Wife Released From Prison

This is an article I found this morning as I attempted to find an update on this situation. Please continue to pray.

Fatemeh Passandideh, the wife of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, was released October 11 by a court in Gilan province, in northern Iran, an official linked to the Church of Iran told BosNewsLife.

"The release of Fatemeh Passandideh comes ten days after the announcement of the death sentence for her husband Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani," he said, speaking on earlier agreed conditions of anonymity, amid security concerns.

Pray for Our Brother, His Wife and Children

Iranian Authorities to Execute Pastor for Apostasy

Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. Hebrews 13:3

I just received this article from a friend this morning. I am so glad I just read this verse this morning and the following remark by Beth Moore in Jesus the One and Only. Luke 12:4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." "Eternity is a far greater reality than this short breath of time. In essence, Christ said: "Don't fear people who can kil you now but can do nothing to you after that." The only healthy fear is of the One who controls forever"

After a court order temporarily delayed his death, a Christian pastor in Iran is again scheduled to be executed. Worthy News reports that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani will be executed this weekend for the crime of apostasy unless the court again delays his execution. Before he was arrested in October 2009, Nadarkhani led one of the largest Christian communities in Iran. He was singled out by authorities for helping Muslims turn to Christ even though leaving Islam is punishable by death. He was finally arrested after protesting against the enforced reading of the Quran to Christian children. His wife was also arrested and has been sentenced to life in prison. Rights activists are petitioning for the release of both Nadarkhani and his wife.

OUR PRAYER: Lord God we come humbly to Your throne of grace to receive help in the time of trouble for our dear brother and sister and their children. Lord, You have counted them worthy to suffer for your name's sake. Lord, we now ask that you deliver them by Your mighty hand. Lord, you were obedient unto death, even death on the cross. If this is the means by which Pastor Yousef is to glorify you then we ask that you will give him the awesome sense of Your presence and great peace and courage. Help him to pray for those who persecute him. Help him to overcome evil with good. I pray that you would extend great courage and mercy to his dear wife. I pray that their captors would be ashamed and convicted of this sin against heaven. Help us to rise up and pray and act on their behalf. In the name above all names, amen.

Adopted

He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 NASB

Adopted

I’ve wondered at all that word could mean.

Chosen by a longing need;

Agreeing to take them sight unseen.

Adopted

Suddenly a thought descends;

I’ve been taken in by Him.

Chosen before time begins

Adopted

He saw me in my mother’s womb

I wasn’t taken sight unseen

With all He knew there still was room.

Adopted

I found this simple little poem I wrote a long time ago. The wonder of it all. It made me reflect on one of Rich Mullin's songs that I love so much. I should know better than to follow one of my simple renderings with something as great and textured as Rich's beautiful expression of Psalm 139. I once heard someone say, "If God has given you a beautiful voice praise Him with it. If He hasn't...sing and get even." Just kidding...sort of.

