark threatened with death for singing would still continue to sing. She cannot renounce her nature. Neither can we Christians."
Soldiers around him were converted, impressed by his ardent faith.
His commanders continued to interrogate him, trying to get him to deny Jesus. They put him in refrigerated cells. They clothed him in a special rubber suit, into which they pumped air until his chest was so compressed he scarcely could breathe.
At the age of 20, Ivan knew that the Communists would kill him. On July 11, 1972, he wrote to his parents, "You will not see me anymore." He then described a vision of angels and heaven which God had sent to strengthen him for the last trial.
A few days later, his body was returned to his family. It showed that he had been stabbed 6 times around the heart. He had wounds on his head & around the mouth. There were signs of beating onthe whole body. They had had been drowned.
Colonel Malsin, his commander, said, "Moiseyev died with difficulty. He fought with death, but he died as a Christian."
The father of the Christian hero writes to us, "May it be that this living flower which gave the fragrance of its youth on the cross should be an example for all faithful youth. May they love Christ as our son has loved Him."

~*~
Letter from Vanya to his parents- Written June 15, 1972

"My dear parents, the Lord has showed the way to me...and I have decided to follow it...I will now have more severe and bigger battles than I have had till now. But I do not fear them. He goes before me. Do not grieve for me, my dear parents. It is because I love Jesus more than myself. I listen to Him, though my body does fear somewhat or does not wish to go through everything. I do this because I do not value my life as much as I value Him. And I will not await my own will, but I will follow as the Lord leads. He says, Go, and I go. Do not become grieved if this is your son's last letter. Because I myself, when I see and hear visions, hear how angels speak & see, I am even amazed and cannot believe that Vanya, your son, talks with angels. He, Vanya, has also had sings and failings, but through sufferings the Lord has wiped them away. And he does not live as he wishes himself, but as the Lord wishes." 

We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of cirtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling short-changed. Quite the contrary-we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God gernerously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
-Paul the Apostle
Martyred in Rome, 65 AD
[Romans 5:3-5] 

On Trial For Sharing The Gospel

[Anila and Perveen17 & 18 years old
Pakistan, 1997]

Anila met Perveen at school. As their friendship grew, Anila gave Perveen a Bible and taught her Christian songs. Perveen quickly learned Christians songs and began to teach them to her younger sister when her parents weren't home. Perveen's parents soon learned of the songs. Being strict Muslims, they were not happy about them. But rather than confronting Perveen right away, they had her younger sister try to find out where she was getting this Christian influence.

Anila eventually invited Perveen to a Good Friday service. When the young Muslim heard the Gospel presentation, she immediately accepted Jesus. Perveen became very excited about her new relationship with Jesus and saw great changes take place in her life. She read the Bible and praised God boldly. Anila knew that, before long, her friend would encounter opposition from her family.

Perveen's parents were furious when they learned of her conversion. They had previously arranged for her to marry a Muslim man. When Perveen again refused, she ran away.

When Perveen's parents could not find her, they accused Anila and her pastor of kidnapping her. They had Anila arrested. Anila was slapped and beaten in front of her parents for over nine hours. Finally she was taken to prison.

Anila's pastor and his family were taken to prison on the following day. Anila and her pastor experienced horrible tortures in jail. She was whipped 16 times (5 times would make a normal man pass out). When they were released, Anila could not sit for two months, and her pastor could barely walk from the bruises on his hips and thighs.

Perveen was later found by her family. In Muslim nations, children are often severely beaten for converting to Christianity. Others are killed by their own parents or siblings for apostasy, converting to another faith.

To restore the honor of his family, Perveen's brother stabbed her to death. He then turned himself in to the local authorities. As is not uncommon in such situations, he was eventually released without incident.

Anila was then arrested on charges of kidnapping.

She was imprisoned, then released on bail a little more than a month later. She and her family went into hiding, as their lives were threatened by radical Muslims.

In May 1999, Anila was acquitted of all charges. Praise God for the prayers of faithful believers around the world! Continue to pray for her protection as she remains in hiding.

"I have seen the world," Anila said, "and it has nothing good. Jesus is my only peace."

~*~

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of other, similar stories that are never told of Christian children & teens being killed by their Muslim parents. Jesus said this would happen:
Brothers will give their own brothers to be killed, and fathers will give their own children to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and have them put to death. All people will hate you because you follow me, but those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved. -Jesus [Matthew 10:21, 22]

Pray for those young believers, that God will protect them & strengthen them. Pray for their parents, that they too will come to know Jesus as Lord. And most of all, forgive their persecutors and pray for the Muslim people to find the love of Jesus Christ and be saved.  

Monday

Hey guys!
I hope you are having a super-awesome Monday! My day has been very busy...I did as much school as possible in the morning and then ate lunch. After lunch, I went to the first day of heart co-op (A homeschool co-op that I go too). I'm only doing one class this semester...scrapbooking! It was pretty fun, actually. If I had more time, I might even like scrapbooking! :) And then I read history during the second hour and then I left before the second hour was finished to go to practice. Then, after practice I had to mow someone's lawn. So, that was basically my day today...
I'm going to a "True Woman" conference this weekend so I'm gonna be gone from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning. It's in Indie. And I just learned that my first match on Saturday morning starts at 9! I'm not gonna be able to get there in time...at least not by 8:15!! :( But anyway....everyone have a great week and weekend!!

Waste of Time!

So, today we were supposed to have a volleyball game, right? And it was at Landmark, which is like about an hour away I think. So we drove all the way up there and when we got there, there were these pieces of paper on the gym doors that said something like the building is being treated because of bugs!!!! hahaha! And then we found out that they didn't have enough girls for a volleyball team...So, basically, we drove all that way for nothing! Actually, that's not completely true...we totally went to ikea (A furniture store) which I had never heard of before....but it was hugeeeeeee! So we had some team bonding time :p haha We ate dinner there too. It was good! But I am still super mad that we didn't get to play =[
Tomorrow I have practice and then on Thursday I have a game! Hopefully that game won't be canceled w/o us knowing!

Labor Day Cont.

I went to see fireworks a couple of hours ago at Cedarville and it was totally awesome! They played music with the fireworks which I just think is awesome! It was seriously probably either the best or one of the best fireworks displays I've ever seen!

Labor Day

Hello everyone!

I know it has been forever since I've written! I kinda forgot I had made one of these...lol! And I just made this new blog because I couldn't find my other one bec. it has been so long...So, what has happened since I last wrote? Probably a lot of things! Summer flew by and I cannot believe I have already gone through two weeks of school! Why does summer always go by sooo fast but winter & the school year just draggg by? Anyways...today is Labor day so I am off school which I am sooo happy about! I got up at 10 AM today, which felt amazing. And then, after eating breakfast, John, Hannah, Dad, and I went outside to play 'volleyball.' (It over the badminton net! haha) And I just came home from playing frisbee golf...I suck at it! But I think I was better this time than the last time I went! Well, it was still kinda fun. And that's basically all I've done today. I love holidays!! ha. I think we're going to watch fireworks tonight...

So I hope everyone is having a super awesome day and I would love to hear how everyone else is doing!

Emily ~*~