Today's Christian Living January 2023

The door is always open

our Chaplains at Acts Retirement-Life Communities, loving-kindness is more than just words, it’s a mission and a calling. It’s a dedication to being there for residents, staff, and family whenever they need support, spiritual guidance, or someone to listen. That’s what makes Acts different: The values we share; the faith in God’s grace. Find out how retirement can lift your spirit. Call today.

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A Lifelong Pursuit by

Stephanie Rische

Jerry Jenkins shares valuable insights gained and lessons learned throughout his writing journey.

12 1st Place Contest Winner

Alem’s Hope by Cindy Richardson

When God broke through Alem’s suffering and anger, her sorrow turned to joy. Read her story, told by her now-dear friend, Cindy.

14 2nd Place Contest Winner

Faith is Spelled R-I-S-K by Annie Yorty

When heath issues threatened to cancel her upcoming mission trip to Belarus, God helped Annie overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

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3rd Place Contest Winner

The Great Purpose of Cheese Sandwiches by Krystal Boelk

Grand gestures have their place, but it’s faithfulness in the small things God usually asks of us. See how Krystal’s obedience touched her neighbors.

20 Called to the Poorest of the Poor

An interview with Heidi Baker, Iris Global Ministries

The work is difficult, dangerous, and filled with untold blessings. Read about the life journey that took Heidi and Rolland Baker to Northern Mozambique and their work there.

23 The Best Way to Encourage Kids

by William Daniel

Let this recently published young author offer some advice, from a kid’s perspective, about how adults can encourage younger generations.

The Only Thing

That

Matters by Cheryl Weber & Andrew Zimmerman

Sometimes we have to reach the bottom before we’re willing to reach up for help. Andrew’s story is a testament to God’s unfailing care, even through rebellious seasons.

Our Amazing God

It’s interesting to watch each issue of Today’s Christian Living unfold. I begin, a few months in advance, with some vague ideas of the direction I’d like to take, but in the end, God orchestrates the content. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

For instance, Heidi Baker agreed to do an interview about her missions work in Northern Mozambique long before Jeff Sell ers submitted his column focusing on persecution in Northern Mozambique. Isn’t that amazing?

A heartfelt congratulations to our 2022 Writing Contest Winners! Each tells a story of God’s amazing provision and care in difficult circumstances. Please take a moment to read the “Writing Contest Honor Roll.” It seemed a fitting way to recog nize the people or things our other contest entrants are thankful for.

Sometimes we are amazed by how much bigger God’s thoughts are than ours (see “Grace Notes”). At other times, we’re amazed by a change of heart, even a seemingly small one, as in this issue’s “Turning Point.”

I’m always amazed by the wonder of all God created; the vastness of it, the variety of it, the intricacy of it. It’s a constant reminder to me that, in His sovereignty, He set all things in motion and declared them “good.” Even though sin has corrupted all of creation, God continues to reveal Himself to us through the world He made.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” -Romans 1:20

After due consideration, our team decided to move “The Daily Bible Connection” out of print. You can find this reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app by search ing for M’Cheyne 2-year Bible reading plan.

Here are a few more resources for finding a new reading plan:

1. If you have a smart-phone or internet access, find the YouVersion app or visit www.youversion.com There are hundreds (maybe even thousands) of read ing plans to suit everyone.

2. Visit www.bibleproject.com, for a read through the Bible in a year program that you can download to your computer. It comes with free video commen taries that explain some of the Bible books and topics related to your reading.

3. If working on a computer isn’t your forte, find someone to help you download and print the free two-year Bible reading plan available through The Gospel Coalition at www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/two-year-bible-reading-plan/ You may also be able to pick up an already-printed plan through a local church. Many churches make them available.

May God reveal Himself to you in amazing ways in the days to come.

In Christ, Michelle Adserias, Editor

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Vol. 61 No. 1

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Editor

Michelle Adserias michellea@jpmediallc.com

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By

HOPE

Jerry Rose is an internationally known Christian broadcaster and is former president/ CEO of the Total Living Network. He currently serves as TLN’s chairman of the board and hosts the Emmy awardwinning program Significant Living. Jerry is an ordained minister and the author of five books, including Deep Faith for Dark Valleys and Significant Living, coauthored with his wife, Shirley. He is the past president of the National Religious Broadcasters and currently serves on its board of directors. Jerry is an avid golfer, equestrian, photographer, and grandfather of 20.

Shirley Rose has been in ministry with her husband, Jerry, for more than 30 years. Her career in Christian television focused on hosting several programs, including the Emmy Award-winning women’s program

Aspiring Women. She has authored five books, including The Eve Factor, A Wise Woman Once Said…, and Significant Living, and has contributed to numerous anthologies and periodicals. She is actively pursuing her calling to help other women through writing, speaking, and hosting women’s groups in her home. Her favorite pastimes are country line dancing, travel, and spending time with her 20 grandchildren.

The date was December 17, 1903. The place was Kitty Hawk. As the Wright Brothers were preparing to launch their flimsy handbuilt aircraft, they had high hopes it would actu ally fly. It was hope that motivated them to invest the time, money and labor in flight research and the construction of their first flying machine. There was no guarantee the aircraft would be suc cessful, and you can bet there were many who assured them it wouldn’t. But that day at Kitty hawk, hope became reality when the “Wright Fly er” flew for 12 seconds, traveling 120 feet, at a top speed of 6.8 mph. This marked the beginning of the aviation industry.

Hope is an essential element of human exis tence. It is a motivator. It provides the emotional impetus to move us forward. Without hope life is void of meaning. According to neuroscience expert Mark Robert Aldman, “Embracing hope is probably the most important thing we need to maintain a healthy brain and lifestyle.” He says, “It stimulates the immune system, it motivates us to take action, and it turns off the worry cen ters. Without hope we slip into depression and the brain begins to shut down.”

The late Dr Richard Lazarus, former Harvard professor said, “to hope is to believe that some thing positive, which does not presently apply to one’s life could still materialize, and we yearn for it. And I might add we are motivated to actively seek to make it happen.”

While hope is essential for success, it also sus tains us through the dark valleys of life. Hope is the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Job’s story is a remarkable example of hope as a sustaining force. He lost all his wealth including his house, all his livestock, his household servants, and even his ten children. Finally, a skin disease pro duced painful sores all over his body and caused Job unimaginable suffering. Add to that a wife who tells him to curse God and die and “friends” that unjustly blame it all on his sin. Imagine the depth of his suffering! If there was ever a reason to lose hope, Job had it. However, he never lost hope be cause it was anchored in his unshakeable trust in God. Even in tragic loss and excruciating pain, his faith sustained him. “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him… Indeed this will turn out for my de liverance.” (Job 13:15, 16)

Best-selling author Holley Gerth put it like this. “Hope is a seed that God plants in our hearts to remind us there are better things ahead.” And for Job, there were certainly better things ahead. God restored all he’d lost and his wealth doubled. God gave him seven sons and beautiful daughters. “Job died, being old and full of days.” (Job 42:17)

Hope for the Future

We live in stressful, even frightening, times. We’ve just come through the isolation of a pan demic. We appear to be on the cusp of a recession. With sky-high prices and retirement accounts fad ing, people are stretched to the breaking point fi nancially. Violence is on the rise. We are experienc ing rapid moral decay. For the first time in decades there’s talk of “nuclear holocaust.” However, in all of this, Christians have a hope that transcends cir cumstances. Like Job, our hope is not dependent on externals. We have God’s promise He will care for us and that better days are ahead. Job 11:18-19 says, “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.”

I recall a course I took in college that was espe cially difficult. I wrote a note on the inside cover of my notebook that I read on the way to class every day. It said, “This too shall pass.” It did, and thank fully so did I.

Whatever challenge you face, even if it seems hopeless, it isn’t. Never, ever lose hope. Take time to draw closer to Christ. Spend time in prayer and the Word. Tuck the promises of God away in your heart, and stay connected with other faith-filled, positive Christians. I leave you with these incred ible words from a well-known hymn.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…All other ground is sinking sand. *

*(“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”, Edward Mote)

Jerry and Shirley Rose

Jerry B. Jenkins with his wife Dian na and children (L. to R) Chadwick, Michael, and Dallas.

A Lifelong

PURSUIT

Jerry Jenkins Reflects on Five Decades of Writing

By Stephanie Rische

If you’ve ever perused the shelves of a Christian bookstore or spent any time looking at Christian books online, you are no doubt familiar with the name Jerry Jenkins. Over the past five decades, he has written more than 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers.

While he may be most familiar as the coauthor of the bestselling Left Behind series, he has written in a wide variety of genres, from sports writ ing to biblical fiction to young adult novels. He is the author of biographies about icons such as Hank Aaron, Wal ter Payton, and Orel Hershiser, and he assisted Billy Graham with his memoir, Just as I Am . Most recently, he has released The Chosen series—novels based on the global video phenomenon by the same name, created by his son Dallas.

One Dollar Per Inch

Looking back on Jerry’s storied career, it seems inevitable that he’d find success as a writer. But he got his start simply, flowing out of his love for sports. “As a teen, I was constant ly reading Sports Illustrated and the local newspaper sports pages. I would make up sports articles and peck them out on a manual typewriter, trying to imitate my favorite sports writers.” At age 14, Jerry asked the sports editor of the local daily newspaper if they needed any sports writers, claiming he was one.

“I was a big kid and looked older than I was. So, when he assigned me some high school games to cover, he didn’t realize I wasn’t old enough to drive yet—or that my mother was waiting for me in the parking lot.” Jerry’s mom would take him to games and then to the newspaper office, where

he would write his accounts and the sports editor would ag gressively edit them. “I got a quarter of a million clichés out of my system and learned a ton from his editing. Whatever survived his ferocious red pencil earned me one dollar per inch in the paper, so I can say I’ve been writing professionally since I was a teenager. Five years later, I became the sports editor of that paper.”

Jerry published his first book, Sam my Tippit: God’s Love in Action , when he was just 23. It was a first-person, astold-to autobiography about a young evangelist. “That book has seen four new iterations over the last 50 years, and the author and I remain close.”

Jerry was working for a Christian publishing house called Scripture Press at the time. “This gave me the advantage of knowing how to go about querying publishers. I sent a proposal to Broadman Press, (which was connected to the Southern Baptist denomination), because Sammy was Southern Baptist. It happened that they had been thinking about assigning someone to do a book on him—I was in the right place at the right time.”

One of Jerry’s big breaks came with his fourth book, when he was asked to help with the biography of Hall of Fame baseball star Hank Aaron. “That experience and that credit opened many doors for me. It won me assignments for books with Walter Payton, Nolan Ryan, Meadowlark Lemon, Joe Gibbs, and other famous athletes. I think it also played a role in my being asked to assist Billy Graham with his memoir, Just As I Am , which I consider the privilege of a lifetime.”

“Writers and runners love to be able to do what they do; they love the training, the getting better, the results, the rewards. But loving it? Not till it’s done.”

“Writing Is What I Do”

When he’s asked what has surprised him about his journey as a writer, Jerry says, “I’m surprised that I am mono-gifted. I had hoped to be more widely talented, but one has to be realistic. I don’t mean to sound falsely mod est, but knowing I have just this one gift has motivated me to exercise it all the more. I don’t sing or dance or preach. Writing is what I do.”

Although Jerry may be best known for his novels, the first 17 or 18 books he wrote were nonfiction. “I feel blessed because I know not everyone who writes nonfiction can also succeed with fiction.” When it comes to fic tion, Jerry describes himself as a “pantser”— someone who writes by the seat of his pants. He sees writing novels as a process of discov ery: putting interesting characters in difficult situations and writing to find out what happens. “But that doesn’t work for nonfiction. When I’m writing nonfiction, I’m a meticulous outliner, interviewer, and researcher.”

Jerry’s research takes him to a variety of sources, both in libraries and online. He relies on almanacs, atlases, his tory books, and lots of interviews—for both fiction and

nonfiction. He also makes use of consultants when possible. Where do his ideas for novels come from? “I make ’em up!” he says. “The truth is, my ideas are usually the result of two disparate concepts bouncing around in my head until they meld into something I find interesting. I am insatiably curious and wide ly read, so I have more ideas than I’ll be able to use in a lifetime.”

Like Running a Marathon

Despite having so many books to his name, Jerry still faces challenges when he sits down to write. The most difficult part? Getting started. “Even after all this time, I am the king of procrastinators—though I never miss a deadline. When it’s time to write, I tidy my office, even if no visitors are expected. I read pill bottles, labels, cereal boxes—you name it. I even sharp en my pencils. Who uses pencils? I haven’t used one since fourth grade! Anything to put off the writing.”

