Teach it to your children

In Sunday School yesterday we talked a lot about the authority of Scripture and why it's important. I thought of how I had grown up and how important the Bible was to my own walk with Christ and what that was founded upon.

I never doubted the validity of the Bible. Why was that? Because my parents showed in their words and actions that the Bible had authority and power. To question the Bible or say something in it was untrue was blasphemous. The Bible is how we communicate with God. The Bible gives spiritual food and shows us the way to everlasting life. It is complete. It is good. It endures throughout the generations. It reveals God's character and the Spirit helps us to understand its teachings.

Sitting in Sunday School, I realized that if it wasn't for its stressed importance in my growing-up life, the authority and respect it was given, I never would have pursued Bible translation.

I remembered talking with a friend who told me she felt like passages she read were the same old same old Bible story and that she didn't feel like she was really being spiritually fed. She said she needed a supplement. In horror, I prayed and thought about our conversation on the way home. I asked God to prove to me that His Word was sufficient, that each time I read it, I would find something new every time I spent time in it. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm happy to say that was about four years ago and God is still granting that request.

Without my parents' influence, the Bible would never have been very influential in my life. No, my parents are not 'missionaries' or Bible translators. But they paved the way for me.

Without the Bible, where would YOU be?
I would be lost, scared, and would be lost in sin.

Millions of people around the world don't have God's Word.
This is what pierced my heart for missions. The Gospel is for all.

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation- Revelation 5:9
 
Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. - Revelation 14:6 

 Who will YOU tell about it?

Something New

This post is based upon an image I formed in my head around Easter. I've seen other bloggers do this and decided I would give it a shot. Let me know what you think.


I stood crouching. The blade was still in my hand, the body was still at my feet. The blood. It was everywhere. My feet soaked in its pool, my clothes were entirely stained, my hair was drenched, my face, my hands, my arms, dripped of it. What had I done? While He embraced me, I killed Him. Ended His life in the most painful way possible. The one who loved me. I murdered Him.

I fell to my knees and sobbed remorseful tears. They mixed with the blood on my hands and fell on the ground, but it was not enough to wash away what I had done. My body heaved with the guilt and anguish of my actions. My chest contracted so I thought my body would implode. I wailed, but no sound or plea could take back what I did. I deserved retribution. Or worse.

I felt a hand upon my blood-soaked shoulder. A loving, tenderly placed hand. I turned and saw Him. The one I had killed. There were tears in His eyes, but they weren't for Himself; they were for me. "Do you think I couldn't have stopped you?" He asked. We walked away, to a large, strong, running River. He told me the river was called Grace. While He told me the story from His perspective, He bathed my body until there wasn't a trace of blood left. A new garment was placed over me. As I sat at His feet, He told me about love, forgiveness, and faith while He braided my hair. Hope and love filled my heart and a desire to do whatever He wanted.

"I have made you a new creation," He said in His sweet voice. "You are Mine and you are forgiven."