A Hobby

I’ve come to the conclusion that there seems to be very little amount of pleasure/hobbies that us Christians can indulge in! Over the years I’ve tried various self-fulfilling hobbies (even money-making hobbies) to occupy my time and every single one usually left me convicted. There were lots, let me assure you and some are even too embarrassing to mention here! But, like in my last post, God is always good and He has been gracious enough to lead me to one that I can enjoy (at least for now ) and possibly make a little money if He so wills.

And that is photography. I’ve always loved it and have been challenged by it. Just as any hobby/passion can divert our attention away from Jesus, this one let’s me come and go as I please. It’s not all that time consuming, I enjoy it when I want and when I get frustrated, I leave it. But the key to it, is to handle it with care. Just like anything, it has the potential to take me down a road that goes against the knowledge of God. Working with models who want to do something “artsy”, viewing other photographers work for inspiration can assault me with nudity at any time, posting even my own work has the potential to be stolen, and then manipulated into something provocative. Never forget the enemy is always at work and in these last days, even more so.

Over the years I have had many failed attempts at stock photography. Did you catch that? Failed. Lots of rejection, lots of hurt feelings and stings to my ego (when I had one), but I never gave up. It encouraged me to work harder (when I wanted to), try new things, ask for opinions, actually use tutorials, work with new editing software, step outside the box alittle, etc. And right now, after all that rejection, I finally had one of my photo’s accepted at a stock photography site! Yay!

I never thought it would happen. Especially after giving up so many times; especially after every time I was turned down, I vowed to give it up forever! Well, things changed when I started this blog and was at a loss for graphics and images. Acquiring free and legal images isn’t always easy (see, God even convicts me on the use of internet pictures!) and the quest can be daunting, not only to get them legally, but to get high-quality images and for FREE. But I do have a couple faithful sites that I use and I have been successful with them. It was on one of my many quests for images that I found the site that accepted my first work of photography (link to the right of the page).

The reason this all started was because each time I posted a new entry here, I would always say to myself, “I should be using my own work!” Well, that developed into a full out endeavor of setting up a work space (in a different room), finding good light, using settings on my camera I’m not used to, buying/working with my new photo editing software, learning the photo/graphics guidelines for the upload site, waiting to be accepted, etc. All of this is very time consuming, so you can see with the limited amount of time I have, that this was something I had to make sacrifices for. And that’s okay. It’s a hobby with a purpose! And most of all, it is God glorifying!

Which after all, is worth pursuing. I want to strive to create more God honoring photo’s that others can utilize in their own works and in mine. And that’s the end result, working to advance the kingdom, posting and sharing the Gospel message, even through photography.

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So much to say…

I have so much to say, but so very little energy to share. Many, many thoughts have been racing inside my mind, begging to get out. And as often as I come to the computer, there never seems to be enough time to get it all out. Except for this:

God is so good to me. So merciful, long-suffering and kind. He is my everything and He works all things to my good even when I can’t see it.

Today was a rough one for so many reasons. My heart is so very burdened with lots of things going on in my life, I just can’t seem to keep it all straight! I’m alone in my house right now which is very unusual, but I couldn’t stop crying this morning/afternoon so my wonderful hubby took the kids to the movies so that I could get some rest.

You’d think I would utilize this time alone to the fullest, but I find myself having difficulty doing any ”utilizing” because the sorrow I felt earlier. It has given me a bad head and neck ache… And now, after the tears are dried, I’m simply worshiping and praising my God for His salvation and for the courageous people He has placed in my life that I can turn to when I need prayers.

There is so much I want to say about the phone interview. The very, very short version is that it went extremely well and that I have already received the paperwork to get the ball rolling.

With Thanksgiving happening just a few days ago, I am double-ly twisted around and muddled in my thinking; add on top of that my oldest child who went to Florida with her grandmother and got sick during this week as well. I am barely hanging on in some ways it seems.

But like I said, God is so good. My daughter came home safe (and with improved health!), I had a good Holiday, the ministry will be soon underway, I’m continuing to witness, and I’m graciously growing in the knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Sometimes that growth is very, very painful though, however needed. If we aren’t being conformed to His image, then what are we doing? Well… we aren’t growing then. And that’s just not good. The Lord is teaching me new things every day. Sometimes I can’t keep up, but it’s what I have been praying about so I can’t stop now or even wish it wasn’t happening.

