The Whipping Stone

Mat 27:26 Then Pilate set Barabbas free for them; and after he had Jesus whipped, he handed him over to be crucified. GNB

Roman torture was horrendous. When Pilate ordered Jesus to be whipped, the Roman soldiers did not use an ordinary whip. The whip used to flog and stripe the body of our Lord and Savior was a lead-tipped whip. This whip would rip and tear open the flesh leaving a gaping and bleeding wound.

The whipping stone you see in this picture is found in the Ancient City of Corinth, which we visited a few days ago. This stone is very similar to the one which Jesus was chained. I thought the stone was beautiful with its precise carvings and craftsmanship. As our tour guide informed us what the stone was used for, its beauty instantly turned to ashes.

Last week we celebrated July 4th. Even though we are thousands of miles from our family, we were thankful for friends and even 3 team members from Cameron, Missouri who were in our home to celebrate the holiday with us.

July 4th brings back memories of picnics with hot dogs, grilled burgers, baked beans, cold sodas, family, friends, songs about the Stars and the Stripes and most importantly our FREEDOM.

As children of God, let us never forget that Jesus Christ's stripes taken from a lead-tipped whip before he was lead away by the Roman soldiers to be crucified, bought our FREEDOM.

I pray that we would have a deeper desire to share our faith with the lost world around us. Share the good news with some one about how they too can experience, enjoy and live in the same eternal spiritual freedom that we have. Do it today, tomorrow may never come!

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The Parthenon of the Acropolis

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.


The Parthenon was a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena who saved the Athenians from the Persians. It was completed in 438 B.C. Its interior held the gold and ivory statue of Ahtena Parthenos shown holding Nike ("Victory") in her right hand. The enclosure was ornamented with many other elaborate statues.

There are numerous ancient monuments scattered out over a great expanse of the inner city of Athens still standing today. They represent a sampling of the many 'gods' the Athenians worshiped. It is no wonder Paul had such a burden to climb Mars' Hill and preach to the men of Athens.

These old ruins of eras long past are very interesting and exciting to visit. I've discovered there is a lesson to be learned, they are empty. There are no gold and ivory statues, no golden treasure or jewels; just empty hollow temples built to unknown gods who served no purpose.

As Christians we should be a witness to those around us who are placing their earthly treasures where the things of this world will destroy. It is our responsibility to tell them about Jesus Christ. The one and only true treasure that will never rust and nothing can destroy, nor can anything or anyone take Him away from you once you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. Encourage someone to place their faith in Jesus Christ, not some empty hollow temple of whatever form or fashion it may be. Be courageous......be a Paul!

Act 18:9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
Act 18:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

Men of Athens

View of Athens from top of Mars Hill

Act 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Act 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Act 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

In June Randy and I were blessed with the opportunity to visit Greece. We had the privilege of spending a few extra days in Athens, where we were able to see the Acropolis, the Parthenon and climb Mars' hill. In addition to those marvelous sites we also traveled by bus for a tour of the Ancient City of Corinth.

As we followed our tour guide through the unearthed archaeological finds of Ancient Corinth, and as he instructed us to open our Bibles and read scriptures pertaining to particular locations, it really made the tour come alive! It was very spiritually overwhelming to stand on the same ground, such as Mars' Hill and the Ancient City of Corinth and read from God's Word, the Holy Bible; the Apostle Paul's own words. It's hard to explain what it does to you or how it makes you feel. Randy and I came away from our journey to Greece deeply touched, closer to God and with a greater desire to delve deeper into His word.

Act 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Up Date

Short note to let you know, we are not at home this week. Hope to blog again next week. Thank you for checking, Randy

My Girls, In Whom I Am Well Pleased

Sunday, June 7, 2009; three of the young ladies from the Bible Study group which meets in our apartment each Saturday evening were baptized at Holy Trinity Church. It was a very special service for me and Randy. Especially for me because I have had the privilege of watching them grow and mature spiritually in their walk with the Lord. As a couple, Randy and I have become very close to Andrea, Florina and Gabriela, the three that were baptized plus their oldest sister Daniela in the 14 months we have lived here in Galati. They have grown very near and dear to our hearts.

