tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58593335234756473822024-03-14T09:32:59.629+02:00The Franks in Ukraine & CISTherefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.comBlogger601125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-52894610405301917812016-04-04T21:25:00.000+03:002016-04-04T21:25:18.397+03:00UKRAINIAN MISSIONARIES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6a3cklYnN8Y/SM4XSLkSGFI/AAAAAAAAAFE/77kY96es6MwOTLggjc6_DipnIe4Jqab9Q/s1600/Skripnik%2BFamily%2BPortrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6a3cklYnN8Y/SM4XSLkSGFI/AAAAAAAAAFE/77kY96es6MwOTLggjc6_DipnIe4Jqab9Q/s640/Skripnik%2BFamily%2BPortrait.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
This is the Skripnik family, Vica and Sergey. They are missionaries supported by the Baptist Missionary Association of America. We are so glad to be partnering with this dedicated family. Below is also Sergey's mom, myself and Jeff (from the left). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzUAQJ8eClQ/SM4WHHiLf6I/AAAAAAAAAE8/8GtCqE0ga-EwOR87DgIAGTJJrN-VIrSXA/s1600/Skripnik%2B%2526%2BFranks%2BPortrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzUAQJ8eClQ/SM4WHHiLf6I/AAAAAAAAAE8/8GtCqE0ga-EwOR87DgIAGTJJrN-VIrSXA/s640/Skripnik%2B%2526%2BFranks%2BPortrait.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6fD0xxIqNI/S2QxSdaxMII/AAAAAAAABFc/udM5CuYO0TMzBClA_5kNjYfsnLn4VN7dQ/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6fD0xxIqNI/S2QxSdaxMII/AAAAAAAABFc/udM5CuYO0TMzBClA_5kNjYfsnLn4VN7dQ/s640/IMG_1070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
They do camps through the summer and Sunday school in their area of western Ukraine in a town called Borshiv where there is no Baptist church. Above is a winter picture. Each time we go to visit we are always greeted with a wonderful Ukrainian meal. And they always want us to stay the night in their tiny 3 room apartment. Ukrainians are just very hospitable. We've learned a lot from them and are continually blessed with the privilege of serving in this country.Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-49832250535193629792015-11-27T22:47:00.001+02:002015-11-27T22:47:23.787+02:00THANKSGIVING ON THE MISSION FIELD ~ UKRAINE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QC4YlH854-Q/Vli67_co99I/AAAAAAAAF0Q/zrOYM7Su47E/s1600/2015-11-26%2B12.17.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QC4YlH854-Q/Vli67_co99I/AAAAAAAAF0Q/zrOYM7Su47E/s640/2015-11-26%2B12.17.44.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Andrew Kelly was the host of our missionary group Thanksgiving celebration. Andrew & Jenny have a camp way out in the country where they host groups in summer. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87q8RxMXLb4/Vli7AtxSfgI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/_tAII6QsDeQ/s1600/2015-11-26%2B12.33.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87q8RxMXLb4/Vli7AtxSfgI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/_tAII6QsDeQ/s640/2015-11-26%2B12.33.03.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Andrew cooked the turkey as he always does and everyone else brings the rest. It was so good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KV5kARdiAd8/Vli7HFyeMiI/AAAAAAAAF0g/ZjyYqOPz1BM/s1600/2015-11-26%2B12.41.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KV5kARdiAd8/Vli7HFyeMiI/AAAAAAAAF0g/ZjyYqOPz1BM/s640/2015-11-26%2B12.41.51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Jeff and Jeff. My Jeff left and Jeff Crane from Kiev. A reunion of friends, some of which we don't see all year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9ZYuXJ-fVI/Vli7N-lPNOI/AAAAAAAAF0o/K0yY_HUNqAU/s1600/2015-11-26%2B13.28.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9ZYuXJ-fVI/Vli7N-lPNOI/AAAAAAAAF0o/K0yY_HUNqAU/s640/2015-11-26%2B13.28.26.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
A time of fellowship and catching up on each other's lives. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYs170PyfTc/Vli_0QMGTtI/AAAAAAAAF08/P0QqTjexr7Y/s1600/2015-11-26%2B13.12.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYs170PyfTc/Vli_0QMGTtI/AAAAAAAAF08/P0QqTjexr7Y/s640/2015-11-26%2B13.12.38.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
This is Jenny our hostess. She baked many of the desserts. Such a treat to have pumpkin pie. Our thanks to them both for giving us this great "taste" of home.Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-85213740599531614422015-09-23T08:55:00.000+03:002015-09-23T08:56:29.990+03:00UKRAINE: "Sounds of Silence and Rumors of War," By Jeff Franks<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05DFHdotgHw/VgI-Uv42y3I/AAAAAAAAFwA/QNwQJDxoHxY/s1600/IMG_7936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05DFHdotgHw/VgI-Uv42y3I/AAAAAAAAFwA/QNwQJDxoHxY/s640/IMG_7936.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Russia has been backing separatists at war in Eastern Ukraine, but you’d never know it
by watching the evening news. The predominate sounds in Western media seem to be mostly
silence. However, here in Ukraine TV, radio talk shows, and newspapers are just abuzz with
rumors. Everyone’s on edge about one big question: Will Russia invade? Fighting in Ukraine’s
eastern provinces, collectively called Donbas, flares up from time to time, and then dies down.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">To date about 8,000 people have been killed and at least twice that number have been
wounded, both soldiers and civilians. These figures do not take into account Russian soldiers,
whose existence is officially denied. However, no few of them have been transported back to
Russia for burial, sadly. More than a million people from Donbas have fled their homes as
refugees in Ukraine and Russia.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Recently, General Ben Hodges, Commander of U.S Army in Europe, estimated that
there are up to 12,000 Russian soldiers now fighting inside Ukraine, another 50,000 are
amassed on Ukraine’s eastern border, and 29,000 more occupy the illegally annexed territory of
Crimea. Why does Russia keep this many troops at the ready?
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">People who think Russian President Vladimir Putin will invade give these reasons:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">1) For more than a millennium Ukraine and its capital Kiev (spelled “Kyiv” Ukrainian-
style) have been part and parcel of Russian history and therefore of the Russian soul. After all,
the ancient state of Kievan Rus’ began under Prince Oleg of Novgorod here in 882 AD.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">2) Therefore, many Russian leaders want to return Ukraine to Moscow’s political, social,
economic, and cultural control, and not allow her to remain in a Western-leaning orbit.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">3) Allowing Ukraine to keep it’s Western stance means it could either become a NATO
country or at least could be used as a base for an invasion by others. In Putin’s mind Ukraine
must never become a military threat.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">4) Allowing Ukraine to trade freely with Europe and the West will lead to a more robust
economy and increased trade, like in Poland.. This in tandem with increased political freedom
could lead to widespread popular dissatisfaction in Russia, and thus threaten Putin’s
authoritarian regime. The only cure for this is invasion, some say.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">5) The next president of USA will undoubtedly be more firm and decisive militarily than
the current president, and therefore it will be more expedient for Russia to invade Ukraine
earlier, rather than later.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Here are some reasons from people who think Putin will not invade Ukraine:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">1) The costs far outweigh the advantages. First, Russia cannot risk the West coming to
Ukraine’s aid via outright military assistance. It cannot risk NATO’s encroachment up to its very
borders. Secondly, increased economic sanctions at this point might turn Russia’s financial tail
spin into a horrendous crash.
