Daily and Weekly Christian Inspiration
Being a person who believes an active mind is a healthy mind and wanting to redeem every minute, I find it so hard to relax! But after my long trip home from Russia and the seven hour jet lag I had to take a fresh look at Jesus’ advice in Mark 6:32 where He tells His disciples
Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.
So today I obeyed and took a whole day just to rest and relax on the beach at Ocean Grove New Jersey.
Before boarding our flight to Moscow from Kazan airport we toured Victory Park in down town Kazan. A large one hundred and twenty-four acre memorial park with planes and tanks from World War 2 to honor the twenty million Russians who lost their lives fighting with the allied forces. Since I have served in the Royal Air Force I had to stop to have a photo by one of the planes with Pastor Stan from Arizona and Pastor Stan from Russia.
Here we are again allied this time under the Captain of our souls fighting the good fight of faith!
John 17 2 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life
While ministering in Russia last week I was overwhelmed by the pure love and sacrificial generosity of the people. I was given several boxes of Russian chocolates, handmade jewelry and flowers grown in their small garden plots given to them by the government to grow their own vegetables. But the memory that will stay with me was that of a very old woman staggering up to me and saying in her broken English “For you, for you” and handing me a still warm smoked chicken wrapped only in clear plastic before disappearing anonymously into the crowd.
I was so touched by her sacrificial gift and at the same time overjoyed that God would use this as a clear window to my soul of the widow’s mite as I shared the story with my fellow pastors. We fed on the chicken that night after the service but are still spiritually feeding on her example.
Mark 12:43 This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
It was so hard to say “Goodbye” to the church family in Russia. Until we meet again.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;