| The death of Christ was a victory.
There was no defeat of Christ in his death.
Because, three days later he was raised.
And when he was raised, he had defeated death.
Christ is Alive and reigns.
He is the Conqueror of death.
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| Richard Wurmbrand knows of suffering. He spent 14 years in Communist prisons from 1948 to 1964. During that time he endured more torture and suffering for the cross than anything that we could imagine.
The Christ that I know is worth the tortures and suffering. But would I be able to bear them?
"What shall we do about these tortures? Will we be able to bear them? If I do not bear them I put in prison another fifty or sixty men whom I know, because that is what the Communists wish from me, to betray those around me. And here comes the great need for the role of preparation for suffering which must start now. It is too difficult to prepare yourself for it when the Communists have put you in prison.
I remember my last Confirmation class before I left Romania. I took a group of ten to fifteen boys and girls on a Sunday morning, not to a church, but to the zoo. Before the cage of lions I told them, 'Your forefathers in faith were thrown before such wild beasts for their faith. Know that you also will have to suffer. You will not be thrown before lions, but you will have to do with men who would be much worse than lions. Decide here and now if you wish to pledge allegiance to Christ." They had tears in their eyes when they said yes.
We have to make the preparation now, before we are imprisoned. In prison you lose everything. You are undressed and given a prisoner's suit. No more nice furniture, nice carpets, or nice curtains. You do not have a wife any more and you do not have your children. You do not have your library and you never see a flower. Nothing of what makes life pleasant remains. Nobody resists who has not renounced the pleasures of life beforehand."
Richard Wurmbrand, "Preparing the Underground Church," Epiphany Journal 5, no. 4 (summer 1985): 46-48. |
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| My site has become a ghost town....
My summer has been hard. But totally worth it.
Many trials. But i'm growing a ton.
That's all that i've got.
Michael |
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| Alright, i'm heading out.
I'm going to be in Sandestin Florida all summer...
If you are in the neighborhood, give me a call.
Feel free to call anytime.
Don't let me get back here and find you all the same as i left. I won't be the same when i get back, and i hope that you guys won't be either. (Change for the good, not bad)
michael |
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| This life is our mission trip.
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