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">2) Russia has already won and militarily occupied Crimea. This and their present control
of several hundred kilometers of Ukraine’s border can be held ad-infinitum as a buffer against
NATO encroachment.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">3) Ukraine has borrowed so much money from the Europe and the IMF to bolster their
war-footing, that it will take decades to recover economically. Therefore, Ukraine will no time
soon become a vibrant trade partner with an economically ailing Europe.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">4) Putin is “happy” with a frozen conflict in Ukraine similar to those that Russia
engineered in Transnistria in Moldova, and in Abkhazia and North Ossetia in the Republic of
Georgia. Perhaps Russia’s intervention in Syria is the very thing Putin is counting on to help the
UN Security council “forget” Ukraine as just another frozen conflict.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">We and the Baptists of Ukraine have been praying intensely that the reasons for NOT
invading Ukraine will take center stage in the minds of the Kremlin’s leaders. We do not rejoice
in Russia’s economic distresses, but of late they have helped her leaders to more soberly count
the costs of military aggression.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">We are also keenly aware that peace in our world comes through strength, both political
and economic, but especially military. For the sake of peace in Ukraine we invite you join us in
praying that military strength will be used by wise leaders here who know and fear God.
Though Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, he is also the only one worthy of
the title “Prince of Peace.” Let us remember Ukraine and Russia before Him in our prayers
today!
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-62539068281478847232015-04-10T04:22:00.001+03:002015-04-10T04:22:24.391+03:00"PROPAGANDA KILLS" by Jeff FranksAs printed in the Baptist Trumpet, April 7, 2015:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mph8nlvIP7c/VSclt65CXmI/AAAAAAAAFnU/KNgVmUaomTs/s1600/SCAN1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mph8nlvIP7c/VSclt65CXmI/AAAAAAAAFnU/KNgVmUaomTs/s1600/SCAN1080.JPG" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Since the beginning of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine the Russian propaganda machine has<br /><br />greatly increased its pressure on Baptists. The truth of what it really means to be a Baptist in <br /><br />Russia or Ukraine has once again been completely distorted by Kremlin-backed radio, <br /><br />television, and printed media. Persecution of Baptists began in the 19th century under the <br /><br />Czars. In the 1930’s, Russian Baptists had to report to “The Commission for the Affairs of <br /><br />Religious Cults”. Now, just as in past repressions, the name Baptist in Russia has come to be <br /><br />synonymous with “enemy of the people”, “that American sect”, something entirely foreign and <br /><br />even sinister.<br /><br />In America it is natural that names and labels should hold different meanings for different <br /><br />people. Here some happily call themselves “conservative”, and others are pleased with the <br /><br />name “liberal”. And so it is here with the name Baptist. But in Russia and especially in Eastern <br /><br />Ukraine, the very survival of believers is at stake. Before returning to the subject of repression, <br /><br />let us reflect for a moment on just what it means for you and me to be Baptists.<br /><br />Many of us are proud to be Baptists because of our belief in the Holy Bible as the inerrant and <br /><br />sole source of truth. What higher standard could there be for life and for the practice of faith? If <br /><br />anyone among us does not believe that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of <br /><br />God,” then let him deny this noble name! Is there any among us who does not believe that <br /><br />Jesus Christ is God the Son, co-equal in his divinity with the Father and with the Holy Spirit? <br /><br />Let him think what he will, but let him not have the honor of carrying the venerated name of <br /><br />Baptist! <br /><br />Therefore, I am grieved today that the highest authorities in Russia have become the source of <br /><br />the latest repression against this noble name. I am grieved because of the wonderful friends <br /><br />we’ve made among the Russians both before and during our missionary journey. Though we <br /><br />have lived in Ukraine, we have friends among the ethnic Russians who live there. How is it that <br /><br />the world does not know that a great many of them are patriotic citizens of Ukraine? Our <br /><br />journey has taken us to Russia, and to many of the republics of the former Soviet Union. In all <br /><br />of these places we have been honored to make friends among those who proudly call <br /><br />themselves Baptist, and who hold to our cherished values. Sadly, they are once again <br /><br />becoming the victims of state-sponsored repression.<br /><br />In a previous article for the Trumpet I wrote about Alexander Turchynov, the Ukrainian Baptist <br /><br />minister, who became the interim president of Ukraine when Moscow’s favorite, Victor <br /><br />Yanukovich, was deposed. Perhaps this fact alone became the stumbling stone which led to <br /><br />Russia’s targeting of the Baptist name.<br /><br />Recently, a Ukrainian friend told me about a billboard he had seen near Moscow’s international <br /><br />airport. Posted there were three portraits and the words: Jimmy Carter is a BAPTIST, Bill <br /><br />Clinton is a BAPTIST, and Alexander Turchynov is a BAPTIST. Three undeniable innuendos <br /><br />that lead to two wrong conclusions: First, that America was behind the Maidan revolution which <br /><br />removed Russia's man and placed America's puppet in the seat of power. Second, the Baptist <br /><br />faith is American and undermines Russia's national interests. Both of these lies have become <br /><br />the oft-repeated refrain of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine. <br /><br />What is at stake? I believe the most condemning answer was in two simple words: <br /><br />“PROPAGANDA KILLS”, carried on the placards of protesters who rallied against the late <br /><br />February murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.<br /><br />In Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions, Baptist pastors and church members have been <br /><br />kidnapped, tortured, and killed because of their faith. Churches have lost their buildings to <br /><br />Russian-backed fighters who have converted them into field headquarters, gyms, barracks, and <br /><br />make-shift hospitals. Others have been completely destroyed.<br /><br />Finally, for us who cherish our defining values, let us pray that the renewed repressions of our <br /><br />brothers and sisters in Russia and Ukraine will only showcase the surpassing value of their <br /><br />genuine faith as Baptists: faith in Christ and in his Word! (1 Peter 1:7)Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-14726981877146426532015-03-05T19:51:00.000+02:002015-03-05T19:51:01.547+02:00WHO CARES? By Jeff Franks<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
Why
should we in the West and Europe be the slightest bit concerned about
the assassination February 27, 2015 of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov
in the shadow of the Kremlin? Precisely because Nemtsov was one of the
few Russians who dared to voice his opposition and expose Russia’s
involvement in the war in Ukraine. Amazingly, Vladimir Putin and those
who believe his narrative now blame the USA as the prime instigator of
the Ukraine conflict. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
Many
of us find this laughable. Especially those who agree with Senator John
McCain, who expressed shame at our hesitancy to come to the aid of our
beleaguered Ukrainian friends. Even so, every hesitant step we take
only feeds Putin’s narrative, regardless of the facts, and of course
that plays beautifully into his poker hand.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
It is
all too easy these days to imagine that the Russian President represents
and/or controls the thoughts of common Russian citizens. No, that is
not entirely the case! Nemtsov and the 70,000 Russians who attended his
memorial march were proof. That day they carried signs: “Those bullets
were fired at us!” and “Propaganda Kills!”. These are people of
conscience who deserve our respect and prayers.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
Nevertheless,
we should be cautious not to allow our presumptions about Russia and
it’s leaders to become the source of our conclusions about Nemtsov’s
murder. Therefore, I offer here a summary of facts as reported by Brian
Whitmore in his Power Vertical blog, “Chaos or Terror”, and also his
well-reasoned conclusions:</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
What
are the undisputed facts? First, as an opposition leader, Nemtsov was
under constant surveillance by Russian security services. Second, he
was killed in one of the most heavily policed and monitored parts of
Moscow. Third, the shooting was stunningly professional, highly
efficient, and the assassins got away clean.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
It is
hard to escape the conclusion that the security services or elements
connected to them were involved in the killing. Amateurs without inside
connections could not have done this. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
Is this Terror or Chaos?</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
Two
possibilities then remain: the killing was sanctioned (terror) or
someone inside the Kremlin regime was going rogue (chaos). If
sanctioned, then why? Terror. To send fear into the opposition: anyone
can get hit anywhere at any time. A warning to the opposition: Watch
your step and measure your words!</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
If the
killing was by rogue elements, then there is chaos in the Kremlin.
