Persecuted for Christ's Sake

           Some weeks ago, I was driving home from our local dollar store when a hymn popped into my brain first, then my heart. Surprising because I’d not heard this particular hymn since my youth!

          Once it penetrated my brain and I sang the words aloud, tears ran down my cheeks as the meaning pierced my heart.

“Are ye able,” said the Master, “to be crucified with me?”

“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered, “to the death we follow Thee.”

 

Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, Like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

 

          I’d not expected a moment like this after what had been just a quick errand.

          When I got home, I sat on the couch and waited for my husband to pause from his studies. He was filling in for our pastor that upcoming Sunday, so he was deep in thought. When he glanced up, he asked, “Is there something I can do for you?” as he always does when pausing in his studies and spotting me sitting across the way.

          “I just wanted to tell you about a hymn that shook me up. I only remember the first verse and chorus.” I shared that with him. “I’m gonna look up the rest.”

          So, I moved over to where my laptop was, fired it up, and found the hymn. I read the other verses to Brian.

Are ye able to remember, when a thief lifts up his eyes,

That his pardoned soul is worthy of a place in paradise?

 

Are ye able when the shadows close around you with the sod,

To believe that spirit triumphs, to commend your soul to God?

 

“Are ye able?” Still the Master whispers down eternity,

And heroic spirits answer now, as then, in Galilee.

 

          “Maybe this hit me so hard because of Charlie Kirk’s martyrdom and all the horrible things that are going on,” I said.

          Brian wiped the tears from his cheeks. “I, too, have been thinking about that, and it’s what the Holy Spirit led me to touch on in this sermon prep.”

          I’ve thought a lot about martyrs these past weeks. To have “witnessed” Charlie’s brought others to my attention. I knew persecution of believers still happens in our world, but I’d not been abreast to the number of brothers- and sisters-in-Christ who’ve perished. Then I spotted articles and photos concerning believers in Nigeria and other countries as well—a staggering number killed for Christ.

          How can this be??? my soul cried out. Then I remembered Jesus’ Words:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world,

but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word

that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me,

they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake,

because they do not know Him who sent Me.” John 15:18-21

 

          I recalled those who’d been martyred for their faith so very long ago, amongst them one of my many-times great-grandfather, Dr. Rev. Rowland Taylor*. He was burned at the stake by the queen known as “Bloody Mary” in 1555. And he wasn’t alone. No less than 280 believers (men and women) were martyred during Queen Mary I’s short reign.

          I remember, when I learned about this brave ancestor, being taken aback by his testimony and death. In my DNA is a tiny bit of him. How could I neglect to stand for Christ, knowing what this many-times great-grandfather endured? Succumbed to?

          Then I had an additional thought. I am blood-bought by the One Who lives in me still—Who gave His life, sacrificed on a cruel cross. Dead. Buried.

          Resurrected!

          How could I neglect to stand for He Who endured so much for me? Whose blood paid the price for my sin? Who lives in me?

          This brought me to my knees. Lord, You have told us, since they persecuted You, they will persecute us also. We believers, then, have targets on us, so to speak. I have one.

          Believers were martyred on the mission field, the first I knew about were the five missionaries killed in Ecuador. I was so very young when that happened, but I still remember my mother crying and telling us they died. We were acquainted with missionaries—those who serve God no matter what. But to think they were targets! And are still!

          Believers have been targeted in school killings, the first incident I was acquainted with being Columbine. 

          So, it’s possible any of us believers might fall for our faith.  

          What if that happens to me? To us? Again, Jesus’ Words ring out:

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

          We may be asked to drink from the cup of sacrifice that Jesus also did—pouring out His Life.

“…Jesus said to them (disciples James & John), ‘You do not know what you ask.

Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism

that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’” Mark 10:38-39

 

          Lord, we are able! May this be our commitment—our prayer. Not only during this week of Reformation Day** remembrance but every day of the year.

 

Refrain: Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, Like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

 

Melody of Are Ye Able is in the first half of this YouTube video:

Are Ye Able Said The Master / All The Way My Saviour Leads Me

(“Are Ye Able,” Said the Master by Earl Marlatt, 1926, public domain)

 

 

Historical Christian Persecution Statistics

     More than 70 million Christians have been martyred in the course of history. More than half were martyred in the 20th century under communist and fascist governments (Gordon-Conwell Resources).

     In the 21st century, roughly 100,000 to 160,000 Christians were killed each year (Gordon-Conwell Resources & World Christian Database). Roughly 1,093,000 Christians were martyred, worldwide, between 2000 and 2010 (World Christian Database).

