Day 22

I stayed up too late last night. Yesterday was not a "healthy day" since I didn't exercise and I stayed up hours past when I should have been in bed. Two nights ago, I was in bed by 9. The days of getting into bed by 9:30 and up by 4:30 to exercise seem long gone. My morning quiet time seems to be the only part of my former routine that remains.
But today is a new day and His mercies are new every morning.

I found this excerpt from Billy Graham's book, "Unto These Hills."

Ten Commandments for the Home

1. Establish God's chain of command. The Bible teaches that for the Christian, Jesus Christ is to head the home, with the wife under the authority of a Christ-like husband and the children responsible to their parents.

2. Obey the command to love one another.

3. Show acceptance and appreciation for each family member.

4. Family members should respect God's authority over them and the authority of God has delegated down the chain of command.

5. It is important to have training and discipline in the home and not just for the family dog!

6. Enjoy one another and take the time to enjoy family life together. Quality time is no substitute for quantity time. Quantity time isquality time.

7. Do not commit adultery. Adultery destroys a marriage and is a sin against God and against your mate.

8. Everyone in a family should work for the mutual benefit of the family. No child should be without chores or without the knowledge that work brings fulfillment.

9. Pray together and read the Bible together. Nothing strengthens a marriage and a family more. Nothing is a better defense against Satan.

10. Every family member should be concerned about whether every other member in the family is truly saved. This extends after the immediate family to grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and in-laws.

Our Father and our God, I pray for Your blessing on my family. We need You among us. Father, to lead us in unity and peace. Help us grow together through love and laughter, through respect and forgiveness, through good times and bad. Bind us together, Lord, for life. In Your Son's precious name. Amen.

I am still working on our family vision. I have been so inspired by Kitty Hinkle's post, What is God's Vision for your Family? (from her blog, "A Widow's Might")

This month as a family we have been focusing on acting out love both in our family and outside or family. Once we have a permanent statement of our vision in a family mission, for the sake of our minds I will have us focus each month on a specific part of it.
...more to come

Currently listening to:
the refrigerator running
(no, I am not going to catch it-the fridge running joke is my 4-YO's new fav)

Dinner (last night):
ham steak, pasta, broccoli w/ cheese

Currently reading:
devotionals and various scriptures
no books recently as there hasn't been extra time

Today grateful for:
my boys
good health
God's incessant presence
mornings
the modern technology of refrigerators

Day 17

Yesterday was day 17 of my personal project. To tell you the truth, I have fallen behind in my tallies.(My goal is to pick up where I lost count since quitting is not an option.) I have spent the week attempting to return to complete health. I have felt like I was coming down with something all week and I was concerned since a number of my students have the week long nasty form of the stomach virus or flu.

I am blessed in that I have been able to. function in my necessary activities. I was blessed even more so today when I broke a tooth. I was able to get an emergency appointment with my dentist to get it fixed after work and before the boys child care center closed. An awesome blessing of timing and provision! I have had many times this week when all I could manage was soup and tea. I have not exercised, not because I was not able-I could have pushed myself-I have done that before. What concerns me is that if I exercise I drain my body and push it further into sickness. I have done that on several occasions before when my husband was alive. Twice by competing in races then to be laid up for several days. I cannot afford even one day of debilitating sickness.

As a single working mom with young children, there is no room for any bedridden illnesses. There are things I must do for my children-drive them to daycare and school, fix meals (esp. with the food sensitivity issues of my youngest), make sure the go to bed and wake up on time. I have thought through and tried to prepare for more serious scenarios. My oldest could call 911 if anything dire happened to me while he was with me. I made an emergency card which I carry in my wallet listing who my children are, where they go to school, as well as local and long distance contacts. I have thought through what would happen if I were in an accident on my way to pick up my children and I did not show up to pick them up. Worst case scenario-something happens and no one knows where I am or who I am. This weekend my main local and long distance contacts will be unavailable. It is not that I fear my own death, I worry about what such a loss would do to my fatherless, young children.