Today was a day to just weep, I think. To cry over this lost and fallen world, for those who hear the Truth and reject it, for those who are perishing. I even shed tears for my own sin nature and my sometimes large failings/mistakes. I cried for the battlefield in my mind, the war that is continually waged in my flesh, for the exposure of constant blasphemy, and for my senses which are assaulted by the enemy at every turn.

It boils down to simply needing a comforting hug, a pat on the back, a drink of water for the race that has been set before me… a nap. Some down time.

And I got it. I sit here now in the silence, typing this blog. Meditating on the blessings and basking in the love of my Lord, who laid His life down for me. And even in the storm, I received two gifts:

#1 – Psalms 126:5 | They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

and…

#2 – Mercy Me’s, Finally Home:

I’m gonna wrap my arms around my Daddy’s neck
And tell Him that I’ve missed him

And tell him all about the man [girl!] that I became
And hope that it pleased Him

There’s so much I want to say
There’s so much I want you to know.

[chorus]
When I finally make it home when I finally make it home.

Then I’ll gaze upon the throne of the King
Frozen in my steps

And all the questions that I swore I would ask
Words just won’t come yet

So amazed at what I’ve seen so much more
Than this old mind can hold.

[back to chorus]
And the sweetest sound my ears have yet to hear
The voices of the angels.  {but better yet, the voice of my Savior!}

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Simply put, I was very homesick today. Till next time,

YSIC-

Joy

Interview is scheduled!

For Thursday morning at 2pm (was at 10am originally, but it was re-schedule).

I highly covet your prayers because I have a daughter who is 3… and likes to misbehave the moment I get on the phone.

Pray that God’s hand be in it. All of my references have been called and I do not know what was asked or what was said. I’m praying it was positive, but you know how interviews go… they always ask for a “negative”!

Well, I’m trying not to worry about it too much. I just want God’s will be done. And of course, all glory to Him!

Will post more later. It’s a crazy busy week for me with our church’s fall revival going on.

YSIC,

Joy

So… now what?

Well, at this present time, I feel like I’m in limbo a bit. Waiting for the reference checks, waiting to know what it is I need to do in the VVN (Voice Volunteer Network with VOM), etc. doesn’t have to be daunting though… at least where bible study is concerned.

During this down time, I’d really like to share some great life applications I’m learning in John MacArthur’s book, Living The Risen Life. It’s a study on Colossians 3 and 4 and it’s really good. I seem to consistently ask myself, where was all this material years ago when I really needed it?! But it’s really okay since I have it now, right? God did not leave me where I was, so that’s an *awesome* thing to remember! If you are learning and growing no matter how slow it seems, be joyful that there is growth at all! I know I am!

I don’t have a lot of time to go over what I’m learning right this second, but I do promise you, we will get into it. I want to share it with anyone who will read, to anyone who echoes the “me” that I was 20 years ago. A girl in a boat lost at sea with no direction… Well, I did have direction, but I didn’t utilize it, so it is partly my fault. But if you want direction, and want to know how you should be living your life in the midst of storms and have that desire to learn, John MacArthur is a good teacher. The Holy Spirit is better (sorry, John), of course, but this book isn’t to be passed up even though it’s over 20 years old. Biblical truth doesn’t change, right?

I’ll leave with a scripture passage the Lord lead me to today. And it’s a goodie!

Isaiah 43:10-12, 18,19 |

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared , and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

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YSIC,

Joy

Conversion

For those reading this blog for the first time, I invite you to know some things about me. You may know some of them, or you may not, or maybe you have just heard certain things. Maybe you don’t know me at all. In any event, the bottom line is this: my life is changing. Over the course of the last couple years, it has changed dramatically. And for the better!

It started when I discovered that in my walk with God that there was less and less clean pleasure left in this world as a follower of Christ. When He said the road was narrow, He really meant it! And I never realized the gravity of that statement until I accepted the fact that there were a lot of things in my life that did/do not glorify Him and that was the pivotal point. I shudder to think all the things I was doing 5 years ago, and it hurts to think what I allowed in my life even a year ago. Now, I am at a place where I don’t want to play games anymore. Playtime is over and a ministry must begin.