Putin is losing his monopoly on the organized use of violence. This kind
of chaos in the security services in the long run could be even more
destructive than deliberate terror.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
Terror
and chaos are not what any thoughtful person in the West wants to see
as ruling in Russia. Let our prayers therefore be toward the end that
people of conscience will gain the upper hand and that cooler heads
prevail. Otherwise, as in past world wars, we will once again see our
sons and daughters drawn into an uncontrollable, descending spiral of
war. God forbid! That is why we should watch and pray for Russia and
its citizens.</div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-2028502087510715762015-02-25T19:10:00.001+02:002015-02-25T19:13:11.010+02:00WAR IN UKRAINE, CHRISTIAN RESPONSE<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UkTDGnCt-o0" width="560"></iframe><br />Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-2171989117844468912014-12-31T06:10:00.000+02:002014-12-31T06:12:25.929+02:00WHAT! BUT DOESN'T GOD LOVE EVERYONE? By Jeff Franks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlrBhNeIsJg/VKL1ZKvSiSI/AAAAAAAAFg0/AIfbeUmhXuU/s1600/stripedbutterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlrBhNeIsJg/VKL1ZKvSiSI/AAAAAAAAFg0/AIfbeUmhXuU/s1600/stripedbutterfly.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /><br />Every follower of Christ, at some point in his journey, will encounter God's puzzling declaration <br /><br />in Romans chapter nine, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." What! But doesn't God <br /><br />love everyone? Like Jacob, I find myself wrestling with questions of time and eternity, questions <br /><br />of God's will and my own. If God hardened Pharaoh's heart, who's to say he won't harden <br /><br />mine? If my life is predetermined then what point is there to this tiresome daily fight with evil? <br /><br />So what if I fail? "Why does he still find fault, for who has resisted his will?" Paul asked, as if <br /><br />just for me, in that very same chapter. One's nose could get "put out of joint" over all of this, to <br /><br />say nothing of Jacob's hip!</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /><br />For a fortunate few, the problems resolve easily in the truth that God exists outside of our <br /><br />space-time continuum and is in no way bound by it. Here's the idea in a nutshell: Because God <br /><br />is omniscient, he knows the end from the beginning of every person, so he already knows <br /><br />exactly whom he will sovereignly elect for his purposes. Simple right? Not so fast!</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /><br />Take the case of the patriarch Jacob. If he were this godly, upright man of good character who <br /><br />always made the right decisions, I could more easily understand the phrase "Jacob I have loved <br /><br />. . ." (Rom 9:13) That is, I could agree with the simple idea above that God chooses right every <br /><br />time because he knows all things. However, from the moment of his birth, when he emerged <br /><br />holding his older brother Esau's heel, Jacob was known as the deceiver, the manipulative cheat <br /><br />who always connived to achieve his own ends. His whole life dramatized the meaning of his <br /><br />name: supplanter! Likewise, who needs to look hard within his own heart to find something that <br /><br />he knows God hates? So the real mystery is not, "Why did God hate Esau?", but rather, "Why <br /><br />did God love Jacob?"!</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /><br />Notwithstanding all his misdeeds and character flaws, there came a time when Jacob wrestled <br /><br />all night with the Angel of the Lord. When morning came, one touch of the Angel's finger <br /><br />dislocated his hip, leaving him limping for life. But something else happened in Jacob's spirit. In <br /><br />a moment he was humbled, he was broken, and his heart was changed. Jacob's spirit, hitherto <br /><br />bound by time and flesh, was somehow touched by God's unseen, eternal hand. Along with <br /><br />many prominent Bible scholars, I believe the Angel of the Lord was none other than the pre-</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br />incarnate Messiah -- Jesus, the Son of the Living God!</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /><br />Could this have been the one defining moment in time, whereby God would now eternally say, <br /><br />"Jacob I have loved?" The Bible did not record such a moment for Esau. Many years earlier, <br /><br />their grandfather had just such a moment, memorialized by the famous words, "Abraham <br /><br />believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3, Genesis 15:6) The <br /><br />Apostle Paul's moment also came one day in a blinding flash . . . on a road to Damascus. </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /><br />The question that leaves me troubled, or should at the least deeply concern me, is who am I to <br /><br />God? Am I Jacob? Or am I Esau? What will heaven's epitaph declare for my life? For me, the <br /><br />deciding issue cannot be one of character or even good works, as important as those things are. </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /><br />Far more defining and of eternal consequence must be the question of whether I have wrestled <br /><br />with Eternity. That is, with the Eternal One. Has my defining moment come? Have I heard <br /><br />heaven's knock and opened the door? If the heavens declare the glory of God, how can I say I <br /><br />have not heard? Like Jacob, am I in the number of those whom God loves?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and<br /><br />they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27, 28)</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /><br />"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at <br /><br />the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine <br /><br />with him, and he with Me." -- Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:19,20)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".32.1:3:1:$comment10203174625146968_10203174811831635:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Photo: Jeff Franks, Striped Butterfly </span></span></span>Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-45104028481565195112014-12-10T12:05:00.000+02:002014-12-10T13:58:42.350+02:00UPDATE ON UKRAINE by Jeff Franks for The Baptist Trumpet.<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6w0JxWej5tg/VIgaHUGWiaI/AAAAAAAAFfM/SM0lJu3Uaqo/s1600/10860598_10152736904992638_770054804_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6w0JxWej5tg/VIgaHUGWiaI/AAAAAAAAFfM/SM0lJu3Uaqo/s1600/10860598_10152736904992638_770054804_o.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">The conflict between Russia and Ukraine takes a surprising turn from time to time, but of late it
seems frozen, both militarily and politically, to say nothing of soldiers struggling to stay warm on
the front lines. Reports of artillery, tank, and missile barrages, deaths and injuries continue to
trickle in every day. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Since September 5, a cease-fire has been in effect in Eastern Ukraine. However, since then 93
civilians have died, and countless soldiers on both sides. I have read impossible to verify,
conflicting reports of thousands of Russian soldiers who have died in this conflict. To say
nothing of the grieving Ukrainian families, Russian families cannot even publicize the real
reasons for their sorrow without incurring the displeasure of the state, which continues to deny
their involvement. Therefore, please continue to keep both Russia and Ukraine in your prayers. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">The protracted conflict is taking a huge toll on Ukraine at large. With the coldest months of the
winter still ahead, exhausted coal supplies are forcing electric power brown-outs and black-outs
throughout the country. The Hryvna, the Ukrainian national currency, has lost 40 percent of its
value over the last several months. Elderly and handicapped pensioners are paying a third or
more of their pension just to stay warm. Though food prices tend to lag behind inflation, the
relentlessly rising numbers still create “sticker shock” as they take a larger percentage of the
monthly pay check. I have no doubt Russian families are suffering in a similar manner.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">The Baptist churches of Ukraine have responded in encouraging ways. Within the last week,
the Baptist Union of Ukraine has held vision and planning meetings for a coordinated response
to the crisis. They are focusing primarily on prayer, benevolence, and evangelism to the more
than 100,000 displaced persons from the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces. A recent outreach to
the nearby Ivankov region has resulted in many saved with Bible study groups forming. Please
pray that this effort will result in new churches planted! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">How are the churches doing inside the conflict zone? A recent report to the Baptist World
Alliance stated: “Amid shelling and tanks moving through the streets, Christians hold prayer
meetings in the city parks and squares, establish centers of free psychological and medical
assistance, host, feed, and dress the refugees.” Only heaven sees and records the stories of
their faith and sacrifice.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Author Chris Tiegreen once wrote, “We live in a broken world, partly of our own doing, and we
suffer because of it. But we rejoice that the suffering does not compare to the glory to be
revealed (Rom 8:18).” How true! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I hope you have derived some prayer points from this article. I think you know well that the
current unrest is part of God’s plan to show his incredible faithfulness to his chosen people in
the last days, and to all who seek a relationship with him through his Son, Jesus Christ.
