Happy Monday friends! I trust you had an enjoyable weekend! Sarah and I have been busy working on our new house. For those of you who may not know, we have moved twice in the course of just 6 weeks. I joke around with my friends and say that all I ever do is go on mission trips and move because that's about all I've gotten done this summer it seems.
We are now living in my grandparents old house and we absolutely love it. In my childhood I spent a lot of my summers and afternoons here. I feel like I'm home! I feel a great sense of peace and happiness here. Even though the moving and the work involved around the moving has been a bit overwhelming, it will definately be worth it!
"I read the news today oh boy" (line from Beatles song) and I gazed in amazement at an article about our not-so-tolerant friends in the Chinese government. It seems they decided to confiscate 300 Chinese Bibles from some women from Kentucky who were attempting to take the Bibles in to distribute to the persecuted Chinese Christians. China, an atheistic-based nation, told them they could have one personal copy for themselves and the rest they would "take care of" (sure they'll take care of them...can we all say bon fire).
I shook my head in disbelief as I read the article, but as I write this I realize that we should never be shocked to read that the Chinese government are allowing Bibles to be taken or that they would arrest and imprison Christians and force them to make Christmas tree lights for us here in the states. A Godless government is going to behave like we would expect a Godless government to behave.
In hindsight, I guess what shocks me the most and yet pleases me the most is to hear that these women were taking a chance. They "got out of the boat" and did something that many are unwilling to do. How many people do you know would try to sneak Bibles into China? Would you be willing to try?
I applaud these bold women! Paul was also willing to take the Truth into nations and areas that were unreceptive. He was persecuted for his actions as well, but his boldness and courage from the Holy Spirit helped spread the truth of the Lord Jesus to a lost world. Jesus told us that if they hated Him that they would hate us too. No, we should never be shocked to hear that persecution happens. Instead we must realize that it exists and is very real.
Even though we may have Joel Olsteen and others like him preaching nothing but fluff, happy skies, smooth sailing, and prosperity to the American Church the believers who are actually doing something for the Kingdom are being arrested, beaten, whipped, and yes killed because they preach and share the Truth of Jesus with the world. I'm sure you won't hear Mr. Olsteen preaching on that side of Christianity. As I said, persecution is real and instead of worrying about how God is going to prosper us we need to be interceding for our brothers and sisters around the world who are bold, brave, and full of courage as they spread the seed of the gospel.
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