“And the Word Came With Power”

Annie & RebekahLeave a comment

I ended this book with tears in my eyes. What a precious story! Not only is this a really fun and easy read, it recounts one woman’s story of coming to Christ, following His leading to the Philippines, and watching God transform the lives of the Balangoo people. 

Through Joanne’s eyes you see the real-life emotion in the struggles and joys that came along with living in a remote location, being adopted into a Balangoo family, encountering demon possession, surviving a helicopter crash, co-laboring with other missionaries, and the 20 year task of translating the New Testament into the Balangoo language. She saw God was at work. This was His doing. And she loved being in the middle of it.

Due to certain cultural differences and demonic possession being part of this story, I would recommend parents to approve it individually for your children, or make it a read aloud and edit as necessary. 

I highly recommend this book.

-Annie

Thoughts inspired by “Devotedly,”

Annie & Rebekah

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In the book “Devotedly,” – a book published this year containing letters written back and forth between Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, (if those names are new to you, you have some reading to do!) – I came across one of Jim’s letters that got me thinking.

You can gather Jim’s main thrust from reading what he wrote to Elisabeth on page 41, but I wanted to share something that encouraged me from a particular line he wrote. “Those sheep were destined for the altar, their pasture feeding had been for one purpose – to… fatten them for bloody sacrifice.”

My life at the moment can feel like a long succession of waiting and preparation. There’s a lot of feeding going on – the reading of books, studying, memorizing, improving my health, forming good habits, gaining skills, growing in walking with the Lord…

So I was encouraged when I read the point of feeding. Sheep that are meant for sacrifice are still fed. But the reason they’re fed is for sacrifice. Right now I’m being fed. But what is the purpose for my being fed? Is it to gain personal success? Is it for my personal benefit? Or could I make the point of my “feeding” sacrifice? If so, then even my studying and growing can be sacrifice to the Lord, as a preparation for future sacrifice: the offering of these resources to Him – for wherever and whenever and however He calls me to serve Him.

Maybe you are someone who is in a season of “feeding”? Then learn and grow and gain wisdom and skills so that as you present yourself to God as a living sacrifice, you may offer to Him the fruits of the preparation He has allowed you to have. At our funerals, would we be satisfied if what was spoken about our lives was that we were very successful, but the unspoken narrative (for people don’t like to speak ill of the dead) was that we were successful at all the wrong things? The things that won’t last past either our lifetime, or maybe at the very, very most, the limits of time? Let’s not sacrifice our skills and knowledge and life on the altar of personal ambition. Instead, let us present to God all that we have to offer, as a sacrifice for Him to use as He pleases for His glory and for His purposes.

“Calling is the truth that God calls us to Himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to His summons and service.”

-Os Guinness

I often like to pray this prayer now before starting my studies for the day, since recently coming across it in “Devotedly,”:

“Lord, let not this day be one of

            earthly striving,

For knowledge puffeth up. O let it be

A quiet time of study in the Spirit,

My realm of intellect controlled by Thee.

As Thou didst use the hands of the lad Jesus

Plying His carpenter’s trade as given of Thee,

So use my mind. Through all this human learning

Hold Thou my thoughts in focus. Let them be

In earnest concentration, permeated

By the deep consciousness that I am Thine.

Direct my thinking. Give to me, O Father,

As Thou didst give to Jesus, such a mind.”

-Elisabeth Elliot

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On page 24 of “Devotedly,” Valerie pointed out that when Elisabeth chose to enroll for further training (before becoming a missionary), that what it meant for Elisabeth’s life was “useful study while waiting for clearer direction on the specific part of the world in which God was calling her to serve Him.”

I underlined that line because it encouraged me through this season of “waiting.” It encouraged me that my current studies can indeed be “useful study” while waiting for further direction from the Lord. I can be faithful. I can focus on the things that are within arm’s reach while waiting on the Lord for what He wants for me in the future. Faithful with now, while praying and waiting for further marching orders.

-Annie

“Devotedly,”

Annie & Rebekah

“…If I could express my one hope for compiling this book, my prayer is that these entries of theirs would call us to search faithfully for God in His Word. And upon discovering His unchanging, faithful, merciful, and loving character, I pray we would be more fully moved in obedience to Him that we too might leave a lasting legacy of faith as my parents did.”

