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Surprised by Prayer

Posted in Bible Study, Courage, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Goodness, God's Love, God's Power, God's Provision, God's Strength, God's Will, Peace, Perseverance, Prayer, Uncategorized, tagged 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, What to Pray for on February 12, 2026| 41 Comments »

Currently my prayers for others include healing from illness, avoidance of surgery, a smooth path ahead into a new life-phase, and guidance for an important decision.

Good things for good people.

But not long ago I had occasion to peruse Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian church. Four times in three short chapters, Paul expressed his prayers for these Christians facing persecution and trials (2 Thessalonians 1:4).

His prayers surprised me.

Did he include protection from their enemies? No. Rescue from persecution? No. Lives of peace so they could share about Christ without threat? No.

Instead, Paul asked for God’s empowerment, encouragement, strength, understanding of God’s love, endurance, and inner peace.

Why were these qualities uppermost in his mind?

First, GOD’S EMPOWERMENT would help them live true to their faith (1:11 CEV), so they might honor God and God might honor them (v. 12).

And what might that honor look like? Shalom—which includes inner tranquility, divine wholeness, prosperity of soul, and more (1)—even during trials.

We too can ask God to empower those we pray for, that they might honor him, experience his shalom, and anticipate the supreme honor of hearing him declare, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (2).

We’d do well to pray the same for ourselves.

Second, GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT AND STRENGTH would lead the Thessalonians to always do and say what is good (2 Thessalonians 2:17 GNT).

In the previous verse, Paul reminded these readers of God’s love and grace to them.

Perhaps he wanted to stir up memories of God’s goodness on display in the past, and once inspired, they’d be fueled to show goodness to one another within their church—to keep one another lifted up.

And that integrity would draw those outside the church to Jesus (3).

Third, GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S LOVE AND ENDURANCE, provided through Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5 GNT), would cause their confidence in him to grow.

Then, when challenges arose, the Thessalonian church would remain steadfast and unflinching in the face of persecution.

Down through the centuries Christians have suffered for their faith. Even now in Asia and Africa, Christ-followers bear up under imprisonment and torture.

Meriam Ibrahim was just such a prisoner, sentenced to death for refusing to become a Muslim. Her second child was born while Meriam was behind bars.

Finally her captors threatened to torture her with one hundred lashes followed by hanging, but Meriam later stated she never even considered acquiescing to her captors.

An international campaign for her release saved Meriam’s life. She now lives in the U.S (4).

Though we and our loved ones may never face such circumstances, we’re wise to prepare ourselves, and pray for endurance to stay the course—for all of us.

And last, PEACE—Shalom—from the Lord of Peace himself (3:16 HCSB).

Here shalom is not just alluded to; Paul prays for it specifically, that the Thessalonians might enjoy “at all times and in every way” this most sublime blessing.

No doubt, Meriam experienced such inner tranquility and deep, settled confidence. It can be ours also, as we stand on the strong foundation of:

God’s promises. He is a refuge, a stronghold, who never forsakes those who seek him (5).

God’s sovereignty and perfections. With flawless wisdom he always acts rightly (6).

God’s power. Sometimes he rescues, as he did in Meriam’s case. Other times, in his wisdom of all things, he deems it best not to. It’s then we see his miraculous power to carry his followers through, as he has thousands of martyrs who’ve gone to their deaths praying and singing.

So what about our prayers for good outcomes and guidance? Are they improper somehow? Not at all. In another letter, Paul told us to pray about everything.

So I’ll continue to pray for D. to be healed, for N. not to require surgery, for C.’s path ahead to be made clear, and A., as she and her family look to God for guidance.

But I’ll also add God’s empowerment to persevere, his encouragement and strength to live with integrity in spite of challenges, to experience God’s love in palpable ways, and to rest in his shalom.

California landscape by Thomas Hill (1829-1908)

Notes:

Isaiah 32:17
Matthew 25:21
Matthew 5:14-16
(https://www.eauk.org/idea/five-famous-christians-who-went-to-prison.cfm )
Psalm 9:9-10
Psalm 145:17

Image credits: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net (5); http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.picryl.com.

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A Stand for Life

Posted in Courage, Decision-Making, Excellence, Faith, Godly Character, Heroes of the Faith, Uncategorized, tagged Annexation of the Philippines 1898, Civil War, Civil War Battle at Antietam, President William McKinley, Spanish American War, William McKinley's Assassination, William McKinley's Christian Fatih on October 9, 2025| 40 Comments »

Nineteen-year-old William hunkered low in the mule-drawn wagon he drove, to avoid the bullets whizzing over his head.

Once he reached the front lines of his Ohio regiment, William and a few others began serving up tin plates of warm food and cups of hot coffee to the hundreds of soldiers—using the wagon as a shield.

The mission required numerous trips, but William did not stop until everyone had been fed.

No one had told the young commissary sergeant to attempt the undertaking. William took it upon himself, knowing that after three days of heavy fighting and not much breakfast, the men would be exhausted and famished.

His action during this crucial battle at Antietam, Maryland, may have helped turn the tide against the Confederates, who soon retreated back to Virginia.

William continued to distinguish himself as the Civil War wore on, living out his Christian faith with courage, compassion, integrity, and more. He earned the rank of major before General Lee surrendered in April, 1865.

William, 1865

Several years before William had proclaimed at his baptism, “Here I take my stand for life” [1].

Stand he did.

William read the Bible daily, testified to his faith, and lived a moral life. He also sought God’s guidance when making decisions [2].