According to Jerry, one of the common misconceptions people have about writers is that they love writing. “Some do, I’m sure,” he says. “But I’ve found that writing done well

TheCHOSEN

Based on the video series The Chosen, the highest crowd-funded media project of all time, The Chosen novels by Jerry Jenkins dig into the backstories and context of the people and events of the gospels. “Jesus is naturally hard to identify with because He’s perfect,” Jerry says. “The challenge is to render Him accessible and portray Him as a friend you’d love to be around. One of the secrets is giving him a sense of humor so we’re not put off by an ethereal being who just proclaims truths in Elizabethan English all the time. And, of course, it’s important to stay absolutely true to the biblical account. It’s great to imagine what leads up to those accounts, but once I get there, I don’t deviate from Scripture.”

Jerry and his son Dallas, the creator of the video series, have been blown away by the response from viewers. “I’ve never seen anything like it. After hundreds of millions of views, people in every country of the world rave about how the TV show has given them a whole new view of knowing Jesus. Readers have been kind as well, expressing their gratitude for the imagined backstories and the authenticity of the disciples and other orbital characters.” Stories—whether on screen or on the page—have the power to touch people and transform lives. “People love to be educated and entertained, but they never forget when they have been emotionally moved. Jesus used parables to communicate eternal truths. We can’t have a better example than that.”

Jerry with his wife, Dianna. (photo credit: Sally Dunn)

is too grueling to love while you’re doing it. The stuff that comes easy edits hard, and vice versa.” He compares writing to running a marathon (“Not that I’ve ever done that!”). Ask a marathon runner at the 20-mile mark, “Don’t you just love running?” and you may not get the response you were hop ing for. “Writers and runners love to be able to do what they do; they love the training, the getting better, the results, the rewards. But loving it? Not till it’s done.”

Jerry notes that no matter how experienced an author is, writing requires grit and perseverance. “About halfway through every book, I tend to hit a wall and wonder why I ever thought I could do this. I have to remind myself I’ve done it before and that I have no other skills to fall back on. There’s no substitute for staying at the task.” Writing, it turns out, is a lifelong pursuit. “You will never arrive, but you must continue to grow.”

Identifying True Success

Jerry says that his faith is the reason he writes. “Noth ing compares with hearing from readers who say they have come to faith because of something I’ve written. Many au thors have people tell them, ‘Your book changed my life,’ but it’s something else again when they tell you they have gone from darkness to light, literally from death to life.”

That said, he doesn’t view writing as a calling. “At age 16, I felt a definite call to full-time Christian work. I believed I would have to give up my writing and become a pastor or a missionary. But a wise counselor urged me not to be too quick to give up my writing. She said, ‘God often equips us before He calls us, and writing may be the vehicle you use to fulfill this call.’ That has not only proven true, but it also has shaped the way I view success.” For Jerry, success is not about bestsellers, reviews, or royalty checks. It’s about obe dience. “I obey the call when I write the manuscript. I have no control over those other things anyway. They are up to God and the marketplace. That takes a lot of pressure off me.” 

Stephanie Rische edits and writes in the Chicago area, where she lives with her husband and two sons. When she isn’t chasing down commas or little boys, she blogs at stephanierische.com . Her memoir, I Was Blind (Dating), but Now I See , recounts how God surprised her with his grace and love.

Jerry B. Jenkins with his son, Dallas, creator of The Chosen video series.

Iwent to the doctor for my yearly physical. The nurse starts with the basics. “How much do you weigh?” she asks.

“115,” I say.

The nurse puts me on the scale. It turns out my weight is 140. The nurse asks, “Your height?”

“5 foot 8,” I say.

The nurse checks and sees that I only measure 5’5”. She then takes my blood pressure and tells me it is very high.

“OF COURSE IT’S HIGH!” I scream, “When I came in here I was tall and slender! Now I’m short and fat!”

From Mikey’s Funnies (www.mikeysfunnies.com)

While I was preaching in a church in Mississippi, the pastor announced that their prison quartet would be singing the following evening. I wasn’t aware there was a prison in the vicinity and I looked forward to hearing them.

The next evening, I was puzzled when four members of the church approached the stage. Then the pastor introduced them.

“This is our prison quartet,” he said, “behind a few bars and always looking for the key.”

From Mikey’s Funnies (www.mikeysfunnies.com)

RICH VILLODAS lead pastor of New Life Fellowship author of The Deeply Formed Life and Good and Beautiful and Kind

Are you ready to stop living reactively, feeling emotionally exhausted, and instead experience freedom to invest time and energy into the people you value most? The Intentional Year is your guide to live into the purpose you were made for. With stories, practices, and a roadmap to intentionality, Holly and Glenn Packiam will help you practice simple, sustainable, lifegiving rhythms of an intentional life.

“The life you long for won’t emerge by accident. You need a plan. And I can’t think of a better place to start than here.”

1ST PLACE

ALEM’S HOPE

By Cindy Richardson

The coolness of the room brought welcome relief from the relentless heat of the Ethiopian sun. Mud walls met cement floors to form a tiny room used as a kitchen Carry 117 is an organiza tion dedicated to preserv ing families and preventing orphans in Korah, Ethiopia. Widows and orphans live among those with leprosy and HIV/AIDS as they strug gle to survive next to the city’s trash dump. Carry 117 helps women learn to sew. They find dignity and earn funds to provide coveted public-school education for their children.

Alem is one of these women. My life changed the day I met her. Describing her as “the happiest employee, although the least paid,” Carry 117’s founder, Henok Berhanu, em ploys Alem in the important support role as cook for the compound. My sweet sister in Christ knows the secret to happiness is not found in position or power, nor money or material possessions. Alem finds happiness in relation ships, especially her relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith and trust in God have transformed her from hopeless to hopeful. The joy of the Lord has become her strength.

However, Alem wasn’t always a joy-filled servant of the Lord. Widowed at an early age, loneliness became her constant companion. Life was unspeakably hard as she raised three young children in dire poverty and de pression. The search for food and items to sell amongst the trash overwhelmed her. Somberly, she shared how desperation led her to rent out her child to a friend. The “cute factor” of her 18-month-old daughter increased the income potential of daily begging excursions. Alem re ceived a percentage of the take.

Harsh circumstances fueled Alem’s hatred of all things Christian. If God is real, why doesn’t He deliver people from such harsh and hopeless conditions? Why did He let my hus band die and leave me to fend for myself? How am I supposed to provide food and education for my children? Those unan swered questions left little doubt in her mind that if God was real, He did not care about her.

Alem covered her ears if she heard Christians pray as she walked through the tin-shacked alleys of her village. She threw rocks on their roofs at night to outwardly express her inward disgust at such foolishness. To cope, she turned to alcohol to deaden her pain. Then, one day, everything changed. Illness invaded her body and left her bedridden, paralyzed from the waist down. A local pastor heard of her plight and came to visit.

Above: Cindy reads notes of encouragement as Henok translates into Amharic.

Joined by a visiting missionary, they approached her bed. In quiry into her health issues turned into a gospel conversation. She remembers their reassurances everything would be fine because “God would be with her.” Widowed, destitute, and depressed, she refused to embrace their message of healing for body and soul.

Rejection didn’t dampen the pastor’s desire to reach Alem’s heart. As they continued to talk, Alem realized, despite her lack of faith, seeds of hope were in her soul. If Jesus could heal others, per haps He could heal her. Wanting desperately to believe, she clung to the possibility God could help her overcome her unbelief.

Faith replaced fear as hope eclipsed despair.

Surprised and humbled to dis cover it was the daughter of a coworker in need of childcare, my admiration of this woman grew.

Above from left: Cindy prays over Alem who is wearing her friend’s sleeping child underneath her wrap; a beautiful display of Carry 117’s mission. • Cindy and Alem share an embrace among the sister hood of Carry 117.

The pastor and missionary laid hands on her and began to pray. Several minutes passed before they asked Alem to stand. She re calls, “I couldn’t even think about that possibility.” Yet they contin ued to pray and encourage her to believe God was real. Slowly, her hope grew into faith the size of a mustard seed.

Neighbors heard the fervent praying on Alem’s behalf and so did heaven. God answered by giving her the courage and strength to stand. She recalled, “My legs and body were shaking. I felt like a child just learning to walk.” The pastor held out his hands to her in faith and Alem reached back in hope.

Amazed at what was happening to her body, the power and love of God transformed her heart. Physically healed and spiritually set free, Alem surrendered her life to the Lord and found salvation. Faith replaced fear as hope eclipsed despair.

“God planned for me to be saved that day. God can do anything. There is a song that asks, ‘How can there be water in the wilder ness?’ I know how; God provides. He can do it for anyone because he did it for me, and I am so happy!”

Alem’s joy is contagious, and I loved being in her presence. The warmth from the sunlight streamed through the open doorway as the Holy Spirit warmed our souls in sweet fellowship. I was so drawn to this woman I’d just met and was reluctant to leave. I knelt beside her to pray and placed my hand on her shoulder. I felt a small body under the tightly wrapped scarf Alem wore. Amazed at her physical strength to carry what seemed to me to be a two or three-year-old child, I assumed this was one of her children. As I began to pray the Holy Spirit seemed to take over. Henok trans lated into Amharic, and the Lord did a fresh work in all our hearts. I embraced this new friend like an old one as our visit drew to a close.

On the way back to the guest house, I inquired about Alem’s chil dren. I learned they were in school. Who then, was she carrying?

Carry 117 derives its name from Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do right, seek justice, defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Car rying another woman’s child on her back, Alem literally and lov ingly lived out their mission, “to carry women from a place of pov erty to prosperity of body, soul, and spirit.” Alem inspires me.

When a disastrous landslide of decayed and burning trash brought tragedy to Korah, Alem was determined to bring hope. She led the efforts of Carry 117 to serve displaced families in nearby neigh borhoods. Alem assessed the needed supplies to prepare, cook, and serve food for 400 families. She visited friends and neighbors to comfort and mourn with those who mourned and prayed for all who would listen. Alem be came the hands and feet of Jesus as she responded with food for body and soul.

God revealed Himself to Alem in the midst of difficult and devastating circumstances while she was paralyzed by grief and pain. Her miraculous testimony brought hope and healing as she inspired victims of the landslide to hang onto hopeful outcomes for themselves. Faith, food, and fel lowship provided the God-given ingredients for Alem to bring spiritual beauty from literal ashes.

On a return trip to Ethiopia, I toured Carry 117’s new compound. As everyone gathered for a picture, Alem beck oned for me to join them. I knelt in front of the assembled group. Then Alem pulled me to stand and grabbed my arms to wrap around her. This picture speaks a thousand words. I will carry this memory in my heart forever. For eigners turned friends and strangers into sisters, all be cause of Alem’s hope. 

Cindy Richardson is a kindergarten teacher who has ministered in Ethiopia with teams of fellow teachers and former students. She seeks to encourage, challenge, and inspire others to hang onto hope through her blog at www.cindyrichardson.org.

Above: Founder and CEO of Carry 117, Henok Berhanu (right) and Alem Kassa, compound cook, enjoy serving the Lord together.

2ND PLACE

Faith is Spelled R-I-S-K

By Annie Yorty

The neurologist studied a report in his hands. “Well, it looks like your lumbar puncture confirms the di agnosis. You have Multiple Sclerosis.” I sank back in my chair as his words sank into my reality. I had known for two months something was wrong. But I had hoped the diagnosis would be something — well — easier.

On the drive home, memories flashed like lightning through my brain, highlighting recent events. Numbness that somehow didn’t mask excruciating pain. Arms too heavy to hold the car’s steering wheel. Legs so weak I stum bled without a cane. Inability to recall cer tain words. Extreme fatigue after only one brief errand. Life slowing to a crawl.

A mission trip to Belarus in four weeks.

That last event didn’t fit. But it was true. God had provided everything I needed to go and share humanitarian aid, and the good news of Jesus, with orphans in Belarus. Everything, that is, except health.

God, what are you thinking?

Others were quick to tell me what God was thinking. Most of my friends and family reached a consensus this diagnosis was a sign I should forget about Belarus.

Even in the face of doubt, I couldn’t shake the stubborn conviction that I should go. I had been to Belarus once before, so I knew how many children needed God’s hope. Why would God bring me this far in the process, prepare me in every way, only to slam the door? Of course, I acknowledged God has every right to do anything He wants. But I couldn’t back out unless He deadbolted that door.

Could this really work?