-Valerie Elliot Shepard

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How much can a person glean from the letters of a man and a woman in love? When that couple is as given over to the Lord as Jim and Elisabeth were – we can glean a lot.

Earlier this year, when I saw a new book out about Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, compiled and with additional commentary by their daughter Valerie, I couldn’t wait to start reading it! In the midst of their struggles and uncertainties, there is infused into their personal writings an unmistakable love and hunger for God and an intense desire for God’s will to be done in their lives – even if it be at the expense of their dearest, most heartfelt dreams. I have found great encouragement through getting this inside view of their thought processes and their constant efforts toward living lives of surrender to the Lord. The encouragements are not just regarding the relationship between a man and a woman in love. I have found encouragement far beyond that as the letters between this couple were not all-consumed with their love and longing for each other. They each – together as well as separate from the other – had a single eye for loving God, following His will, and living lives of service to Him. This is beautifully obvious in the letters they wrote.

I’d recommend this for young adults/adults (or ask your parent to approve it for you if you’re on the younger side or not sure if the time is right to read it).

-Annie

“I think His kindness toward her childlike prayer is so tender. ‘Lord, I am but a little child,’ she wrote at the time, ‘and know not how to go out or come in.’ She was somewhat hesitant to ask something so temporal of Him because she was afraid her own fleshly desire to be with my dad might outweigh her overriding prayer about constantly dying to self. But nothing outweighed being in moment-by-moment alignment with God and His purposes…

“This call to be still and wait on him for guidance was very real in my parents’ hearts, and I’m thankful for their example of spending at least an hour each day (often more) doing nothing else. Every letter and journal entry of theirs reveals this longing to be serious about prayer and sincerely seek God’s face. Therefore, I’m not surprised at all to read of my father’s continual watching for some kind of confirmation or direction before feeling free to pursue marriage.

“In fact, this observation leads to my second point, more general in nature: their devotion to Scripture…”

– Valerie Elliot Shepard

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“Her only certainty in the matter was the assurance to ask, ‘Lord, rule my will and affections.’ As long as she devotedly maintained this point of surrender, she knew everything was sure of working toward God’s desired ends.”

– Valerie Elliot Shepard

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“Windows To Our World”

Annie & Rebekah

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When I was eight years old, my parents packed up and moved my two brothers, my sister, and myself to Indiana. There at our church we met a sweet young couple – still in their early twenties – with their children Isaac and Anna. Estera, (isn’t that a gorgeous name?!), would be born right before we moved back to California. Fast forward to now, Josh and Sarah have been living lives of adventure and are currently residing in beautiful Hawaii with 14 of their 15 children. The then three-year-old that we knew in Indiana is now married and living in Europe. The one time two-year-old is now working on turning her musical that she wrote about the life of Christ (wrote it while a teenager!) into a full-blown play.

Sarah is a wife and mom. She’s also a missionary, curriculum writer, entrepreneur, artist, author, and more. She’s a child of God who wants to live for Him.

Maybe you would like an inside peek into Sarah’s life as a child, youth, wife, mother, and all the rest? Good! Because Sarah wrote it down for you. I loved reading this autobiography of a girl who grew up in Indiana, California, and Florida, and of her availability to serve God and the unique opportunities He gave her, her meeting and falling in love with her now husband Josh, and the adventures they’ve been on together since then.

I hope you enjoy this book and are as inspired by Sarah’s life as I have been.

If you get this book, you’ll enjoy jumping onto Sarah’s Instagram where you’ll see the continued growth of her family since this book was published. Sarah, please write and publish part 2 to your story! 🙂

 

-Annie

 

“My story did not begin on the day I was born… mine is a story that actually began many generations ago with the uncommon bravery of my grandmothers who came to America from many lands… these ancestors of mine were immigrants, like I am now, strangers in a new land… We left the American Dream behind, living a new dream because we are Americans, free to live by faith, to show our children what exists on the other side of the world. I brought just a few things with me, mostly books – the journals I have filled with the stories from my own life. For me these are the windows to my past.

“Now I have a pen in my hand, and I’m letting go of my story. I am tempted to hold onto my memories and keep secrets of my journey locked up in my heart, my love letters, and journals. But what good is a story unless it is told? So for you, for my children, and for their children, I am passing along a few pages of my life.

