Monday, October 01, 2007

Coming to you from TN

So, we did less meandering and more just driving than we planned. My poor husband woke up with very clogged sinuses and a horrible headache. We drugged him up ;-) and I spent most of the day driving. On our way today, we have been listening to the book Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. This is a definite must read for every Christian. It's a novel, but you'll learn a ton about the persecuted church world wide but especially China. He even gives you ways to pray for the persecuted church. It's a book that every house church shepherd in our region was encouraged to read. I had started it but had not gotten very far due to how emotional it was. It got a little intense for me and was hard to pick back up. It helped to listen to it with my husband. It made it easier to pray my way through than if I was actually reading it. It made me think I needed to go back and re-read The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. I used to read it a lot, but I bet it's been over 10 years since I read it last. I think these type of books are good reminders that what we experience in the US is not typical Christianity. I have a responsibility to bear the burdens of my brothers and sisters around the world. I have not been "holding up my piece of the sky." "Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me." What am I doing for the least of these? The very least I can do is pray. Actually, that is the best I can do until God gives me another task. How are you doing? There are so many resources to help us pray for the church around the world. My favorite is Operation World: When We Pray God Works , it breaks down each country and gives you demographics and specifics about the spiritual conditions. It is excellent and I don't use it enough.
Well, tomorrow we plan on seeing some of the beautiful country around here. If my husband feels better, that is. If he doesn't, we'll make a beeline for home so he can get some rest. Have a great night all!

5 comments:

  1. We will have to read that book, it sounds very good. Ralph we hope you are feeling better!!

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  2. Have you ever read the Heavenly Man? Amazing book! It's about Brother Yun from China - it's an eye opener to a little bit of what's going on in China.
    It's one of the best books I've ever read, and I've read lots of books!

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  3. I agree Safely Home is a great book and really makes you think. I had gotten it when I had visited Aunt Dawn for a missions conference in Jan. '06

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  4. Looks like you guys had a blast. Thanks for the pictures. I love pictures of trips. Life is busy and it's nice to get away and enjoy time together. We'll have to make a goal to get there sometime. Ralph, hopefully you're feeling better. Anything to do with a sinus problem is the worst. Randy Alcorn was at the Desiring God conference last weekend. Enjoyed listing to how he blesses people with free books when he travels. Have a great day and we'll talk soon.
    Chad

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  5. As you were talking about Safely Home it made me think about the STEER missions conference we were at this weekend. You guys would love to come to that. They bring in some great speakers. This year at the Gospel for Asia booth they were giving away the book Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan. I haven't read it yet but know that you should read it. Very conviting and challenging according to those who have. He is the keynote speaker at the banquet next year so we are really looking forward to it. We also got to hear Woodrow Kroll, Marylin Laslow(sp,) and Steve Douglas (president of Campus Crusade) he told us some amazing things going on in missions around the world. Something really interesting about China. I'll have to tell you later or blog about it.

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