I know that God is in control and any control, I feel I have, is really a farce. I know what scripture says about fear and worry. I have several of those scriptures planted in my heart, but I cannot seem to get my head in on this bandwagon. I struggle with the opponent of "worry" on what seems to be a regular basis. I wish he, worry, could be strong-armed and defeated easily and removed permanently from my thoughts. Like so many opponents, when I have a victory, I tend to turn my back and move on to other things. Meanwhile, he sneaks up and catches me off-guard.

When I started writing this post, I had no intention of going down this morose trail of thoughts. I was just going to update my February progress.

Currently listening to:
boys playing (they woke up at 5:40 AM)

Dinner (last night):
soup & a smoothie b/c of my dental work
fast food for the boys

Currently reading:
Matthew
Best Friends with God
A Grace Disguised

Today grateful for:
my boys
good health
a great dentist
insurance
a great daycare
God's provision
God's faithfulness and love

day 15

Today is day 15 in my February project and as of today I am 5 days behind in my postings. Today I will not be posting my Feb. count as I have not tallied my previous non-posting days counts. Something in my brain starts to get anxious when I fall behind organizationally. I will have a more detailed post hopefully very soon. We went out of town to see my mother and celebrate her 85th birthday. We had a delightful weekend and our Valentine's Day was one of the most enjoyable since Andy died--so I will be posting additional details later. Needless to say, focusing on others with God's love made the past 5 days light and joyful on my heart.

Currently listening to:
coffee brewing

Dinner (last night):
a covered dish potluck at our bereavement meeting

Currently reading:
the Sunday newspaper from the big city-usually takes me a few days to read
John
1John

Today grateful for:
good health
my boys
working automobiles
God's provision
a warm house
my mother
purpose
Godly friends who love us
my students
coffee
the Word

Days 9 & 10

These have been two days that seem more like a blur looking back.

Wednesday is our family night, which consists of our commitment ot spend a few hours with just each other. We eat at home on family night. We do a study together from a devotional book, Gotta Have God. The boys repeat their weekly memory verse again. If they had recited it correctly on 4 different days in the past week and then again on our family night, they each earn a prize from the mystery prize bag. I think memorization of scripture is critical. I have found when I am pressed by tough circumstances, I pull from my reservoir of memorized scripture and praise music. I want my boys to have those Words ever present in their minds-reminding them of who they are in God's eyes and who God is. And to boot, memorization is good brain work. We round out our family nights with reading from a novel and playing a game together.

Yesterday and today, when I looked at my hand, I was reminded of my February love commitment. I also planned out some acts and as a result I felt more focused. Over these past 2 days, I had zero "V8" moments.

Tonight my eldest attended a friend's birthday party at the local skating rink/arcade, so my youngest and I had our own fun night. We went out to our fav local pizza place and he told me jokes for 20 plus minutes. Tonight he learned the meaning of the word hysterical, which he used a dozen or so times during conversation. Then we giggled and shared a banana split.

on this day in February:
celebration (celebrating February & Acts of Love) - 5
discards-5
nonessential purchases - 0

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

I never leave your hands...


Currently listening to:
JJ Heller
Jill Phillips
Warren Barfield

Dinner:
gluten-free pizza

Currently reading:
Ephesians

Today grateful for:
good health
my boys
my newborn niece
a warm house
my son's friends
my sons' teachers
purpose
my students
coffee
the Word

Day 8

Yesterday was Day 8-our busy Tuesday. I was and continue to be a bit preoccupied with prayers and thoughts of several others--a friend sitting by her elderly mother in the hospital, a missionary waiting for the next assignment, a friend in Africa on a mission trip, my boys, a friend with a defiant teenager, my new niece about to be born and her family, others who are battling illness, and my Mom who will have her 85th birthday this week.

Remember the old commercial where someone hits himself in the head with the heel of his hand and says, "I coulda had a v8." Well I've had several moments like that since I began my February love mission. A few or several moments after an encounter, I realize, I coulda showed God's love there.

I have little objects around the house to remind me of different folks and I use these objects as prayer reminders-when I see it I've asked God to continue to put that person on my heart to pray for her/him. So when I see that handmade grocery bag holder, I remember to pray for missionaries. (A friend from a study group years ago, sewed a holder for each member of our group as a reminder to pray for a member of our group who was on a brief mission trip.)