“I hope you enjoy this part of my story as much as I have enjoyed the journey. Now let me open a window…” -Sarah Janisse Brown (pages 12 and 13)

 

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“Amazing Grace”

Annie & Rebekah

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“Wilberforce overturned not just European civilization’s view of slavery but its view of almost everything in the human sphere; and that is why it’s nearly impossible to do justice to the enormity of his accomplishment: it was nothing less than a fundamental and important shift in human consciousness.” page xv

 

William Wilberforce was small in appearance, and huge in personality and raw talent. Additionally, his was a heart that was captured by God, and in seeking to live for Him, he overturned cultural norms and changed the trajectory of history. And that sentence is by no means an exaggeration as this book clearly shows us. The name “William Wilberforce” is on my personal list of heroes. Few people have the giftings and opportunities that this English Parliamentary member had, but there are some things we do have in common: the same God, one life, and the ability to choose to love and serve God with and in the particular opportunities He gives us. As we learn of the life, work, and single-focus of William Wilberforce, may we be encouraged to live with resolve, courage, and passion for – and because of – our Lord!

Due to the nature of what Wilberforce fought against (largely, the slave trade), this book should not be read by a child. (It can be read aloud by an adult and edited for age-appropriateness.)

-Annie

“‘The decision of the great question approaches. May it please God, who has the hearts of all in His hands, to turn them as in the House of Lords; and enable me to have a single eye, and a simple heart, desiring to please God, to do good to my fellow-creatures, and to testify my gratitude to my adorable Redeemer.'”

– William Wilberforce (page 208)

 

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“Captain Snout and the Super Power Questions”

Annie & Rebekah

Thank you to my sister-in-law Mel for this book!

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This is a children’s book that adults would benefit from reading for themselves, as much as a child would.

Do you ever feel trapped in your head? Do you ever find yourself imagining the worst, or do you feel stuck in an ongoing or seemingly endless loop of negative or depressing thoughts? This book is about negative thoughts – automatic negative thoughts – ANTs… you know, those discouraging thoughts that just come very naturally to think? Well, Captain Snout shows us how to squash those ANTs with some very practical and simple questions. These questions are surprisingly effective – I’ve tried them.

Thoughts are powerful. Unbelievably powerful. Thoughts can affect the trajectory, flow, and feel of a whole life. It’s been said that when you sow a thought, you reap an action… sow an action, reap a tendency, sow a tendency, reap a habit, sow a habit, reap a character, sow a character, reap a destiny. A single thought can lead to something much bigger.

I hope you read this book. And I hope you squash the ANTs in your own life.

– Annie

 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7

“Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

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Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor

Annie & Rebekah

I feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to write a review that would do this book justice… it’s FULL of jewels.

I first read the paperback book “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” when I was 16 or 17; it is one of those books that I can confidently say impacted my life to the extent that my life was from that point forward changed.

Hudson Taylor’s was a life of extreme commitment to God and to the furtherance of the Gospel. He was a man of humility, a man filled with the Spirit, a man who lived out love for his neighbor, and a man who walked with God. I found encouragement in the way God prepared him during his younger years, for the way that God brought a young lady named Maria into his life, for the way he practically served God, and for the way he walked with God. I find encouragement in his story that he started well, continued well, and finished well.

In Eric Metaxas’ book on the life of abolitionist William Wilberforce, he said: “…a short period of the short life of one man is, well and wisely directed, sufficient to remedy the miseries of millions for ages.”

I think that this could be said of Hudson Taylor. His life affected the spiritual lives and destinies of thousands…I wouldn’t be surprised if it was millions, not just from his life directly nor during his lifetime along, but rippling outward from his life through others who were impacted and influenced by him and throughout generations to come.

May we be counted among those whose short lives are well and wisely directed; may God continue His work of changing lives through our lives. To His praise and His glory and for the good of our fellow humanity.

“I frequently felt at that time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible I would at any rate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if it failed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether. These views I retained when the Lord was pleased to bring me to Himself. And I think I may say that since then I have put God’s Word to the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reason to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises or to deplore following the guidance I have found in its directions.” (page 10)

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The paperback book “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” is an abridged version (and very well done) of the two original biographies written by the son and daughter-in-law of Hudson Taylor. The first of the two is “Hudson Taylor In Early Years” and the second is “Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission.” Both are excellent and contain extra details the paperback does not contain. However, if you’re looking for a shorter book than what those two bring, the “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” is perfect.

