Moldova Moments – Part Two
During our recent mission trip to Moldova our ministry included visiting and taking food 
to elderly people in the area surrounding Kishinev Bible Church. Before we began our first morning of visiting we bagged the food we had purchased. Flour, sugar, oil, coffee, corn meal, canned goods, and more filled the sacks and spilled out the tops.
We went out in teams of three or four – two Americans and one or two Moldovan translators. When we rang a bell, the translators would explain that we came from America to bring them food. For some reason the fact that we were Americans opened doors that would not normally be opened. Yet even then many remained closed from fear or skepticism. When doors did open, we explained through the translator why we had come. Our goal was to share not just physical food with them, but spiritual, life-giving food as well.
Since many of the people we visited are lifelong members of the influential Eastern Orthodox Church they are religious. But religion does not equal a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we shared the Gospel message of Christ with them they often told us about how often they pray or go to church. Sadly, Moldova is not the only place in the world where religion hinders someone finding Jesus. Read More
Moldova Moments, Part One
Something about a mission trip always seems to change my perspective on life, God’s 
activity in the world, and my relationship with Him. I just returned from ten days in Kishinev, Moldova with a group of twenty from my church. Over the next few posts, I’d like to share some “God moments” from this trip with you.
You may be wondering “where in the world is Moldova?” Moldova, a former Soviet block country, is squeezed in between Romania and Ukraine in Eastern Europe. Most Moldovans in the rural areas speak Romanian and most in the urban areas speak Russian. Of course, I don’t speak either one. Read More
Dependence Day
Yesterday we celebrated Independence Day for the United States of America. July 4th 
commemorates that day in 1776 when, as a people, we declared our independence from Great Britain. Our forefathers declared the right to “dissolve the political bands which have connected them” to Britain and claimed the right “to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station” to which they were entitled.
Independence from Britain was a great and good thing for the people that became the United States of America. But independence is not a good thing for the people of God. In fact, as God’s people we should make a formal “Declaration of Dependence” on our Creator. Read More
Where’s the meat?
Yesterday I had lunch with a friend at a local hot spot. The place was packed and ladies 
were waiting for tables. This trendy café boasts acid-washed concrete floors and industrial lighting. The menu offers soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and hunks of desserts that are as big as hubcaps.
I ordered a “Turkey-Avocado wrap with spinach, tomatoes, and light ranch dressing” for $7.95. When I asked the waiter if fruit or chips came with the wrap he had to check. The answer? Two pieces of pineapple. Hmm? That should have sent up red flag warnings. Read More
I certainly don’t deserve it
Daniel is one of the most godly and upright men we read about in the Bible. He never 
wavered, even through the most difficult of circumstances. When Israel, his homeland, was invaded by Babylon, a teenage Daniel was enslaved and taken far away from his home to do the bidding of King Nebuchadnezzar. Yet Daniel remained committed to obedience, even when faced with the lion’s den.
I’ve been reading through the book of Daniel in my quiet time. In chapter nine, Daniel is now an old man. He survived the takeover of the Babylonian kingdom by the Medes and the Persians. His people have endured exile now for seventy years – the amount of time Daniel understood from Scripture to be the length of their discipline from God.
Daniel began to mourn and pray and petition God to intervene on behalf of His people. Now here’s the part that really struck me.
“We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” Daniel 9:18-19
From a human perspective, if anyone “deserved” for God to hear and answer his prayer it would be someone like Daniel. But because he had an inkling of the awesome greatness of God, Daniel was humble. He recognized his sinfulness – especially in comparison to the holiness of God. Read More
Ready to start digging?
Recently, God invited me to be a part of something new and exciting! This endeavor revolves completely around the Word of God. Ah, nothing could be more fulfilling or worthwhile!
Scripture Dig is an online resource, a tool for Christian women who want to really dig into God’s Word and allow it to transform their lives. Scripture Dig combines Bible study, information, resources, and community. Women will be taught, encouraged, and challenged.
This first week of June each of the five members of the Scripture Dig team will introduce themselves. Yesterday was my turn! You can check out the whole team here. Scripture Dig will not be a one-sided conversation. Readers will get to have their turn too. You will be invited into the community and asked to participate.