I started thinking, what kind of reminder can I put on my hand to keep this love thought on my mind--to help me remember to share God's love? I want concrete help, in addition to praying to ask God to keep it on my mind and heart, since I am so flighty and self-absorbed sometimes. My thoughts immediately went to having a tattoo on my hand or arm. While I do not at first glance look like a tattoo kind of girl, I am. I have one already. (got it in my twenties during the grateful dead, surfer girl phase---shhh don't tell my mom) Maybe I will do this in the future-a tiny tattoo on my arm or hand to remind me of my purpose. In the mean time, when I looked at my hands my wedding ring reminds me of love. THe ring has three bands. We chose it to symbolize God in our marriage-from the verse:

"a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

So now all during the day when I look at this ring, which I now wear on my right hand, I will be reminded of God's love that I am to share.


on this day in February:
celebration (celebrating February & Acts of Love) - 4
discards-0
nonessential purchases - 0

Currently listening to:
silence

Dinner:
fast food eaten in the waiting room

Currently reading:
Ephesians

Today grateful for:
those in my life who are obedient to God
God's provision
a wonderful daycare
my widow friends
public libraries
the Word
the mind of Christ
God's presence

Day 7

This post will be short as this evening turned out to be busier than I had planned. I spent a large chunk of time helping my eldest study for an upcoming test. Then as I was putting the boys to bed I discovered 2 huge cracks in the wood of the upper bunk. Turns out yesterday, unbeknownst to me my preschooler jumped up and down on the top bunk, his brother's bed, and split the wood. Thank goodness no one was hurt. (No more monkeys jumping on the bed!) So I had to rearrange mattresses, bedding, etc. After they were situated, I had to locate and bring up a toddler bed from the basement and assemble it. (I thought I had given it away a few years ago.) Tomorrow, I will have to rearrange their bedroom to remove the damaged bed and set up the hopefully, temporary, sleeping arrangements. Now I need ehow directions for how to fix split wood and I still have not looked up how to fix a leaky faucet.


Currently listening to:
local news

Dinner:
Hot dogs
carrots
yogurt

Currently reading:
Ephesians

Today grateful for:
an actual workout with a good sweat at the Y (prior to the bed fiasco)
God's provision
physical strength

Day 6

Again I am a day behind in my posting as yesterday was Day 6. Yesterday was a joy, not only because of sunshine and it is the Lord's Day but as another day with chances to act and share.
I recognized long ago that Sundays are often the days when the battle to get out the door is the fiercest. That battle (usually of the wills aka pride) between the residents of our household-you know, kids and their mom-is an affirmation that where we are going and what we are doing is the right thing to do. So I have incorporated a weapon into our Sunday battle routine, praise. In last 10 miles (or more some days) before we reach the church building, no one is allowed to talk. Only praise music is to be heard. We can either sing or just listen. When the fight seems beyond you and your abilities, then you have truth and you should release your grip-give up control, and just praise.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12

I love the opportunity I have to teach preschool on Sundays. It is an honor that sometimes I take for granted. There are places in this world where sharing the gospel with children is a punishable offense. Yesterday, it was our praise and worship time that I am still savoring today. Man, there is nothing like full out, unabashed dancing and singing to the Lord-and these kids let loose. I pray the Lord received their blessing.

Each evening in this month so far, when I have reflected back upon the day, I have realized chances that I missed to let God's thoughts be my thoughts and to bless one of His children. I am disappointed because at my age, I would have thought that I would be more spiritually mature. Thank goodness each day is a new chance.

on this day in February:
celebration (celebrating February & Acts of Love) - 4
discards-21
nonessential purchases - 2
totals thus far: celebrations: 10 (1% of goal); discards: 124 (58% of goal) ; nonessential purchases: 2


Currently listening to:
silence

Dinner:
Super Bowl food
Bacon Cheddar Potato Soup
Chili & Cheese Nachos
fruit

Currently reading:
Ephesians

Today grateful for:
provision
sunshine
my preschoolers
music
God's presence

Day 5

Yesterday was Day 5. I am finding that reaching my daily goals of about 3-4 acts towards my February celebratory 100 Acts of Love are a bit difficult to accomplish spontaneously. From today forward, I will plan out at least 3 per day while still praying for God to show me several other extemporaneous opportunities. In the past 2 days I am blessed as I have been a recipient of more acts of love than I have given.