I’m learning that when you choose to follow Christ and walk with Him every single day, when you ask Him to show you His ways, to show you what’s not glorifying (you might be surprised) in your life, where your hidden sin lies, He truly DOES. And the bad news is is that you may not like it. But that’s okay! It’s what the sactification process is all about and the end result is getting closer to God! When you realize how worthless your life is without Jesus and turn to Him, this happens:

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“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true – it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.” 1 John 2:27 (NLT)

If you want to be serious in your walk, or if you are serious about simply knowing God, or who He is and what He is capable of showing you and teaching you, then ask Him. Ask Him for the strength and the courage to handle it. If nothing frightens you more than the thought of God saying this to you:

“But… I do not know you, [or] where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.” Luke 13:27 (NKJV)

Then I would suggest you get to know Him now. Get busy and pick up your cross. Get busy picking it up and following the Lord Jesus with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength and all your soul. When you seek Him with all your heart, He will answer you through His Word. He will reveal His will for your life and what it is that He would have you to do.

“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38 (KJV)

What the Lord has shown me first is that I need to: grow in grace and knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18). Second, be ready and willing to serve Him. Because we each have been given a spiritual gift; as the Apostle Paul says,

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I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God…

So we , being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether;

• Prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or
• Ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or
• He that teacheth , on teaching; or
• He that exhorteth, on exhortation:
• He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;
• He that ruleth, with diligence;
• He that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

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That is a passage from Romans 12 (very good chapter by the way). It has taken me many years to study God’s Word and actually apply it to my life. That is the KEY: application. You can read the Word day in day out (which is good by the way) and never live it (and that is not good). I know this because I did it myself. I’ve gone so many years living in the “infant” stage of Christianity and it was not good! I might have touched on becoming a “young man (or, woman )” as spoken of in the first book of John a few times, but more frequently that not, remained a newborn… floundering and starving and crying out for the milk of the Word.

It is true that we have no need of a man to teach us anything when we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, however, after we accept His free gift of salvation and make Him Lord of our lives, we MUST have the desire to learn more about Him or we grieve Him. There must first be a fear of the Lord and what He can do because that is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). And once you are in that place of wanting to learn His ways and live in them, He will reveal to you what it is that He wants you to do, what His will is, what gifts He gives, i.e., whether that’s ministering, teaching, exhorting, giving mercy, etc. as stated above. For me, all I want to do is minister to the persecuted church (the main topic of this blog), be a prayer warrior and witness to others all the things He has done in my life.

The point of this post is to tell everyone here and now, that I am not who I was. Words could never describe how many years I lived shamefully… how many times I messed up… how many times I flaunted my own sin and lived under the guise of “Christian”. Professing the name of Christ, yet abusing drugs and alcohol, unsavory speech, sexual sin, adultry, gossipping, railing, accusing, deceit, lying, you name it, I’ve probably done it. But mark my words hear and now. THAT’S OVER. All of that is DONE. I do not and will not let those past grievances define me. I have sought forgiveness. I stand on the promises of God, He IS faithful to forgive us and I have sought it out and accepted it. I am no longer the person I was. There is no more shame and guilt. I no longer want to live like a “secret Christian”!! My life is now devoted to picking up my cross, following Christ and fulfilling this burden in my heart for the persecuted.

That is how you will know me now. Born again, blood bought, purchased at Calvary, follower of Jesus Christ and I am not ashamed. Call me a holy roller. Call me a religious fanatic. Call me a Jesus Freak. I am all of the above.

So with that being said, I want to touch on something I read on a message board the other day about some people betting on the fact that they would be “surprised” to see certain people in heaven. That thought took root in my mind and I cultivated it a little bit. The question is will I be surprised to see certain people heaven? One part of me says, “Well, maybe I will be surprised.” And then the indignate part of me says, “I certainly hope I’m not surprised!”

I tell you a truth; there are certainly exceptions, but it shouldn’t be the rule where anyone is surprised to see individuals who name the name of Christ in heaven! And with all seriousness and heavy heart I fervently pray that it isn’t any surprise for my friends and family to see ME there. What a shame that would be! What a disgrace! And is that even possible?! For one to go their whole life following Christ in secret? That it’s a surprise for the world to see them in heaven and that they were a follower of Christ on earth? Folks, I just don’t know. I shudder to think of the consequences of being wrong. Living like the world, yet a devoted Christian in secret?