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are
new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:22,23)
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6w0JxWej5tg/VIgaHUGWiaI/AAAAAAAAFfM/SM0lJu3Uaqo/s1600/10860598_10152736904992638_770054804_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-91687706135150141382014-12-05T13:00:00.000+02:002014-12-05T13:00:10.799+02:00I STAND WITH ISRAEL, ANYWAY! By Jeff Franks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foUAaCoHx5k/VICOYxelJyI/AAAAAAAAFe4/MNqbFTChOlk/s1600/10834312_10152723944937638_426039156_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foUAaCoHx5k/VICOYxelJyI/AAAAAAAAFe4/MNqbFTChOlk/s1600/10834312_10152723944937638_426039156_o.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 16.000000pt;">There is a publication that circulates among our BMAA (B<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue';">aptist Missionary Association of America)</span> churches
which targets those believers among us who are pro-Israel. The
writer emphasizes recent Israeli laws and governmental actions
which favor homosexuals and abortion. “You who stand for
Israel, right or wrong, are grievously in error,” he argues,
“because you are also standing for unbiblical laws which
dishonor the Almighty.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 16.000000pt;">Yes, unfortunately, there just may be some fanatics out there,
who apparently think they have to support everything Israel does,
right or wrong. In all the years I have fellowshipped with our
pastors and church members, however, I have never met such a
person. Therefore, I think these are the author’s “straw man” for
highlighting Israel’s faults, whether political or social. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 16.000000pt;">But the issue regarding Israel has never been her faithfulness or
her backsliding. Biblically speaking, she much more often chose
the latter as a way of life. Oddly, the author goes to great lengths
to demonstrate that God, the prophets, Jesus and the apostles
spoke against Israel. Oh, I guess I am so pro-Israel that I missed
that! No, the issue with Israel is God’s incredible faithfulness in
spite of her failings! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 16.000000pt;">God’s love and protection for Israel is really more about the
veracity of his eternal Word. He said he would gather them from
all the nations, and he has. (Ezekiel 36:24) He is faithful and
loving. His love, discipline, and protection of Israel never fails
because he has promised them these things in his Word. That is
why I identify with God’s protection of this much hated and
maligned nation. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 16.000000pt;">Aren’t you glad that God is not like you and me? We can turn our
backs on the unfaithful and hold grudges forever. We raise our
fists in anger, call for mass demonstrations and destructive
behavior. No, thank God he’s not like us! He is always and ever
our faithful, loving Father. He may be angry for a moment, but his love never, ever fails! Just think, if he can love Israel through her failings, he can love you through yours.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 16.000000pt;"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".c4.$mid=11417711761716=264a68e6b74c1f17764.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".c4.$mid=11417711761716=264a68e6b74c1f17764.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".c4.$mid=11417711761716=264a68e6b74c1f17764.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">Photo
above: Schindler's grave in Jerusalem. The Hebrew reads: "Righteous
Among the Nations"; the German reads: "The Unforgettable Lifesaver of
1200 Persecuted Jews".</span></span></span> </span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-33665861470092212422014-12-04T18:14:00.000+02:002014-12-04T18:14:27.093+02:00PENTATONIX ~ LITTLE DRUMMER BOY<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qJ_MGWio-vc" width="560"></iframe><br />Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-59765796792618849102014-11-28T06:46:00.000+02:002014-11-28T06:46:07.877+02:00HOLIDAYS BRING OUT SO MANY FEELINGS<div>
<h2 class="_5clb">
"I Am Not There, I Am Here"</h2>
</div>
On this Thanksgiving holiday I am thankful for many things including living and working in Ukraine. I must admit, though, our hearts sometimes ache over being so far from loved ones and family, from our culture and familiarity of it. I post this from another missionary. It is encouraging and I hope helps others to understand our being so far. <br /><div class="_5k3v _5k3w clearfix">
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>I am not there.</b><br />
<br />
<b> </b><b>I am here.</b><br />
<br />
The miles are long. Their days are my nights. My days are their nights.<br />
<br />
<b>I am not there. I am here.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
She
looks so beautiful, dressed in white. She walks the aisle, and he meets
her at the front. The “I do’s” are said and tears of joy are shed. I do
not see it. I only have pictures.<b> I am not there. I am here.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
The tree is put up and decorated. The lights glisten and glow. Sipping hot chocolate after a family dinner. Presents exchanged. <b>But I am not there. I am here.</b><br />
<br />
Tears
are shed. Flowers fill the chapel. A casket is closed. Hearts are
broken. Goodbyes are spoken. Comforting hugs. Reminiscing over happy
memories. <b>But I am not there. I am here.</b><br />
<br />
A
family hurting. Children crying. Parents aching. And someone leaves. A
broken home. Phone calls and emails are all I have. My heart wants to
hold them, to cry with them. I want to wipe away the tears. <b>But I am not there. I am here.</b><br />
<br />
Bad
news comes. Health is failing. Surgeries. Treatments. Doctor’s
appointments. I cannot help. I cannot drive for them or cook a meal or
clean. <b>I am not there. I am here.</b><br />
<br />
A beautiful
pregnant belly. The gender announced. Before long, the labor starts. The
baby’s first cry. Happy parents. But I do not get to hold the baby. I
do not hear the cry. <b>I am not there. I am here.</b><br />
<br />
Birthdays come and go. Trials faced. <b>But I am not there…</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes
my heart wants to cry out, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first
see her wedding. Let me first see the baby born. Let me make sure
everyone will be o.k. while I am gone. Let me first… me first…”<br />
<br />
<b> Me first…</b><br />
<br />
I am not the first to think it. I am not the first to feel the pull… the tug.<br />
<br />
Luke
9:57-62 “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain
man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have
nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said
unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and
bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but
go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I
will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at
home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand
to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”<br />
<br />
Following
is not without sacrifice. I don’t want to look back. I want to keep my
hand to the plough. I want to plough straight and deep.<br />
<br />
My heart wants to cry, “Me first!” So I remind my heart about what belongs first.<br />
<br />
Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”<br />
<br />
If
I put Him first, He will supply me need… comfort when I ache inside…
comfort when I miss family and friends… comfort when the tears flow.<br />
<br />
<b>Why am I here</b> when I am missing out on things <b>there</b>?<br />
<br />
I remember why I am <b>here</b>. I remember Who brought me <b>here</b>.<br />
<br />
Romans
10:13-15 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how
shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except
they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that
preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”<br />
<br />
I am not there.<br />
<br />
<b> By God’s grace, I am here.</b><br />
<br />
So today, I lay “<b>there</b>” on the altar again.<br />
<br />
<b>I am here.</b> (Author unknown, surely a missionary)</div>
</div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-18472869886963902512014-11-26T06:25:00.001+02:002014-11-26T11:23:17.248+02:00OUR MOST RECENT ADVENTURE?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIbTUZk5HUo/VHTMHEQCkdI/AAAAAAAAFd8/vCQc7UGQhAs/s1600/PB146335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIbTUZk5HUo/VHTMHEQCkdI/AAAAAAAAFd8/vCQc7UGQhAs/s1600/PB146335.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Some of you may have seen this on Facebook. Two weeks ago today Jeff fell and had a 2/3rds tear of his Achilles' tendon. The doctors in Ukraine said he needed surgery within a week to maintain his mobility. Now as expats 20 years in a foreign country we've come to understand that sometimes doctors are anxious to operate on us for financial gain. We weren't convinced and we wanted another opinion. The above picture is the cast we left Ukraine in. We added the duct tape with a wooden block on the heal so he could actually walk in it. He was on 2 crutches.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fg1ZG0fT_Cg/VHTML3LPeBI/AAAAAAAAFeE/GAw5XRjBJMU/s1600/PB196370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fg1ZG0fT_Cg/VHTML3LPeBI/AAAAAAAAFeE/GAw5XRjBJMU/s1600/PB196370.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Some years ago we had a very good experience with a surgery in England on Jeff. So off to England to see a ankle specialist. The long and short of what was quite an ordeal is that Jeff is walking in a boot for 8 weeks, no surgery. Thank you to you who already are praying for him. Please continue as he must be very careful not to fully tear this tendon or it WILL be surgery. The above shows his new boot in the London Underground (the extent of our tourism). Please also pray for the resolution of two blood clots in the same leg. They didn't catch that in Ukraine. We are grateful for God's provision and your prayers.Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-7208633028529503652014-11-01T18:26:00.000+02:002014-11-01T18:33:10.323+02:00HOW CAN I KNOW? By Jeff Franks<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 16.000000pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the
flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 16.000000pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How do I know if my deeds are done in the Spirit or in the flesh? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Devotional thoughts for Saturday, November 1, 2014 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">While still in this life I feel I cannot look back at my PAST deeds and say definitely and
reliably that this or that was done in the Spirit. I am often blind to my own pride and the
subtle impulses which flow from it, such as saying and doing things to justify myself or
avoid guilt. Like, HOW long has Aunt Emmy been in the care facility and I STILL
haven’t gone to see her? I mean what will her family think of me? (Just for the record I
don’t have an Aunt Emmy, but if I did I might be feeling pretty guilty right now!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Regarding PRESENT deeds, I have every opportunity (yes this very moment) to
confess my sins, be filled with God’s Holy Spirit (a command), wear the full armor of
God (also a command), walk in the Spirit, put on the “new man” and put off the old.