Today I tackled one of several neglected and cluttered places in the house, my husband's closet.
Some of my widow friends were able to go through their husbands' clothing and belongings soon after the deaths. It was after the 1 year mark before I was able to go through the first of his things. In this closet are still his shirts that were my favorites, his pillow I sealed in plastic the day after he died (hoping that it would still smell like him) and some of his comic books, toys and presents for the boys. Now 2 years later, I am emotionally stronger and able to handle this task better than I was a year or so ago. I stopped only twice for small emotional breakdowns. I spent several hours emptying and sorting most of the items, only about 25% of which were clothing. After most of the contents were strewn ALL over the bedroom, the thought hit me that I should have taken a photo of the closet before I started. I did take a photo of the mid-cleaning sort. I do not have the courage to share that picture publicly, yet. In addition to the general trash, I am discarding or donating over 90 items from the closet.

I broke the goal of zero nonessential purchases as I had to purchase 2 birthday gifts for my sons' friends. He received 2 invitations this week to birthday parties and he no longer wants to give gifts from my bin of on-hand gifts. The boys made one additional purchase each. They have saved money towards their purchases. The boys both have a Larry Burkett, Giving Bank which helps to teach them to tithe and to save for short term as well as long term. Yesterday, my 4 year old purchased a paper jamz drum set and my 9 year old wanted an accessory for his electronic game system. I did not count their purchases towards my monthly total.


in February:
celebration (celebrating February & Acts of Love) - 1
discards-92
nonessential purchases - 2


Currently listening to:


Breakfast
waffles
fruit

Currently reading:
Ephesians
online preview sections of One Thing At A Time

Today grateful for:
healing and good health
clean water
sunshine
my boys
strength from the Lord

Day 4

I am exhausted as I have been caring for a sick child today. I have been up since before 4:30 AM. Hard to believe 3 years ago that was my regular time to rise to pray and run. I will be in bed tonight an hour or so earlier than normal. Just quotes and thoughts to share that have been in my thoughts today....all the while singing, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus."

"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

St. Francis of Assisi was once walking with a priest who was pointing out the splendor of a cathedral they were passing. With a touch of pride the priest remarked, "We can no longer say, 'Silver and gold have we none,' "to which St. Francis replied, "And neither can we say to the cripple, 'Rise up and walk.' "
from Morningstar devotion, day 120

Remember our brothers and sisters in chains throughout the world. The turmoil in Egypt may bring it to the attention of others.

from Voice of the Martyrs, Extreme Devotion:

"Reading stories about extreme believers will not change anything. Praying for extreme believers can change everything-maybe even today."

in February:
celebration (celebrating February & Acts of Love) - 2
discards-4
nonessential purchases - 0


Currently listening to:
children sleeping

Dinner:
pizza
toast (for sick child)

Currently reading:
Matthew
(not much time to read today)

Today grateful for:
my coworkers who helped cover for me today
good health
access to modern meds
shelter and safety
clean water
working automobiles
my boys
music
the joy of the Lord

Day 3

Day 3
Tonight I am turning in early and here are just a few of my thoughts about today---some are a bit disjointed-please forgive me.

The key to staying focused is how I start my day. Started my morning off 1/2 hour earlier in order to have more time in His presence fueling up.

"We are called to be a part of it, by taking dominion for the kingdom of God wherever He has placed us. We are called to turn our homes into a piece of heaven. We are called to turn our jobs, schools, places where we shop, everywhere we go, into part of the domain of heaven. "

"It will come by a love so strong that hatred collapses before it. It will come by a joy so powerful that depression dissipates like fog before the sun. It will come through a peace so profound that fear flees from it. It will come with such patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that all authority and influence based on anything man has tried to build on will not be able to stand before it."

