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]