Yes, even when it comes to visiting dear Aunt Emmy! I know I should, but why not
do it in the love of God and in the power of his Holy Spirit?!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Finally, the FUTURE day will come, when looking back, I WILL KNOW EXACTLY what I
did in the power of the Spirit and what I did in the weakness of my sinful flesh. Note:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"> </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be
revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work
which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he
will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians
3:11-15) </span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxc26eJLABM/VFUHxV7Hi_I/AAAAAAAAFbw/-2-wfaqHZSQ/s1600/SpiderWort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxc26eJLABM/VFUHxV7Hi_I/AAAAAAAAFbw/-2-wfaqHZSQ/s1600/SpiderWort.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Therefore, dear Lord, give me the grace to follow you this day, walking in your Holy
Spirit, and building on the only foundation that counts - you alone, Jesus! When that
day comes I want to receive gold and silver that will withstand the fire of your holiness,
and bring glory, honor and praise, no not to me - never! - but to you alone, forever! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">By Jeff Franks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Photography by Jeff Franks from Coleen's Garden </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-4931408460504041412014-10-25T22:14:00.000+03:002014-10-25T22:53:50.892+03:00HOT AIR & HOLINESS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAgN0J4tdE4/VEv0TyMTDmI/AAAAAAAAFbc/ClGRhyxdrNA/s1600/PA206164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAgN0J4tdE4/VEv0TyMTDmI/AAAAAAAAFbc/ClGRhyxdrNA/s1600/PA206164.JPG" height="480" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">A few days ago, I watched a video interview of Vladimir Zhirinovsky, head of the Liberal
Democratic Party, Russia’s fourth largest political block. In his typically smug and sneering style
he said that on Sunday, October 26, 2014, Ukraine’s nation-wide parliamentary elections would
fail because pro-Russian armed agents would overpower all the polling sites. Following this
Ukraine’s so-called Banderov-led nazi (anti-Russian) government would promptly collapse to be
replaced by a state which favors the true leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Or something like
that. He was so confident it was like a done deal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">I know this is the kind of drivel that we’ve come to expect from him, and one should not pay it a
whole lot of notice. But there is a war going on and Ukraine has lost complete control of several
hundred kilometers of its border with Russia. Two days ago, Thursday, three metro stations in
Kyiv were closed for bomb threats, which is happening entirely too often lately. The same day three major discount stores were shut down for the same reason. In advance
of tomorrows elections, the army, national guard, and militia are on high alert. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">So with all of this rattling around in my subconscious, yesterday I went to our weekly Friday
morning prayer meeting where we pray for peace in Ukraine among a dozen other urgent
needs. And that’s where God spoke to me from a Bible passage we read before prayer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Turns out there was a similar situation in Israel in King Hezekiah’s day. Sennacherib, King of
Assyria, was camping on Jerusalem’s doorstep with 185,000 troops. Israel was completely
unprepared militarily to contend with these forces, which had already destroyed all the
surrounding nations and taken all the fortified cities of Judah. Only Jerusalem remained. The
Assyrian messenger declared haughtily, </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly
destroying them; and shall you be delivered? Have the gods of the nations delivered
those whom my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph, and the people
of Eden who </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt; font-style: oblique;">were </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">in Telassar? Where </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt; font-style: oblique;">is </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the
king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?’” (2 Kings 19:11-13) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">This so reminded me of Zhirinovsky, breathing threats toward Ukraine! Hezekiah took the
Assyrian King’s threatening message into Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem and opened it up
before the Lord.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone,
of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord,
and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he
has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the
nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the
work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O
Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know
that You are the Lord God, You alone.” (2 Kings 19:15-19)
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Was there a word in this prayer about Jerusalem’s sorry military condition? This prayer was
centered on God’s glory and reputation alone, honoring him as holy and majestic, Creator of
heaven and earth. Of course you know “the rest of the story”, but I’ll copy it here in case it’s
been a while since you read it: </span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">“And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the
camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early
in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed
and went away . . .” (2 Kings 19:35,36) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Likewise, let us always remember to honor the Lord by remembering that whether threats are
real or empty, He is always in control, and his ear is turned to humble hearts who turn to him
when they are afraid. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Have a wonderful and prayerful day in his grace, and remember to ask his blessing on Ukraine’s
elections tomorrow, Sunday, October 26th, 2014. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Article by Jeff Franks. Photo by Coleen Franks, western Ukraine this month. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-892219710026498942014-10-25T21:00:00.000+03:002014-10-25T22:17:23.577+03:00ISIS! EBOLA! PUTIN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVUcrHaZop8/VEvjFijxhxI/AAAAAAAAFbM/70CEZuG_5jw/s1600/10705182_10203969643435278_1158387797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVUcrHaZop8/VEvjFijxhxI/AAAAAAAAFbM/70CEZuG_5jw/s1600/10705182_10203969643435278_1158387797_n.jpg" height="477" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">You have surely noticed three names dominating the world headlines: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">ISIS!
EBOLA!
PUTIN! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Tell me, which of these big three would have grabbed your attention only a year ago? That’s
right! None of them. They were different, weren’t they? What will they be a year from now?
Well, only the Lord knows, but there are certain forces behind them which actually do not
change: death, disease, and war. Like the horsemen of the Apocalypse, we can “safely” predict
that these key players, though their names may change, will still be upping their game until the
Lord returns.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Knowing that, as believers how should we respond to these evil forces when they come to our
neighborhood, to our very doorstep? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Here in Ukraine, a year ago Coleen and I could not have anticipated the outbreak of war and the
widespread social and economic challenges that we would be facing today with our Ukrainian
friends. However, watching their response has been instructive and inspirational for us, and I
hope their example will also encourage you and prepare you to face any storms on your
horizon. If I were to ask a close Ukrainian Baptist friend for advice on what to do in times of
national upheaval, here is what I think he would tell me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">First, hold your inner peace. Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that
you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass.” (Matthew 24:6) The entire country
seemed to teeter on a knife-edge of suspense during the long and difficult winter of 2013-14.