Nothing is Beyond You

Where could I go, where could I run

Even if I found the strength to fly

And if I rose on the wings of the dawn

And crashed through the corner of the sky

If I sailed past the edge of the sea

Even if I made my bed in Hell

Still there You would find me

'Cause nothing is beyond YouYou stand beyond the reach

Of our vain imaginations

Our misguided piety

The heavens stretch to hold You

And deep cries out to deep

Singing that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

Time cannot contain You

You fill eternity

Sin can never stain You

Death has lost its sting

And I cannot explain the way You came to love me

Except to say that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

If I should shrink back from the light

So I can sink into the dark

If I take cover and I close my eyes

Even then You would see my heart

And You'd cut through all my pain and rage

The darkness is not dark to You

And night's as bright as day

Nothing is beyond You

You stand beyond the reach

Of our vain imaginations

Our misguided piety

The heavens stretch to hold You

And deep cries out to deep

Singing that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

And time cannot contain You

You fill eternity

Sin can never stain You

And death has lost its sting

And I cannot explain the way

You came to love me

Except to say that nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

Nothing is beyond You

"I Know You're There" - Casting Crowns

New Life Worship: Hiding place

It has been a very busy September and here we are a week into October. I haven't been attending to the blog, but then there aren't people hanging on my every word either.
Some wonderful things have been happening and as usual some challenges as well. The Community Bible Study Fellowship that some friends and I have begun is going well. We have 56 women in Bible study doing Jesus the One and Only. That thrills my heart. The really good part is that we come from many churches in our area and we are hoping and praying it will build bonds and a sense of unity among us. Jesus prayer was John 17:21 "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
I had the privilege of meeting Sandy Day http://www.calebministries.org/. I volunteer with the Woman's Enrichment and Family Center and they sponsored a seminar with her. Part of my privilege was to be her guide and host since she is not familiar with our area. What a delightful sister in the Lord. All I can say is she did what Hebrews 10:24 tells us to do, "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds." I came away from my time with her more committed to be who God wants me to be. I love it when that happens.
In the middle of all this I had two episodes with my inner ear that causes extreme vertigo. I average one episode about every year and a half. The good part was my husband was wonderful or I would never have made it. When I am in the worst part I can't function. All I can do is hang onto my bed with my eyes closed. There is no walking or even crawling when it hits. Even when it's over there is a residual that's very unpleasant. The day before my sister and nieces got here for a rare visit in North Carolina I had my second episode. Fortunately I was able to rebound enough to really enjoy their company and cook! They left yesterday morning on the same day the Woman's Enrichment Center opened an office in my hometown. So...whew!
Added to all this like wonderful icing on a beautiful cake is my privilege of writing for A Martha Heart http://www.amarthaheart.com/. Once again, the best part is getting to know the women who are on the team. I hope you will drop by often to partake of all that is being offered. Be sure and check out all the wonderful recipes that are there. I made the apple craisin breakfast casserole for my family and it was a BIG hit. So simple too when you are rushed...make it the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning.
This morning I have had the luxury of lying down beside the still waters. I love the quietness here at my Shepherd’s feet for some needed restoration.

Carol

A Holy Moment

I was thinking this morning about how precious our grandchildren are to me. I want so much to be a good and godly influence on them.For some reason this incident came to mind and I thought I would share it. I directed a childcare program at our church for two years. While we didn't have a curriculum per say we did have a schedule that we tried to adhere to. We typically would start off our day with a song and Bible story. All our activities were indoors until the afternoon when, weather permitting, the children were allowed time on the playground. We had several days of bad weather that had kept all activities indoors. As the children were dropped off and our day was starting I glanced outside and realized a truly beautiful day was unfolding. I made the decision to let the children go out to play right then as the day was beginning. I knew they would love it, but more than that I felt we all needed to get out and breathe in the glory of a new day.

I will never forget the look of pure joy on the face of one little girl in particular. She was flying high on a swing and I was watching her face. Our eyes met and she exclaimed, "Miss Carol, I LIKE God!" That moment could not have been more profound for me if I had been in a cathedral. I knew her background. Her parents were young and struggling to make it. God was not a priority, but they wanted a safe place for their child. We were trying to sow seeds into all the children who were under our care. Here before my eyes it was bearing fruit. She liked God. I hope all of us that worked with the children had something to do with that. I once heard the definition of a Christian as "Someone who makes it easier to believe there is a God." I love that. Let's make it easier for people by being authentic and having faces and hearts that say "Yes" to finding joy in the journey.

Before I Eat

If you need some sympathy or empathy or just a laugh...watch this!

Okra as Art Form

I don't usually put recipes on here, but I am making an exception today. Yesterday I was watching Paula Deen, yes, it is a guilty pleasure of mine. She was cooking Cajun fried okra. Since I grow okra and we've been eating it in many ways, some that are even healthy....I decided to try Paula's version. I'll include the link below. Oh my goodness...elevates the lowly okra to an appetizer worthy art form. Her recipe is huge, and I just wanted a sample batch so even as mathmatically challenged as I am..it was wonderful. Yes, I ate the whole thing, alone. One of the privileges of the test cook. I know my husband and he will gladly subject himself to this new recipe. Wow! Really good. The dipping sauce is spicy, but I am a fan of the chili garlic sauce that you can find in the Chinese section. My picture turned out almost as pretty as hers and I am sure she has a food stylist. Way to go Paula, good one!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/cajun-fried-okra-recipe/index.html

The Fire, the Cloud, and the Aroma

This morning as I was searching the Scriptures I decided to consult a commentary. By the way, if you are not familiar with http://preceptaustin.org/ I highly recommend this resource for a wealth of good solid commentaries available online. Don’t automatically fly to a commentary though. If you haven’t read and re-read the text, prayed for insight, and done some preliminary work on your own you won’t have the discernment you need to assess whether the commentator is on track.

I knew the correlation between God appearing to Abram as a smoking oven and a flaming torch as they cut covenant in Genesis 15, and God appearing to his descendents as a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that guided His children out of Egypt. However, my understanding was deepened by these wonderful insights by Alexander Maclaren. “These two symbols, the fire and the cloud point to the double aspect of God’s nature, that “He can never be completely known; He is never completely hid.” But also, “It speaks of that twofold aspect of the divine nature, by which to hearts that love He is gladsome light, and to unloving ones He is threatening darkness. As to the Israelites the pillar was light, and the Egyptians darkness and terror, so the same God is joy to some, and dread to others.” (Expositions of Holy Scripture [Baker], 1:109).