After the war William returned to Ohio, becoming a lawyer in 1867. He garnered respect as an outstanding prosecuting attorney.

Leaders in the Republican Party noted his intelligence, winning personality, and integrity. They drafted him to run for the U.S. Congress in 1876, and William won. He served fourteen years, distinguishing himself on the Ways and Means Committee [3].

In 1890, however, William’s re-election bid failed due to gerrymandering. His district suddenly included three thousand more Democratic voters. Still, he lost by only three hundred votes.

Some may have thought they’d stymied William’s political career. Instead, he received a promotion, elected as Ohio’s governor in 1891. His success in that position led to an easily-won second term.

In June of 1896, the Republic Convention named William McKinley, Jr. as their presidential candidate. He won the popular vote and the electoral college.

In his first inaugural address, William repeated the oath administered to him. Then he added:

“This is the obligation I have reverently taken before the Lord this day. To keep it will be my single purpose and prayer . . .

“ . . . faith teaches that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of our fathers . . . who will not forsake us so long as we obey His commandments and walk humbly in His footsteps” [4].

One of McKinley’s most difficult decisions occurred in 1898: what to do about the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. Should he:

Affirm their independence, which would lead to chaos and misrule due to dire instability?
Allow a European power to take control?
Or make the Philippines a U. S. Territory to prevent exploitation?

The last option would require financial investment from America, and some Filipinos would certainly resist American-annexation [5].

To a group of church leaders at the White House, McKinley later shared:

“The truth is, I didn’t want the Philippines. I did not know what to do. . . . I sought counsel from all sides—Democrats as well as Republicans—but got little help. . . .

“. . . I walked the floor of the White House night after night . . . and am not ashamed to tell you I went down on my knees and prayed Almighty God for light and guidance more than one night. And one night late it came to me this way.”

William explained the Philippines clearly needed help and the United States should “by God’s grace do the very best we could by them as our fellow-men for whom Christ died.

“And then,” William concluded, “I went to bed, and went to sleep and slept soundly [6].

In 1900, McKinley easily won a second term, the first president to do so since Grant in 1872.

But on September 6, 1901, an anarchist, Leon Czolgosz, shot the president in the abdomen. Immediately, men nearby wrestled the assailant to the ground.

William instructed, “Don’t let them hurt him.” And then to his secretary, “My wife—be careful how you tell her—oh, be careful” [7].

Even in extreme crisis, William displayed honorable Christian character.

For eight days he lingered; the nation hoped and prayed for recovery. But as William grew increasingly weak, he told his doctors, “It is useless, gentlemen. I think we ought to have a prayer.”

Later the president recited from his favorite hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee.”

And finally William spoke his last words: “Good-bye, good-bye all. It is God’s way. His will, not ours be done” [8].

President McKinley did indeed stand tall on his Christian faith, from the day he first proclaimed it until his dying breath.

[1] https://www.tribtoday.com/news/local-news/2018/11/methodist-faith-affected-mckinleys-life/

[2] www.tribtoday.com

[3] https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-life-and-presidency-of-william-mckinley

[4] https://courierheraldtoday.com/william-mckinley-american-patriot-and-man-of-faith/

[5] https://shec.ashp.cuny.edu/items/show/878

[6] www.preachingtoday.com

[7] https://gentlereformation.com/2024/02/19/the-last-words-of-william-mckinley/

[8] www.gentlereformation.com

Additional source:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-McKinley

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Our God of Abundant Supply

Posted in Courage, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Power, God's Provision, Heroes of the Faith, Perseverance, Seeking God, Service, Success, Uncategorized, tagged Ephesians 3:20, Global Recordings Network, Heroine of the Christian Faith, Joy Ridderhof, missionary work, Psalm 84:11, Story of God's Faithfulness, Story of God's Provision on August 28, 2025| 42 Comments »

Joy Ridderhof pulled the blankets around her head to warm her shivering body, knowing she’d soon be throwing them off as sweat soaked her nightgown.

Joy had succumbed to malaria before, but this episode wouldn’t subside. As a result, she’d had to leave the people she’d grown to love in Honduras and return home to Los Angeles. The year: 1937.

Her doctors weren’t sure why she didn’t improve. Added to her discomfort was their discouragement: “You mustn’t go back to Honduras, Joy.”

A mountain village of Honduras , 2008

The thirty-four-year-old had served as a missionary in a remote, mountain village for five years. In spite of hardship, illness, and even threats on her life, she’d loved her time there, and many Hondurans had come to know Christ.

Now it appeared that challenging yet satisfying life-chapter was over. Joy faced the possibility of being an invalid the rest of her life—or at least a semi-invalid.

One day as Joy lay in bed, a wonderful idea occurred to her. The gramophones many villages owned could be put to good use if she made records of stories and songs about Jesus. As far as she knew, no such records existed in Spanish.

But how could she implement such a plan? Joy began to pray and asked others to join her.

Slowly, her health improved. And then, she happened to be introduced to a missionary returned from Central America who’d built a recording studio in his home. She shared her idea, and he became enthused about such a project.

Joy wrote the scripts and arranged for singers and their accompaniment. She herself read the stories.

The first record was produced on December 31, 1938. Joy sent them to various locations in Central America. Now people who couldn’t read would hear about Christ in their own language.

But each record cost fifty cents to produce and Joy had no income. The Great Depression meant resources were tight everywhere. Joy prayed for God’s provision. She believed what the great missionary Hudson Taylor had said [1]:

And supply God did.

In May 1939, Joy established Spanish Gospel Recordings.