While a sliver of light still sliced through the crack in the door, I brainstormed with a fellow missionary. How could I conserve my strength through the travel so I had energy for the work ahead? What would I do if my health deteriorated in a foreign country with few modern facili ties? How would I manage a new injectable medication? Could I just focus on the essentials and let some things

Left: Annie holds carepacks full of gifts. Each orphan received one.

go? Would I need to schedule in extra time for myself? What supports or accommoda tions might help me along the way?

As we prayed and talked through these questions, God humbled me. “Have you considered asking for wheelchair assis tance in the airports?” my friend asked.

Who me? Never! I prided myself on my independence. I didn’t need help. I couldn’t imagine some one else pushing me through airports. Only “disabled” peo ple needed that. But if I refused assistance, I might become a weight dragging on my team. I reluctantly dialed the airline and requested a wheelchair.

One week before departure, while a million details swarmed my to-do list, it hit. An exacerbation. A relapse with severe symptoms took me down.

God, surely, you’re not taking me out at this late date. Are you?

I called my doctor, and he promptly set me up for a series of IV infusions of medication to combat the attack. I calcu lated the days. Since it was Friday, I couldn’t go in for my first treatment until Monday. Then I’d go again on Tuesday. And once more on Wednesday. Hopefully, I’d notice some

Above: Annie Yorty with orphaned Belarusian teens.

relief by Thursday. Then I could fly to Belarus on Friday.

“You’re crazy!” my mom warned, clearly concerned and disapproving. Maybe I was. But I had to risk it -- to see this story through to the end.

On Monday morning, with nothing else to do, I poured my heart out to God while cold steroids stung my vein. As the medicine flowed through my body, the prayer connec tion with God soothed my rattled spirit.

On Tuesday morning, I welcomed the sweet time alone with God. I talked with Him about the details of the upcom ing trip—travel safety, luggage, team unity, God’s leading, the people we’d meet, our humanitarian supplies, interpret ers, protection from opposition, boldness, faithfulness to God’s word, and many other concerns.

On Wednesday morning, I praised and thanked God for the infusions because they forced me to lay down my agenda and truly prepare in prayer. If I had been healthy, my focus would have been all wrong.

Less than two days later, my husband dropped me off at our regional airport. I made my way, with the help of my cane, wheelchairs, and kind airport employees, to JFK in New York City, where I joined my team. The next morning, we arrived in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, exhausted but eager to serve God and the Belarussian people.

On my first-ever mission trip, I had depended more on the power of Annie Yorty than the power of God. For this sec ond mission, though, God stripped away any illusion of my own strength. He used my physical frailty to prompt spiri tual dependence upon Him.

James drew parallels between faith and works, declaring that faith without action to demonstrate it is dead (James 2:26). Before the shock of my diagnosis, I had played it safe. Sure, I had a seed of faith. But it mostly lay under the sur face, dormant.

That day in the doctor’s office, God rocked my world. He juxtaposed an incurable disease with a challenging privilege to serve others for Him. He was testing my faith. With each tiny, wavering step I took, God proved that He is more than worthy of my trust.

God asked me to trust Him though I had limited prior personal experience doing so. To believe without see ing is how the writer of Hebrews explains it (Hebrews 11:1). God rewarded my Belarus faith risk by guiding my thoughts and words, boldly speaking through me in ways I never before experienced. He continues allowing dif ficult circumstances where I must choose to act on my faith through daunting works.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith pro duces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in noth ing” (James 1:2-4 NASB 1995).

Like James, I now also find joy in my trials, because I have seen how risking trust in God grows and strength ens my faith, producing ever-increasing endurance to persevere and complete the race God has set before me. 

Annie Yorty writes and speaks to encourage others to perceive God in the unexpected twists and turns of life. Married to her high school sweetheart, she mothers a teen, two adult children (one with Down syndrome), and a furry beast labradoodle. Her book, From Ignorance to Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed Through Down Syndrome, will be available in spring 2023. Please connect with her at AnnieYorty.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Above: Children in Belarus holding bread and salt, a traditional Russian welcome.

Below: Annie used her gospel bead bracelet to share the good news with people in Belarus.

THE GREAT PURPOSE OF CHEESE SANDWICHES 3RD PLACE

By Krystal Mitchell Boelk

Deep inside I felt the Lord urging, “Bring food to your neighbors.”

“No!” I refuted aloud as I pre pared an early evening meal of grilled cheese, frozen potato chunks and mushy leftover vegetables for my 10-year-old, Cai ly, and me. As a single mom, I was barely sustaining my modest two-bedroom house on the wrong side of town, complete with nightly sirens. Only recently, drug dealers abandoned a house across from me, but squatters moved in. I even had to call the cops after they stole from my yard multiple times. Turned out the police had active warrants for them.

From deep within again, “Bring food to your neighbors.”

I said, “OK...” Begrudgingly, I used up the bread and cheese to prepare more sandwiches.

I drug my 10-year-old into it, “Guess what? We are going to take dinner to the neighbors!” Embarrassing things are much easier to stomach when a kid is with you. When she was embar rassed, I knew it was bad. We did it anyway.

She needed reasoning for this madness, so we used happy birthday plates and pretended to celebrate with the neighbors. Together, we headed out the door with our hands full.

Seamus lit up with a smile, “What’s this?”

“We want to share our dinner with you.” I watched as he sat on the porch and began to eat.

Crossing the street, Mr. Teddy warmly welcomed us as I ex plained, “We have a birthday coming up and want to share a meal to celebrate.”

“Why, thank you very much. I love grilled cheese. Hello Sea mus, you got some too. Wonderful!”

We crossed the street again. Mr. Paul had a similar response.

“That wasn’t so bad,” I said to Caily as we headed across the lawn towards home.

All three of the guys were still on their porches eating when a fourth neighbor came out of his house dressed in military fa tigues, “How nice of you to bring food to the neighbors. I’m leav ing, but Rachel’s inside. She’d love it if you knocked on the door.”

“Oh, okay,” I replied while thinking, “what am I going to bring her? We don’t have anything else.”

I scrounged up another grilled cheese with the loaf end caps. This was the most pathetic dinner plate yet. I headed toward

Rachel’s house and noticed the other neigh bors had gone back inside. I knocked. No answer. I knocked again committing to my mission. She still didn’t answer the door.

Prayerfully, I knew we weren’t finished, but it was getting dark.

“Momma, can we go home? I’m scared,” begged Caily.

“Oh honey, don’t be afraid. I believe the Lord has us doing this.”

Two houses down, Ms. Laurie answered the door and broke down in tears as I told her we wanted to share some dinner and let her know we were thinking of her.

She said, “I am so lonely and going through an extremely terrible time with my family.” We stood at her doorway as she shared her recent pain and her gratitude for our gesture. I recalled the police being at her house a few weeks prior dealing with the hopeless scenario she described.

The next day there was a knock at my door. “This is for you. There is enough for both you and your daughter. I’m so glad you came over the other night when you did. I felt so alone and hope less.” Ms. Laurie handed me a carefully wrapped hot tin full of chicken breasts stuffed with spinach and gooey mozzarella cheese.

I blushed as I took her meal, remembering the scrappy cheese sandwich I had offered her.

I realized that at her house, and maybe at the others too, it wasn’t so much about the food I gave but simply the act of giving. Being a caring neighbor was so meaningful.

Who knew that the last of my bread and cheese would develop into a cherished friendship? Within a month, there I sat in the doctor’s office waiting for my new friend to be released from hav ing a time sensitive, out-patient procedure.

Requesting clarification from the doc, I asked, “Now when can she eat grilled cheese?”

We laughed together. 

Krystal Mitchell Boelk lives in Niceville, Florida with her husband and daughter, Brian and Caily. The Lord has taught her to obey His voice through small acts of obedience and correction coupled with the backing of the Word. She records these lessons hoping to share the small beginnings that help us grow relationship with others through His ways.

Krystal with her daughter, Caily Grace.

By Developing Your Spiritual Skill Set

ASK QUESTIONS like Jesus.

PROBLEM SOLVE like Joseph. PERSUADE like the Apostle Paul. LEAD like the great statesman Daniel. GROW in Spiritual Intelligence like Solomon. DISCOVER & develop your Slingshot Skill like David LEVERAGE your business for the kingdom like Lydia.

“FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.”

Did you know that God is with you while you work, not only when you worship? Your work becomes your worship when you invite God into your daily life. Divine Intelligence will help you bring the principles, peace, and person of Jesus together in a new way so you can experience His presence in everything you do. This one-of-a-kind devotional is like a Scriptural Swiss Army knife. Divine Intelligence will make scripture come to life and help reignite your passion for Christ. Filled with wisdom from the inspired mentors of the Bible, this pioneering work will help you bring Jesus into your ‘everyday everything’s’ so you can experience joy unspeakable.

Walt Larimore, MD, has been called one of America’s best-known family physicians and has been named in “The Best Doctors in America” and “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare.” He’s also an award-winning medical journalist and the bestselling author of 30 books. You can find Dr. Walt’s health blog and free daily devotional at www.DrWalt.com You can also watch him on Liftable TV at Liftable TV.com/ DoctorWalt. Have questions for Dr. Walt? Email them to editor@ todayschristianliving.org.

12 Steps for Spiritual Strength Training

Dear Dr. Walt:

With the coming new year, what resolutions do you most recommend for folks to improve their overall health? Improved nutrition? Weight loss? Increased exercise and movement? Better sleep?

Dr. Walt says:

Benjamin Franklin wrote, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” As you know, without a delib erate effort to move, exercise, strengthen, rest, and nourish our fleshly bodies, we become fat and out of shape, get sick more often, and die prematurely. In the same way, ignoring our spiritual health makes us spiritually flabby with weak moral muscles and weakened characters.

Of course, the opposite is also true. If we improve our physical health, strength, flexibility, and nu trition, we live a life with the potential for greater quality and quantity. We become stronger, health ier, and more capable. And if we pursue spiritual nutrition and training, we are better able to resist temptation and we are equipped to win spiritual warfare and resist Satan.

The Apostle Paul instructed, “Bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim 4:8, NASB95). And Jesus instructed us to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33, NLT).

So, for 2023, I’m suggesting you all consider spiritual strength training and spiritual nutrition. By those terms, I’m referring to the regular spiri tual practices that benefit our overall health and the quality of our lives — activities or disciplines that produce spiritual, physical, emotional, and re lational health.

Pastor John Ortberg wrote, “Practices such as reading Scripture and praying are important — not because they prove how spiritual we are — but be cause God can use them to lead us into life.”1 Al though the Bible has no comprehensive spiritual training list that followers of Jesus should practice, it does command us to do certain things regularly. My experience is that these disciplines produce abundant fruit. Like most healthy habits, the key is to start small and adopt new, healthful habits one at a time — maybe even concentrating on adding or improving just one of these dozen disciplines each month in 2023:

1. Read, study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8a) In the Scriptures, God reveals Himself and His will for us. If we want to know and enjoy God, the place for a follower of Jesus to begin is God’s Word — the most powerful and reliable way He speaks to us. See also: Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 1:1-2; Romans 1:16; Ephe sians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12.

2. Rejoice in the Lord.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Each of these activ ities involves talking to God — throughout the day, every day. Another word for this is prayer. Think of these first two disciplines like spiritual breathing. We breathe in God’s Word, and we speak out our prayers of confession, adoration, thanksgiving, and supplication (CATS) to Him. See also: Psalm 100:4; Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:6; Hebrews 4:16.

3. Give generously of your treasure, time, and talent.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously ” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Research suggests those who give generously are happier, healthier, less stressed, less anxious, and live lon ger. A 1944 newspaper column is credited with first observing this: “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”2 Giving blesses others and delights us. No wonder the Bible says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compul sion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work ” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). See also: Proverbs 11:24, 19:17; Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:35, 10:43-44; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; 1 Timothy 6:17-18.

4. Fast.

Fasting has been shown to have many health benefits, from increased weight loss to better brain function. Also, several studies have found that fast ing may improve blood sugar control, which could be especially useful for those at risk of diabetes.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypo crites … [but] anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who

sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18). See also: Exo dus 34:28; Ezekiel 8:21-23; 2 Samuel 12:15-17; Isaiah 58:3-7; Dan iel 9:3; Esther 4:16; Psalm 35:13-14; Luke 2:37, 4:2-4; Acts 13:2-3.

5. Worship (celebrate) God.

Worship is experiencing God and responding to Him. This can occur in celebration with others and alone with God. In worship, we focus our minds and hearts on God and let our praise go up to Him. God commands we worship only Him (Exodus 20:3), and Jesus said, “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth ” (John 4:24). See also: Psalm 95:6, 99:5, 100:2-4, 118:4; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19-20; James 4:8.

