The God of All Comfort

     Last night I began reading Red Moon Rising. Those who have already read it may agree how powerful some of the statistics in the first chapter are. For example, "Almost a third of U.K. teenagers have been drunk twenty times or more, and more than 35 percent have experimented with illegal drugs." Or how about a convicting one, "It currently cost 2.2 million dollars to air a 30 second commercial during the super bowl while almost one third of the world's population lives on under 2.50$ a day." Lastly the one that most impacted me, "Der Spiegel magazine estimates that in Germany alone there are at least thirty Internet death forums where suicidal teenagers can discuss the best ways to kill themselves." Pete Greig then writes out several examples of these post that teen's have posted on these sites.
      All these stats hit me like a brick. When I went on a trip to Mexico and lived with the impoverished it felt as though it was a fantasy, as I returned home I stated nostalgically, "Back to the Real World". Yet looking at these statistics I think most of us who live in the U.S. can agree that the lives we live here are the true fantasy. Poverty is the true Reality. We are simply sheltered by the wealth of our SuperNation. Even as one who has tried to be internationally aware it still stuns me to read them. After hearing David Wilkerson's sermon, "A Call to Anguish", it has become somewhat routine for me to ask for Jesus' anguish for the lost and broken. But when he grants my request I am overwhelmed by the pain it brings. I truly believe what I felt last night was just a glimpse of God's anguish for his people, I do not know how I could have recovered from a whole revelation of his pain. As I lied in my bed, my soul was distraught, even in my search for comfort it seemed the screams of the hurting where overpowering the hope I hold inside.
     Feeling helpless and with little hope I cast my head into the lap of my Savior. As I journaled over my pain a rather obvious yet worship-bringing truth became disclosed, I wrote, "I must come to God for comfort in this pain; for His Anguish can only be treated with His Comfort." Logically, God-sized anguish requires God-sized Comfort. It was incredible to see how so quickly Jesus turned my inexpressible anguish into inexpressible joy. Last night I experienced an intimacy with my Savior, a closeness, that I have never felt before. It was so tangible and glorious. Only our God can bring such joy. For he is the only one who satisfies, he is the only one worthy of our worship. All else is truly rubbish compared to him.
       In the time of my greatest pain and sadness Jesus brought to me a greater intimacy than ever felt before. Praise Lord Jesus above all things of this world. For who can satisfy like our God.

Buy Red Moon Rising at http://www.amazon.com/Red-Moon-Rising-Awakening-Generation/dp/0972927662
Check out:
http://stopthehunger.com/
http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn (Review)

Safely Home is a, no doubt, very powerful book. It is a major wake up call for those unaware of the persecution of China's past. Personally it delivered a call to pray. Not knowing anyone living in a persecuted nation or understanding much that goes on, it can be very difficult to pray. Whether it be from lack of motivation or ignorance, their seems to be a barrier of passionate prayer for our brothers and sisters. Alcorn does a wonderful job of giving a face to those suffering. He brought awareness to the struggles they undergo, majorly being the thirst for the word of God. In a country where Bibles are easily attained and there are at least 15 in my house alone I rarely imagine not having access, yet I have begun to cherish it for the magnificence of what it is. Now comprehending it's importance as well as it's low supply in Nation's such as Communist China I feel joyfully obligated to participate in the spread of shengjing (Bible in Chinese). I searched for ways to help at persecution.org and I found one in which you send money for the purchasing of Bibles which in turn are smuggled to the Church under Persecution. The link is posted below for those interested. The major theme Alcorn proposes, "True Gold fears no fire" has stuck rather strongly in my conscience. Oddly enough it has brought me to a point where I can hopefully a pray for this fire upon the Church in America. With such a sea of nominalism it seems trial for the people of God could mean refreshment and revival. Luke warm believers will not stand firm in the midst of bold persecution, only "True Gold" remains. For anyone interested in a very enjoyable read, yet one that proposes a challenge, I highly recommend this book. Alcorn also uses his research on Heaven in a very entertaining way as well as his knowledge of Hell in a terrifying vision.. For those who read it, let me know what you think?

The link for Bibles to the Persecuted: http://www.persecution.org/assistance/bibles-to-the-persecuted/