No one really knew when or how the “Maidan” protests in Kyiv would resolve. There were
outbreaks of violence from both sides, but the Baptists who took part always did so with prayer
and song, peacefully, as if to say, “It’s OK. God’s still in control.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Second, serve those in greater need. Throughout the long months of war, starting in the spring
and continuing through this fall, the Ukrainian believers provided clothing, opened their homes
for refugees, and served in countless other practical ways, not “growing weary in doing<br />
good.” (Galatians 6:9) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Third, keep sharing the love of Jesus Christ, no matter what happens. I was especially
encouraged to see teams of young people walk into the winter conflict on Maidan Square and
share the gospel with all and any who would listen. Unforgettable! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Fourth, pray without ceasing. It seems there is nothing like troubled times to bring new life to
our prayer ministry. However, just between us, don’t pray for trouble, just pray! It has been a
joy to kneel so frequently with so many faithful partners in prayer, daily, weekly, continually! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">When I began to write this article I wondered which event in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict
would have the greatest significance for our BMAA believers? This previous Sunday at 3 pm,
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">the Baptist Union of Ukraine, having received approval from President Poroshenko’s
administration, invited believers of all professions to gather in Kyiv’s Maidan Square to pray for
peace in Ukraine. Similar prayer meetings were held simultaneously in all of Ukraine’s major
cities.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">When has a nation so publicly and boldly sought the favor and protection of God? Though this
event did not rate in today’s fear-laced headlines, remember that heaven views earthly events in
the most radically different way, and thank God for that! So alongside ISIS and Ebola victims,
please remember Ukraine’s peace in your prayers! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 11.000000pt;">Written by Jeff Franks<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica';">. </span>P<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica';">ublished in the Baptist Trumpet, October 2014<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica';">. Photo </span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".p3.$mid=11414263600276=27b18f7fa241e517b64.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".p3.$mid=11414263600276=27b18f7fa241e517b64.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".p3.$mid=11414263600276=27b18f7fa241e517b64.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">by Anatoly Kaluzhny</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-74303694876973777802014-09-04T12:12:00.000+03:002014-09-04T12:12:13.963+03:00ART & ART MINISTRY BLOG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVRalOTifYg/VAgr8DTgDsI/AAAAAAAAFWo/U0snr98o3gQ/s1600/P6204843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVRalOTifYg/VAgr8DTgDsI/AAAAAAAAFWo/U0snr98o3gQ/s1600/P6204843.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Greetings from sunny Ukraine. This is just a reminder that there is another blog you might enjoy. It is my art ministry I do with ladies and children. You can find it on the side of this blog or you can access it here: <a href="http://www.vintageterrace2.blogspot.com/">www.vintageterrace2.blogspot.com</a>. It would be an honor if you chose to follow there. Blessings, ColeenColeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-50022085153342681572014-08-29T20:58:00.000+03:002014-08-29T20:58:33.157+03:00RUSSIAN INVASION by Jeff Franks<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Today as never before
Ukrainians are fighting for their life as a sovereign nation. Young men
are dying in droves as they are often outgunned by Russian heavy
weaponry. Two volunteer battalions have been surrounded the last two
days with no way of escape. Yesterday, Russia opened a new front on the
Azov Sea in the southeast to make a land bridge to Crimea. President
Petro Poroshenko has made u<span class="text_exposed_show">rgent appeals for emergency sessions of the UN and European Security Councils. <br /> <br />
Who has not heard the indignant denials of Russia’s leaders? In
response to NATO and western accusations they bandy about words like
“fantasy” and “no relation to reality”, simply because in all of their
Orwellian newspeak and propaganda they have replaced “Ukraine” with
“Novorossiya”, meaning “New Russia”. <br /> <br /> Yesterday, in an
emergency session of the UN Security Council, Vitaly Churkin told
Samantha Power that the United States was “meddling in the affairs of a
sovereign nation.” The news camera showed her smiling and shaking her
head in disbelief as she took notes. To us in the West such a statement
is flat out hypocritical and beyond the pale of normal reason. <br /> <br />
In Russian “newspeak”, however, the sovereign nation (singular) of
Greater Russia includes a whole lot more than just Ukraine, which has to
them become a mere province. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and others take notice! Having
redefined everything in Orwellian newspeak, Russia’s leaders are acting,
speaking and killing with impunity according to what they see as their
historical destiny, their “divine right”.<br /> <br /> You do not have to
tolerate the blatant lies and disinformation coming your way from
Russia. Rather, listen to the cries and see the tears of Russian
mothers whose sons’ bodies are being flown back from the combat zone.
Join in prayer with Ukrainian families as they mourn their dead sons.
Hear fathers and mothers in Kyiv protesting the pitiable state of their
boys fighting with inferior weapons and no body armor. Above all, take
action by contacting your representatives, speaking the truth, and
praying for God’s divine intervention.</span></span>Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-67414403366847252372014-07-24T08:54:00.001+03:002014-07-24T11:03:22.204+03:00WEIGHED IN THE BALANCES by Jeff Franks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2v65rfy3VEA/U9CfFrM3XHI/AAAAAAAAFR8/UP78EkraJ74/s1600/10571057_10152390674802638_1250635345_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2v65rfy3VEA/U9CfFrM3XHI/AAAAAAAAFR8/UP78EkraJ74/s1600/10571057_10152390674802638_1250635345_o.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica';">The Baptist Trumpet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica';">July 23, 2014<br /><br />“You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” (Daniel 5:27) <br /><br /> On a certain night in Babylon, King Belshazzar saw a hand writing on the wall of his palace. Among other things, Daniel the prophet had told him, “the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.” That night Darius the Mede took both his throne and his life.<br /><br /> I think God may speak similar things to certain world leaders today, many of whom have given these truths perhaps no conscious thought. Very recently I believe a handwriting of sorts became a wake-up call to Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia. I am speaking of the shooting down of the Malaysian Boing 777 over Ukraine on Thursday, July 17th.<br /><br /> For the first time in the war against Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia is completely exposed and unable to successfully hide it’s complicity in the tragic loss of 298 lives aboard Malaysian flight MH17. Moreover, the Russian military has unwittingly exposed its proactive role in fighting Ukraine. <br /><br /> Until now, Putin’s entire diplomatic corps has everywhere confidently asserted Russia’s non-involvement in Ukraine’s “internal affairs”. Now, continuing the Kremlin line is more than awkward for them and in part here’s why:<br /><br /> Proficiency in using an advanced surface-to-air missile system like the Russian SA-11, which shot down the Malaysian airline, requires many months of training and practice. Furthermore, downing a jet flying at high-altitude must be a well-coordinated multi-team operation, involving the expert use of tracking and communications technology housed in several carefully positioned vehicles. <br /><br /> Therefore, none of the untrained, rabble-rousing separatists in Eastern Ukraine could possibly have tracked and downed the Malaysian airliner. This is true even if they had begun training many months before the outbreak of the war. <br /><br /> In spite of the Russian media’s well-polished efforts to the contrary, the disaster evidence overwhelmingly exposes the Russian military as an active combatant against Ukraine. Even the separatists’ pilfering of the victims’ belongings, the removal of technical evidence from the crash site, the failed attempt to hide the black boxes (in an age of smartphone videos), has not diminished, but has rather confirmed Russia’s involvement. <br /><br /> The West knows it and Russia knows it, despite all of Vladimir Putin’s brain-numbing, fog-inducing war of words. As the Russian infrastructure and economy continue to unravel, Putin increasingly needs to distract his people with a greater ultranationalist agenda, with a new expression of ancient Russian ideals, with a renewed fight for orthodoxy and justice against an increasingly decadent West. He must depict the rise of Ukraine’s western oriented government as evil, neofascist, and even Russian-hating. <br /> <br /> However, the evidence from the Malaysian Airline shoot down has dealt a blow to his audacity. Even his diplomatic corps listened with icy stares as for the first time in years, Vladimir Putin spoke with hesitating stutters and with none of the usual interruptions of applause. <br /><br /> This is not the time to underestimate him, however, because history has shown that men of power are most dangerous when they are most shaken. George Bernard Shaw once said that “We learn from history that we learn nothing from history”. A few days ago Great Briton’s Prime Minister David Cameron said, "Europe must not forget the consequences of turning a blind eye when big countries bully smaller countries.” <br /><br /> How many lives were lost before Adolf Hitler “saw the handwriting” and took his own life? Has Putin seen the handwriting in last Thursday’s aviation tragedy? I think not, for when that day comes we will hear no more of him. God is in perfect control of human events and his timing is also perfect. His day will come. Meanwhile, let us remember King David’s last words. “The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.’” (2 Samuel 23:3) <br /><br />Woe be to all who forget this truth!</span>Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-17860473068404495832014-07-16T16:40:00.000+03:002014-07-16T17:28:12.499+03:00A SEASON OF WAR by Jeff Franks<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 27.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">A Season of War
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">By Je</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">ff </span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Franks
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">BMA Missionary, Ukraine </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt; font-style: italic;">“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under heaven... A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war,
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt; font-style: italic;">and a time of peace” </span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">(Eccl. 3:1,8). </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQjqQj27epg/U8Z_i5lGyvI/AAAAAAAAFRo/rdbbHdD3xPQ/s1600/Ukraine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQjqQj27epg/U8Z_i5lGyvI/AAAAAAAAFRo/rdbbHdD3xPQ/s1600/Ukraine.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May God grant that all towns like this one will soon be free of conflict. Photo by Jeff Franks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Seasons come in divinely ordained cycles and do not ask us
if we are ready for them. All evidence seems to show that a
“time of war” has come to Ukraine. Alas, the Ukrainians were
not prepared for the invasion and takeover of Crimea, and
they were not ready for what is happening today in the
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;"></span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">On Monday, July 14, a Ukrainian military spokesman
reported that yet another large column of about 100 armed
vehicles, including tanks, mobile artillery and </span><span style="color: rgb(19.215690%, 19.215690%, 19.215690%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">armored per-
sonnel carriers (</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">APCs) had crossed into Ukraine from Russia
across the porous border. Even the Russia Today news net-
work (RT) showed a long column of tanks and trucks, some
towing GRAD missile launchers, driving through Luhansk,
Ukraine, all driven by anti-Ukrainian militia. Curiously, RT
denies that the Russian government has provided any
equipment or aid to these apparently well-armed rebel militi-
amen. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry rightly called RT a
</span>
<br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">“propaganda bullhorn.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;"> </span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Th</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">e July 15 headlines in </span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt; font-style: italic;">Vesti</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">, a local Ukrainian news-
paper, read, “Ukraine Stands on the Brink of Invasion.” We
are seeing a new gathering of Russian forces, this time with
peacekeeping insignia on military equipment and uniforms.