6. Fellowship (build community) with other followers of Jesus.

It was said of the early believers, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer ” (Acts 2:42) and we’re reminded, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another ” (Hebrews 10:24-25). See also: Mat thew 4:10, 28:17; John 17:21; Acts 3:8.

7. Seek and dispense forgiveness.

Unforgiveness and its associated toxic ABCs (anger, bitter ness, and cynicism) are slow, lethal toxins that poison us from the inside out. Forgiveness improves physical, mental/emo tional, relational, and physical health. We “forgive to live” and we “forgive to be forgiven.” Jesus taught, “If you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25). We can forgive much be cause we have been forgiven much (Colossians 3:13). See also: Proverbs 17:9; Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21-22; Mark 11:35; Luke 6:37; Ephesians 4:32.

8. Practice confession.

Jim Dennison writes, “There has been only one perfect person in human history. For the rest of us, transparency when we fail is a vital step toward redemption. Scripture calls us to confess our sins to our Father to be forgiven and cleansed (1 John 1:9) and to each other that we may be healed (James 5:16). And it promises: ‘Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy ’ (Proverbs 28:13, ESV).” Confession is the pathway to release, righteousness, res toration, and recovery. See also: Psalm 32:3-5; Proverbs 28:13; Acts 3:19.

9. Practice solitude, silence, Sabbath, and simplicity.

Solitude and silence are more a state of mind and heart than they are a place of quiet and peace — and, by definition, silence

requires you to turn off all electronic tools (computer, phone, email, social media, etc.). Sabbath has to do with taking regu lar time to rest and worship. Simplicity is a declaration of war on materialism, and it reorients our lives, perspectives, and at titudes. See also: Genesis 2:3; Leviticus 23:3; Psalm 4:8, 127:2; Matthew 11:28.

10. Be discipled/mentored and disciple/mentor others.

Pastor Andy Stanley wisely points out, “We each have a trea sure chest full of life experiences that will die with us unless we become intentional about distributing our wealth. The value of your life is found when we share those experiences.” His sermon on mentoring is the best I’ve heard. You can watch or listen to it at tinyurl.com/5n7p9a3n. In it, he says, “If you are over 40, you have the opportunity and obligation to share what you’ve learned with those coming behind you.”3 See also: Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 5:42; Philippians 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 2:3-5.

11. Voluntarily submit humbly to God and those in authority. We commit to willingly yield our will, mind, and body for God’s purposes so we can better hear, receive, and obey His Word. When we humbly submit to those in authority giving moral direction, we are also submitting and serving our Lord! See also: Psalm 40:8; Micah 6:8; John 14:15; Romans 13:1-7; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:23-24; 1 Peter 2:13-18, 3:1.

12. Pursue purity.

Practicing purity from “the deeds of the flesh” is a discipline because our natural inclinations draw us toward sexual and emotional impurity — toward immorality, idolatry, jealousy, greed, gluttony, and gossiping. “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life comes not from the Father but from the world ” (1 John 2:16). We must be disciplined to flee immo rality and pursue pure thoughts and actions. See also: Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:28-29; Colossians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:14-15.

The Bible teaches, “The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked” (1 John 2:6, NET). Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). And Jesus, the only perfect, sinless person ever to live, practiced all but confession — which, in His perfec tion, He did not need. 

All verses are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise indicated. Adapted from: Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices for a Healthier, Happier You, by Walt Larimore, MD, and Phillip Bishop, EdD, published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. www. harvesthousepublishers.com. Used by permission.

1 tinyurl.com/bdf7du6k

2 tinyurl.com/y5hwb4sw

3 tinyurl.com/5n7p9a3n

This column provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information but is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your family physician. You can subscribe to Dr. Walt’s complementary daily blog at www.DrWalt.com.

CALLED TO THE POOREST OF THE POOR Heidi Baker’s Story

By Michelle Adserias

It began before she was born again. For that matter, it began be fore she was born. Like Elkanah and Hannah in the Old Testa ment, Heidi’s parents couldn’t have children. They prayed for a miracle. They promised God they would dedicate their child to Him, if only he would hear their prayers. When Heidi was dedi cated, they said, “You take her, God, just take all of her.”

Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, that Heidi hungered for God as long as she can remember. And God was preparing Heidi for the tasks ahead, even before she knew Him personally. He opened the door for her to study ballet with the Lucerne Bal let Company as an exchange student in Switzerland. There she discovered that, though her dyslexia made reading a struggle, she picked up languages quickly by being immersed in them.

When she returned home, just sixteen years old, she was looking for another cross-cultural opportunity. An interview with the American Field Service took her to a Choctaw reser vation in Central Mississippi. There she heard a Navajo preach er present the gospel. As Heidi puts it, “I was saved. I was born again and never looked back.”

Heidi began spiritually growing in a small area church. When the congregation discovered her battle to read brought on head aches, they gave her a set of New Testament cassette tapes. She was so hungry for God’s Word, she wore out three sets! The church also taught her the value of fasting, praying and seeking God.

It was through the seasons of fasting and prayer that God clearly directed Heidi, on several occasions.

“You’re Called to Be a Missionary”

One day Heidi was worshipping God, on her knees in prayer, in her little church. There was music playing and the preacher was teaching. “They weren’t a quiet lot by any means.” But Hei di wasn’t listening to any of that. She was listening to the still, small voice of the Lord saying, “You’re called to be a mission ary and minister; to go to Africa, Asia and England.” And she said what God wants to hear from each of His children. “Yes, yes Lord.” The very next day she began telling others about the good news of Jesus.

“You’re Going to Marry Rolland Baker”

When her time at the Choctaw reserva tion ended, Heidi returned home. There she joined a small church in Dana Point. Rolland, twelve years older than Heidi, led a Bible study she attended. He seemed to be from a different generation, but she respected his knowledge of scripture and commitment to his faith.

The first time they really talked was on a youth group ski trip. Rolland was driv ing the van. When he struck up a conver sation with Heidi, she made it clear where God was taking her in life. “I’m called to be a minister and missionary; to go to Africa, Asia and England.” Rather than being put off by her declaration, which is what Heidi fully ex pected, Rolland responded, “Well, that sounds amazing. I was raised on the mission field and that sounds really amazing.”

Heidi went off to college at Southern California College (now Vanguard University). There she met the man she hoped to marry. They were engaged, walking to the altar in just six weeks, when it became clear they didn’t share the same life goals, a common calling for their future. Heidi knew, as Abra ham knew when God told him to put his only son on the altar, that she had to sacrifice this relationship. She sobbed, heart broken, as she removed the engagement ring.

But God had better things in store. It wasn’t long before Hei di and a team of fellow students were evangelizing in Mexico. Heidi was arrested for preaching on the streets. Then, to com plicate matters, she was detained because she’d lost her visa. The ministry team returned to California without her. Alone in a foreign country, while seeking God in prayer and worship, He whispered, “You’re going to marry Rolland Baker.” Rolland Baker? Letters from Rolland started arriving in Mexico shortly after. He was waiting for her at the airport when she was finally allowed to go home. They only had one “date,” a meal at a Chi nese restaurant. They seldom sat and conversed. Mostly, they just prayed together -- once a week at the university. Still, when Rolland walked into her office and said, “I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you,” Heidi wasn’t shocked. They’ve now had forty-two happy years as husband and wife.

“Go to the Poorest of the Poor”

After they married, Heidi and Rolland ministered in Asia to gether for several years. Then God took them to England so Heidi could complete her PhD. They partnered with Ying, a new-found friend from Singapore, to plant a church among the homeless. God moved mightily in their ministry there, but when Heidi com pleted her education, they sensed it was time to move on.

Heidi and Rolland were invited to Tanzania. A minister there was looking for two people with their PhDs. They’d provide the financing, the facilities, and a house on the ocean. It was

uncomplicated. It was tempting. But it wasn’t God’s will. “The Lord called Rolland and I to reach the poorest of the poor.” Mozambique, Tanzania’s next door neighbor, was the poorest nation in the world, at that time. When Rolland read about Red Cross trucks being blown up in Mozambique, Heidi’s immedi ate response was, “Let’s go there.”

“Going there” wasn’t simple. Rolland went first, to attend a Mozambican pastor’s conference. He flew into South Africa, where some friends agreed to drive hm to Mozambique. As they approached the border, which would soon close for the day, the car started acting up. Finally, it died altogether just outside the gate. Moments later, helicopters were flying over head. The convoy of vehicles just ahead of them had been at tacked by armed bandits who killed many innocent people. God had used car trouble to protect His children. Rolland was still able to find a way to the conference.

When he returned to England, Rolland gave Heidi his bless ing for her to go. With a one-way ticket and not much money, she travelled to the war-torn country. God miraculously pro vided money for the ministry along the way. She learned to drive the stick-shift truck that, after its first crash, they named Lazarus. The ministry partner who drove Heidi around un til she mastered a standard kept saying, “You’re really crazy. You’re not going to last a week in Mozambique.”

Almost thirty years later, Heidi and Rolland are still in Mo zambique. They began their ministry in the southern part of the country, working with children who lived among the gar bage heaps. “We took them in off the streets. It was difficult but rewarding. Some people think we just adopted all these kids there, but they adopted us. They didn’t have to receive us, but they did.”

About ten years into their ministry, God took this faithful couple to the northern reaches of Mozambique where they work with an amazing group of missionaries and nationals devoted to reaching people for Christ and meeting their everyday needs, feeding tens of thousands every day. Since many of the people in the area had little or no knowledge of God’s love when they first arrived, they are also feeding people spiritually

every day. Thousands and thousands, with hearts open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, are eagerly receiving God’s gift of salvation. In one sense, because people are so spiritually hun gry, it’s an easy mission field. In another sense, it’s very difficult.

Over the past four to five years, things have become increas ingly violent. Radical insurgents are attack ing people and burn ing their villages. Many missionaries were un able to stay. “The few missionaries that could stay in Northern Mozambique are so brave, so anointed, and so holy, I am honored every day to have them with us.”

Those that remain face constant threat. Some have had their homes burned to the ground. Some have lost family members to the terrorists. Still, they continue to minister to the people of northern Mozambique. These bold, anointed workers love Jesus more than life itself. They live by these words: “You can

burn down our houses, you can even kill our family mem bers. You can burn our churches, but you could never burn Jesus out of our hearts.”

Despite the rise in persecution, or perhaps because of it, God’s work in Mozambique continues to grow. “This has been the greatest harvest we’ve ever seen. Though we don’t understand and don’t pray for anyone to go through persecu tion, we see God’s sovereignty and His love...”

But Mozambique is not the only country where the Spirit is on the move. The Baker’s ministry, Iris Global, is serving through seventy ministry locations in thirty-five countries. Their desire is to “stop for the one”, to meet the every-day needs of individuals who cross their paths. “We can always truly bless someone if we’re willing to stop, pray, pay atten tion, and see Jesus in the neighbor right in front of us… We, as His (Jesus’) people get to be His hands and His feet. He is sovereign and He is perfect. He’s the potter and we’re the pots. Let’s rejoice in that.” 

How You Can Pray for Iris Global

• Pray that we will have courage to stand in the midst of it all.

• Pray that we will represent Jesus well.

• Pray that God would multiply His radical, laid down servants.

• Pray that He will send nationals and internationals into the places that need Him, which is everywhere on the planet.

• Pray that the body of Christ would walk together and bring God glory.

• Pray that Jesus receives the reward of His suffering soon.

• Pray that every believer will realize how loved they are and how beautiful they are.

• Pray that we will eat and drink of Jesus, and shine for Jesus, accord ing to John 6.

How You Can Learn More

Heidi has written a devotional, God’s Got This: 40 Devotions of Cou rageous Faith, based on her many years of cross-cultural ministry. In it, you will find her stories of God’s miraculous work and un-abatable faithfulness.

You can also visit Iris Global Ministries at Irisglobal.org for further insights into the work and vision of this ministry, and the mission aries who are compelled by the love of God to stop for the one in need through worship, outreach, family, education, relief, development, healing, and the arts.

“We can always truly bless someone if we’re willing to stop, pray, pay attention, and see Jesus in the neighbor right in front of us.”

The Best Encouragement for Kids

A Kid’s Take on How to Encourage Kids

By William Daniel

Talent. It’s something everybody has. Talents define who we are and what we like. Everyone has great potential in their talents. Kids have great potential as well. Why? Their talents.

Kids are the future. If we don’t teach them right, human ity could be on the line. Future exploration will be minimized. The thought of developing even more will be out the window. This might not appeal to you as you might not be a part of a kid’s future, but think about them. If you really care for them, you will encourage them to use their talents.