     Modern, Global Church Persecution Statistics: 322 Christians are killed for their faith every month. 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed every month. 772 forms of violence (beatings, kidnappings, rape, arrest, etc.) are committed against Christians every month (Open Doors).

     Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their governments or neighbors because of their faith (United States Department of State). At least 7,100 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons in 2015, up from at least 4,344 in 2014 (Open Doors).

(Copied from The Esther Project—A Voice for the Persecuted Church Internet site.)

 

#persecutionofbelievers #martyrs #CharlieKirk #assassination #RowlandTaylor #burnedatstake

#FoxsBookofMartyrs #church #Columbine #missionarymartyrsEcuador #ReformationDay #JesusSavior

 *Written about in Fox’s Book of Martyrs—Chapter 267.

**October 31^st, 1517—Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the castle church (catholic at that time)

                                      in Wittenburg, Germany thus bringing about the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

 

Photo Credit: Charlie Kirk—religionnews.com, Rowland Taylor—Wikipedia.com, 

                       Ecuador/5 martyrs—blogspot.com, Columbine memorial—USAtoday.com

The Messiah—Written for a King, Composed by the King

Dear Mr. Handel,

          We’ve not made acquaintance. That’s quite impossible since you lived centuries before me, but we will meet when the trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ rise. I desired to write you now, though, to thank you for using your musical talent for our Lord God. Your compositions have touched our world and inspired many, giving Hope even in darkest times.

          I’m acquainted with the deep struggle you went through during your writing of The Messiah. How you poured out your soul to your Creator, seeking His guidance so this masterpiece would be solely from His Hands, not yours—you desiring His Will be done! How you starved, became so ill and weak, and slept minimally!

          I learned the Scriptures used in The Messiah were chosen by another, inspired to share them with you for this purpose. But how did you create such a masterpiece in that summer of 1741 in less than a month’s time? Surely the Holy Spirit worked through you—His instrument. And in the 284 years since, your composition is still revered worldwide!

          Beyond your composing The Messiah for King George II as his court musician, it was truly written by the King of Kings—each piece speaking Scripture through music. Those who’ve sung it (or heard it repeatedly) find The Word of God flowing from their lips.

          Just three weeks ago, my husband, son, and I traveled a long way. We were so weary! My husband plugged in his IPOD. “Ancient technology,” he said (but of course you don’t know of such a thing). We listened to The Messiah from beginning to nearly the end, and the beauty and inspiration we received carried us all the way home in our vehicle (something else you know nothing of).

          We pulled into the driveway to Hallelujah! Please forgive us, gifted composer, for we did not stand while it played, as did King George II when he heard the first performance. Be assured, though, our hearts “leapt to their feet!”

          Mr. Handel, our world is so terribly troubled in this era. Was it so in yours? This is why I’ve chosen to share in this blog post (“What is that?” you’ll also wonder) some pieces from The Messiah.

          There is overwhelming sadness. So many know not the Savior. They yearn to be comforted in their sorrow but seek this in wrong places and in empty ways. I’m so glad one of your pieces shares the message of comfort—to all and especially mentioned, Jerusalem.

Comfort Ye My People ~ Handel Messiah, Tenor Accompagnato: Comfort ye, my people

(Isaiah 40:1,2)

          Did you experience God’s comfort when you went through trials, struggling with anxiety and hardly able to make ends meet with the path you’d chosen—giving your life to music? And may I not forget to mention the challenge in and of itself, being the King’s court musician!

          Many in our world also seek to be led. Some follow false leaders and evil doers. I’m sure you knew of those in your time as well. Every century has both. Still, we people, being like sheep, seek a shepherd to lead us safely and with tender loving care. If only more souls knew the Good Shepherd, our God, Who gave His life for His sheep.

He Shall Lead His Flock Like a Shepherd

Handel: Messiah | He shall feed his flock | Academy of Ancient Music & VOCES8

(Isaiah 40:11)

          You must have experienced the Good Shepherd’s care in your life when you suffered strokes, eventually leaving you blind. I wonder if hearing your oratorio ministered to you as well.

          Oh, how wonderful it would be if we sheep grasped that our God can carry us through any trials that come our way because for Him, the load He carries is but a light affliction.

His Yoke Is Easy, His Burden Is Light

Handel Messiah, Chorus: His yoke is easy

(Matthew 11:30)

          All this is possible because a Child was born! Mr. Handel, it won’t be long now until we celebrate that Baby’s birth—Christmas. Isn’t it astounding, though, His Birth was prophesied long before even you were born? And, although this piece from The Messiah is usually heard at Christmas time, I love hearing it throughout the year. It holds such Hope—such promise!

