Category Archives: seeking understanding

On this day after Orthodox Easter we rejoice in the risen Jesus.

A text of Scripture that has been key to life for me over the years is helpful always, but especially at this moment.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

This is timely as I get updates from friends. I’ve learned of new air attacks upon railways and five railway stations (places withheld). Western Ukraine, like southern Ukraine, is increasingly targeted.

I also learned of the murder of a friend’s cousin and her teenage children by enemy troops in Mariupol. Please pray for this family as they grieve.

This war is a global tragedy, but it is also very, very personal.

While the atrocities continue, so do the efforts of our partners who have housed several thousands who move west.

They have fed almost 70,000 who have no access to food. These are in cities, but also villages and suburbs that the big NGO feeding centers cannot help. As the war continues, so do their efforts.

They continue to help those on evacuation trains.

To God be the Glory.

May God have mercy.

May God comfort Ukrainians who are now in the third month of war.
May His Spirit surround and fill them as they wrestle with continuing bad news.
May Jesus, our great high priest, who understands, draw them all up into his presence and join them in their grieving.

Thank you for praying.

Thank you for staying informed.

Thank you for giving to our Ukraine Aid fund so that we may continue sending resources daily to help Ukrainians who are serving their fellow Ukrainians inside Ukraine.

Please GIVE: http://www.ceokids.org/give

Today is Easter in Orthodox cultures. This includes my beloved Ukraine.

Though engulfed in war, Easter traditions continue.

In my readings this morning this Psalm stood out.

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭146:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Praise God for the resurrection that defeated death.

Christ is Risen!!!

I learned that Odessa has been attacked today.

Apartment buildings.

Please pray.

I’m concerned that this may ignite a fresh wave of people coming through.

Pray that our partners are ready.

Pray we can keep the resources flowing to help them.

May God have mercy.

Tomorrow is Easter in Ukraine and other primary Orthodox cultures.

Pray that the hope and power of the resurrection reality will help them.

May God have mercy.

Thank you for praying, thank you for giving.

GIVE: http://www.ceokids.org/give

$3 provides a substantial meal.

I was listening up on the mount the other morning. The subject of the teaching was – in my words – Jesus and the Bible. I suggest you consider giving this classic Tim Keller a listen.

CLICK THIS ⬇️

http://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/god-s-indelible-pen/

or this ⬇️

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000532579089

The meals keep being cooked, packaged, and taken to hard hit places along the northern, eastern and southern regions of Ukraine.

Our partners continue to work around the clock to care for hungry people but also to give them hope.

This great endeavor to feed those in danger zones has brought substantial meals to communities from Zhtomyer to Kyiv up to Chernihiv, over to Kharkiv all the way down and around to Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolyiv.

This is a work of love. These partners are the hands and feet of God bringing hope to people caught in a seemingly hopeless situation.

With God there is always hope.

Below is a photo of a dear brother who was sharing that hope in God in conversation with a person who had received food.

We are so grateful to partner with these faithful servants of God. As the war begins its ninth week, they continue to serve. We continue to send essential funds daily to enable them to continue to serve hungry and displaced Ukrainians. Thank you who have given to join us in this great endeavor.

Here’s results of how our partnership is helping:

Total meals cooked, sealed and delivered to hard hit and often dangerous communities inside Ukraine: 60,758.

Number of persons receiving some level of temporary housing at our partner camp: 7129

Persons who pass through this week and find food and temporary accommodation for a night this week from Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv: per night average 120.

We’re committed to long term help. To date every dime donated has gone to Ukraine. We thank God that, thus far, we are able to pay all bank fees and administrative costs from our general fund.

Please continue to pray for Ukraine, for peace, for our partners to have strength when air raids keep them up much of the night, for us to continue to be able to send them funds.

Thank you for giving.

GIVE: http://www.ceokids.org/give