"The time will soon be upon us when everything man has tried to build will be seen as the fragile idol it is, and it will come down. Our job is to simply grow in the kingdom of God..."

from a devotion from Morningstar Ministries

And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Daniel 2:44

This devotion reminds of a principal we learned at church. Each believer has dominion over the area to which she has been assigned. This is not a people-power dominion but a spiritual dominion. The right to claim this place under the authority of God.
I teach a preschool class at my church and Andy used to pray with me in the classroom each Sunday before I taught. He would claim my priesthood over the room and the authority as leader in that group.

Finding a central picture/thought for each day is a wonderful tool which acts as a power principal for guiding me in practicing love. I think that is why I am so encouraged by stories of persecuted Christians despite their circumstances even in the vilest, scariest places, the love of Christ still gives them spiritual dominion and they do not give up. I guess too if you are tiny enough compared to how giant you perceive a situation to be, then the more you have to rely on God if you have any hope of triumphing.

God gave me a vision a few years back. The scripture in Matthew 17 speaks of having faith to move a mountain but God showed me that if I fixate my eyes upon him then every mountain shrinks and is no longer an obstacle much like Peter's experience walking on water. I should never be overwhelmed by the mountains. Any time a mountain seems too big, then I need to refocus. The mountains don't need to be moved, I do.

The hymn says it so well. I just kept humming this today. It especially helped when my preschooler was throwing an all out screaming fit, this morning.


"But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!"
Matthew 14:27
I can here the I AM spoken with thunder and deafening power.



from Oswald Chambers
"But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love"
Boy, there is a line for anyone who works with people-moms. teachers, pastors, etc

I call on God to help me not give up just as he does not give up.


celebration - 1
discards-3
nonessential purchases - 0
(I was tempted as I went into our combo Hallmark/Post Office to pick up priority mail boxes. All of the Christmas stuff was marked 75% off. I stayed firm.)


Currently listening to:
hymns

Dinner:
breakfast
eggs / spinach omelet
bacon
toast
fruit
yogurt

Currently reading:
365 Thank Yous
Matthew
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Today grateful for:
my boys
sunshine
a great dentist
the word
God's love

credits:
Morningstar ministries
Biblegateway.com (great site, can switch between translations and look up cross references with just a click)

Day 2

It seems to me that sometimes when I try to aim in the right direction and do the right thing that is when a struggle often begins. Today was just such a day. I got up early for my quiet time. That went smoothly and I thought it was productive.

Then my eldest got up and began to grumble, pout and complain. He had unfinished homework from the night before. Tuesdays are our hectic evenings--scramble to leave work, grab a fast food dinner to go, pick up the kids, go to counseling (1 child at a time), eat and work on homework in the waiting room, then off to sports or scouts, then rush home and get boys in bed 30-45 minutes later than their regular bedtime. So as the morning routine was beginning, I felt like I was in a mini battle then the battle intensified as my 4 year old got up and only wanted to lay on the couch. Between their grumbling and complaining we managed to have a few minutes of upbeat family snuggle time. The morning was certainly not as joyful and pleasant as yesterday morning. I struggled on my drive to work to get back to that place of peace I had found during my alone time only a few hours earlier. I searched the local Christian radio stations for an uplifting song that would get my mind out of its self-absorbed place. Have you ever noticed how many of contemporary, rock and alternative Christian songs are focused around "whoa is me," "I messed up," "I am a mess" themes. Those are not uplifting for me. I just wanted a good ole hymn of praise. Note to self: remember to put one or two CDs with some of those hymns in the antiquated 6 CD player located in the luggage storage in the back of the car.

So I worked my way through the day with my busiest schedule, the day I see all 200+ students at my school. I did not have my love eyes open so I probably missed opportunities.

This evening we had our regular family night and the boys were fine. Actually they were better than I was. I could feel a hormonal wave rising up towards tsunami size. Really God, what is the purpose of these hormones that cause our emotions to rage against us?