For Unto Us a Child Is Born

Handel Messiah, Chorus: For unto us a Child is born

(Isaiah 9:6)

          Again, thank you for all the life you poured into composing The Messiah. I will close with the song that filled our vehicle at the end of our journey three weeks ago, as it makes one’s heart sing even in the darkest hours.

          Mr. Handel, I will greet you in Eternity where we’ll join the music, praising God—the King of Kings and True Composer of The Messiah which was entrusted to your care!

Hallelujah Chorus

Handel: Messiah | Hallelujah Chorus | VOCES8 & Academy of Ancient Music

(Revelation 19:6)

Gratefully yours,

a lover of music from another time & place who, decades ago, played some of your pieces

 

#Handel #TheMessiah #KingGeorgeII #music #troubledworld #comfort #shepherd

#HolySpiritinspired #Scriptures #LordGod #PromisedChild #Hallelujah

This is a colorized version of The Great Mr. Handel ~

the story telling how The Messiah came to be!

The Great Mr. Handel 1942 (Full Film) - YouTube

It moves me each time I watch it.

Photo Credit: letter writing—stock.photo.com, Handel—allaboutHandel.com, musical score--CCARHWiki

Musical Credit: Tafelmusik & Academy of Ancient Music 

“Sweet-ish” Death Cleaning (The End) ~ Who Gets the Rat Trap Bank?

          Confession: We’ve found some possessions too hard to purge. One such item? Our rat trap bank! Yes, we really do own one.

          Now, before you screech, “Oh, ick!” allow me to plead my keeping-the-rat-trap-bank case. It’s displayed prominently in our home office where we work on ministry. Why? Because it reminds us of the Provider’s care throughout our missionary years! Perhaps another time I’ll share the whole story behind it (it’s so worth knowing), but for sake of this blog post I’ll keep it shorter.

          Part of our earlier ministry years were in New York City where Brian held Bible clubs. One growing Bible club located in the South Bronx had a problem—no place to meet.

          Long story short, permission to use a room was eventually given, but to get there Brian and the kids needed to cross rubble from a neighboring building. These kids, however, weren’t deterred—even by the rats!

          Yes, rats—plural! But Bible club was life-giving to this group, so each week they showed up and scattered the rats so they could learn God’s Word in that answer-to-prayer room!

          Brian and I affectionately called this “the rat-smack club” when telling how God answered prayer for those South Bronx kids! We shared the good news in pulpits and in our missionary prayer letter.

          When we visited one supporting church, they presented us with—tah dah!—the aforementioned handmade rat trap bank! They also filled it with financial gifts from the congregation—another answer to prayer at that time.

          So, do you see why we cannot throw away this reminder? What’t’do, what’t’do, what’t’do…

          Brian and I were going through items as we death cleaned.

          “Who gets the rat trap?” I asked hubby. “It’s meaningful to all our kids, but who’d want it, and how do we choose?”

          Brian smiled. “This is a strange conversation, you understand.”

          We laughed! (By the way, we haven’t decided yet, should any of our kids read this post while sitting on pins’n’needles whispering, “I hope it’s me!”)

          Maybe the rat trap bank will be one of those things we leave in our you-go-through-and-decide baskets. But for now, it continues serving as a reminder how God cared for us and answered prayer more times than we could count!

          You may have mementos like the one I’ve just shared about, although you may sigh with relief and say, “I’m so glad I don’t own a rat trap bank.”

          There are those items your children or friends might love to have—or might not. Perhaps you can put a note in a you-go-through-and-decide basket giving your family permission to discard (like you may do with some photos).

          Another category that comes close to this, at least in my thinking, are drawings and crafts our kids and grandkids gave us over the years. These would fill a sizable basket in and of themselves, had we placed them into one. Here are a few thoughts what to do about these:

Drawings? No problem unless there are so many they overfill an album and you wish them smaller. It’s possible in this day and age to take pictures of them all (or the most treasured ones) and preserve them as minis or electronically.

Or, maybe do what we did with our children’s drawings and schoolwork (having only saved choice items). Give them back to them to treasure. (We’ve hung onto grandkid ones for now though. We’re not that cold hearted—smile!) 

We also returned the crafts our kids made for us many moons ago. Their spouses enjoyed seeing those, much to their mates’ chagrin.

          Christmas ornaments each family member collected were gifted back to them when they began their own homes and families. Our single son has his in a special box. Oh, going back to photos, we also gifted all our kids with a decorative box of them as a Christmas gift one year, reducing the amount they’ll need to go through here by the hundreds.

          “What about collections?” you may ask.

          I used to collect lighthouses and colored glass bottles. My collections weren’t huge, but I decided some years back to let the glass bottles go and only keep a few very small lighthouses that family gave me.