Our Ukrainian friends say Russia has already invaded, they
continue today and will proceed in the same “plausibly deni-
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">able” fashion as the recent takeover of Crimea.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Another article in </span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt; font-style: italic;">Vesti </span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">debunks an outrageous lie
recorded on primetime Russian TV of how the Ukrainian
“Fascists,” upon liberating the town of Slavyansk, publicly
cruci</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">fi</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">ed a 3-year old boy before his mother. </span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Th</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">en after she
had allegedly watched him die and fainted, dragged her three
times around the town square behind a tank. Of course, local
residents witnessed nothing of the kind, but the interview
with “Galya” the self-proclaimed eyewitness, has “gone viral”
on the Internet. Russian media has not retracted her story.
</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Th</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">e accumulative e</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">ff</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">ect of such propaganda is to bring the
watching public to its collective feet, tearfully begging Presi-
dent Putin to send Russia’s “peacekeepers” into Ukraine to
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">prevent further such atrocities.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">What is real and not imagined is the rise of persecution
of Baptists in eastern Ukraine. Separatist rebels have both
occupied and destroyed Baptist churches in the Donetsk and
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Luhansk provinces. Homes of pastors have been destroyed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">On July 10, pro-Russian militia took over Donetsk
Christian University and held Pastor Pavel Minaev, the board
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">chairman, and 20 other workers hostage. Pastor Sergey Sko-
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">robagach of Mariupol was on a mission to help orphans
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">when he was caught and killed in a terrorist attack.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">During our prayer meetings, Baptist refugees have re-
ported kidnappings, beatings, torture and disappearances of
their church members. Partly, anti-Baptist sentiment has
risen because Ukraine’s interim president was a Baptist, and
partly it is because the Baptists are known have been active in
public prayer meetings calling for peace and national unity.
In any event, the rebel militia has targeted them as purveyors
of an “enemy ideology.” Truly, it is not hard to see “the enemy
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">of souls” at work here behind the scenes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Coleen and I meet refugees almost every day because
they come to our worship services and prayer meetings. Two
families live next door and several others live right in our
neighborhood! It is our privilege to help them however we
can, but the Lord is most glori</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">fi</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">ed when His local churches
extend a loving hand. Praise God that many church members
have taken in refugees, and some are even helping them from
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">their poverty!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Finally, I want to call your attention to the orphanages
that are in Ukraine’s con</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">fl</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">ict zone. Just the other day, Sepa-
ratist gunmen con</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">fi</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">scated passports and forced the adminis-
trators of Orphanage No. 1 in Donetsk to sign documents al-
lowing their orphans to be transferred to Russia. </span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Th</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">e same
kind of lawlessness is happening throughout eastern Ukraine.</span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 4">
<div class="section" style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Please keep the innocent children and their caretakers
in your prayers. If someone should approach you to give to
this need, please remember that when we talk of abusing little ones, is all too easy for charlatans to play on our emotions.
We don’t always help by “throwing money” at a problem.
Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear disaster and similar crises have
led to fundraising abuses and moral shipwrecks. Rather, let us
serve the Ukrainian Baptist churches in their e</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">ff</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">orts to care
for the helpless in the name of Jesus Christ! And if we
should do it through our giving, let us entrust our love gifts
only into the hands of trusted servants of God, who have a
</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">proven record of faithful accountability.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-size: 25.000000pt;">
</span>
<span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Above all, please keep the pastors and churches in your
prayers. Just as this season, this “time of war” took the
Ukrainian Baptist churches unaware, so it may be with any of
us in the United States. Seasons do not ask our permission.
</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">Th</span><span style="color: rgb(14.901960%, 14.901960%, 14.901960%); font-family: 'ACaslonPro'; font-size: 19.000000pt;">erefore remain alert because “to everything there is a sea-
son and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-15717715860091891182014-05-13T21:26:00.000+03:002014-05-14T07:20:53.812+03:00SHATTERED ILLUSIONS by Jeff Franks<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipe-QuEmYj4/U3LtjMNsU6I/AAAAAAAAFPE/8UF7HkhTO_w/s1600/IMG_4119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipe-QuEmYj4/U3LtjMNsU6I/AAAAAAAAFPE/8UF7HkhTO_w/s1600/IMG_4119.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As published in the Baptist Trumpet, Little Rock, Arkansas, Photo: Nikolaevka, Crimea on the Black Sea</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I
will admit we were caught up in a dream of sorts. Here we were, living
in a peaceful Ukraine where churches had the freedom to preach the
gospel publicly and train their leaders in seminaries. Though the
Baptist churches were relatively few, their pastors and leaders could
continue to pray and work toward their visions of multiplication. I
really didn’t see it coming, that in November of 2013 our idyll of a
peaceful future here would shatter.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Throughout
the winter Maidan square in central Kyiv became both a protest site and
a battleground. The Yanukovich administration sent in riot police and
introduced draconian laws which restricted the public’s freedom of
movement and speech. The citizens pushed back, reinforcing their number
of protesters. Nationalist, right wing elements, though percentage
wise were few, took full advantage and led a more violent resistance.
