If you're a bird, I'm a bird

The first time I heard about martyrs was when I learned about Joan of Arc. I think I watched this Hollywood version. During my college years, I remember reading, She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernell.  That is when I decided that is how I want to die. Not necessarily in a school shooting, but as a representative of Jesus Christ. Ever since that moment, I've had a peace that if I was ever given an ultimatum, I would gladly choose Christ. The Insanity of God movie  was introduced to me at a small group last year and then I participated in  the The Insanity of Obedience  by Nik Ripken book study in a connect group. You can read about my thoughts on the movie here . One day, I found a Hearts of Fire book in my Little Free Library in my front yard. This was before I left for my trip to China. I felt like the book had been planted there just for me! Rarely do I find a book in the LFL that I want to read so I snatched it out immediately...

As I get older I'm noticing I do not anticipate Christmas quite like I did as a child, or even a few years ago.  In my opinion, that's not necessarily a bad thing. To me there are so many other priorities that trump decorating the house and sending out Christmas cards. Those things seem trivial compared to salvation and eternity. My mind is thinking about my Chinese friends that are still living in oppression on the other side of the world.   I'm thinking about family members that grew up in the church and know about Jesus, but do not really  know  Him. ...by their fruit you will recognize them.  Matthew 7:20 My heart is filled with compassion for the 18 girls in my class and their families. Praying that I can be "a witness in the silences when words aren't enough".    I'm thinking about the Christians who go to church every week, but go just to see people or chat in the foyer. The people that walk in and out each week witho...