Starting Monday, June 7th, we will begin our first topic – the Bible itself. We will cover Bible Basics like “What is the Bible?” and “How did we get it?” We will talk about different translations and how to choose one for yourself. Then beginning June 21, we will shift the conversation to reading the Bible and having a quiet time.
Why so much emphasis on getting into God’s Word? The Bible reveals God and His ways to us. It guides us into relationship with the Creator of the universe and shapes our lives to please Him. Check out Scripture Dig today and sign up to be part of the ongoing community. See you there! Kathy
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 Read More
Storms
West Texas has been hit by several severe storms recently that have included hail, tornado
warnings, and heavy rain. Flooding is a real problem here in our very flat city. There is no place for the water to go. Heavy rain turns our streets into rivers and our intersections into lakes. In fact last week dozens of motorists had to be rescued from their cars and one woman drowned when her mustang was swept off the road and into a ditch.
These kinds of storms are scary and, unfortunately, also inevitable here. We expect them and try to prepare for them. What about life’s storms? Do you expect them? In John 16:33, Jesus said we would have trouble in this world. (And, praise God, He also said to “take heart” because He has overcome the world!) So why are we sometimes surprised when trouble comes?
Here are three things that can help us when we find ourselves in the midst of trial and difficulty: Read More
Kill the oxen
When I was in seminary I met many people who had left everything behind to answer God’s call to ministry. One very successful, middle-aged businessman closed his business and never looked back. Others sold homes, quit jobs, and moved far away from family.
I thought about my fellow students this morning during my daily Bible reading. In 1 Kings chapter 20 we read about Elisha’s call by God to be Elijah’s successor. When Elijah issued the call Elisha was plowing a field behind a yoke of oxen. Not only did Elisha answer the call he also slaughtered the oxen and cooked them over a fire fueled by the plowing equipment.
Now that’s commitment! There would be no turning back for Elisha. No changing his mind or deciding he heard wrong. He could only move forward in obedience to God’s plan for his life. Read More
God-sized task
Has God given you a job recently? Perhaps you sense He has guided you to tackle a specific
task or take on a new responsibility. Does it feel overwhelming or beyond the scope of your experience or expertise? Good. Then it’s probably right where God wants you!
Recently God has presented me with a new opportunity. Since it’s a bit different from anything I’ve done before I’m a little nervous about how to proceed. I know I will have to depend on Him. And that’s a good thing.
This morning I was reading about David’s task of planning for the temple in First Chronicles, chapter 28. God did not allow David to actually build the temple because David was a man of war. God assigned that task to David’s son Solomon. However, God did ask David to do the planning and make preparations.
I know I’ve read this passage many times, but this morning I noticed truths about the Holy Spirit’s involvement that I had never slowed down to think about before. Read More
God our Savior
My mother once saved my life. When I was about four, I fell in a lake and didn’t know how to swim. By the time Mom got to the edge of the water I was quite a ways from the shore and going under yet again. She dove in and quickly brought me safely to dry ground.
God saved His people Israel. He chose them out of all nations to be His. God rescued them from slavery in Egypt. He brought them safely through the waters of the Red Sea. Then after centuries of rebellion, the prophet Isaiah warned them of God’s pending discipline. They would soon face exile in Babylon, but God would redeem them again. Like a loving father, God would lavish His children with grace and mercy. He would snatch them out of exile and bring them safely home.
God has a unique relationship with us, His people. First, He made us. He intimately formed you and me. Then He chose us to belong to Him. He called us by name. He redeemed us out of slavery to sin and claimed us as His own.
He promises to save those who belong to Him. Are you passing through a fire right now? Whether you’re experiencing God’s discipline, Christian persecution, or a refining trial, God is with you. You may feel the heat and smell the smoke but you will not be consumed. God may not choose to rescue you out of every trouble, but He will always rescue you through them. He will not leave your side.
1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.
Isaiah 43:1-4, NIV
God’s greatest act of salvation on our behalf was in sending His Son to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Have you received God’s great gift of eternal salvation? Have you experienced God’s saving hand in past circumstances of your life?
Remember, the God who saved your soul and acted on your behalf in the past is the same God today. Will you trust Him with your current circumstances?
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Interview with Jennifer Kennedy Dean