Missionaries in Mexico heard about Joy’s work and asked for records in another language. Of course, finding native speakers in L. A. for an indigenous Mexican-Indian language would be nearly impossible.

So Joy and her college friend Ann Sherwood left for Mexico and Central America in 1944, a trip made possible by a doctor who loaned them a car and provided gas ration coupons.

Once they arrived in Mexico, a man invited them to use his new recording studio. The women spent ten months producing records in thirty-five languages, then returned to the States, satisfied their task was complete.

But God had more in store.

Missionaries to the Navajo Indians in Arizona asked for recordings; Joy found native speakers to translate and record scripts for them [2].

Next came a call from Alaska. The two women drove from L.A. to Alaska, equipped with one of the first tape recorders produced in America. While there, someone mentioned that such records would be helpful in the Philippines.

“Oh no!” Joy laughed. “Now we’ve got to go to there!”

Joy and Ann spent one year in the Philippine Islands, producing records in ninety-two languages [3].

By 1955, the two women and others had travelled around the world. Records were being sent to more than one hundred countries [4], prepared on top-of-the-line recorders that God supplied.

He also provided workers who lived in various countries. By 1980 about 3,500 languages had been recorded [5]. Millions of records had been produced.

Of course, not all remote villages owned a record player. So Joy’s organization developed and supplied a number of different players over the decades.

The simplest was a cardboard sleeve that also housed the record for shipping. When opened up, a needle fastened to one edge played the record when placed on the stubby spindle attached to one side. The record could be turned by a pencil or stick stuck into a hole on the edge of the label.

Hand-wound box-players were later issued, then cassette players, followed by hand-wound mp3 players. Today, the internet and apps allow people all over the world to hear about Jesus and his gift of salvation.

In an interview recorded in 1974 [6], Joy Ridderhof (1903-1984) passionately affirmed:

“We have a God that’s alive, who answers prayer, takes care of us, gives us joy in the work, and provides great results from our work.

“Many thousands have heard about Jesus; little churches have sprung up in different places. He has met our needs and proven himself faithful [7]!”

Today, the Global Recordings Network includes forty offices worldwide, and has produced recordings in more than 6,500 languages [8].

Joy Ridderhof

[1] https://www.globalrecordingsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Magazine-viewing-version-1.pdf

[2] https://fromthevault.wheaton.edu/2024/03/04/too-impractical-to-be-a-missionary-remembering-missions-pioneer-joy-ridderhof/

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsLfY9bOkxo

[4] https://fromthevault.wheaton.edu.

[5] www.globalrecordings.org

[6] (and [7]) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsLfY9bOkxo

[8] https://www.globalrecordingsusa.org/about/overview/

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Glory and Strength

Posted in Bible Study, Blessings, Courage, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Power, God's Strength, God-Given Abilities, Uncategorized, tagged 1 Chronicles 29:12, 2 Peter 1:3, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Attributes, God's Glory, God's Goodness, God's Strength, Jackie Kennedy, Kennedys' Trip to France 1961, President Kennedy, Psalm 89:17 on May 22, 2025| 30 Comments »

Late spring, 1961, President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie visited France. He’d only been in office four months, but already the world had embraced the refined and fashionable First Lady.

Upon arrival in Paris, people lined the streets and shouted, “Vive Jackie!”

And as the week unfolded, she impressed them further with her knowledge of French history and culture and her command of their language, polished to perfection at the Sorbonne during her junior year of college.

With dignitaries Jackie proved to be articulate, diplomatic, and a good listener. She especially charmed their president, Charles DeGaulle.

President Kennedy, on the other hand, received a cool reception from his French counterpart. The two had not seen eye-to-eye on certain policies. Jackie helped pave the way for diplomacy between them.

At a state dinner held in the Palace of Versailles, JFK famously introduced himself as “the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris. And I have enjoyed it.”

The Hall of Mirrors where the dinner took place

Today, many still remember Jackie’s iconic style, her gentle demeanor, and stalwart courage following President Kennedy’s tragic death. But she will also “go down in history . . . for creating a dominant soft power dynamic in American politics” [1].

We also admire the way JFK humbly honored his wife at that state dinner. He appreciated her strengths that provided great benefit to him.

With this example in mind (although a weak one compared to what it illustrates!), we might understand more clearly what the psalmist meant when he wrote that God is the glory and strength of those who put their faith in him:

“Strength” we more readily understand. Many of us have experienced God’s power upholding us through crises and augmenting our efforts to serve him. But glory? What did the psalmist mean by “God is their glory?”

Perhaps the following comparisons will make the meaning clearer.

Even more than the great benefit Jackie provided to her husband, God provides abundant benefit to us.

As Jack gloried in Jackie, honoring her and acknowledging her worth, we glory in God.

As Jackie made the visit to France a glowing success, so God makes his people glow with success—that is, prosperity of soul, contentment of heart, and peace of mind.

JFK understood it was Jackie who exalted his position with DeGaulle and the French people. Similarly, we need to acknowledge that our sovereign God is the one who exalts us.

We don’t have to push and strive to prove ourselves; we can rest in all the glorious attributes of our Heavenly Father, lavished upon us for our benefit [2].

But like all analogies, this one involving the Kennedys breaks down, because no one is like our God.

Beyond the examples given above to explain how God is our glory, consider these truths:

God’s magnificence

God’s infinite power gives impetus to all his perfections in our lives. After all, what good would his perfect wisdom do without the wherewithal to execute it? His unfailing mercy without the ability to apply it? His infallible promises without the capability to keep them [3]?