The basic definition of talents is natural skill. This is something that sticks with people throughout their lives. Kids can get good experience in their talents from an early age. That is, if you encour age them. They will be happy when they’re in their natural envi ronment. Don’t think that it will only affect the future because your kid can do something amazing when he’s older. No matter how old or how young, anyone can do anything amazing if they use their talents right.

This also means not making them do something that doesn’t connect with their talents. For example, if your child is natu rally into basketball; don’t force them to do golf. Even if it’s something you want them to do, it’s not beneficial to them or society. That also doesn’t mean he or she can’t try golf and not

Attributes of God

enjoy it. Just let them do bas ketball before golf. Natural talents are first priority. Another thing is not to expect your child to become really good in their area early on. Talent is something one builds. That’s why you have to encourage them. With this, you can also grow other talents that aren’t as natural, but don’t expect them to become really good in that area as they aren’t naturally drawn. These are ways you can encourage kids to excel in their talents. 

William Daniel is a sixth grader, a WWII enthusiast, and a competitive gymnast. He builds model airplanes and wants to be a pilot someday. He has an older sister, Maris, and a twin sister, Calyn, and is the younger by four minutes. As you can well imagine, he enjoys making people laugh, which he does for family, friends, and at school. William lives in Colorado with his family and dog, Riley. He is the author of You’re Joking Me: Jokes for Kids by a Kid (Revell, November 2022).

Dave Ramsey is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth, and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

It Takes Two

Dear Dave,

My husband has an old car that has become a real sticking point between us. He bought it for $2,400, and it needs about $4,000 in repairs and restoration. Together, we bring home $50,000 a year, and I feel like this car is interfering with our ability to save money and pay off $35,000 in debt. We already have two decent cars we drive to work, so what should I do about this?

—Stac y

Dip In, Pay It Off!

Dear Dave,

My wife just had our first child. We now have about $3,000 in medical bills, not covered by insurance. We’ve got $8,000 in our emergency fund, and I make between $25,000 and $30,000 a year. Should we try setting up a payment plan with the hospital, or is dipping into our savings a better idea?

—Matt

Dear Stacy,

There are lots of guys out there who like shiny toys — especially cars. I get it because I’m one of them. But these kinds of things are luxuries, and stuff like this should wait until the household and finances are in order. The family should always come first.

Dumping money into this while you two are struggling financially doesn’t make sense. On top of that, it’s causing problems between you two on a deeper level. I’m sure your husband isn’t a bad guy, so try sitting down with him and explaining how it makes you feel. Let him know what it’s doing to your finances and your marriage. You might even write the financial side down, so he can see exactly what kind of shape you two are in and where the money is going.

Once you do this in a kind, but concerned, man ner, it may be a real eye-opener for him. On top of that, you might consider giving him a little incen tive to get on board with the idea of getting your fi nances in order. Suggest that once the debt is gone, and you’ve got some savings in place, there might be a little extra cash on hand to help get that car up and running.

Good luck, Stacy!

—Dave

Dear Matt,

I’d write a check today and knock out that hospi tal bill. This falls under the heading of “emergency” in my mind, so pay the bill and jump back into re building your emergency fund.

You’ve done a really good job of saving on your income, but let’s see what we can do about making better money in the future. Extra practical train ing in your field, or more education in the class room, could increase your income quickly. Your emergency fund needs to be a little bigger as well, and it’ll be a lot easier to make this happen if you’re making more money.

I’m sure you’re a hard-working guy, but it’s going to be tough for even a small family to make it on what you’re bringing home now. The unexpected can become a common occurrence when there’s a little one in the picture.

Congratulations!

Do the Manly Thing

Dear Dave,

—Dave

My wife and I argue a lot about finances. We’re trying to get more control over our money, and she has been listening to you. That’s helped a lot. She’s also a lot more frugal than I am, and our biggest point of contention right now is how we handle our spending money. Whenever I work overtime at my job, I feel like I should be able to put the overtime pay toward my spending money. What are your thoughts on this?

—Josh

Dear Josh,

No way, dude! You don’t work overtime for your little boy wants. You work overtime, and rake in that extra cash, for the good of your family. That’s the manly thing to do.

Now, that’s not to say you both can’t have a little spending money. It also doesn’t mean that you can’t treat yourself once in a while if you’re working your tail off. I mean, if I’m working 70 to 80 hours a week, I may give myself a little inexpensive treat in the midst of all that. So, my spending money budget should reflect that. But it shouldn’t reflect a sense that I get to play more because I work extra, while the rest of the family suffers.

Sorry, man. I think you knew what I was going to say. Step up, be good to your family first, and then your good times will come. If you haven’t learned it already, you’ll soon discover that those good times are the best ones!

—Dave

eating out a lot after work, because I’m usually too tired to cook when I get home. How can someone who has very little free time start gaining control of their finances?

—Sheila

Dear Sheila,

No matter how little free time you think you have, or how tired you are, you must make time do a written budget every month. This is essential. Making a budget for the month ahead isn’t a lot of hard work, and it really doesn’t take long. When you give every dollar a name before the month begins, you’re taking control of your money instead of allowing a lack of it to control you.

Quit Job for School?

Dear Dave,

My wife and I have $72,000 in debt from student loans and a car loan. We’re trying to pay off our debt using the debt snowball system, and we each make about $45,000 a year. She’s a teacher, and she’s planning on going back to school for her master’s degree, but she’s thinking about quitting her job to do this. She’ll be able to make more money with the additional education, and she would only be unemployed for two years. The degree program will cost us $2,000 out of pocket per semester for two years. Does this sound like a good idea?

—Chris

Start with the income you know is predictable. If that isn’t possible, look back over the last few months and find the mini mum amount you brought home during a month over that period of time. This will be the basis for your budget. Once you’ve established a baseline income, you can write down and prioritize bills and other expenses. Just remember, restaurants are not a priority!

When you make a prioritized spending plan and start telling your money what to do ahead of time, you’ll have the ability to do what’s important with what you’ve earned!

—Dave

Dear Dave,

Dear Chris,

There’s no reason for your wife to quit her job to make this happen. Lots of people — especially teachers — hold down their jobs and go back to school to further their education. I’m not sure trying to make it on one income when you’re that deep in debt is a good idea.

Whatever you do, don’t borrow more money to make this happen. Cash flow it, or don’t do it. We’re talking about $8,000 total, and you’ve got $72,000 in debt hanging over your heads already. My advice would be to wait until you’ve got the other debt knocked out, then save up and pay cash for school. You could slow down your debt snowball, and use some of that to pay for school, but I’d hate to see you lose the momentum you have when it comes to getting out of debt.

The choice is yours, but don’t tack on anymore student loan debt. I know her income will go up with a master’s degree, so from that standpoint it’s a good thing to do. But if you do a good thing a dumb way, it ends up being dumb!

—Dave

My father died recently. He walked out of my life 25 years ago when I was a teenager, and he never wanted anything to do with me after that. His brothers, who have already paid for some of his final expenses, asked if I wanted to pay to have his body cremated. They didn’t ask for money, they just offered it as a chance to be part of things. I’m in good shape financially, and I could easily afford the cost. Morally, I won der if I have a responsibility to help with things. Do you feel I’m obligated in any way?

—Julie

Dear Julie,

I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sorry, too, about what happened with your father. I can’t imagine the mixed emotions you must have in your heart.

When someone asks me a question like this, I try to put my self in their shoes. Under the circumstances, I don’t think you have any obligation whatsoever — morally or legally — to help pay for anything. If you want to help, and you can afford to do so, then follow your heart. At the same time, I don’t think you should lose one wink of sleep over this if you decide not to contribute.

Controlling Your Cash

Dear Dave,

I work long hours, and I make pretty good money. The problem is the money from my paychecks always seems to disappear before the end of the month. I know part of the problem is grabbing quick meals between extra shifts, and

Twenty-five years is long, long time. I don’t know your dad, and I have no clue about his situation or state of mind back then and in the time since. I can’t imagine doing that to a child of any age, though.

Do what you feel in your heart is best. But in my opinion, there’s no obligation here. God bless you, Julie.

—Dave

The Only Thing

That Matters

By Cheryl Weber & Andrew Zimmerman

Sometimes you have to hit bottom, with no way back up on your own, to discover what really matters. My par ents taught me to live according to Biblical principles and took me to church every Sunday. I even prayed to com mit my life to Christ in junior high youth group. Still, I was too strong-willed for my own good. What God wanted for me didn’t concern me much. I lived fast and carelessly. Even a miraculous deliverance from death when I was sixteen did little to change my attitude.

I was trying to get my friend, Shawn, home by his 11:00 pm curfew. As usual, I was driving too fast. We came upon a sharp, right-hand turn and my speed forced me into the other lane. An 18-wheeler approached from the opposite direction. Guard rails on either side blocked me from swerving out of the way. We came so close to the truck I could read the name of the company on the cab. Blinded by headlights, I white-knuckled the steering wheel and closed my eyes. We’re going to die.

When I opened my eyes, we were in a perfectly quiet, pure white room. Was this heaven? I lost all sense of time, didn’t know if we were there for minutes or hours. Then, we were in our car, approaching the traffic light nearly two miles down the road. Stunned, Shawn and I looked at each other. “What just happened?” I asked.

When we pulled into his drive, his mother rushed out to meet us. “Where were you? What happened?” Her face held a mixture of anger and fear. “I woke up and the Lord told me to pray for you guys.”

Second Chances

I knew God had given me a second chance, one I didn’t deserve. He had a special purpose for my life. But young as I was, I didn’t know what to do with such knowledge and turned back to my old habits. Some of my friends got in volved in petty theft. Though I didn’t steal anything, I hid the items on my parents’ farm. We began manufacturing homemade explosives we sold to other kids. We had no ma licious intentions; we were just foolish teenagers having fun.

But our little hobby became an addiction. Our hunger for more powerful ingredients led us to steal federally labeled material from a local quarry. I played a major part in the heist, but I still had a conscience. I couldn’t sleep afterward. I knew payday was coming.

One day, someone knocked on the door. My dad answered and returned a minute later. “Andrew, there’s someone here who wants to talk to you, and you need to tell them the truth.”

Heart pounding, I went to the door to find police and FBI agents waiting for me. Ashamed and remorseful, I coop erated fully and led them to all the explosives which they promptly confiscated. I remember sitting in the police car and seeing my dad walk by and look at me. The pain and disappointment in his eyes broke my heart. I never wanted to see that look again.

Since I was still a minor, I was turned over to my parents. And then my dad found the stash of stolen goods.

“What is all this, Andrew?”

I had no choice but to explain.

“You’re taking it all back.”

“But Dad, you don’t understand.” Any additional charges, combined with my part in the recent theft of explosives, would guarantee me a cot in a jail cell.

“I do understand, son. You need to ask God to protect you through this because it’s what you need to do.” Mercifully, everyone I’d wronged left me off the hook, although I got an earful from some of them about how my actions had hurt many people.

Though spared prison time, I stood trial before a judge. He allowed me to avoid prosecution if I made something of my life and brought him proof six months later. I knew

Andrew, as a teenager, on a missions trip.

what I would do. I’d enjoyed working for a neighbor, roofing houses, so I started my own company.

Once again, God had offered me another chance as he tried to draw me back to Himself. He blessed me with my wife Sarah and a few years later our first child Anna. But in stead of turning to God for meaning and purpose, I looked to my work. Still bearing the guilt of my earlier failures, I worked hard to prove I could make something good of my life. Over the next ten years, I developed a very successful business. But it was all about gaining the approval of oth ers. I rarely prayed or read my Bible, basing my identity on my performance rather than on being a son of my heavenly Father and bringing glory to Him. My family suffered from my misaligned priorities. I came home one day and called out to Anna, who was a toddler at the time. She looked at me, started to cry, and ran away. I’d become so busy, even my own child barely knew me.

Peace Which Passes All Understanding

The satisfaction I’d hoped to gain through proving myself eluded me, leaving my heart dry and empty. Late one night in 2008, a severe winter storm raged outside. It mirrored the chaos in my heart. Unable to sleep, I went downstairs to my

study. I could no longer stand the emptiness and futility of my life. I fell on my knees. “God, you didn’t bring me into this business for it to be so painful. If this is how it’s going to be, I just want you to take the business away.” Peace enveloped me, so profound it drowned out the howl of the weather. I literally fell asleep on my knees and when I awoke, my newfound serenity remained.

The Lord led me into a new and deeper relationship with Him. He changed my heart and taught me to live by healthier paradigms, both in my work and in my per sonal life. I focused more on my customers, on glorifying and pleasing God by giving them the best service possible rather than just making money. Everyone around me ben efitted from my new priorities. I learned when and how to say no to potential customers, and they respected me for it. Many were willing to wait until I had time for their projects because they really liked me and my company’s work. I no longer based my identity on pleasing people but on who God created me to be.