          If you’re death cleaning and an avid collector, you might want to downsize collections. I have a friend who’s collected angels over the decades. She just adores them, so I know it could be hard for her to let these go. But, if you’re a brave soul, could you…

…gift one item each to family members and close friends before you die or designate with a note to whom you wish it be given?

Or donate your collection to nursing, Veterans’, or children’s homes where these type items will be treasured? This is true of custom jewelry too. (Nursing homes, for example, love these type things to use as gifts or prizes for their residents.)

Or can you take a keepsake photo of your collection, pick out only a handful to keep, and sell the rest?

          One thing you probably shouldn’t do once you’re a very seasoned citizen is enlarge your collection. Instead of buying more, can you just admire them, window shop, or live with a photo of the item? Would it help to tell family members and friends (who might gift you with more) that you are blessed with enough now? (They’ll likely respect your wishes about this.)

          One item I treasure and deeply respect is our dad’s folded flag, given to my sister at his funeral. She passed it on to me, and we’ve agreed it will be gifted to the one who made Brian and I grandparents. Some things are just too important and special to let go out of one’s family circle.

          What about Bibles—those large family ones and those left by parents, grandparents, and beyond? Sadly, according to The Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, most of these don’t find a future home. That shocked me as I can’t believe The Word wouldn’t be treasured by all. But if it’s not, what will you do with old Bibles—particularly disintegrating ones in the attic?

          I wanted to honor God with these, but many fell apart when I handled them, even carefully. I discovered, though, that these old Bibles held family history. You’ll want to preserve those notes by either copying them or keeping those pages and putting them into protective sleeves. One of my grandmas kept all family newspaper obituaries in between her Bible pages. I took those out, saved them for our children, and gave the Bible to our firstborn.

          If you married a preacher, missionary, or Bible scholar or you are one, you probably have at least one shelf full of Bibles. Right? In our most recent death cleaning step, we decided to give some of those Bibles new homes. After all, wouldn’t it be better if they were being read?

          In conclusion, may I tell you I realize parting with precious items can be hard and even bring tears. But foremost in your mind and heart, when deciding what to do, ask yourself, “What’s most important? What lasts?”

          Eternity lasts! All that’s here and now passes away. If you keep the forever goal in mind, you’ll find, as you death clean, the items you’ve held onto begin to lose their grip.

          It’s eternity that matters. Reader, may you focus on Heaven—the ultimate prize! And, should you choose to death clean, may you find joy while doing that part of life’s journey!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

 

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free!

 

Refrain: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

 

Thro’ death into life everlasting, He passed, and we follow Him there;

O’er us sin no more hath dominion—for more than conqu’rors we are! (Refrain)

 

His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell! (Refrain)

 

(from the hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, by Helen Howarth Lemmel, 1922, public domain)

 

#deathcleaning #rattrap #treasures #collections #keepsakes #childrensart

#Bibles #remindersofGodsprovisions #temporalthings #eternity

“Sweet-ish” Death Cleaning ~ Part 4 ~ Shhh!

 

          When my sister and I death cleaned our parents’ estate, we found a box in the attic. It held ties to a secret we’d grown up with but, at least for me, didn’t fully understand until that find. The box, however, left no doubt that something horrible happened in our former neighborhood—so hideous that our mother took up the cause and wrote files and files of letters to people in high positions in our community and state. The box contained those letters and their responses.

          Had we not found this box and read its contents, the newspaper articles Dad buried amongst his possessions would’ve confused the life out of me! I totally wouldn’t have understood.

          Without digging up details of the whole troublesome past, I will just share with you that there’d been an evil man in the area—a neighbor who took advantage of young girls and was put on trial for his crimes. Compounding the hurt of the situation, the man was declared innocent, one reason stating children were not credible witnesses.

          This, of course, emotionally rocked our community. And our parents acted on it so no more children would ever be victims.

          That man moved away. At least I think he did as he wasn’t around anymore after that.

          I was very young when this happened, and I had no remembrance of any of this. It was also never mentioned in our home because, I suspect, the hurt went too deep.

          We moved to another part of town while my sister and I were still school-aged. Our parents moved that box from our first home to the next—the one they now left to us.

          This raised questions within me. Did Mom and/or Dad mean for us to find this box—to show Mom stood up against evil? That she cared—passionately? Or did they move the box and forget it existed with the passing of so many years (although I know they never forgot what had taken place)?

          Secondly, was this secret just so painful that our parents couldn’t share it with us even in our adult years? Were contents of the box meant to be seen in time, or did they just forget they existed?

          I wonder.