God’s enabling work in our lives

God’s incomparable strength is instilled in us as we rely upon him. The result? We begin to display the glory of his attributes, including: patience in the midst of stress, kindness in response to rudeness, and self-control in the face of frustration [4].

God’s power

God specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for his almighty power; nothing is too small for his love. Enter God’s realm where everything is possible [5]!

Of course there are many more facets to God’s glory. And this splendorous God of wonders is our strength—even if we don’t feel tough enough, talented enough, smart enough, or engaging enough for the path ahead—even if circumstances seem against us.

That last state of affairs must have been President Kennedy’s perception as he and Jackie left for France. Little did he know how Jackie would transform their visit.

By contrast we KNOW God’s capabilities of transformation! The evidence is in scripture, history, in the lives of those around us, and in our own experience.

Therefore, let’s remember:

Praise be to God, our glory and strength!

[1] https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/blog/jackie-kennedy-public-diplomacy-camelot

[2] Another post about God’s attributes: Rooted/

[3] 2 Peter 1:3

[4] 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 1:15

[5] Based on a quote of Corrie ten Boom, Holocaust survivor

Image credits: http://www.deviantart.com (Kralj Aleksandar); http://www.boudewijnhuijgens.getarchive.net; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.dailyverses.net (2); http://www.canva.com (2).

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My Peace I Give You

Posted in Bible Study, Courage, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Presence, God's Salvation, Jesus, Peace, Praise, Salvation, Suffering, Uncategorized, tagged 2 Thessaloninas 3:16, Colossians 3:15, Good Friday, John 13:21, John 14:27, The Last Supper on April 17, 2025| 32 Comments »

Another time, another meal

Easter afternoon we’ll join our son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters for dinner in their home—with six other guests.

E. and H. have planned a Georgian feast, based on traditional dishes from the Eastern European country of Georgia. (Did you know that 85% of that nation’s population are Christian? I certainly didn’t.)

Each family or single person attending this celebration has been given a recipe, so we’ll be able to sample eight different dishes of this new cuisine. And because of the many delicious meals we’ve enjoyed with E. and H., we know:

Within the warm ambiance of their home and the congenial atmosphere as we converse and laugh together, each of our individual concerns will recede to the background. In their place, joy, contentedness, and peace (shalom) will settle upon our spirits.

By contrast, the Passover feast that Jesus celebrated with his disciples, the night before his crucifixion, held little joy or peace for him. In fact, the Apostle John wrote, “Jesus was troubled in spirit” [1].

He knew what would happen that night and into the next day: the pain of betrayal, scourging [2], a crown of thorns thrust on his head, mockery, the crucifixion, and separation from his Father.

The plan had already been set in motion, when Judas approached the chief priests and officers of the temple guard to discuss how—for a price—he might hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present [3].

Under these stressful circumstances Jesus stated to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” [4].

The Amplified Version adds: “Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.”

But if Jesus was troubled in his own spirit, how could he promise his peace to the disciples? How could he tell them not to be troubled?

The answer lies in his confidence in his Father. Though fully aware of the suffering to come, Jesus displayed confidence in the purpose and power of his Father and moved forward unhesitatingly to meet the pending crisis [5].

Consider his demeanor over the next eighteen hours or so. Jesus conducted himself with calm quietude from the moment of his arrest to his last breath on the cross. God did indeed supply courage and strength for every torment.

This is the nature of the peace Christ gives to all of us who trust in him [6].

But how do we avail ourselves of this precious gift? (And for those of us who are familiar with these ways to peace, how well are we implementing them?)

Get to know God in his Word.

We considered one way in the post, “Celebrating God in the Psalms.” So many of his attributes and gracious actions are highlighted in these ancient songs.

No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.

–Croft M. Pentz

Practice his presence.

Possibilities include expressing gratitude, speaking simple prayers throughout the day, and singing worship songs.

Be quick to praise God.

You’ll find your cares reduced and your anxieties lessened. The result: expanded peace.

Focus less on the problems ahead and more on the victories behind.

–Max Lucado, Mocha with Max, 82

Come Sunday, our son and daughter-in-law’s home will provide a splendid place of refuge and peace—for a few hours.

How glorious to contemplate that Christ’s refuge and peace is much more splendorous, much more impactful, and for all time!

* * * * * * * * * *

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for enduring unimaginable suffering in order to restore our relationship with God and provide the gift of eternal life. Now you are our Lord of peace, ready to give us peace at all times and in every way. You ARE indeed worthy to receive honor and glory and praise!

1 Peter 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Revelation 5:12

[1] John 13:21

[2] A flogging, inflicted with a whip of leather straps imbedded with pieces of metal and glass, meant to rip into the flesh. Such a brutal beating often led to death.

[3] Luke 22:1-6

[4] John 14:27

[5] Merrill Tenney, www.preceptaustin.org

[6] Colossians 3:15

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The Mismatched Pairing

Posted in Blessings, Courage, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Promises, God's Protection, God's Provision, God's Refuge, God's Strength, God-Given Abilities, Godly Character, Heroes of the Faith, Joy, Perseverance, Service, Suffering, Uncategorized, tagged 1 Peter 3:14, Chinese missionary, Faith, God's Provision, Jeanette Li, Joy in Christ, Psalm 138:7, Psalm 18:17, Psalm 18:32, Serving Christ in Difficult Circumstances, Suffering for Christ on March 27, 2025| 38 Comments »

“God preserved me so I might tell the story of my life and of God’s goodness to me,” wrote Jeanette Li in her autobiography. And readers might expect her to share stories indicating a life of continual blessing.

