Momma is a Martyr, here in America

Lately, I am doing a lot of singing a long with Rich Mullins… Whose song, Here in America, repeats the line, “And the holy king of Israel loves me here in America”.

Jesus loves his disciples here in America. Mommas are on my heart lately. Mommas are martyrs, because martyr means witness. They die to self everyday and share in the hardships of Christ in order to witness the life of Christ to their children. (I’m not talking about having a martyr syndrome here.)

Should we undervalue this fellowship? We do, and moms don’t know their worth. But Jesus sees. Lord,  give us eyes to see, affirm the mommas. The enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy across the ocean and here in America. He wants to beat down the mommas and steal the children. God wants us to draw strength from the momma in prison for her faith and know our battle is real too.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows”. – Jesus (Luke12:6-7)

Sending love out to all the mommas – “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” (1Peter4:12&13)

Love,

Raynna

This battle is not always obvious. I think this book by Emily P. Freeman really touches on a major aspect of the battle for many of us women . Grace for the Good Girl.

If you buy the book here … it supports the ministry of The Martyrs Cross, thanks.

Something We Can Do

Here’s a small thing we can do today, to speak on behalf of a persecuted family & momma.
www.CallForMercy.com
It’s a petition with hopes to be signed by one million and delivered to the Pakistani embassy on behalf of Asia Bibi, a wife and momma accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death.
www.CallForMercy.com

Then there’s this, we can do too:
Isaiah 66:1 “God’s message: ‘ Heaven is my throne,
earth is my footstool.
What sort of house could you build for me?
I made all this! I own all this!’
God’s Decree.
“But there is something I’m looking for:
a person simple and plain,
reverently responsive to what I say.”

With much love and prayer for your much blessing!
Raynna

A Quote

You learn to speak by speaking,
to study by studying,
to run by running,
to work by working;
and just so, you learn to love by loving.
All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.

- Saint Francis de Sales

Praise and Peace

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,

Selah

That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.

Selah

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!”

~ Psalm 67:1-7 ESV

Psalms 67 is often recited daily throughout the days of anticipation and counting from Passover to Pentecost.

It is easy to think this is a prayer our persecuted family would breath beneath breath on a daily basis…

“…that your way may be known on earth, your
saving power among all nations…”

Yet, is it an easy prayer to pray in any of our distress? How desperately we need the strength of realization alive, that this aroma, the fragrance of prayer that arises out of our sacrifice of praise, is pleasant, is life flowing freely.

May God give us ears to hear the testimony, paid with blood and every cost, by those who have gone before us and even now shout courage to us to press on…

“Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”
~ Psalms 66.16-20 NIV

Open hands surely do not mean unbroken hearts…but they are available to grasp
His promise, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” ~ Psalms 34.18

Words shrouded in shadows
Dark like a tomb
Blurred by the tears
Burst forth to resurrection life
Amen.

Peace to your hearts,

Raynna

Scripture for meditation: Psalm 66, esp. verses 10-15

A link I found inspiring today: http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Let’s travel from Passover to Pentecost

Today marks the second day of the Counting of the Omer. A Biblical tradition (Lev. 23:15) that leads the journeyer from Passover to Pentecost. Forty-nine days of anticipation.

Here’s a neat quote from Keren Hannah Pryor’s book, “Taste of Torah”:  pg. 146 & 147

“This period of ‘counting the Omer’ links the celebration of God’s redemption of His people to the commemoration of His revelation to us of His Presence and His Word at Sinai.

To establish a marriage covenant in ancient times, once the bride was chosen the prospective groom paid her father the required ‘ bride- price’. At Pesach (Passover) the precious blood of the Lamb was shed and the great price was eternally paid for the Bride of Adonai (the Lord). The first stage of betrothal is accomplished.

The betrothal ceremony was conducted forty-nine days later, when the prospective groom presented his bride with a written marriage contract, a ketubah. Likewise, Shavuot (Pentecost) is the completion of the Exodus. The betrothal is sealed. “

I think this is so neat, so significant.

Keren goes on later to explain that this period of counting is a time of preparation and nurturing, of careful watching and anticipation of a special meeting with our Beloved, “…when we can offer Him the gift of the first fruits of our labors.” This time is an opportunity to pour out our love toward Him.

Travel on.

Raynna

Passover Remembered

This Monday evening is the Eve of Passover. All over the world, observant Jews will be removing yeast from their homes in accordance with the scriptures. We, too, are commanded, by Paul, to keep the Festival of Passover and to remove the yeast of malice and wickedness. (1 Cor 5.6-8)

As we remove yeast from our kitchens, lives, and hearts—
let us remember.

As we gather with families and friends—
let us remember.

As we break the unleavened bread and drink the wine—
let us remember.

While we in our freedom are remembering the Exodus from Egypt and the salvation from sin—
let us remember.

While we in our homes are remembering the God of Israel and the Israel of God—
let us remember.

While we celebrate God’s epic story of redemption through the Messiah Jesus—
let us remember.

Let us remember the untold tales of those in modern slavery.
Let us remember, pray, and do righteousness deeds on their behalf.

Mohammed Hegazy

Mohammed Hegazy is a courageous man.  Seeking to have his national ID documents legally changed to reflect the fact that he has become a Christian, this former Muslim has recently been denied this chance by an Egyptian court.  In effect, he has been told that he cannot convert, regardless of his personal beliefs.  And I thought that Islam taught that there was no compulsion in religion! 

Please pray for Mohammed, his wife, and  their daughter. Then, please, share his story with others. more… 

Bible Store Manager Martyred in Gaza

According to The Voice of the Martyrs Canada:

Rami Ayyad (30), the manager of the only Christian bookstore in Gaza, was killed by unknown assailants on October 6. At approximately 4:30 p.m. Ayyad was abducted as he closed up The Teacher’s Bookshop, which is owned by the Palestinian Bible Society. Shortly afterwards, his family received a telephone call from him saying that he had been kidnapped and that he would be returned home late that evening. The following day, Ayyad’s body was found near the bookstore at approximately 6:25 a.m. He had been shot in the head and stabbed multiple times.

According to Middle East Concern, the local media is reporting that the murder occurred during a robbery, which the Christian community believes is a deliberate attempt to cover up the religious motive behind the attack. Ayyad regularly received anonymous death threats from people angered by his work and Muslim militants have repeatedly threatened the Palestinian Bible Society. In mid-April, the Gaza office was bombed by suspected Muslim militants.

Ayyad is survived by a pregnant wife and two young sons. Ask God to fill his loved ones with a peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of their grief (Philippians 4:7). Pray that the Bible Society staff will continue to spread God’s Word in this troubled area. Pray that Christians in Gaza will exhibit the love and forgiveness of Christ.

Two video reports on this story are available. Click here to view a video from infolive.tv. A news report from CBN is also available here. For more information on the persecution of Christians in Palestine and Gaza, click here.

Professor Forced to Convert

According to The Jerusalem Post: A Palestinian Professor has been forced to convert to Islam. It appears from the article that she was a Christian or had Christian ties. Please pray for the Christian in Gaza. They are being troubled deeply since the Hamas took over. I’ll say it again, please pray!

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