These four young ladies are very active and a very important part of the National Bible Reading Campaign. The NBRC is the means by which we go out on the street and spread the gospel by way of of the tools "Share Jesus Without Fear" and in-home Bible Studies with families that are gracious enough to let us into their homes. They are a great asset to the Galati Team. Perhaps the most important fact is that they are 'Nationals', working to lead their own people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

This is exactly what we want to see happen. There will come a day, no one knows when, that we won't be here. Praise the Lord, Nationals such as these four sisters who have given their life to Jesus Christ and have the desire to see their fellow Countrymen saved; will carry on the work of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Pray for these young ladies and others like them who have chosen to follow Christ; that they will stay firmly grounded in their faith and their desire to continue working to spread the gospel here in Galati.

Kelly's Birthday

Today is my Son-in-law Kelly’s Birthday. I love him like he was born my own son. I find myself comparing his life to my over and over. I guess I don’t see Peggy that way because she was there(in the past) with me. Anyway, now we both have found ourselves in Houston Texas during economic down turns. The big difference is Kelly has enjoyed the good economy for several years and when I came to town looking for a job the headlines read Boom Town Goes Bust. Some what discouraging to a 25 year old needing a job to feed his wife and child. Below is part of an article from NPR(NPR is not a conservative think tank).

Economy
How Does Economy Compare To Past Downturns?
by John Ydstie


Still, the total unemployment rate for this recession hasn't surpassed the unemployment rates in those two severe downturns — at least not yet. The latest data puts the current jobless rate at 8.1 percent, with most analysts predicting a peak of less than 10 percent later this year. During the recession of the early 1980s, unemployment peaked at 10.8 percent. And in terms of length, if the current slump lasts through April, which seems very likely, it will be longer than both those recessions.

The point I want to make is this, being bankrupt financially is not the worst thing that can happen. Being bankrupt spiritually is! "Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are. Mat 6:19-21

Has anyone out there put anything in heaven this week? This month? This year? Ever?
Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.
All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. 2Co 5:17-18

If you are a Christian you have a job if the economy is good or bad, tell others about your faith in Christ!

That puts all of us in one of two groups, the group that needs to be saved by God’s grace, or the group that needs to be telling others how to be saved by God’s grace.

The Good Shepherd....Do You Know Him?

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.




Luk 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luk 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luk 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Last week as Randy and I traveled through the countryside of Romania and up into the mountains, we saw many flocks of sheep grazing on tender green grass. Always, nearby was the faithful shepherd standing guard over his flock. What a perfect picture and beautiful reminder of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd.

As the shepherd leaves the sheepfold in the morning with his flock, headed for fresh green pasture, he knows exactly how many sheep are under his care and protection. They are his responsibility, his livelihood. I'm told the shepherds have their own "shepherding" songs they sing to keep the sheep calm and contented. The shepherd cares for his sheep, they aren't just a bunch of woolly animals to him. It is imperative the shepherd return back to the sheepfold in the evening with the same number he left with that morning, regardless of the cost or danger involved. The shepherd would put himself between his sheep and any wild animal that might try to attack and kill one of his flock.

Our Good Shepherd guards his flock carefully as well. He is constantly on alert for any predator lurking about to steal, kill or destroy one of his own. Should one of His flock falter or stumble and fall by the wayside, the Good Shepherd is there to reach down lovingly with his staph and help them back on the right path. We can only imagine how heaven and the angels rejoice when a lost sinner comes to the Good Shepherd with open arms and receives Him into their heart as a child. I'm thankful I know the Good Shepherd and He knows me. If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ today, it is my prayer that you would seek Him, life is a vapor; there is no promise of tomorrow. The only assured walk in life is walking with the Good Shepherd.