As I pondered this wonderful insight 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 came to mind. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?” The very same principle Macclaren was describing will be played out in our lives too. Even if we are representing our Lord well, there will be those who love darkness and will dread the light that is in us. It is an awesome thing to carry the Presence. As Paul asks, “Who is adequate?” Read these words in the NKJV 2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses (poured forth) the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

May it be so Lord.

Catching Up

August has been a wild ride. Well, for some adrenaline junkies and those who like to live at a fast pace my life would seem pretty tame, but for me...not so much. I live in the mountains where life has a totally different cadence. We don’t have malls, traffic jams, or an abundance of restaurants or theaters. Some of you may find it strange that it’s not unusual for us to cross state lines just to see a movie. What we do have is family scattered all over creation, and since we love them and seek opportunities to see each other, it involves a lot of travel, phone calls, and the ability to Skype.

I also have spent a lot of time encouraging, consoling, and just listening to friends and loved ones who are going through or have loved ones going through really tough times. Just yesterday I had the surreal experience of helping to plan a prayer vigil for the safe return of a friend’s 26 year old cousin who has been missing for almost a week. In my own extended family we’ve had a potentially life threatening motorcycle accident, open heart surgery, and in a couple of days, my niece will have a melanoma removed from her leg.

On a much lighter note… in the family realm I had the delight of flying to Wisconsin for my great-niece’s wedding. Ariel Taylor married Robert Jank. Ariel is the daughter of my nephew Scott Taylor who is a missionary in the Philippines. It was a quick trip, but so worth it to see love ones that I so rarely get to see. I’m something of an airport connoisseur (probably the 7 years I spent as a stewardess) and I loved the Milwaukee airport. Good thing because I had to spend several hours there. I had chosen Lost Horizon off my bookshelf to read and used a gift card to treat myself to Starbucks so it was all good. I’m including some pictures of the lobby. It was bustling because the PGA had a tournament nearby. Lots of men with plaid pants. The atmosphere was really wonderful.


On the home and garden front I hate to admit it, but my husband and I made a real rookie mistake this year. We overplanted two of our raised beds and didn’t thin them out. You’ve heard that “he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly?” I have something to add, “she who sows abundantly and doesn’t thin out the seedlings will have a lot of frustration and waste.” We were gone two weeks during prime garden time which didn’t help. My cucumbers leaves were so thick and abundant that I couldn’t find the cucumbers until they were near watermelon size. The delight of growing your own is to pick them when they are small and crisp with tiny seeds, but they couldn’t be found in the jungle. My bush beans were the same way. They were crammed in side by side and loaded. We ate a lot of green beans and I shared with my neighbor, but I dreaded picking them. Next year I will probably overreact and have one plant every 3 feet.…balance Carol, balance.

Our little Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix 14 year old dog, Taz, is now on medicine for a heart murmur. He gave us a real scare by almost passing out. Fortunately he was scheduled for an appointment with the vet that very day. He is the most compliant and laid back dog. I had to throw that in because of the mix of his breed you may be picturing a high strung yipper. That is so not Taz. He has been a delightful companion to us. Nothing makes him happier than to see his bed go into the backseat of our car or truck. He knows he gets to go on an adventure. He curls up and snoozes with one eye open so he won’t miss any opportunity to roam and find new trees and bushes to mark. He doesn’t want to miss out on any food being passed around either. If there were pictures to illustrate words in a dictionary Taz’s would be next to optimist. We do NOT feed him from the table, but that’s where you will find him at every meal. Maybe he’s waiting for a stray morsel to escape, but only when the grandkids are here does that plan bring a return. Since they live SO far away, it’s a long wait.

September beckons with a varied and full schedule. My husband is going to visit the grandkids without me. He and one of our granddaughters have birthdays close together. She wanted her grandparents there and I can't make it so as his birthday present he gets to go alone. Now he doesn't have to shamelessly vie to be the favorite. I can't believe I am missing out, but I will try to benefit spiritually from the solitude. The night I came face to face with the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ, His word to me was, "Be still and know that I am God." I still need to allow that truth to reign in my heart and life. On September 1st I get to be part of a new online ministry A Martha Heart — Sitting at His Feet http://www.amarthaheart.com/ I feel so privileged to be asked, but more privileged to work with and get to know some wonderful women. The 9th of September my husband will begin facilitating a men's Bible study and I will be there to serve and help him in any way I can. On the 11th some friends and I will be providing the wedding reception for a wonderful young couple. On the 13th I will be launching a new Bible study group in our community with some young women who are stepping out in faith to reach their circle of influence. In all of this I would desire your prayers. I want to do what I do out of the overflow of my relationship with Him. I want to abide in Him and His word in me so that I bear fruit and exhibit a gentle and quiet spirit that is precious in His sight.

Hopefully, I will still have time to come here and share lessons learned as I journey with Him.

Wishing you joy in the journey,