The Precious Book

A while back I started Beth Moore's latest Bible study called "James: Mercy Triumphs". As part of the study she has provided several lined pages at the back of the workbook so that we can hand write the book of James as we study it. One day I was sitting at the kitchen table copying verses from James into my workbook when my husband walked through the kitchen and asked what I was doing. When I explained it to him he made a comment that I have not forgotten. He said, "You know there are people who would give their lives for that!"  

It actually took just a few seconds for that to sink into my brain... for me to realize the full impact of what he was saying. Sometimes I forget that what we as Christians in America often take for granted...reading our Bibles...is forbidden in many countries around the world. And what Benny said is so true! There are many people each day who risk their lives...sometimes lose their lives...by either having or trying to get a copy of God's Word.

One such place that I have recently read about is North Korea. Bibles are strictly forbidden there. The Voice of the Martyrs organization has come up with the idea of writing scriptures on sturdy, bright orange balloons and floating them into North Korea for people to find. I read the story of one family who found a balloon like this.  (taken from VOM Persecution Blog) 

“Grandma, look at what I found!” The young North Korean girl was so excited. She was holding something she had never seen before. The grandmother looked at it with her failing eyes but could not make out the details. So she called the girl’s mother. “Please come tell me what this child has found.”

    The elderly woman’s daughter entered the room and took the item from her mother’s wrinkled hand. Her daughter began to reads the words printed on the well-constructed plastic balloon. “The Lord Jesus loves you. Your brothers and sisters have not forgotten you. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.” 


    The grandmother exclaimed, “It’s Scripture! They’ve sent us Bible verses on a balloon! Please keep reading.” 


    The plastic balloon held words of encouragement for the three generations of North Koreans. It contained a message from Christians in the West and over six hundred Bible verses taking the reader from the the cross, to the second coming of Jesus Christ. In the last decade, over one hundred thousand of these “Scripture balloons” have been floated into North Korea.

How very precious is this book containing God's Words to mankind! These stories about persecuted nations remind me that I should read my Bible as often as possible and be aware that this is indeed a precious gift and not a guaranteed right or privilege of people everywhere!

In a campmeeting in 1998 I heard a preacher quote a poem about the Bible which I had never heard before. After the service I found him in the crowd and asked him if he would write the poem down for me. He did and I wrote it in the front of my Bible. Here is one verse of the poem which is titled "The Precious Book".

Though the cover is worn 
 

And the pages are torn 
 

And places bear traces of tears, 
 

Yet more precious than gold 
 

Is the Book worn and old, 


That can shatter and scatter my fears.

(Written by: Bernice Peyman)

I would like to leave you with a thought from one of my favorite preachers, Dr. Adrian Rogers:

"These hath God married

and no man shall part, dust on the Bible and drought in the heart. "

In these days we certainly can't afford to have a drought in our heart can we?  I know I don't want that. So when you pick up your Bible today, remember what a precious Book you hold. And the truth of what my husband said about my handwritten copy of the book of James..."There are people who would give their lives to have that!"

God bless you!

Marilyn

It Sure Is Quiet !

Many times when someone comes to visit us for the first time, the first words out of their mouth when they step out of their car are, ”It sure is quiet here!”  And they’re right. Compared to the hustle and bustle and noise of cities and even small towns, our little farm sure is quiet. And we like it that way.  Psalm 107:30 reminds me of our place: “Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” The Lord brought us to this quiet place thirty-six years ago and I am still glad!

But sometimes that same phrase “It sure is quiet!” can take on a different meaning if you have small children in the house. Usually kids make noise.  I can remember a neighbor of ours down the road telling me how she loved to hear our kids outside laughing and singing and playing.  Noise was the norm.  So when the noise stopped and it got very quiet, I knew it was time to go investigate because there might be trouble brewing!

On a more personal note, have you ever been thinking about your relationship with people and even God and said to yourself, “It sure is quiet!”?  Meaning that there is a lack of communication between you and others.  When people stop talking to us, it’s usually a sign something has gone wrong somewhere. Maybe on our side. Maybe on theirs. Whatever the reason, if it’s a relationship we want to continue, we have to get communication going again. If it gets quiet between me and God though, I know that it’s my fault because He always wants to talk to me. It could be that I’ve not been reading my Bible as I should. Or I’ve not been taking time to talk to Him in prayer like I used to .  Whatever the reason it’s up to me to get the conversation going again.

One time when it’s really good to be able to say, “It sure is quiet!” is if I am talking about the restful peace I have when everything is good between me and my God. There’s just a sweetness and quietness about the spirit when we can know that we are saved and trying to find God’s will in our lives.  1 Peter 3:4 “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

I hope that if the words “It sure is quiet” find themselves into your conversation today, it will be because you are either in a quiet, peaceful place physically and/or spiritually and not because your children are finding mischief to get into or that you’re not hearing from God!

May God bless us all with the right kind of  a “quiet” day!

Marilyn

I Needed That !

I can't remember how long before today that it's been since I got outside and walked! Way too long for sure! I just kept telling myself that "I don't have time today".  My todays kept turning into weeks and then into months.

This morning when I woke up I determined that I was going to try my best to get dressed right away and walk at least one mile.  And I am so glad I did! I needed that!

As I walked in the cool of the morning in the shaded driveway with our dog Blackie at my side, I began to feel myself unwinding. I  began to hear the birds singing.  I began to notice the beauty on every side that I so often take for granted.

Then I hear a soft whispering sound. At first it caught me off guard and then I realized it was the wind in the top of the trees.  It was almost as if God was whispering to me or "shushing" me like a mother does to her whimpering child. I felt His peace. It made me smile as I looked up through the tops of the tall trees into the blue heavens above. I softly told God "Thank You" for taking time to speak to me in such a special way this morning.

Have you taken time to let God speak to you lately?

God bless you!

Marilyn