kingdom travelin'

In the first century many Christians fled the war between the Romans and the Jews that took place in Judea in the 60s culminating with the obliteration of Jerusalem in 70.

Some of these refugees went south to Alexandria, many went north through Antioch, west through Galatia and into Asia. They fled destruction and threat. Read the letters of Peter and Hebrews to see the apostolic response to the question: How do we respond to trouble? (Spoiler: Hang on to Jesus!)

Frequently in my travels, the train from Vinnytsia to Kyiv would sometimes stop about 60km southwest of the capital in the city of Fastiv (it’s about the size of Charlottesville). I remember looking into the neighborhoods that lined the railways as we passed through.

This morning a neighborhood of Fastiv was struck by shelling or a rocket.

How do we respond to war?

In Vinnytsia, our partners are using the funds God is providing to care for people moving away from the shelling and rockets of the invaders.

Thanks be to God that this service in the name of Christ is bringing hope.

I was asked a little while ago, how can we pray for you? I answered “please pray that I and all of us abide in God so as to have His wisdom for decisions that must be made.”

Thanks be to God for those who have given for this effort. As of this mornings report, we can keep the funds flowing until next Tuesday! Glory to God!

You can give here:

http://www.ceokids.org/give

Here’s some thoughts from the book of Hebrews:

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews‬ ‭13:1-2, 20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Glory to God!

Please keep praying: here are some suggestions:

How do I pray for Ukraine?

God is faithful. He is working! Thanks to generous friends, this is happening…

Kind and generous friends have sent in about $3500 so far. We’re able to send about $500 per day since Friday. That means that, at present, we can continue helping at this rate through this coming Friday.

Join us as we help those in need inside Ukraine…

http://www.ceokids.org/give

Today is Transfiguration Sunday. It celebrates a wondrous event when three disciples were witness to Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah, the Father proclaiming His Son, and then Jesus turning into blazing light!

This event is a big deal. It is found in all three Synoptic Gospels, here’s Luke’s rendering…

“Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.”
‭‭(Luke‬ ‭9:28-36‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Jesus is the light. Soon after this event, Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem and the cross.

Now, for we who are in Him, we are his light to the world.

There are some dear friends in Vinnytsia, Ukraine who are being lights to people fleeing Kyiv and the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. They are housing, feeding and providing for these refugees as they pass through on their way west.

I’ve just received video from Ukraine of a protest happening right now in Minsk, Belarus. They March against war at GREAT RISK to their own safety in this authoritarian state.

You too can be part of that light.

Thanks be to God, we have the ability to get $500 a day into the hands of these servants of God in the middle of Ukraine. Please give whatever you are able. This is a relief effort for certain. But with this practical help comes the light of Jesus.

Please pray for protesters in Russia and Belarus who are literally risking their own safety for that of others.

Please pray for our colleagues who are literally risking their lives to help travelers. They are being the light!

Please join the effort and share this with those you know.

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

Thank you.

I was so thankful today to be on the phone with our partners when the handoff of the first funds took place. That first infusion of money was going straight to the store to buy supplies for the steady stream of folks stopping in Vinnytsia for some rest as they travel west. Food, personal items, the necessary items for those who left their homes on a hurry as the fighting raged around them.

I was told about a 19 story apartment building that was stuck by a Russian missle. I found this image online.

When I learned the location in Kyiv, it really struck me as I have been through this neighborhood many times on trains or cars as it is not far from the city airport.

Here is the main point: I’m informed that there were no fatalities. Yes, injuries, broke limbs and the sort, but no loss of life. Glory to God!

As I check the news, I am so encouraged by the strength and the confidence of my dear Ukrainians. As a student of Churchill, the parallels between Zelensky / Ukraine to Churchill / England in 1940 are remarkable. Pray for the Ukrainians.

I heard from a brother today in a neighboring former Soviet country who urged the praying for churches and government leaders. Amen! See last night’s post.

Before I prayed myself to sleep last night I meditated on Psalm 30-33. These words stand out:

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!” (Psalm‬ ‭31:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Join me in praying those words for Ukraine.

I learned some sad things today. 1. Captured Russian soldiers say when interviewed that their families do not know where they are. They were told they were going to some part of Russia for training. 2. The Russian government is squelching all news about the war in Ukraine. 3. A Russian cargo plan full of soldiers was shot down in central Ukraine this morning. How many of those families are oblivious to what Putin is doing? Let’s pray for those families who likely don’t know where their sons, husbands and brothers are. Let’s pray for the Russian people who are oppressed and largely oblivious to what is happening.

Pray for peace friends. May God intervene into the heart of Vladimir Putin. Oh God, bring peace.

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!” (Psalm‬ ‭31:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

If you’d like to donate to the effort, all the info you need is here:

http://www.ceokids.org/give

I’ve been asked that question several times today. Here’s something:

Pray the Russians repent and turn to God. Pray their planes don’t fly, their tanks don’t drive and their guns misfire and that they turn away from following that minion of Satan that they follow, and that he, like Nebuchadzer finally did, turns to God.

Pray that Ukrainian leaders are filled with wisdom from above and courage like Daniel and the boys, and that they have victory and give glory to God who alone is worthy!
Pray for this baby who was born in a Kyiv subway station tonight:

Pray for the brothers who lead the churches to stand in the strength of God and lead their people in the power of God Almighty to help one another.

Pray that we love as Jesus commanded:
1st God
then neighbor
then one another…

And yes, for one’s enemy.

In the name of our Creator-Redeemer,

Amen.