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Monday, March 30, 2015

Just When We Linger Where We Should Avoid

Near the Border

Most of my life I spent on the island--Sakhalin Island. Although I was born on Kamchatka Peninsula. Several years our family lived in Kuril Islands. During my time in the US as an high school exchange student, I lived near Canadian border. Living near border is quite different.
When you live close to an international border you are more likely to meet people from a neighboring country. You encounter checkpoints. Military presence is more prominent, although not always the case. You encounter symbols of the country that's across the border: flag, coat of arms, etc. If you are lingering around border, you most likely to get arrested, in some cases you might get killed.
It's illegal to enter a country without proper identification ( passport, visa). Sneaking to another country may lead to arrest, prison sentence and deportation. It's possible to sneak in through unguarded border section.
What is the most guarded city of the country---its capital.You see capital city is where the
  But once you are inside that country--anything can happen to you. You can get arrested, deported, send to jail, or even executed.
Bible reminds us that we are sojourners. We belong to the Lord. Our home is Heaven, where God is.

And when we are lingering...

I had a great chance to go snowshoeing in February. It was so nice to get away from all hustle and bustle, to pend time with God. The path from woods lead me to a waterfront. I checked the ice. It was solid. Few minutes later I heard cracking noise. And there it was--crack on ice. My heart sank. What's next? I looked, checked the crack. It was only on the surface. It was safe. Nevertheless, I got of the waterfront. The rest of my walk was on land. That night I heard on the news about two people who went under ice on a snowmobile. Both of them died. If I fell under the ice, I would have been dead from hypothermia.
Too often we underestimate or overestimate the situation. Bible tells us to not to worry. At the same time we have to be on guard. It is so easy to fall into traps. Satan is constantly looking for the opportunities to attack us, to destroy our lives,our testimonies,and our bodies. We have to put the whole armor of God. If we don't have it on, we'll be under attack(s) for sure.

Where we are safe

 There is only one safe place for us--God's presence. While we on earth we are not safe anywhere, because we live in a war zone. Some live in places where war-- actual war--is taking place. However, every Christian is in the midst of war--spiritual war. Our bodies are temporary. Souls are forever.
To often we live on earth as if it were our permanent home. It's not--we are passing by.  This life is a journey. Heaven is the only place where we will be free of sorrows and burdens and safe. We never know what next moment brings.


    

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Past Can Cut Through and It Might Hurt

The other day I was washing dishes--the thing was supposed to be a regular chore. Suddenly I felt a small prick in the sole of my right foot. It didn't bother me at all. You see I had seven surgeries: five on my legs and two on my arms. So pain in my limbs is a frequent guest. Few minutes later I feel my right foot is getting wet-- it felt like sweat--my other foot dry. I looked down and saw a smear of blood on the floor, around my right foot.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Recovering of Head Covering

Head covering--tradition or something that point towards the order of creation, something that angels also witness?

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Spiritual Strife Shock

 We all have moments when we feel down, crushed, desperate; those moments when you hurt so much that you focus on your pain entirely. You scramble, attempting to recall Bible verses, but you are in so much pain that the voice of reason is barely audible. The voice of pain screams, muffling everything else. Fellow Christians  tell you that everything will work out in accordance with the Lord's will. However, pain engulfs you to the point where you don't want to hear any of it anymore. You run  away from God. Sometime later--for some people can be moments for others days., or even longer---you feel ashamed and guilty because of what has happened. All that time God is waiting for you to come back to Him. He waits with arms spread wide.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Santa vs. Jesus


Santa vs Jesus 

During Christmas Season people here name 'Santa' way more than they hear 'Jesus'. However, the story of Christmas is the story of Jesus.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Look up ans see...

It this time of the year...Thanksgiving. Few of my friends decide to through in a dinner for those who cannot go home. We had a nice crowd. Interestingly enough, many of people who came have friends in town. It was nice of them to come in and spend some time with us.We even 'Skyped' with two other friends.

Saturday, August 23, 2014