They would be wrong.

Jeanette Li (known first as Li Mao Ya, or “Jasmine Bud”), was born in 1899 and grew up in Southeast China with a large extended family of forty-plus people. They lived in hardship and poverty along with most everyone else in the village.

At age six, Jeanette suffered her first trauma—her beloved father died.

Many more ordeals followed, including:

At age 9: Jeanette contracted malaria and received treatment at a mission hospital. One blessing: while there, she and her mother, Taai-So, became Christians.

Perhaps a mission such as this one in central China

When Jeanette was released, they returned home, only to be turned away by their Buddhist family because they’d become Christians. Taai-So and Jeanette returned to the mission and lived there.

Age 10: The mission was closed due to political strife; all their missionary-friends had to leave.

Age 16: Against Jeanette’s will, Taai-So arranged a marriage for Jeanette, in order to provide for her daughter’s future. Jeanette went to live with her husband’s family under the thumb of a domineering mother-in-law.

Age 20: Jeanette bore a son. But her husband was rarely home, first because he was in school, and then because he was hired as a teacher some distance away. Eventually he married someone else.

Age 32: Jeanette left all she knew to live and serve in bitter-cold Manchuria, requiring her to learn a new language and culture. For thirteen years she traveled by cart on unpaved roads, telling people about Jesus.

Age 38: War broke out between China and Japan in 1937, lasting eight years. Millions died in combat or the result of starvation or disease.

Age 47: The Communists warred against the Nationalists in a three-year civil war, resulting in more suffering and the death of another million-plus people.

Jeanette returned to South China, to the mission where she and her mother had lived. Jeanette was questioned many times by Communist Army officials.

Age 50: All foreign missionaries were constrained to leave China as the Communist Party took power. Jeanette assumed responsibility for the mission-orphanage.

Age 51: She suffered imprisonment for seventeen months, accused of being a counter-revolutionary. Jeanette had to sleep on the floor “in a damp cell infested by mosquitoes, with hardly any food”[1].

They forced her to perform hard labor, and interrogated her day and night. she became ill with fever and developed hemorrhaging dysentery. Her captors offered no medical treatment [2].

Some would ask, “Where was God in all this? The poor woman endured such hardship, pain, and unfair treatment!”

Jeanette would have us know that God graciously involved himself throughout her life, blessing her, and bringing her joy:

He was there during the siege of malaria that took Jeanette and her mother to the regional mission. God spared Jeanette’s life and introduced them to Jesus.

When they returned home, God used the family upheaval to lead the two back to the mission. Taai-So obtained employment and they grew in their Christian faith.

God brought good out of the abandonment of Jeanette’s husband, providing the opportunity for her to obtain a teaching certificate. She was able to support her son as a teacher and then as school administrator.

God fulfilled Jeanette’s desire to tell others about Jesus and made it possible for her to serve in Manchuria, teaching in village after village.

God led her to return to South China where he used her to assume leadership of the mission-orphanage, putting to use her skills as educator and administrator.

God sustained Jeanette during her imprisonment as she suffered acute misery with grace, courage, and stamina—a witness to all in the prison of God’s power at work in her life.

God also spared her life as illness and weakness nearly overcame her.

After her release, God provided for her recovery and subsequent missionary-work in Canton.

God bestowed a miraculous escape from Communist China, first to Hong Kong where she ministered to children and refugees, and finally, in 1962, to Los Angeles, California where her son already lived.

Throughout her life, Jeanette was one of those “true saints who [could] wear the mismatched pairing of suffering and joy” [3]. And as a result, she drew attention to Christ.

May we do the same.

Addendum: For six years prior to a fatal stroke, Jeanette ministered in the Chinese community of Los Angeles, told her story at every opportunity, and wrote her autobiography.

[1] https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/jeanette-li-and-her-faith-in-gods-promises

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://jenniferdukeslee.com/on-suffering-and-joy-a-lesson-from-the-garden-tomato/

Other Sources:

https://www.bdcconline.net

https://rpwitness.org

Jeanette Li (Yin Wei Jie)

Image credits: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.getarchive.net (2); http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.freebibleimages.org; http://www.getarchives.net.

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An Extraordinary Journey

Posted in Courage, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Provision, God's Strength, God-Given Abilities, Godly Character, Heroes of the Faith, Obedience, Perseverance, Service, Uncategorized, tagged Hebrews 13:21, Liberia, Lott Carey, Missionaries, Missionaries to Africa on February 27, 2025| 27 Comments »

Lott Carey ran his hands over the polished wood of his new desk. He shook his head in wonder while contemplating the most recent turn-of-events in his life.

Lord, I can scarce believe where you’ve brought me, he prayed.

Surely no one but a prophet could have predicted this day for Lott, a former slave from Virginia, born about 1780.

Thank you, Father, for placing me in a God-fearing family, and for our kind master who kept us together—my grandmother, parents, and me. Thank you for their faithfulness to raise me up knowing you.

Lott rested his elbows on the desk and covered his eyes at the next memory, when his master sent him to work in a tobacco warehouse in Richmond.

He was twenty-four, joined with a group of carousing men, and began drinking heavily.

Months later, he returned to church and reestablished his faith in Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for never giving up on me, even when I turned my back on you.

Lott smiled to think how God engineered the ensuing events. First came the desire to read, and Lott signed up for night school at First Baptist Church. He also studied writing, math, the Bible, and other subjects.

Then God provided a promotion to supervisor at the tobacco warehouse, providing a better salary. Lott saved every extra penny and purchased his freedom [1].