But the Lord had something else in store for me. For some time, He had been nudging me to sell. By 2013, His guidance became so strong, I started the process of letting go of my business. But I felt the company needed to grow in order to make the sale worthwhile. I still had not fully given myself over to God’s will. Finally, the Lord seemed to ask, “When will enough be enough? Seek what I have for your life.” By September of 2016, I had found a buyer whose heart for the business matched mine.

About a year earlier, I’d become involved with Convene. Their mission statement reads, “To connect, equip, and inspire Christian CEOs and business owners to grow excep tional businesses and become higher impact leaders to honor God.” About two years after I sold, I became a group chair and executive coach with Convene and that statement is one I’ve adopted for the consulting I do. Living it out has opened incredible doors, bringing me in to mentor and guide execu tive teams of large, successful companies who want to learn how to build and shepherd their business God’s way. They un derstand that the best guidebook to live by is God’s Word, the Bible, whether in business, or in any other area of life.

I’ve made foolish choices. But the Lord used them to guide my stubborn heart to Him. With Him, nothing is wasted. I’ve never earned a college degree, but I’ve learned things you can’t get from a professor: wisdom straight from God’s heart. I learned the only thing that can’t be taken from us is our relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the testimony of what He’s done for me and through me. I want to share that testimony for His glory. It’s the best legacy I can leave. 

Andrew Zimmerman lives in beautiful southeastern Pennsylvania with his wife Sarah and their three children, Anna, Clayton, and Clint. He is General Manager at Twin Pine Ford in Ephrata, PA and President at Hilltop Business Services. In his spare time, he enjoys big game hunting and traveling.

In the den where Andrew surrendered to Christ.

Mark Wainwright

loves using words to entertain, instruct, and inspire. After 16 years in the book publishing industry, he now teaches professional writing courses. His middle school novel Trapped in a Hot Air Balloon explores themes of fear, faith, and forgiveness.

From Foe to Fluffy Furball

Ever since my son received a hamster on his tenth birthday, I’ve felt like a visitor within my own home.

Oh, it’s true that the Roborovski dwarf hamster is cute. She’s no larger than a few cotton balls placed end to end, her fluffy white fur transitioning into a patchwork of light and dark browns along her back.

Toward the front of her head, pinkish ears bulge like satellite dishes. They alert her to every visitor, every syllable of discourse, every shuffle of feet across the living room carpet.

The skittish little creature lives a pampered life in her mansion. I say mansion because my son was not content to get her a standard hamster cage. Instead, he scoured the internet for an extravagant estate, complete with multi-level play space, circular cubby, grand staircase, running ramps, climbing tubes, and an oversized exercise wheel. The main floor is cov ered in a super-soft, fragrance-free bedding so fluffy that she can burrow through it. That’s just the dwell ing. My son has since added platform swings, a jungle gym, chew sticks and a fine-grained, powder-free sand bath. Apparently, the sand keeps the hamster’s fur in fine condition.

Each evening, Hammy is served a feast of the fin est morsels. In addition to corn and sunflower seeds, the pet food contains sun-cured alfalfa, ground corn, soybean hulls, coconut oil, dried cane molasses, and other probiotic ingredients to support digestive health and dental hygiene. Whenever I insist that Hammy should eat regular food pellets like other pet hamsters, my wife stares at me with scorn. “Regular pellets? Ridiculous! Would you want to eat pellets your entire life?”

biased temperament. If only she continues to provide joy to my son.

Because that, after all, is my goal in having a family pet. My son will soon turn eleven years old, and after that twelve. Then come the teen years. For now, it’s fun to see him care about a fluffy furball that runs miles on her exercise wheel. It’s rewarding to see him take responsibility in cleaning her mansion. It’s a delight to see him swap out different toys for her enjoyment.

Cultural Relevance

Such triviality in a world of complexity is an oasis of rest. That’s especially the case these days as Chris tians stand against the onslaught of a secular culture that demands tolerance of everything but is intoler ant of anyone or any Book opposing their viewpoints.

If you have a turning point in your life you would like to share, email your story to editor@ todayschristianliving.org

All submissions must be under 800 words. If we print your story, we will pay you $75. We reserve the right to edit for length and content. All submissions become the property of Today’s Christian Living

While Hammy is active, she’s master of the house. And as long as my wife and son converse in hushed voices, Hammy nibbles at her food without alarm.

Wish I could say that Hammy has the same regard for me. When I’m reading a book on the couch or clicking the keys of my laptop, she seems perturbed. From inside her mansion, she stares at me with beady black eyes. Whether she can even see me, I do not know. But she seems both annoyed and wholly dissat isfied with me. I get the vague sensation I’m intruding on her goodwill and am a poor human specimen.

It’s certainly unfair to be judged for no wrong on my part, especially since I’m the one who encouraged my son to get a hamster. And yet, despite the appar ent prejudice against me, I’ll put up with Hammy’s

Boys, especially, are being targeted by liberal ac tivists. They ridicule God-given sexual identity by using phrases like “toxic masculinity” to shame boys into thinking that gender differences are bad. Other activists are ensnaring the hearts and minds of youth by making them believe that sexual sin, parental distrust, or even euthanasia, is normal and beneficial to society.

And yet, despite the cultural chaos swirling around us, I need not fear. For I know God reigns supreme. Despite the challenges my son faces as he journeys toward his teenage years, I know that greater is He that is in him than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

My heart takes comfort in this fact. And because of it, I’ll gladly put up with Hammy’s glare or her an noyance at my intrusion. I’ll even act civilly toward her when the rest of the family is away. Because, if I’m totally honest, Hammy is no longer my foe. In fact, I’m starting to actually like the fluffy furball.

Just don’t tell Hammy. 

When my sister and I were kids, my mom used to pray with us each night before bed. One night after prayers, tucked snuggly in bed, my preschool-aged sis ter looked quizzically up at my mom. “Mom my,” she said, “Why do we say amen and not awomen?”

Submitted by Jillian Bell, a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario.

When my daughters were ages five and six, they were in the back yard. We were having a discussion about their approaching first communion. Before I could begin speaking, the youngest, Dawn very reverently told me, “I know, Mommy. You go down the aisle and see Father Conner and he’ll give you a bubblegum.”

Submitted by Ladybug, a freelance writer from McMinville, Oregon.

“Johnny, where’s your homework?” Miss Martin said sternly to the little boy while holding out her hand.

“My dog ate it,” was his solemn response.”

Johnny, I’ve been a teacher for eighteen years. Do you really expect me to believe that?”

“It’s true, Miss Martin, I swear it is,” insisted Johnny. “I had to smear it with honey, but I fi nally got him to eat it.”

—From Mikey’s Funnies (www.mikeysfunnies.com)

Christian Writers’ Resource Guide

If you’re like me, you’re compelled to write. You have a story nagging at the back of your mind that needs to be put on paper. There’s a vague thought begging for the clarity only the written word can bring. Or maybe you’ve learned something new. God has helped you grasp a topic, or a concept, and you want to share what you’ve learned with others. Whether you prefer to lose yourself in the world of the imaginary or delve into deep truths, whether you want to make them laugh or cry or ponder, you have something to say – something God has called you to say.

As writers, it’s up to us to faithfully follow through on the task God’s given us. But putting aside life’s distractions and getting it on paper isn’t easy. Nor is it easy to find a good editor, secure an agent, pitch your book or get a contract with a publisher. Then there’s more editing and marketing and book signings. Nothing about the process is simple.

You’ve noticed, I’m sure, most of the things God calls us to do aren’t simple. Obedience requires discipline, endur ance, and humility as we rely on God’s power to finish our assignments. I hope these resources will make your task seem less daunting. Move forward knowing God, in His sovereignty, will bring to completion what He has started. The rewards far outweigh the costs in the end.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” - Colossians 3:23

- Ecclesiastes 5:18

“Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.”

A Writer’s Entrance Exam

by Bob Hostetler

Say you wanted to enroll in studies at a respected educa tional institution—let’s call it Wisenheimer Academy for Clever Kids. You might expect to take an entrance exam to determine your degree of fitness for WACK, right? Just as you would expect if you were beginning training for ministry, law enforcement, or interplanetary space travel.

Oddly, though, there is no entrance exam for writers. Until now. That’s right. Thanks to these pages, you can, with a modest investment of time and effort, determine your fitness to pursue the writing life. The following questions may reinforce your con fidence in writing for a publication ... or save you much time and trouble by steering you away and into an easier, more rewarding line of work—such as lumberjack or Alaskan crab fishing.

The Quiz

Simply answer yes or no to the following questions and cal culate the results when you’re done:

1. Do you love words? Sentences? Paragraphs?

2. Do you have a favorite punctuation mark?

3. Do you drink too much coffee? Or tea? Or wine?

4. Are you constantly feeling assaulted by spelling, gram mar, and punctuation errors in magazines, newspapers, billboards, cereal boxes, and protest signs?

5. Do you talk back to the television or movie screen to complain about poor characterization, unrealistic dia logue, and plot holes?

6. Do you sometimes imagine storylines for strangers you see in stores, on the street, or on planes?

7. Do you sometimes think, in the midst of a great or ter rible experience, “I can use this?”

8. Do you feel a rush when you enter a bookstore ... or of fice supply store?

9. Do you critique birthday, Christmas, and anniversary cards you receive, thinking, I could’ve written a better greeting than that?

10. Do you lose track of time when you’re on a writing tear?

11. Does your Amazon delivery driver know your name?

12. Does a word or idea often keep you awake—or wake you—at night?

13. Have you cried because of something a character in your story did?

14. Have you ever used toilet paper or a cash register receipt as a bookmark?

15. When you’re writing do you alternate between “This is the best thing anyone’s ever written” and “This is the worst thing anyone’s ever written?”

16. Have you ever named a pet after a character in literature?

17. Have you ever named a child after a character in litera ture?

18. Do family members refuse to play you in Scrabble or Words with Friends?

19. Do you resent your parents for giving you a happy child hood?

20. Have you ever used laundry, dirty dishes, or alphabet izing your canned goods as a distraction from writing?

What does it mean?

Now, total your “yes” answers. How did you do?

5 or less = What kind of monster are you?

6-10 = You’re a writer.

11-15 = You should be in therapy.

16-20 = Forget therapy, it’s too late for you.

Bob Hostetler is a literary agent, speaker, and author of more than fifty books, including How to Survive the End of the World . This article first appeared as a post on The Steve Laube Agency blog (www.stevelaube.com).

Reprinted with permission, first serial rights

QUICK TAKES

Clinging to Hope

By Charles Swindoll [Tyndale Momentum]

Respected Bible teacher Chuck Swin doll opens God’s Word to help you find hope in times of crisis.

All of us desperately need strength to endure and hope to carry on. Life is diffi cult and demanding. It’s often filled with pain, heartaches, setbacks, and detours. People disappoint us, scandals shock us, and disputes in our families, churches, or workplaces demoral ize us. When troubles strike, they can be downright devastat ing. But they don’t have to be!

In Clinging to Hope, Chuck Swindoll reassures us we can en dure unexpected calamities. How? By taking our stand on the strong foundation of God’s Word. When trials and tribulations roll in like bulldozers to demolish our lives, we can emerge from the rubble with resolve to rebuild. Not just to survive, but to thrive. Chuck addresses questions like:

Why is there so much suffering?

How can I carry on when I have no strength left?

Why is there so much conflict in the world?

Where can I find hope?

The Seven Big Questions: Searching for God, Truth, and Purpose

By Bruce B. Miller [Global Media Outreach]

Do you ever wonder: “Why is life hard?” “Why is there suffering?” or “What is my purpose in life?” You are not alone. No matter your faith background, we all have questions about God, our purpose, and why bad things happen.

Trying to find reliable answers can be overwhelming. It’s hard to know who to trust with the questions you are most afraid to ask. You need a safe space to ask these common ques tions about faith.

The 7 Big Questions invites you to explore some of the most common questions about faith.

Does life have a purpose?

Is there a God?

Why does God allow pain and suffering?

Is Christianity too narrow?

Is Jesus God?

Is the Bible reliable?

Can I know God personally?

Bruce B. Miller guides you through a thoughtful approach to finding answers for yourself.

The Epic Story of the Bible: How to Read and Understand God’s Word

By Greg Gilbert [Crossway]

Many Christians view the Bible as a book they should read, but they aren’t sure where to start. If they spend time regularly reading it, it can feel like a chore to be checked off for the day. What many miss is this: the Bible is a sweep ing story full of narrative, poetry, and letters—something to be marveled at and enjoyed.