I don’t want that to be me. So now, I declare: I am not afraid to be held accountable. I am not afraid to look in the mirror. I am not afraid to be shown my faults. And now, I want to live up the huge responsibility of this high calling and devote myself to the ministry God has granted me. This is my Decleration of Dependence on Christ and to glorify Him in all things. To everyday grow in grace and to grow in the knowledge of Him. I can do no less. I love Him because He loved me first, when He loved me enough to give His life for me. He is my everything and I truly, love Him more every day. And then when the time comes that He calls me home and I enter His Kingdom, it won’t be a surprise to anyone.

What I ask now to you all is; will people be surprised to see you there, or will they even see you at all?

YSIC,

Joy

A call was made!

The ball is rolling!

A VOM rep called one of my references today. Unfortunately though, she was not able to talk at the time because she was at work… I’m hopeful that she calls back tomorrow. What’s embarrassing is, I forgot to tell her that I had used her for a reference! Oops!

So when she called me asking what “VOM” was all about, I got a little tongue tied. I hope I didn’t mar my credibility in any way. She is a close friend, so I’m not too worried. I’m just really excited to see this ministry get under way. I also couldn’t be very helpful to her in that I really don’t know what they are going to ask her. I said that they would probably ask about church attendance, my character, my morals. I’ve never done this before, so I am at a total loss. 

Well, for now this is the only news to report. I covet your prayers that the reference checks go well, that God’s hand would be in it. I’m trusting Him. I’m praying for His perfect will. That this ministry will edify the Body of Christ in all restricted nations. That I can be a voice for the persecuted.

YSIC,

Joy

Oh, and edited to add: Enjoy the pic of the cute kitty! He’s a handsome fella ain’t he?

Day Of Prayer

It is now 1:23pm.

The day has slipped way beyond my fingers, sad to say. I had big plans, but a couple fell through. Like church. I had every intention of going, but my 3rd daughter is getting over a cold, plus the thought of quietly studying God’s Word in the silence of my dining room sounded just too good. So I did. I studied, but I mainly worked on my scripture memorization cards which stole most of my time. Then I was disappointed in myself because I devoted prayer time to several other people and neglected the fact that today is the National Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Please, I implore you all. If you can spare 5 minutes of prayer, please do so. Every little bit helps. I have prayed already, and plan to pray again and throughout the entire day.

The disappointment I feel now is due to waking up late, spending what time I did have on my own studies, and now I’m pulled in 10 different directions because of my family. Groceries, promised bike rides, leaf clean up, clothes pick up from a friend, prepping for school, nursing a sick kid, are all time stealers to me now. I feel like I can’t keep my head straight! Plus all the myriad of things I need to keep track of for tomorrow! Argh!

I’m trying to remain focused. In whatever I do today, I pray that it brings glory to Christ. Father, I pray, that you would remember those that are in bonds, that are suffering. Let them feel your presence today above all else. Give them Your love, give them the strength and assurance they need to press toward the prize, to win this race for Your Only Son. No matter the cause, no matter the pain. Please. We boldly approach your throne on their behalf. Lift them up, bless them, shine upon them all. We ask in the precious and mighty name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

This is my prayer today. My heart is with them. My mind tries to wrap around the thoughts of their suffering and tries to imagine it. As I sit and play and have fun in the sunshine, I don’t think I can ever fully appreciate their pain. I am blessed beyond words and sometimes I feel guilty for being so blessed. The only thing I can do now is prepare. To grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior NOW, for the day may come where I can not. And that is what I need to keep in rememberance. There may come a day where we, here, in our comfort may one day face the same sufferings. Are you prepared?

YSIC,

Joy

I dreamed I was being executed…

…last night, and it’s still haunting me today. Enough to post about it now.

What I remember is being chained up, and on my knees with a sword to the back of my neck. All I knew was that I was going to be beheaded for my faith.

And I can not explain the dread I felt at knowing that I was going to die. To say I was completely at peace for giving my life up for the Lord would be totally untrue. What’s disturbing was the amount of helplessness and despair I felt.

Not one of us can say how we will react in our final moments. What I do know is that we are promised to be given the words to speak by the Holy Spirit. I also know that the death of the Lord’s saints are precious to Him, and I also know that death has no sting for us as born again believers.

So, I woke up this morning and immediately remembered the Lord’s words, “Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid…” Upon realizing that it was a dream, I had to immediately go to scripture, and it was there that I found peace that flooded my soul.

Dreams are just that; dreams. They are not reality. I do not know how I will die. I can only pray that in my final moments it will be Jesus Himself before me, waiting and that it is Him that will give me the courage to not falter, to not fail Him no matter the pain. That is my prayer. It’s amazing to me how subtle the enemy can creep in, how destructive our feelings and our own subconscience can be that turn us away from the Truth. And so quickly!