Looking back, God, I can see how you’ve cared for me all along the way. You’ve gone before me, you’ve been with me, and have never forsaken me [2].

Next came the realization that God had given him a gift for preaching, and his church licensed him to do so. Lott ministered to a small black congregation for a time, and under his leadership, it grew to over eight hundred members. Lott began receiving invitations to preach all over Virginia.

That turned out to be a short stretch of road, didn’t it Father! You used my teacher, Mr. Crane, and others to turn my heart toward Africa, which I found exciting but also overwhelming.

The fact that my church family provided strong affirmation encouraged me that this was your plan.

For six years the idea of becoming a missionary in Africa had grown increasingly urgent in Lott’s heart. Finally, in 1821, the dream became a reality when he, his second wife, three children and two more co-workers with their families set sail for Sierra Leone.

They were the first black Americans to serve as missionaries in Africa.

West Africa

Lott shook his head. Never would I have expected my life journery to take me across the ocean!” he mused.

Not long after disembarking, the group discovered that the American Colonization Society, responsible for purchasing land for them, had not done so. The team had to work as laborers for nearly a year until support arrived from the States.

An even more grievous event that year: Lott’s wife became ill and died.

Such agonizing setbacks might have done me in, Lord, but you upheld me. Thank you for your sustaining presence.

One uplifting circumstance: God used Lott to establish a mission among the nearby Mandingo tribe.

In 1822 the neighboring state of Liberia was founded by the America Colonization Society as a place for freed slaves to resettle and govern themselves.

Lott became Liberia’s health officer and government inspector in the capital city of Monrovia, while also serving as pastor for several churches.

These have been exciting times, Lord. You’ve also helped me found the Monrovia Mission Society, to help us spread the good news of Christ all over Africa.

He suddenly chuckled. AND you made me physician of the colony!

Lott marveled how much he’d learned just through observation and experience while ministering to the sick. He’d also absorbed knowledge from scientific practitioners who visited the colony [3].

But most surprising of all, Lord, is where I currently sit, at this desk—the GOVERNOR’S desk!

Who would ever guess that an illiterate, former slave like me would be chosen provisional governor of Liberia while the elected governor returns home because of illness?

Lott surveyed the desktop with its books and papers–his domain now.

God, you’ve taken me on an extraordinary journey. As I assume these responsibilities, thank you in advance for your continued enablement to do what you require. May I serve you well, AMEN.

Little did Lott know that he’d shortly be organizing a defense force against hostile tribes, that he and seven co-workers would die in a gun powder explosion while preparing to rescue negotiators from the enemy. He was just forty-nine years old.

And yet during his short life, Lott set for us a stellar example of hard work, strong faith, and prayerful compliance with whatever God set before him to do.

His legacy lives on in the Lott Carey Global Christian Missional Community, established in 1897 and “dedicated to broadening the reach of the Christian faith across the globe” [4].

[1] He also purchased freedom for his first wife who later died, and their two children. The cost: $850. (https://landmarkevents.org/lott-carey-sails-for-africa-1821/; https://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/taylor/taylor.html).

[2] Deuteronomy 31:18 NIV

[3] https://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/taylor/taylor.html , 44.

[4] https://lottcarey.org/

Additional Sources:

http://www.imb.org, “Missionaries You Should Know: Lott Carey.”

https://www.thetravelingteam.org/articles/lott-carey

Image credits: http://www.stockcake.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.flickr.com (Juan Freire); http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.canva.com.

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Celebrating the Saints

Posted in Courage, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Strength, God-Given Abilities, Godly Character, Heroes of the Faith, Obedience, Perseverance, Prayer, Service, Suffering, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, tagged 1 Corinthians 3:10, African Inland Mission, Central African Republic, Christian heroes, Christianity, James Gribble, missionary, missions on January 9, 2025| 45 Comments »

Twenty-one-year-old James Gribble, a streetcar conductor, scanned the avenue ahead, but his mind swirled with visions of the future. Life was treating him well in Philadelphia with its many amenities in 1904, compared to his hometown of Mechanicsburg, PA. What opportunities might lie ahead?

Then it happened. A woman stepped off the still-moving trolley, caught her skirt under a wheel, and was pulled under. She died at the scene.

James agonized over the terrible accident. “Oh God, deliver me, and I’ll serve you!” he wrote in his journal.

That Sunday James attended church and accepted Jesus into his life. That evening he was baptized.

On Monday while reading his Bible, James came to Matthew 28:19a:

He told his pastor, “I think God wants me to become a missionary.”

For several years James received mentoring and instruction, then joined the African Inland Mission. To his delight, the team included a pretty young doctor, Florence Newberry. In 1908 they established a mission station in West Central Africa and started ministering to the nearby tribes.

The station was located in what is now the Central African Republic, south of Chad.

James wanted to become better-acquainted with Florence, but patients kept her busy from morning till night. Suddenly genius struck. James could pretend he was sick!

During the appointment he suggested courtship. Florence preferred they remain friends, still devastated over a previous beau uninterested in foreign mission work.

Twice more over the next four years James would approach her about courtship; twice more she declined.

James and another missionary traveled inland to establish a new station.

West African tribesmen, 1912

Soon his partner became ill and had to return to base camp, then James succumbed to black water fever. He expected to die.

Afterward James wrote about the vision God gave him on his sickbed—a panoramic view of the tribes of West Central Africa. God said, “Thou shalt be instrumental in carrying the gospel to these.” James knew then he’d survive.