In  The Epic Story of the Bible, Greg Gilbert offers Chris tians—or those interested in Christianity—a user-friendly approach to what the Bible is and how to study it. Explaining the various genres and themes woven throughout Scripture, Gilbert helps readers approach God’s word with less confusion and greater confidence.

This guide is accessible, ideal for new Christians or inter ested non-Christians. It’s gospel-oriented, pointing readers toward a deeper understanding and worship of our Redeemer. And Gilbert examines major scriptural themes such as God’s presence, covenant, kingship, and sacrifice.

God is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood

By Katie Faris [Crossway]

Where Do You Turn When Mother hood Isn’t What You Expected?

Each mother’s story is unique. While motherhood brings joy and love, it can also bring pain and heartache. God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Mother hood invites women to experience God’s comfort and leads moms to put their hope in Christ, despite the unexpected trials of raising children.

Katie Faris knows the challenges of parenting. As a mother of five, she’s had many trials, but also knows the comfort of our Savior, Jesus. God Is Still Good offers a biblical context for suffering and hope by pointing to biblical figures who walked a hard road. It also answers common questions, and addresses prevalent temptations. Finally, The Lie and Truth Chart offers biblically sound responses to ten lies that moth ers are likely to face.

Each chapter ends with Bible verses and questions, so it’s ideal for individual or group.

Stand in Confidence: From Sinking in Insecurity to Rising to Your GodGiven Identity

By Amanda Pittman [Estherpress]

Culture, church, and life have sold us narratives about who we’re supposed to be as women.

If we play the part well, we gain love, ac ceptance, validation, and significance. When we don’t know which role to play from one day to the next, we sink in insecurity. We feel driven to people-please, downplay, settle, and perform. In all this, we accept less than the abundant life Jesus died to give us.

Amanda Pittman, founder of Confident Woman Co., ex plains how we can rewrite damaging self-beliefs with the truth about our God-given identity by establishing the Four Compo nents of Confidence:

Clarity—Embrace our identity and define our design Connection—Connect with God and connect with others Competency—Develop our ability and expand our capacity Conviction—Know our responsibility and use our authority  With a new perspective and focus, we will stand confidently upon the finished work of Jesus and live boldly in our Godgiven callings.

Rose Among Thornes

By Terrie Todd [Heritage Beacon Fiction]

Forgiveness is the deadliest force on earth.

War might be raging overseas, but Rose Onishi is on track to fulfill her life long goal of becoming a concert pianist. When forced to leave Vancouver and work on the Thornes’ sugar beet farm, her dream fades to match the black dirt staining her callused hands. Though the Thorne family is kind, life is lonely. Hoping to win her chance to play their piano, Rose agrees to write letters to their soldier son.

When Rusty Thorne joins the Canadian Army, he never imagines becoming a Japanese prisoner of war. Inside the camp, the faith his parents instilled is tested like never be fore. Only his rare letters from home sustain him—especial ly the notes from his mother’s helper, simply signed “Rose.”

Will Rusty survive the war only to encounter the Japanese on his own doorstep? Can Rose overcome betrayal and open her heart? Or will the truth destroy the fragile bond their letters created?

100 Devotions for Kids Dealing with Anxiety

By Justin Froelker [Zonderkidz]

The perfect blend of mental health know-how and biblical truths, 100 Devo tions for Kids Dealing with Anxiety offers a variety of strategies, peaceful journal prompts, and reflective Scriptures that will help tweens and teens feel Jesus’ love. Written by Certified Daring Way™ & Dare to Lead™ Fa cilitator Justine Froelker, these daily devotionals will assist in helping children handle their anxiety.

Life with anxiety is like a rollercoaster, with good days and bad days, but with constant assurance of God’s love your child will be able to manage their anxiety. This devotional meets children where they are by equipping them with the resources to develop a deeper relationship with God and empowering young minds to embrace everything that makes them who they are. With Scripture passages, devotional readings, and journal prompts, children will have access to the tools, tricks, and tips on the best ways to face anxiety issues.

Sam and the Sticky Situation: A Book About Whining

By Ginger Hubbard

and Al Roland (Authors), Veronika Kotyk (Illus trator) [New Growth Press]

Sam has figured out a way to get what he wants when he wants it—he whines. Not only does Sam’s mother give into his whining very quickly, he’s learned how to whine from her. But Sam learns a valuable lesson when he finds himself in quite the sticky situation

Our authors help families think about whining with a silly story that will make them laugh, while encouraging them to see how whining stems from a heart that wants things more than God. The parent resource page at the end offers a bibli cal framework and practical suggestions to help children learn better ways of expressing themselves. (Ages 4-7)

Sam and the Sticky Situation is part of the new Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely series. Other titles: Chloe and the Closet of Secrets and Shawn and His Amazing Shrinking Sister.

First Look Resource Guide

The first of the year will soon be here, offering us all a chance to make a fresh start. God is all about fresh starts, new beginnings. When we initially repent and ask God’s forgiveness, God declares us new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). He encourages us not to spend time focusing on the former things, but on the new things He’s doing (Isaiah 43:18). And God reminds us His mer cies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Please take a look at these resources, many of them new, de signed to help you kick off the new year with renewed joy as you seek Christ.

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek His presence con tinually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11) 

NIV Women’s Devotional Bible

[Zondervan]

The NIV Wom en’s Devotional Bible features hundreds of devotions writ ten by women, for women. It includes guided reflections to help apply Scripture to your life, and it allows you to get to know women of the Bible through candid portrayals, help ing you to see them through their victories and struggles. You can find it at: www.amazon.com/devotionalbibles

Make Time for Joy

By Linda Evans Shepherd [Revell]

Packed with prayers of gratitude, praise, and hope, this inspiring collection will change your perspec tive, your life, and your heart as you press into pure, God-given joy. Find it here: gottopray.com

NIV Men’s Devotional Bible

[Zondervan]

Apply God’s Word to your life with a full year’s worth of devo tions written by men, for men, along with ap plication state ments, questions for reflection, and more. The NIV Men’s Devotional Bible presents devotions that are engaging, practical, and useful for your life today. You can find it at: www.amazon.com/devotionalbibles

Special Advertising Section

Finding Your Place in God’s Great Story for Little Ones

By Jim Johnson and Paul Basden [Harvest House Publishers]

By breaking the Bible up into eight simple sections, children ages four to seven will start to see God’s Word as a complete story and begin to grasp what God has in store for them. This book will strengthen children’s faith and increase their knowledge of the Bible and God. You can find it at: www.amazon.com/Finding-Place-GreatStory-Little/dp/073698125X

From Distrust to Trust: Controversies and Conversations in Faith Communities

By Matthew B. Sturtevant and Timothy Bonner [Judson Press]

Churches today face politically divisive issues that challenge worshipers to stretch and grow to include people with diverse experi ences and beliefs. How can we help churches embrace trust through dis agreements and grow in love? Sturtevant and Bonner identify model practices for churches engaging in controversial decisions, like the 2015 Obergefell ruling. You can find it at: www.judsonbooks.com

Stand in Confidence

Amanda Pittman [David C. Cook] In Stand in Confidence , Amanda Pitt man, founder of Confident Woman Co., reminds us that Jesus didn’t die for us to live so-so lives. He died so we could step boldly into our God-given callings and live out who God created us to be. You can find it at: www.estherpress.com

Finding Sanctuary in the Midst of Alzheimer’s

A Bible study specifically designed for dementia care givers and others who want to learn how to better sup port caregivers. Ideal for churches and other community groups. You can find it at: www.elizabethshulman.com

By Dr. Elizabeth Shulman [Morgan James Publishing]

The Answer to Anxiety Daily Devotions for the New Year

By Joyce Meyer [FaithWords]

God doesn’t want you to live with worry and anxiety. In her new book, popular Bible teacher and New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer shows us practical steps, based on Scripture, that we can take to face our fears and tackle our anxieties... once and for all. You can find it at: bit.ly/TheAnswerToAnxietybyJoyceMeyer

Josh McDowell Ministry [Thomas Nelson]

Begin the new year with a committed heart for God! Josh McDowell’s Daily Devotions for Families and Youth will help your family discover how to do the right thing through the ups and downs of daily life. Be chal lenged and inspired to live for God like never before! You can find it at: www.Josh.org/Devotion

The Good News

A man accused of murder was brought before a judge. The man admitted to the crime, the guilty verdict was read, and the death penalty pronounced. Even though the guilty man was his own son, the judge could not dismiss the verdict or he would be a cor rupt, unjust judge. So great was the judge’s love for his son that he decided to pay the debt for him. The judge stepped down from the bench, removed his robe, traded places with him, and was executed in his place.

This is what Jesus has done for us. Jesus was sinless, but paid the penalty for our sin, dying on the cross in our place. This is called substitutionary atonement, but the atonement only takes effect if we are willing to accept this incredible gift; God won’t force His love on us. To receive this forgiveness, we must admit our guilt and sins and repent of them. If you have never done this, you can do it now. Tell God that you are sorry for your sins and want to turn away from them. If you truly repent, He will wash your sins away and give you a new life. He will send the Holy Spirit to live inside you and to change you from the inside out. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV)

WRITING

Contest Honor Roll

The 2022 Today’s Christian Living Writing Contest brought in a flood of wonderful stories about everyday people faithfully serving God all over the globe. As editor, I was able to read all the stories, and was so encouraged by them! I wish I could share them all with you. Unfortunately, the rules only allow me to share the top three picked by our judges.

However, since many writers were compelled to relay a story about someone they admired, I thought it fitting to publicly honor those who work to God’s glory, unnoticed by most of the world but treasured by those touched by their goodness. The tribute is done in no particular order. The names of the authors are mentioned first.

Tom Gardner thanks God for rescuing him.

Alex Kulbel is thankful for Roberto’s friendship.

Kathy Appleton remembers her Mom’s love & chocolate chip brownies.

Brenda Poinsett appreciates Bobbie’s care for pet-owners.

Barb Kent admires the courage Jill (her daughter) had as a teenage missionary.

James Stewart wants Dawnella to know he’s seen her love for children.

Phyllis Doloslager thanks God for an illness that brought her to Christ.

Victoria Stankus remembers encouraging care packages from her mom, Carolyn.

Carmen Smith thanks those who introduced Todd and Nancy (her parents) to Christ.

Timmy Gold sees Christ every day in his friend Babatunde Lydia.

Deborah Hase is grateful for her husband, Ken, and church her family.

Lorie Heyn is warmed by Lisa’s joy, despite her difficult circumstances.

Jill Runfola praises God for rescuing Tim from a life of addiction.

Jill Runfola also appreciates her home church, Orchard Christian Fellowship.

Glen Vanderkooi is thankful for his wife, Kori, as they travel a new path.

Rose Bruno marvels at her 14-year-old granddaughter’s courage.

Betty Predmore thanks God for choosing her to counsel women in all walks of life.

Edward Tooley is thankful for the discipleship and godly example of Mr. Damato.

Edward Tooley also recognizes Laura’s caring heart for those around her.

Montra Weaver admires the love Paul and Caryn have for all their children.

Lindsay Bonner marvels at how God uses difficult times to bring blessings.

Harriett Hardin has come to deeply value true friendship.

Kathryn Praise’s journey brought her through the desert to God’s living waters.

Richard Sunberg seeks recognition for the ladies at The Grace Café & God’s Littlest Angels.

Nita Wilkinson praises God and friends for supporting her through some dark days.

Judy Lorenzen reveres Lora for transforming great loss into rich ministry.

Tekoah McNutt admires her mom, Charise’s, joyful spirit despite health issues.

Cindy Hanback deeply appreciates her family, who she calls “The Love Family.”

“T” (Tamara) Windahl thanks God’s for His divine intervention in Zach’s life.

Liz Wamsley loves Alexander (her son), who teaches her about hope, trust and more.

Stacy Manganelli is blessed by Michael and Kim’s compassion for the homeless.

Raymond Crowe is grateful to Paris for demonstrating God’s lovingkindness.

Jeff M. Sellers is founder and editor of Morning Star News morningstarnews.org, the only independent news service exclusively covering persecution of Christians. Previously he was an associate editor at Christianity Today magazine, where he wrote a regular column on persecuted Christians for five years. He worked seven years as an editor at Open Doors International and three years as a writer at World Vision. With a journalism degree from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Marketplace Theology from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, he has also reported on persecution, economy, politics, and cultural issues for USA Today, The Globe and Mail, and other media as a journalist in Mexico City, Mexico, and Madrid, Spain.