So needless to say, I did no acts of love today. At this point, I am calling it a day..going to bed earlier and I'm ready to try again tomorrow.


celebration - 0
discards-2
nonessential purchases - 0


Currently listening to:
JJ Heller

Dinner:
roast pork tenderloin
rice
broccoli with cheese
milkshakes

Currently reading:
365 Thank Yous
Matthew
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

Today grateful for:
my eldest who is a wonderful big brother
the word
God
second chances

Day 1

I was refreshed in the joy of this new seeking of God's perspective. Other than a time or two when I got caught up as the prey in the spider's web of the daily"task-dom" and moments of self-centeredness, I spent the day completing work objectives and seeking opportunities to celebrate with acts of love. It is fun to spend the day aware and seeking chances to bless others. Finding opportunities was harder than I thought it. I had hopes of finding opportunities above and beyond my daily routine. What I rediscovered is that love is often found, not in grandiose actions, but in sacrificing or just being present for those whom you are with and opening up to be a decanter of sorts, rather than a superhero. I think it was Dr. Phil who I heard say once, when you choose to say "yes" to one thing, then you are saying "no" to something else. Thanks for the chance to say yes to love and no to selfishness. What an "opportunity cost." The two chances I found today were fulfilling.

1. I had the chance to listen and reach out to an 8 year old girl. I stopped a regular routine at school to ask her why she seemed less upbeat. She explained that she was worried about her mom and dad. It seems that they have been sick in bed and she has been caring for them and taking care of her younger siblings. I listened and told her how blessed her family was to have her. I said while she was at school they were at home resting and recovering and at school she could let us care for her. I told her I would pray for them and her. I explained that worrying would only bother her.
   
   
2. In the last five minutes at work I was hurrying to get a final responsibility completed so I could leave on time in order to get to a weekly appointment. Another teacher came in and asked if I could assist in a conference with the parent of a struggling student. I agreed explaining I only had a few minutes because of my appointment. I sat down with the others at a table and began to think of what a fluster I would be in now and I would have to rush to get to where I needed to go. I know it was the Holy Spirit who impressed upon me to be present in this moment as I was needed. My worry dissipated at that moment. I focused on the others I was with. Even though I was 15 minutes behind in leaving, I was at peace and made it to the appointment with time to spare (which has never happened before even when I have left earlier from work.)

As for spending, this morning I was tempted to purchase a book by Oswald Chambers. When I looked it up online, I found it was available as a free e-book from Barnes & Noble.

I have set a few guidelines for my purging efforts. I will only count items for my discard tally that are not regular trash or garbage and at work only my personal items count. Therefore, no papers other than bound items and no organic items. Today, I fell a bit short only discarding 2 items at work and none at home.

I pondered writing of the acts of love. My goal is to seek God's perspective and glorify Him, not to draw attention to myself. Since I am encouraged when I read of the actions of others-regular folks as well as persecuted Christians, I am hoping that maybe others might be encouraged by my sharing my daily attempts.

celebration - 2
discards-2
nonessential purchases - 0

No one can serve two masters Matthew 6:24
Your will be done. Matthew 6:10

Currently listening to:
the rain

Dinner:
fast food

Currently reading:
365 Thank Yous
Matthew
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

Today grateful for:
my boys
the word
God
his joy
chances

Fuel and priority

I have been pondering my post from yesterday, January 31 and considering my weakness and my sources. I am the one who made the initial decision to change but I am not the source of perserverance or the energy that fuels this journey. That can only come from God. As many folks already know, it takes a daily "trip" to remain fueled. You cannot stockpile your spiritual fuel. My time on this earth is short at best relative to the scheme of things. In the days immediately following Andy's death, perspective was so clear to me. Daily I realized what was important and what was "a waste of time."
Important-time with those I love
Wasted time-arguing with those I love
Important-seeking God
Waste-anything that is not seeking and serving God
Important-realizing everything I have is God's
Waste-any importance on stuff
What was so clear then, I cannot see as easily now. I have continued to travel and things are getting getting smaller and smaller in my rear view mirror. It is so easy for me to fall back into old habits and my aim each day is to choose not to do that.

"Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. ³⁶ While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12:35-36

"If Christian martyrs teach us anything, it is that we must use creative energy in order to promote the gospel. Their ingenuity, courage, and even craftiness ought to awaken our own spirit for spreading the Good News. While not everyone has the opportunity to smuggle Scriptures into restricted areas, we can still be willing servants for the kingdom." Voice of the Martyrs, Extreme Devotion