The book I read in my teens is not to be confused with a different approach to this story titled by the very similar name “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret.”

If a youth or adult is not used to reading 1800s English, this book (“Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor”) might prove a bit difficult to read, but I would say definitely worth the effort.

 

“If we are faithful to God in little things, we shall gain experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious trials of life.” (page 43)

 

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-Annie

PC: Matt Enterline

 

 

“Poor, uninfluential, and without what would ordinarily be regarded as training or talent for leadership, how unlikely that Hudson Taylor should ever become the founder and director of a worldwide organization embracing missionaries from all evangelical denominations and every Protestant land. Yet this was indeed to be the case, for He who is the great, the only Worker, still delights to use what has been well called ‘God’s five-rank army of weakness.'” (page 172, 173)

 

“There are several different ways of working for God, as Mr. Taylor reminded the little company. ‘One is to make the best plans we can and carry them out to the best of our ability. This may be better than working without plan, but it is by no means the best way of serving our Master. Or, having carefully laid our plans and determined to carry them through, we may ask God to help us and to prosper us in connection with them. Yet another way of working is to begin with God: to ask His plans, and to offer ourselves to Him to carry out His purposes.’ This, then, was the attitude taken up. Day by day the needs of the whole work were laid before the Lord, guidance being sought as to His will in connection with them. Mr. Taylor continued: ‘Going about it in this way, we leave the responsibility with the Great Designer, and find His service one of sweet restfulness. We have no responsibility save to follow as we are led, and we serve One who is able both to design and to execute, and whose work never fails.'” (page 335)

 

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Faithful Service

Annie & Rebekah

Here is a book I should read every two weeks; it’s that good! And I need to be reminded of these things.

“Faithful Service” – a small book written simply to encourage those who desire to serve the Lord faithfully. “Well done, good and faithful servant…” is what we want to hear one day. But, what is faithfulness and what does it look like? What does it mean to be that servant that Jesus calls us to be?

In this book, Rich Chaffin includes:

  • Examples of faithfulness as seen in Old Testament stories, as well as New Testament stories.
  • An explanation of what faithfulness is and why it’s so important.
  • Examples of what faithfulness looks like and what it doesn’t look like.
  • An accurate understanding of what a servant is.
  • Encouragement for those working behind the scenes.
  • Vision for going beyond just the minimum in service for God.
  • An understanding of the wonderful blessings that come to the person who is faithfully serving Jesus.

This book is easy to read, and you can practically apply what it talks about, right away. This is a little book, perfect for reading a chapter in a few spare minutes.

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Its author, Rich Chaffin, is a pastor whom I have learned so much from, both through this book and through his teachings and example. If you read his book, you’ll hear stories of the time when he was a janitor and how God taught him faithfulness through that. You’ll be encouraged to be faithful in whatever place God has you in, and you’ll be challenged to be that “to the brim” sort of servant and to keep “digging ditches.” You’ll be encouraged to recognize the opportunities that you have right now, and I think you’ll be excited at the thought of the privilege it is to serve Jesus.

In addition to this book, I’ll also link to the church website, which has numerous Bible studies taught by Pastor Rich. I am listening through Revelation right now and it’s so good. You can click here and find a Bible study to listen to, or choose a book of the Bible to go through.

-Rebekah

Photo by: Matt Enterline

Will Our Generation Speak?

Annie & Rebekah

“Can I ask you a random question?” the lady said as I got out of the car. My mom walked around the car to where we were standing. “Sure,” we said. “Do you ever have people just walk up to you and ask if they can buy your car?” This lady owned the same kind of car as ours, and it was the same color too. “We have had people call us and leave notes on our front door to find out if we’ll sell our car,” we replied. “Me too! We must have really good cars and people want them,” she said laughing. “I’ve put 280,000 miles on mine, it runs great, and all I’ve ever done is change the oil,” she said. After several minutes of discussing this funny similarity that we shared, our unusual, yet friendly parking lot chat was coming to a close.   

