Through their blows, the persecutors and the persecuted came to know one another. This is an important gain for both of us, as we continue to walk through persecution. This is what it means when we Chinese say: “Out of blows, knowledge grows!”
There will always be conflicts for people who grow up in a traditional Chinese education, because a Chinese education is an atheistic education. But I never doubted the existence of God. The existence of God was as natural to me as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. It was as natural to me as getting up in the morning.
I am a subversive patriot because, despite the progress we have made as a nation, America is not my best hope for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." My ultimate allegiance is to a King who gave up his own life, liberty, and happiness to redeem us from the tyranny of sin.
Christ has called us to a higher allegiance than that. God's Kingdom has no need of successful political parties or earthly nations in order to grow and thrive. Our brothers and sisters in China remind us: we have thrived through significantly worse times before, and Christ the King is still on the throne.
Read MoreI have an enriched understanding, view, and acceptance of suffering and the way of the cross…Christ is with us. Christ is for us. And Christ will never leave his bride alone. When we face the darkness of the night and trials of the day, we have a great high priest who understands the pain and sorrow found in this world. If we allow him to, he can and will fix our eyes on him and comfort us with his presence. With this I can say that I am “confidently waiting come what may.”
Read MoreGod has been present with us, leading us into this battle, showing that he is leading. We are just following him. Even though there are storms, as long as God is with us, we press on.
And not just me! Among such a group of pastors, this is the common story. God is building a community who shared this experience. People go back to that moment and share and get energized to push forward. It was a great mark in my life and in many people’s lives. The lasting effect will only be known in five or ten years. God is building a community through these small battles in the midst of a big warfare.
Read MoreYou have said that those who believe in Christ should go and die. Therefore, in April, I can die. Therefore, in April, let us die together.
Read MoreI am not merely your true spiritual son in Christ, with you as my spiritual father; I am like another Shuya, and we are connected by flesh and blood. You disappeared, having left behind a group of young ones on the riverbanks of Chengdu…
Read MoreNow the shepherd is struck and the sheep are scattered, and I’m lost once again in the wilderness of Chengdu. Only now do I realize how precious it was that you were indeed my pastor, and I have unconsciously received the unimaginable grace of God through your office, your authority, your diligence, and your faithfulness.
Read MoreApril is indeed is a month of death and resurrection. Pastor Wang Yi said to us in his sermon: “Is the resurrection of Christ unequivocally true of you? If so, go and die!”
Read MoreGod began a great work in China many, many years ago, and today, you are the evidence of what God began many years ago. Phil. 1:6 is a great promise from God; a promise for you and for the whole church in China. That verse kept my parents going even when they had to leave China, as they remembered it was God who started the work. It was not their work, it was God’s work, and you are a wonderful evidence of that promise.
Read MoreMy passion is to walk with other people and be an instrument of healing for other people. I know most Chinese have similar family wounds. That affects their relationship with their spouse, with God, with their children, all of it. I expect God to use it—somewhere.
Read MoreI realized it is all the Spirit’s work, it has nothing to do with me. But how exciting to be the person, to be the tool, in the middle of this process. I thought, “I can share the gospel with people. God can use me, and it doesn’t have to be too complicated.”
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