During a prayer vigil in 1912, Florence’s thoughts turned to James. Her heart had warmed toward the trustworthy and kind missionary, so passionate about sharing Christ with the African people. Florence sensed the Spirit whispering to her, “Why not?”

The two were married within a few months.

Sometime later Florence developed appendicitis and required hospitalization. For thirty days they traveled the three hundred miles to the nearest hospital.

As she slowly recovered, the doctor told James, “You must take her back to America. She cannot live in the tropics.”

Florence did return home and six months later James followed. They lived in Chicago for several years while Florence regained strength. Their only child Marguerite was born there in 1915.

Daily James would pray over a map of Africa. He found his attention drawn to a town named Bozoum, in Ubangi-Shari (now the Central African Republic). He wondered why.

Bozoum is located in the northwestern province of Ouham-Pende.

The couple shared their hope with area churches: to establish base camps across central Africa as a barrier against encroaching Islam. When they returned in 1918, two nurses and another family joined them.

The group desired to enter a French-controlled area, but it took eighteen months to receive permission. They named their base, Camp-Wait-Some-More.

Finally able to move on, they arrived in Carnot. While waiting there another eighteen months, they spent their time learning the language and praying.

A new official arrived, and James made an appointment with him.

He asked James, “Where do you intend to set up camp, now that you’ve received permission?”

Permission?! James was stunned. “Where would you recommend?”

Then came Surprise #2. “I think Bozoum would be a good place.”

Now James knew why God had inspired him to pray particularly for this town.

In 1921, Florence and James became ill again. She had to return to the States, taking their daughter with her. Eighteen months later Florence traveled back to Africa, but without Marguerite. Though an anguishing decision, the couple determined she should remain in America to attend school.

In 1923 a young recruit was due to arrive, but he died within miles of reaching their mission station, causing more heartache.

James wrote:

Not long after, James succumbed to black water fever again; this time the forty-year-old did not survive.

He’d previously written to Florence, “I shall be content with the lowest seat in heaven if only there I may sit and see the redeemed of the Lord come in from those fields where I have a been a pioneer missionary.”

Except James had not witnessed one person becoming a Christ-follower during his years in Africa.

Some might say those years of pain and hardship had accomplished nothing. And what about God’s promise: ““Thou shalt be instrumental in carrying the gospel to these?”

James had been instrumental, by bringing others to join in their work. Even his own daughter returned to Africa, ministering with her husband for thirty-one years.

James had served as a foundation builder—constructing base camps, encouraging others, and giving himself to prayer. He followed in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul:

Today, 70% of the population of the Central African Republic are Christians.

In my mind’s eye I see James in heaven, greeting saint after saint from West Central Africa, just as he imagined. But instead of sitting, I think James is standing and celebrating with all his heart.

Sources:

A hero of the faith speaks about obstacles – James Gribble

What Can James Gribble Teach Us About Prayer?

Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.nara.getarchive.net; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org.

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And Mary Pondered These Things

Posted in Bible Study, Christmas, Courage, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God's Provision, God's Strength, God's Will, God-Given Abilities, Godly Character, Jesus, Maturity, Uncategorized, tagged birth of Jesus, Christmas, Dealing with hardship, Luke 1:38, Luke 2:19, Luke 2:21-35, Mary Mother of Jesus on December 26, 2024| 31 Comments »

No Christmas season would be complete without the reading of the second chapter of Luke—the account of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, presiding over the birth of Jesus in a stable or cave, and receiving shepherd-guests.

Toward the end of the account, as those shepherds were spreading the word of Jesus’ birth, Luke wrote, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (v. 19).

Indeed. She had much to process:

Her baby was the Messiah, the Promised One, who would save his people from their sin. I wonder if she studied him, looking for signs that he was different from other infants.
This was the Prince of Peace cradled in her arms. Yet he had been born to a common village girl in very primitive conditions. Did that seem strange to her?
The shepherds had learned of his birth when angels visited them, just as the angel, Gabriel, had visited Mary and then Joseph. Gabriel had also visited Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Four angel visitations in a matter of months. Never had that happened before.

I find myself pondering, too—pondering Mary herself–this dear, young girl who carried a tremendous burden for a long time.

Dear means beloved and valued. Mary is certainly that for numerous reasons.

She embraced Gabriel’s announcement with great faith. “May it be to me as you have said,” (Luke 1:38). She put herself in the care of God in spite of incomprehensible circumstances.
Her prayer, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), gives indication of a heart fully committed to God.
She endured much: shame for her pregnancy, a long, uncomfortable journey to Bethlehem, and crude circumstances for the birth of her Son.

Mary was young—perhaps between thirteen and fifteen years of age. That was the typical age for a girl to be married in Bible times.

Yet, young as Mary was, Gabriel praised her for being “endued with grace” (v. 28, AMP). In addition, Mary demonstrated stamina, maturity, and gentleness beyond her years.

No doubt God graced her with these traits. But I have to believe Mary also had freedom of choice, as we all do, to embrace God’s way for her.

What I ponder most, however, is the fact Mary carried a tremendous burden, given to her by an elderly man, Simeon, eight days after Jesus was born.

You undoubtedly remember the story. Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple at Jerusalem to be circumcised.

There they met the righteous and devout Simeon who had been waiting decades for the Messiah. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him he would not die until he had seen the Lord Christ.

Immediately upon seeing the Child, Simeon knew this was the One.

He praised God for keeping his promise, blessed Mary and Joseph, and then spoke particularly to Mary, saying Jesus would cause some to rise and some to fall, he would be spoken against, the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed, and a sword will pierce your own soul too (Luke 2:21-35).