But, before we said goodbye, my mom had one more thing to say. “I don’t know why, but I think I’m supposed to tell you something. I just have it on my heart to say this, so I’ll say it. I’m a Christian. Jesus Christ has changed my life. I met Him when I was 18 and since then, my life has never been the same.” And she shared a little bit more.

I had just been thinking about the randomness of this lady walking up to us, starting the conversation and how this would be the perfect opportunity to say something to her about the Lord. I was thankful that my mom did.

“I’m a spiritualist,” the lady replied as she told us of her studies of world religions and how she had come to the conclusion that there was good in each of them. It was interesting to hear her views, and when she had finished sharing her perspective, my mom told her how she had at one time, also been in a place of searching for the truth. My mom told her that she had come to realize that Jesus was the only One who had ever risen from the dead and that He was seen by many witnesses after He had risen. “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,’” she quoted, as she gently challenged the idea of all religions being right and that what it takes is us being good…each of us deciding what good is.

My mom reiterated that she had simply felt compelled to share this and so she did. The lady was kind and said that it was very interesting that my mom had said something right then, because of all that she’s been going through. She told us about the health struggles that a family member was experiencing and how hard it had been. After talking more about it and exchanging our names, we asked if we could pray for her loved one and she said she would be grateful. Although we wanted to pray right then, she had ice cream melting in the car, so we said we would pray later. We told her that God loved her and wanted to help her. She said, “Goodbye…and God bless you,” as she got into her car.

We all have our comfort zones. This story happened outside of my mom’s comfort zone, as well as outside of mine. In fact, it was my heart that was pounding as my mom did most of the talking. But, despite this fact, nothing can compare with knowing that God just did something and that He orchestrated the circumstances in such a way that allowed us to be a part of it! God invites each of us to be workers with Him in bringing His Word and His love to those who are lost, confused, and in need of a Savior.

Many of us though feel unqualified, timid, and scared at the thought of such a task. We don’t feel ready to take the risk of stepping outside of our comfort zones. But, we actually take another risk, the risk of missing an opportunity! And the encouraging thing is that God wants to work in us, and even change us. When my mom read Ephesians 6:18-20, she was struck with the thought that even the Apostle Paul prayed for boldness! He knew what it was to be weak, fearful, and trembling (1 Cor. 2:3). As she thought about that she decided to pray for boldness. A few days after she prayed, we talked with the lady in the parking lot and God did give her boldness to speak. I believe that God brought the lady to us and had my mom talk with her, right at a time when she really needed the love of Christ. Maybe God will use that interaction to remind her that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life…and maybe she’ll respond.

Something else that impacted my mom was reading the book, “Will Our Generation Speak?” My personal copy is much more worn than the book pictured here. That’s because it’s very high on my list of favorites and I keep going back to reread it!

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It’s inspiring, instructive, and insightful. Grace Mally, age 23 at the time of writing, has tactfully and skillfully written to our generation with a challenge to be bold with the Gospel. Within the pages of her book, Grace gives practical ideas for sharing the Gospel with others and if you read it, it’s likely you will be astonished by the real-life stories that she records. You will see what God can do through one person loving and following Jesus, and how He is working within the hearts of the lost. 

I think this is an AMAZING book and I’m recommending it to you. 🙂  I don’t feel that I can do the book justice from this one post. I am confident though, that you will be blessed by reading this book. It is punctuated with Scripture, providing a fresh reminder of the privilege it is, as children of God, to have the opportunity to impact this world as we declare Jesus, who is so full of grace and truth.

(I think any person of any age would thoroughly enjoy this book! Grace records many of her conversations with non-Christians, so there may be “certain” references made, but nothing more than references.)

Table of Contents
1. Only One Chance to Be Young!
2. The Little Engine That Couldn’t
3. Is Your Perspective Upside Down?
4. Tracts
5. But I’m Scared!
6. Full of Grace and Truth
7. Listen But Lead
8. Keys to Confidence
9. Moving the Hand of God
10. When They Aren’t So Friendly
11. Joy
12. Who? Where? How?
13. Seventeen Ways to Start Conversations
14. If the Foundations are Destroyed
15. How We Know That We Know
16. Start at Home But Aim for the World
17. The Esther 4:14 Principle

“Will Our Generation Speak” can be purchased on amazon, or from the Mally’s website. Grace has also written a study guide to accompany her book (the two books can be purchased together as a package)

-Rebekah