As missionaries, Coleen and I were shocked to hear that we were now
required to register as “foreign agents” and display those words on our
official documents. Our illusion of a peaceful Ukraine had been
shattered, but things didn’t stop there.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After
the change of power in Kyiv in February 2014, Russia craftily
engineered a takeover of Crimea in March. Then Russian armed forces
amassed on Ukraine’s eastern border. Eerily reminiscent of the seizure
of Crimea, armed men in unmarked uniforms began to take over government
buildings in the eastern Ukrainian provinces of Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Throughout
April and May we have witnessed the largely feeble attempts of the new
Ukrainian government to wrest back control militarily. Civilians who
are brave enough (or in some cases paid) to go on the street take videos
of these clashes and post them on Twitter and YouTube. They are hard
to watch because of the civilians’ extensive cursing, shaming and
name-calling of the Ukrainian soldiers, the most common of which is
“fashisty,” meaning fascists. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Yesterday,
on Sunday, May 13, the pro-Russian separatists held an illegal
referendum in the Donetsk province, seeking to call themselves
independent and autonomous from Ukraine’s Kyiv-based government. This
was also a repeat of the Crimean scenario, and we fear a similar outcome
eventually in Ukraine’s eastern provinces.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It
is not clear whether Ukraine will be able to defend its territorial
integrity, but even if that is the case, many changes will take place in
government and society because of the deep divisions between Ukrainian
citizens. At some level the new government will need to account for
them. Moreover, the new government will have to deal with Russia’s
long-range plans and strategies from this point forward. Much has been
written about Putin’s Eurasian game plan, but I will summarize the
current Ukrainian conflict with one phrase: Russia cannot tolerate a
pro-Western Ukraine.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The
crisis in Ukraine means different things to different people. For some
it is East vs. West, the reinstatement of the cold war between Russia
and the USA. Some say it is the revival of the old USSR. For those who
live in the conflicted regions who have bought into Russia’s
propaganda it means a choice between civilization with strong executive
power and reasonable salaries (Russia) or being under the boot heels of
an oppressive neo-Nazi junta, as Russia characterizes Ukraine’s interim
government. For those who know better it means an opportunity to
build a new nation state on transparency and rule-of-law. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">But
for Christians this crisis means a call to prayer, to greater
dependency on God, to greater unity among believers, and to standing for
the truth of the gospel. We must remember that even if the worst
possible outcome should occur, nothing in this conflict could change the
God-given mission of even a single local church! Our marching orders
come from the Lord Jesus Christ who has all power in heaven and on
earth! Therefore, our dream remains for the success of the Ukrainian
churches, only now unfettered by our former rosy illusions!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Coleen
and I are praying to know God’s will during these troubled times. We
ask you to join us in praying for peace for our Ukrainian friends, not
the idealistic kind, but the kind that involves compromise,
understanding, and a willingness to listen to one another. Thank you
for your prayers!</span></div>
Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-84955303614545969302014-04-28T07:33:00.000+03:002014-04-28T07:33:15.457+03:00GRATITUDE ATTITUDE CHOOSE to practice gratitude!<br /> When our hearts are filled with gratitude,<br /> we find contentment, even joy.<br />
Practicing gratitude can transform your experience of life. Try it.
Make it a habit. It's not something you would ever regret and you have
so much to gain.<br />
<br />
My take on the subject. Hope it blesses you. Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-46273128780623252862014-04-17T10:35:00.000+03:002014-04-21T17:51:50.679+03:00#CARDS FOR #CHRIST<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnFlJHrWAqE/U097W9hZR-I/AAAAAAAAFNw/tsfvXWutOj8/s1600/P4153878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnFlJHrWAqE/U097W9hZR-I/AAAAAAAAFNw/tsfvXWutOj8/s1600/P4153878.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I travel about 45 minutes to our northwest where I do a monthly class with some ladies. As you can see we don't have a big space to work in this tiny church, but that does not stop them from creating lovely things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KH2ZnUL-WjY/U097ZlHXZHI/AAAAAAAAFN4/0AfW6l0d97M/s1600/P4153879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KH2ZnUL-WjY/U097ZlHXZHI/AAAAAAAAFN4/0AfW6l0d97M/s1600/P4153879.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqLCi6AcE2s/U097lmbBPpI/AAAAAAAAFOA/TXK8UtgTOpo/s1600/P4153899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqLCi6AcE2s/U097lmbBPpI/AAAAAAAAFOA/TXK8UtgTOpo/s1600/P4153899.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Oxana and Vika, mother and daughter. Vika is a school teacher. These two always do such lovely creations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk-DcWhhcB0/U097twOKZgI/AAAAAAAAFOI/MrKTULtiUdg/s1600/P4153882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk-DcWhhcB0/U097twOKZgI/AAAAAAAAFOI/MrKTULtiUdg/s1600/P4153882.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, Vika's little dog Archie had to be part of everything.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-awbsz5okl7Y/U097yQ_NF9I/AAAAAAAAFOQ/ms_BDiHJKHQ/s1600/P4153897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-awbsz5okl7Y/U097yQ_NF9I/AAAAAAAAFOQ/ms_BDiHJKHQ/s1600/P4153897.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natasha always does pretty work. She was an orphan growing up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-858C80tebWY/U0971oWvRFI/AAAAAAAAFOY/5A7cCDDBQMg/s1600/P4153900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-858C80tebWY/U0971oWvRFI/AAAAAAAAFOY/5A7cCDDBQMg/s1600/P4153900.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though they are not often with us, these two youngsters are Natasha's children, Ivanka and David. I've been giving them clothes because they don't have a lot. A young girl needs some nice things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RvQsTe6mX0M/U09751lADwI/AAAAAAAAFOg/PzD9ebrh4nY/s1600/P4153901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RvQsTe6mX0M/U09751lADwI/AAAAAAAAFOg/PzD9ebrh4nY/s1600/P4153901.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you to those of you who send pretties and supplies. I couldn't do this without you. These were Easter cards that the ladies will give to the elderly in homes. So your blessing of supplies will bless others for Christ. Despite the threat of war with Russia, we try to continue life as normal. Pray for peace please.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-79922235996588625842014-04-15T22:03:00.000+03:002014-04-21T17:52:19.252+03:00#SUNDAY SCHOOL IN #UKRAINE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Tvjy_igunY/U02AsjytLrI/AAAAAAAAFMs/_2cKy3Lsd0c/s1600/2014-04-06+10.35.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Tvjy_igunY/U02AsjytLrI/AAAAAAAAFMs/_2cKy3Lsd0c/s1600/2014-04-06+10.35.08.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
This is crafts with the eight to ten year olds. They love doing crafts. I wish it were a better picture, but kids this age are moving all the time. At this age they don't understand the politics of the country they live in, but we do all we can to keep things normal for them. Despite the prospect of war, life goes on. Would appreciate your prayers for Ukraine that we can continue to minister to these dear people.Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-66057260149076469592014-04-02T11:14:00.000+03:002014-04-02T11:14:02.069+03:00"YOU ARE WORTHY"By Jeff Franks<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">“You
are worthy, O Lord,To receive glory and honor and power;For You created
all things,And by Your will they exist and were created.” (Rev 4:11)<br /> <br />
As the 24 elders cast their golden crowns over a crystal sea, I worship
with them joyfully. Yet one thing puzzles me. Why do we say that God
should receive power, when we know that he is eternally omnipotent, and
there is no power that did not come fr<span class="text_exposed_show">om
him in the first place? Why should we want him to receive something he
already has? Can’t the same can be said for glory and honor? <br /> <br />
Truth is, God does indeed bestow glory, honor, and power on the sons of
Adam. But throughout human history they have stolen, killed, and waged
war in the effort to either obtain power or to keep it. Pharaoh once
asked, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?
(Ex. 5:2) Nebuchadnezzar challenged, “Is not this great Babylon, that I
have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of
my majesty?” (Dan. 4:30) Yet others happily acknowledged their power
came from God, such as Joseph, Daniel, and King David, who in his last
breath returned his earthly glory, honor and power to his heavenly
maker:<br /> <br /> “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” (2 Sam 23:3)<br /> <br />
Those who do not will repeat the tragedies of history. Let us
therefore cast our crowns at his feet and say, “You are worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory and honor and power; for you created all things, and by
your will they exist and were created!”</span></span>Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859333523475647382.post-25889922504004432682014-04-01T21:47:00.000+03:002014-04-21T17:52:58.884+03:00#Russian Troops Surround #Ukraine<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">As
Russian troops amass on the borders of now Russia, Crimea, Belarus and
Transdniester(Moldova breakaway republic) there is much thought that
Russia will take all of Ukraine. All night prayer vigil in all
denominations across Ukraine last night. Also a huge "disinformation"
campaign in Russia. Don't believe it. There is no chaos here, no
robberies, no armed bandits running the streets. Life is normal with
the exception that everyone is on edge about Russia. Putin is a liar,
that you can believe. There are no right-wing Fascist running the interim government. As a matter of fact, the interim president is a Baptist Pastor. Can you believe that? We'd never have that happen in America. Please pray. Prayer can turn the tide.</span>Coleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468346475920474062noreply@blogger.com0