          Thirdly, did our parents figure it would help us heal in time? Is that why they kept the box full of letters?

          As shocking as it was to learn of the box and read its contents, knowing our parents had been so brave and stood up for our neighborhood girls touched us deeply. Also, finding them did help me understand some things in my growing up years that hadn’t made sense until then.

          My sister and I had a long talk about this matter. We both felt it was more likely Mom kept the box wanting us to know, in God’s time, that they tried to do all they could for the young victims. And, to be honest, it did astound us that Mom and Dad cared so much to take up a cause that also had to be painful as they fought it.

          We found other secrets too—not like the one I’ve shared, but interesting to say the least. Old love letters! And not to each other! Yes, they had previous loves, although we also found letters they shared when they did meet and fall in love.

          Why am I including this account in death cleaning? Because it hit me like a ton of bricks when I thought about it, and—to be honest—I wondered if God was leading me to share for someone out there who has something in their past they’ve stored away, not knowing what to do with it.

          If you wish for a secret to die with you, don’t leave evidence of it. But, if you believe it will be helpful for your family toward healing and growing beyond it, that’s good reason to hang onto it. It comes down to this…

          What do you want the people who empty your estate to know about you?

          I’m not one who thinks secrets—even the worst ones—are best kept silent. And sometimes I wonder if our Dad thought the same (but had forgotten the box we’d find after he died).

          You see, my now family unit faced something very difficult along the way. I didn’t know whether to share this with my Dad or not (Mom having already passed away). So, I asked him if he wanted to know even if it hurt.

          Dad asked, “Is it going to go away?”

          “No,” I said.  

          “Then you might as well tell me.”

          So I did.

          There are so many life stories. People who learned they’d been adopted after their adoptive parents died. Couples who conceived a child before marriage to each other or to someone else. Children conceived in rape who learned this horror through a DNA test they did “just for fun.” I even learned of a case where a person actually had a whole hidden family that his other family didn’t know about (found when helping someone trace their family tree).

          What about journals and diaries? Hmm. That’s something I’d not thought about, so I asked myself these questions:

1.     If I’m dead, does it really matter that my family reads what I wrote?

2.     Will I regret destroying my deepest recorded thoughts if I trash these?

3.     Might I wish to read them again before I pass away to reflect on progress in my life?

4.     Will my diaries or journals point others to Jesus?

5.     Should I leave my recorded thoughts to someone I trust above all others to dispose of when I’m gone, letting them know my wishes ahead of time?

          Some secrets will make others sad but may also “free” them. Yet some things may be better left buried. Some things in our pasts may help others, who’ve kept secrets, feel a bond toward us. There are so many scenarios here, but my point is…

          …if you wish others not to know all your business—good or bad—take care of those matters before you don’t have a say in them.

          On a slightly different note, what if the secret is a sin-matter? An addiction to, for example, off-color magazines? That is not a private matter. God already knows all about that. I pray, if this is the case with anyone reading this blog post, you will go to God in prayer about it. Ask Him to forgive you. He can turn your life around. When He does, you’ll hunger to clean the matter out of your life and home. And there are professionals out there to help with accountability in regard to addictions.

          So many people have deep hurts in their lives. Perhaps they’ve packed evidence of those hurts into proverbial “boxes in the attic” or secrets they planned would go to the grave with them. But what if it’s not going to go away. Then perhaps Dad was right. “Then you might as well tell” someone—family, a counselor, or a clergyman perhaps?

          While you’re still on this side of the grass, I pray you’ll go to God about your secrets and how to handle them. God knows, cares, and will help you decide the best way to handle your “box in the attic.”

All Your Anxiety

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8rMEp4HuHM&list=RDw8rMEp4HuHM&start_radio=1

 

Is there a heart o’er bound by sorrow? Is there a life weighed down by care?

Come to the cross, each burden bearing; all your anxiety—leave it there.

 

Refrain: All your anxiety, all your care, bring to the mercy seat, leave it there.

Never a burden He cannot bear, never a friend like Jesus!

 

No other friend so swift to help you, no other friend so quick to hear,

No other place to leave your burden, no other one to hear your prayer. (Refrain)

 

Come then at once; delay no longer! Heed His entreaty kind and sweet;

You need not fear a disappointment; You shall find peace at the mercy seat. (Refrain)

 

(from the hymn All Your Anxiety by Edward H. Joy, 1929, public domain)

 

#deathcleaning #secrets #sinmatter #anxietyandcares #mercyseat

 

Disclaimer:

I am not a counselor. Any guidelines mentioned above are suggestions I hope and pray will benefit you.

 

Photo Credit: ThriftyFun