The first book I tackled was Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand. I know, you're probably thinking..."uh, interesting choice". But really, it was interesting! And challenging! Here is one of many stories which Wurmbrand shares from his life:
One of our workers in the Underground Church was a young girl. The Communist police discovered that she secretly spread Gospels and taught children about Christ. They decided to arrest her. But to make the arrest as agonizing and painful as they could, they decided to delay her arrest a few weeks, until the day she was to be married. On her wedding day, the girl was dressed as a bride--the most wonderful, joyous day in a girl's life! Suddenly, the door burst open and the secret police rushed in. When the bride saw the secret police, she held out her arms toward them to be handcuffed. They roughly put the manacles on her wrists. She looked toward her beloved, then kissed the chains and said, "I thank my heavenly Bridegroom for his jewel He has presented to me on my marriage day, I thank Him that I am worthy to suffer for Him." She was dragged off, with weeping Christians and a weeping bridegroom left behind. They knew what happens to young Christain girls in the hands of Communist guards. Her bridegroom faithfully waited for her. After five years she was releases--a destroyed, broken woman, looking thirty years older. She said it was the least she could do for her Christ. Such beautiful Christians are in the Underground Church.
When I read that story I was blown away. On her wedding day, wisked away by the police and yet such a joy and love filled her heart. When is the last time that I thanked God or praised God for even the smallest or slightest inconvenience in my day? The other book I just finished reading is The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. I had seen the movie version of this book many years ago so when I saw this book at a thrift store for 10 cents I picked it up right away. This true story follows the path of a pastor (David Wilkerson) who feels called to minister to New York's ganglands. He leaves his comfortable parish in the country fields of PA to preach on the dangerous streets. Throughout his ministry the emphasis is always on listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying God whether it makes sense at the time or not. I was so encouraged by David's story and how God brought him through every circumstance and need. So often I want to see all the pieces put together and know exactly how it will go but I am reminded through David's testimony that our trust and faith grows so much more when we see only parts of the big picture.
In recounting how God provided, "And at no time did we have more than just a few dollars in the bank. Usually our balance was less than a hundred dollars. Just as fast as the money came in, we found a pressing need for it. Often I've yearned for a financial situation that would allow us to breathe a little more easily. But just as often, I come back to the conviction that the Lord wants us to live this way. It is one of the most demanding requirements on our faith to depend totally on God for the needs of His work. Just as soon as we have a balance in the bank, we'll stop depending on Him in the day-to-day, hour-by-hour way that we now do, not only for our spiritual needs, but for our physical needs as well."
When I read that story I was blown away. On her wedding day, wisked away by the police and yet such a joy and love filled her heart. When is the last time that I thanked God or praised God for even the smallest or slightest inconvenience in my day? The other book I just finished reading is The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. I had seen the movie version of this book many years ago so when I saw this book at a thrift store for 10 cents I picked it up right away. This true story follows the path of a pastor (David Wilkerson) who feels called to minister to New York's ganglands. He leaves his comfortable parish in the country fields of PA to preach on the dangerous streets. Throughout his ministry the emphasis is always on listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying God whether it makes sense at the time or not. I was so encouraged by David's story and how God brought him through every circumstance and need. So often I want to see all the pieces put together and know exactly how it will go but I am reminded through David's testimony that our trust and faith grows so much more when we see only parts of the big picture.
In recounting how God provided, "And at no time did we have more than just a few dollars in the bank. Usually our balance was less than a hundred dollars. Just as fast as the money came in, we found a pressing need for it. Often I've yearned for a financial situation that would allow us to breathe a little more easily. But just as often, I come back to the conviction that the Lord wants us to live this way. It is one of the most demanding requirements on our faith to depend totally on God for the needs of His work. Just as soon as we have a balance in the bank, we'll stop depending on Him in the day-to-day, hour-by-hour way that we now do, not only for our spiritual needs, but for our physical needs as well."
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