By

Persecution on the Rise in Mozambique

Late on the night of September 6, Islamic ji hadists forced nuns and orphans to leave a convent in the city of Chipene, Mozambique before setting it on fire, but as one nun was about to leave, she went back to make sure no children had been left behind.

Sister Maria de Coppi, 84, who had served in Mozambique since 1963, was shot in the head and died, according to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Three other Christians were killed as the terrorists beheaded six people and abducted three others. Inacio Saure, Archbishop of Nampul, called De Coppi “a martyr of the faith,” according to Agencia Fides.

Identifying themselves as members of the Islamic State, the jihadists said in a statement that they killed De Coppi because she was “too committed to spreading Christianity.” They proceeded to set fire to the church building, hospital, primary and secondary schools, dormitory and new computer room of the Comboni Mission of Chipene in Nacala Diocese.

The attack highlighted an advance of Islamic terrorism to the area, after more than a year of relative quiet in northern Mozambique following the August 2021 success of regional forces in defeating the Islamic insurgency in Mocimboa de Praia, Cabo Delgado Province. Cabo Delgado Province is north of Nampula Province, where the attacked convent is located.

The relative quiet had come after the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) deployed troops to Mozambique in June 2021, and Rwandan and Mozambican soldiers liberated Mocimcoa de Praia on August 8, 2021.

Prayer Points:

• For economic development in a country where nearly two-thirds of population lives in poverty, increasing the allure of joining Islamic extremist groups.

• For the growing Islamic militant counteroffensive to be quelled.

• For churches to help persecuted Christians recover and remain strong.

On June 12, 2018 an elderly man was beheaded and at least 100 homes were burned down in Nathuko village. Photo courtesy of World Watch Monitor.

Prior to that a jihadist insurgency in northern Mozambique had wreaked havoc for four years. Jihadists had gained control of Cabo Delgado in 2017, leading locals to call it “the Land of Fear” due to the atrocities committed against Christians and moderate Muslims, according to aid organization Barnabas Fund.

Even after the liberation of Mocimcoa de Praia, SADC forces had to continue counter-terrorism operations across the northern part of the country. In late July, jihadists ramped up hit-and-run attacks on villages in several districts. Two Christians were beheaded when Islamic State militants attacked a minibus near the village of Nova Zambezia, Macomia District, in Cabo Delgado, according to Barnabas Fund.

The Islamic State put it this way: “By the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate … killed two Christians, beheading them, and shooting them with weapons.”

Leading up to the September 6 attack on the convent was a September 2 jihadist assault on the village of Kutua in Erati District. Two days later, they attacked the village of Naminhanha in Memba District. Between August 29 and September 7, Islamic terrorists launched four attacks in the southern part of Cabo Delgado Province and four in the northern part of Nampula Province, according to Agencia Fides.

“ The attackers targeted defenseless civilians working in their fields, beheading them, with the clear intention of spreading terror among the inhabitants,” according to Fides.

Jerry Dykstra and Open Doors contributors

Jeff M. Sellers

While the motives for the attacks are political and economic as well as religious, the anti-Christian element appears to be increasing. The Islamic State released videos on Aug. 19 from both Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo calling for attacks on Christians, according to the Jamestown Foundation. In the videos, they stated the jihad will continue until sharia (Islamic law) is implemented along with the jizya, a tax on non-Muslims granting protection and the right not to be executed.

Mozambique’s population is only 17.5 percent Muslim, according to Open Doors International, and the videos were designed to recruit jihadists.

“They need to frame their narratives in terms of embattled Muslims seeking to implement sharia law in the face of ‘infidel’ laws surrounding them,” the Jamestown Foundation noted. “At the same time, they must recruit hyper-locally within Muslim villages based on narratives opposing the un-Islamic governments under which they live and promoting the broader narratives of establishing an Islamic state and eventually the establishment of a global caliphate.”

Local Mozambicans say preachers of Wahhabism, a fundamentalist brand of Islam, are increasingly influential in the country, according to Elizabeth Kendal of the Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin.

“ The religious element in this ethnic-religious-political fissure has been seriously inflamed since the arrival of Wahhabism,” Kendal wrote in a 2020 report. “This has caused historic divisions to widen while also creating new divisions within the Muslim community.”

Wahhabism began to spread in northern Mozambique in the early 2000s, according to the Jamestown Foundation.

In spite of the military successes against jihadist rebels in 2021, the Wahhabi influence has contributed to increased persecution of Christians in the past three years. Mozambique jumped into the top 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian in 2021, ranking 45th on Open Doors’ World Watch List. Prior to that, Mozambique had ranked 66th in the 2020 list.

The country moved up to 41st in the 2022 WWL. In the WWL scoring system, Mozambique increased from 63 points in 2021 to 65 points in 2022.

“The increase in two points is due to the pressure that has been mounting on Christians, particularly in the northern part of the country where jihadists operate,” Open Doors International reported.

Islamic militants controlled many towns and cities before the Rwandan and southern African forces drove them out, but we are now seeing a resurgence of Islamist terrorism – aided and abetted by a Wahhabi influence that is spreading among civilians, quite apart from what any military or police action can touch. 

RADICAL ISLAM

ATTACKS

In Mozambique’s northern provinces, far from the capital city of Maputo in the south, Christians are killed for their faith, Christian women are raped and abducted, and converts from Islam suffer discrimination and attacks, according to Open Doors International (ODI).

“Islamic militants have often targeted Christians, noting that their goal is to set up a caliphate similar to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria,” ODI noted in its 2022 World Watch List report. “In some cases, there have been reports that militants go door to door asking: ‘Are you a Christian? Or are you a Muslim?’ If you are a Christian, you are killed.”

There were also reports of Muslims being killed because they could not recite the Koran in Arabic, ODI reported.

“Islamic militants in Mozambique kidnap girls and force them to become child brides; the girls are raped and sub jected to all manner of sexual abuse. The militants put the girls under considerable pressure to convert to Islam and teach them about how to become ‘good Islamic mothers,’” the organization noted.

Jihadists claiming allegiance to the Islamic State include the Al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ), which remains active; it has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

“Radical Islamic attacks have claimed the lives of many Christians,” ODI reported. “The Islamic State-affiliated Islamist group, Al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah, wants to establish an Islamic caliphate in Mozambique and has committed numerous atrocities. It has burned down churches and schools, and tens of thousands of people have fled from the northern part of the country.”

Persecution that had been limited to a smaller part of the country expanded in the WWL 2022 reporting period (ending on September 30, 2021), ODI noted.

Open Doors designates Mozambique’s level of persecution as “very high,” due in large part to violence; the country’s level of violence score was 15.6 out of 16.7. North Korea’s violence level score, by comparison, was 13.1.

“Persecution of Christians in Mozambique is due to the fol lowing – first, radical Islamic attacks have claimed the lives of many Christians,” ODI reported. “Second, the presence of drug cartels in some areas is making the lives of Christians –especially church youth workers – difficult; and third, the gov ernment is restricting freedom of religion.”

If you’d like to learn more, please watch this video from VOA: https://www.voanews.com/a/escaping-cabodelgado-s-nightmare-/6635100.html

“We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.”

-C.S.Lewis

“To know that nothing happens in God’s world apart from God’s will may frighten the godless, but it stabilizes the saints.”

-J.I. Packer

“Fantasy remains a human right. We make in our measure and in our derivative mode, because we are made, and not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a Maker.”

-J.R.R. Tolkien

“I call writing a sacred profession because I believe God chose the written word to communicate with man.”

-Jerry B. Jenkins

The Great Trade

Itugged gently on the stem of the houseplant in its flowerpot. Only one skinny vine remained from what had once been a thriving, lush collection of them spilling out of the flowerpot and down the sides of the plant stand. A former neighbor had given me this plant when she moved away. For years, I’d nurtured it but now suspected it had died. Sure enough, the brittle stem slid right out of the soil. My children like to tease me about killing houseplants; it turned out I had destroyed this one, too.

Instead of purchasing a replacement to sit on the plant stand, I decided to sell the tan wicker piece. Like the plant, it was a hand-me-down from the same neighbor. Lightweight, small, basic…it could fetch a few dollars. I wanted to sell it so I could amass some extra cash for giving toward needs in our community.

I posted the plant stand for sale online. I asked only five dollars, assuming a low price would cause it to be snapped up quickly. It wouldn’t garner much, but it was a start toward fulfilling my giving goals. I received a few inquiries, one serious one among them. As I planned to meet the buyer, I realized the interested party was my elderly neighbor, Doris. She lived a few houses down the street from my family. I understood im mediately I could not charge her for this. Not only had Doris paid my two teen sons handsomely for minimal help moving furniture earlier that sum mer, being a good neighbor meant I should pass along the plant stand as a gift—just as a neighbor had once done for me.

Confident of my decision, I nonetheless felt disappointed. Why Doris, Lord? I wanted to earn extra money so I could give more generously. Couldn’t you have sent a different buyer—one I would have happily charged $5?

I offered to carry the little piece of furniture to Doris’s home. When I arrived, she invited me in, showed me around the guest room she had re cently re-painted. When I insisted that I couldn’t take any money for the stand, she suggested a trade. I knew she had plenty of items she wanted to offload; she’d given my boys a couple of things to try to sell, although those pieces never gathered

interest from would-be buyers. Now Doris offered me a bedspread with two matching pillow shams. “Barely used,” she assured me. I thanked her and, after we finished chatting, hauled it down the street to my house.

After I returned home, I spotted a couple of smudges on the comforter. I sponged out those dirty spots and then had a thought—if I didn’t use it, perhaps I could sell the bedspread and the shams, too.

With dawning realization, I prayed, Was this your plan all along, Father? To exchange one small item for a bigger, more valuable one that could earn more money for giving?

My disappointment at acquiring no money for the plant stand evaporated. The trade I made with Doris could work out much better than I had originally anticipated. With new vision for the comforter, I photographed it and posted it online for sale. I listed the price at $20. If I sold this for my asking price, I would gain four times as much as if I had simply sold the plant stand for cash. I had asked God “why?” earlier that day when I had delivered the plant holder to Doris. Now I began to grasp the answer to the question I’d asked when I believed I had come out the loser in this deal: The Lord had worked out the situation just this way so that He could provide something even better. He had this in mind from the outset, only I—in my limited human understanding—could not comprehend that.

After posting the comforter and freshly washed pillow shams for sale, I waited. One potential buyer asked to purchase it but then stopped com municating. Still, I waited, and still, I hoped.

A few days later, I corresponded with a dif ferent woman hoping to buy the bedspread. She asked questions about the color and size; I sent additional photographs, hoping she would elect to make the purchase. And she did. That weekend, she stopped by my home and handed over twenty dollars in exchange for the bed linens. It was just what she had wanted. And that twenty dollars in cash? It was much more than I expected when I initially set out to sell the plant stand, yet it was exactly what God planned for my community. 

Allison Wilson Lee writes and homeschools her sons in central Florida. Her work has appeared in periodicals such as Country Woman, Christian Living in the Mature Years, Mysterious Ways, and in two collections of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

The Heavens Proclaim Him

By Michelle Adserias

Some days are just plain cold. I go out and take pic tures despite the icy air that numbs my cheeks and chin. My frosty fingers fumble clumsily with the camera, and warmth from my face fogs the viewfinder. I snap a few shots of winter scenes and make a beeline for the house. The snow underfoot squeaks as I rush inside, like Styrofoam packing peanuts being squished together. Nothing sounds better right now than sipping hot cocoa while wrapped in a fleece throw.

Our “warm spell” came to a screeching halt during the night. The cloud cover lifted, unveiling a star-studded night sky. Had it not also ushered in such unpleasant tem peratures, I would have lingered longer under the Milky Way. My best starry friend, Orion, diligently watched over the farm, as he does each winter. The Big Dipper poured out every last drop of its mysterious contents. The Pleia des put their heads together in a hushed huddle. And The Northern Cross, large and bright, paid tribute to our Re deemer’s great love and sacrifice.

It’s no coincidence that the constellations’ Creator put a heavenly cross in both the northern and southern hemi

spheres. It’s also no coincidence that both are readily vis ible most of the year. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” In Isaiah 40:26 we’re told “Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their hosts by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might, and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing.” And in Romans 1:20 it clearly states, “Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

The stars are God’s witnesses. They march across the heavens each night proclaiming His sovereignty to any who will look up and listen to their silent song. When we see the stars, God wants us to see Him, the great Creator who, by the power of His spoken word, named every star and assigned it a station. He hung the crosses overhead at the beginning of time, already knowing they would one day testify to His Son’s ultimate sacrifice for the sin of all man kind — so that they are without excuse. 

Attributes of God Word Search Answers

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