Those last words must have caused Mary’s eyes to grow wide and her heart to skip a beat. Wasn’t the worst behind her? Surely Mary wanted to ask Simeon, “What do you mean?” Scripture gives us no indication that she did so.

For thirty-three years those last words of Simeon must have echoed in Mary’s mind again and again. How does a person live with such long-term foreboding? Perhaps her mind turned back to the night of Gabriel’s visitation.

Perhaps, for thirty-three years, Mary repeated what she had told the archangel: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (1:38).

Mary may very well have developed the calm assurance that even when God’s ways are baffling, we can rest assured he is orchestrating events to accomplish far more than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). She’d been witness to such orchestration in Bethlehem.

Mary knew that even our personal hardships can fulfill purposes that extend far beyond ourselves.

That’s a lesson for all of us to embrace with calm assurance.

(Revised and reblogged from December 15, 2014, while we enjoy a blessed week with family!)

Photo credit: http://www.stocksnap.io.

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In the Walled City and Beyond

Posted in Courage, Dreams, Generosity, God's Faithfulness, God's Power, Heroes of the Faith, Perseverance, Service, Uncategorized, tagged Example of faith in action, Hong Kong, Jackie Pullinger, Kowloon, Matthew 25:40, St. Stephen's Society, Successful rehabilitation from drug addiction, The Walled City on August 29, 2024| 44 Comments »

‘If I were you I’d buy a ticket for a boat going on the longest journey you can find and pray to know where to get off. If God doesn’t want you on that boat he’s perfectly able to stop you . . . or make the ship go anywhere in the world.’

Jackie Pullinger of Croydon, England nodded, sensing God’s affirmation to this advice from her pastor.

For months Jackie’s dream of becoming a missionary in Africa had been stymied. No mission society, school, or broadcasting company took interest in her, a twenty-two-year-old music teacher.

And yet the dream she’d held since age five remained as strong as ever—stronger, in fact, upon developing a close, personal relationship with Jesus while attending the Royal College of Music.

Jackie soon implemented her pastor’s advice and set sail from London in 1966 with no destination in mind and only ten pounds in her pocket. When she reached Hong Kong, Jackie sensed God telling her, this is the place.

Hong Kong, 1960s

She began exploring the island and came upon the Walled City, a place of lawlessness and squalor, open sewers and rats, gangs, drug addicts, and prostitutes. Thirty-some thousand people on six acres.

No building codes enforced .

Years prior the area had been occupied by the Chinese imperial garrison. “It was omitted from the lease of 1898 in which China ceded Hong Kong to Britain. Neither government had taken responsibility for it” [1]. When the garrison disbanded the underclass moved in, unchecked by any police presence.

In spite of the filth and stench, Jackie felt happy there because in her mind’s eye she already saw the darkness lifting. She saw the kingdom of God.

No trash pick-up either.

To support herself, Jackie took a teaching position in a government school, but she also worked at a school in the Walled City, run by a missionary.

Jackie turned a few shabby rooms into a youth club where teenagers could play ping pong and darts. She began to build relationships with them, many of whom were already heroin or opium addicts.

Preaching about Jesus proved ineffective. But Jackie noticed people watching how she lived. So she focused on putting her faith in action.

Jackie shared her rice with an old woman, took a gang member to the hospital after a fight, waited in line overnight to register a young girl for school, went to court with a gang member who said he’d been framed, and more [2].

Many expressed appreciation for her kindness and generosity but no lives were changed—at first.

One night thugs ransacked the youth club. Benches, skateboards, and the games equipment were destroyed, the walls and floor smeared with sewage. But a gang leader who respected Jackie assigned guards to protect the youth club from future damage.

Another leader asked Jackie to help his gang members quit drugs. Sober members made better dealers, he explained.

“I’ll only help them to follow Jesus, reject narcotics, and not participate in organized crime,” she told him.

And yet the leader continued to support Jackie and even released from the gang those boys who became Christians [3].

One day while walking through the Walled City, Jackie spotted Christopher, a boy from her youth group. She asked him to carry her accordion.

As they walked, they talked. Christopher confessed he couldn’t become a Christian because he wasn’t good enough. Jackie made clear that wasn’t a prerequisite, and the boy became a Jesus-follower that day [4].

Others soon made the choice to become Christians, including one of the youth-club guards. But some of these new believers lived in opium dens, making their transition to sober-living especially difficult.

One by one they came to live in Jackie’s home, where they received compassionate care and faith-filled prayer while processing through withdrawal. For many their transition was neither painful or traumatic [5].

Of course, Jackie’s apartment quickly became crowded. But through gifts from other Christians and government resources she was able to rent more apartments. It wasn’t long before dozens of such living quarters became hundreds and each quickly filled to capacity.

More workers joined in the work, including former addicts. They established additional homes for teenagers, women, and girls.

In 1981 Jackie founded the St. Stephen’s Society, to provide accountability for the growing ministry.

In 1985, the Hong Kong Government gave the society a complex of buildings divided into apartments. Hundreds more displaced persons—the poor, the elderly, and the infirm—were given places to live.

In the 1990s, the government offered another property to the St. Stephen’s Society. Buildings were erected to house two hundred men as they completed the five-phase withdrawal program, from detoxification to re-entering society as productive citizens.

The St. Stephen Society continues to function to this day, “rescuing hundreds of young people from a life of misery on the streets” [6]—not only in Hong Kong but in other countries as well.