Dying is on my mind a lot. I don’t know if that’s necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. I actually daydream about it! I don’t think there is anything wrong with thinking about how it will be when we see our Savior face to face. It will be incredible, I do know that much. And I can’t wait for it.

There is more I can say, but I am pressed for time right now. My girls are coming home in just a little bit, so I will have to catch up with you all later.

YSIC,

Joy

Three Prisoners Today

That need our prayers, letters and support. 

 

On Feb. 4, Gao Zhisheng, was abducted by Chinese secret police from his hometown. Since 2005, Gao has been repeatedly arrested, imprisoned and severely tortured by Chinese authorities, mostly for his work defending Chinese Christians. In 2006, he and a group of prominent human rights lawyers created the Association of Human Rights Attorneys for Chinese Christians. In 2007, he was arrested and spent over 50 days behind bars where he was tortured. “I was beaten so badly that my whole body began shaking uncontrollably on the floor,” Gao writes of his torture in an open letter.The Chinese government does not acknowledge that Gao is in one of their prisons, as a result his letters of encouragement are being mailed to the Chinese embassy in Washington DC.

 

I read about Gao a few months ago. Sad to say that his whereabouts are still unknown. Gao does have a wife and children if I remember correctly. I encourage you to pray for not only him, but his wife and children as well.

In September 2007 Chinese government officials closed Alimujiang Yimiti’s business and accused him of using it as a cover up for “preaching Christianity among people of Uyghur ethnicity.” He was later arrested in January 2008 and accused of “subversion of the national government and endangering national security,” a crime punishable by death. Alimujiang, a former Muslim, became a Christian more than 10 years ago and has been an active Christian in the growing Uyghur church. On May 27 Alimujiang’s case went to trial. His case was referred back to the Chinese Public Security Bureau’s prosecutors due to “insufficient evidence.” He remains in custody.

 

There is an address for Alimujiang so a letter can be written. PrisonerAlert.com will have information on how to do this if you are interested. Or, you can contact me and I can help you as well.

 

On June 10, a Chinese court sentenced Christian bookstore owner, Shi Weihan,38, to three years in prison for “illegal business operations,” and imposed a US$21,975 fine, according to China Aid Association. Shi Weihan operated a legal bookstore and only sold books with the government’s approval. His Holy Spirit Trading Company printed Bibles and Christian literature and distributed then freely to local house churches. Weihan was arrested in November 2007 for printing and distributing Bibles and other Christian literature. He was released in January 2008 due to insufficient evidence, but was arrested again in March and held indefinitely. China Aid reported his sentence will run from November 2007 to November 2010. Believers hope that Weihan could appeal his sentence because of medical reasons. While in prison his diabetic condition worsened.

 

I don’t think any of us have any clue what it would be like to operate a business only to have the government control it. To see that an entity can tell you what you can and can not sell. And on top of that, if you sell something that they are against they can put you in prison. We heartily need to be approaching the Throne of Grace on Shi’s behalf due to his medical condition. All it takes is a few moments and it can make all the difference in the world for him. Shi is also able to receive letters at the detainment center where he is held.

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Thank you for reading. These men desperately need us to pray for them and to uphold them. Will you take just a moment to plead to our Heavenly Father on their behalf?

Be-A-Voice.Net

I signed up for this network today. I am excited to be a part of it as a volunteer. It will include the following:

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PRAY for the persecuted. Often we ask Christians who have been tortured, arrested or abused, what they need most. They answer emphatically, “Please pray for us.” Be-A-Voice Network makes it effortless to pray for the suffering church. Join now and receive up-to-date prayer bulletins to share with friends and family to grow your prayer network.

 

WRITE to prisoners: “Please don’t stop. The letters are a great encouragement …” says Joseph, a Chinese Christian, on behalf of Li Ying, imprisoned in China for loving Jesus. We’ve seen how letters give strength to Christian prisoners and their families. In some cases letters have even led to a prisoner’s early release.

 

SHARE their voice: As a member of the Be-A-Voice Network you can send FREE copies of Tortured for Christ, written by VOM’s founder Richard Wurmbrand, to Christian friends and family members.

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If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, you can sign up at the address that I used for the title.

If you have a heart for the persecuted, I would highly encourage you to do it! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Yours In Christ,

Joy