To the Christians in Pakistan

Thank you for encouraging me…


...to take risks for Jesus.

…to see beyond the visible (including dirty dishes and impossible Science lessons).

…to share the love of Christ.

…to forgive.

…to treasure Jesus more than anything else.


I am proud to be your sister.


You can read the story of Sandul, a young Pakistani woman imprisoned for Jesus, here.

Heart's-Ease

Oh, there was never a blossom
That bloomed so blithe as she,
On the bitter land, by the salt-wet sand,
On the margin of the sea.
Where never a flower but the gorse can blow,
And the dry sea-pink that the mermen sow,
There grows she.

Oh, there was never a blossom
That bloomed so brave as she
On the narrow ledge of the mountain's edge
Where the wild fowl hardly be.
And over her head the Four Seasons go
With a rush of wings when the Storm Kings blow--
There grows she.

Oh, there was never a blossom
That bloomed as content as she,
In the heart that burned, and loved and learned
Of the Man of Galilee.
And plant her high, or plant her low,
In a bed of fire, or a field of snow,
There grows she.

--Amy Carmichael

Unshakable Confidence

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5b-7

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
Though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Psalm 46:1-3

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings."

A Prayer

My mind is swirling
With thoughts about life
And every idea
Slips out of my grasp
I can’t pen it down
Who am I?
And what is life?
Teach me the truth

Life is so short,
But so shockingly real
And I forget what lies beyond
Beyond the visible
Give me a bit of Your Vision
That I may feel the weight of eternity
And in every precious person
See the wonder of a soul

I wait here quietly,
Listening for Your Voice;
My heart strains to hear
The strains of holy music.
Where is my place in this symphony?
I'm listening, I'm yearning,
My heart is straining to hear
The music of Your Voice.

R.J.S.

Precious children...

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” -Jesus (Mark 9:37)

Sweet little girls,
With your wide, innocent eyes...





When I look into your eyes
Sometimes I think I see
Jesus looking back at me





I pray that when He knocks
Your heart will open wide
That you will recognize His voice
And follow as His Bride.

(Photo credit: Shaunda Stoltzfus)

Martyrs: Radical or Normal Christians?

Recently I have been reading stories from China's Book of Martyrs by Paul Hattaway. This book profiles hundreds of martyrs throughout the centuries whose blood watered the soil in China for the present time of harvest. I was shaken to realize that some of them were 19 year old girls like me. How I covet their devotion to Christ! I tend to think of martyrs as "radical Christians." The way of suffering love is radical, but really this is normal Christianity according to Christ.

"Weakness, suffering and sacrifice are God's modus operandi. This is how he achieves his ends: not through strength, through compulsion, but through love, through invitation.

In the process, the Servant of God suffers and dies; and so do those who follow him. This is to be expected--this is God's way of reconciling the world to himself. A cross-centred gospel requires cross-carrying messengers. When Jesus declared, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me' (Matthew 16:24), we need to take his words much more literally than we are used to doing... ... ...To be called to follow Christ is to receive a call to suffer"

--Glenn Penner, "A Biblical View of Persecution" (preface to China's Book of Martyrs)

So if Jesus' call is to come and die, what does that mean for me...a sheltered 19 year old girl in American society? I can remember being scoffed at for my faith only once. What do Paul's words mean, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12)? I have pledged my allegiance to this Jesus, and I think these questions are worthy of my consideration.

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear!

And by the way, China's Book of Martyrs and other books by Paul Hattaway are on clearance at IBS; they're practically giving them away! (I highly recommend Peoples of the Buddhist World. It contains prayer profiles of more than 200 Buddhist people groups with color photographs as well as incredible testimonies to the power of God.)

The Answer

Empty eyes filled with longing
Empty hearts filled with sorrow
Empty lives filled with pain
Empty people dreading tomorrow

Thirsty eyes, always seeking
Thirsty hearts, never satisfied
Thirsty lives looking for love
Thirsty people needing purified

Hurting eyes filled with anger
Hurting hearts deep inside
Hurting lives, broken and trampled
Hurting people full of pride—

Empty, thirsty, hurting people,
Turn your eyes to a darkened hill
Where the King of Heaven suffers
Bring your sin here, and be still.

See the anguish in His eyes
See the thorns that pierce His brow
All this blood He shed for you
Longing, hoping to heal you now—
Behold, the Lamb of God!

Now come see the empty tomb!
See the One who conquered death
Receive from Him Eternal Life
Return to Him who gave you breath

Joyful eyes shining bright
Joyful hearts with songs of love
Joyful lives, healed and hopeful
Joyful people looking above


R.J.S., 2006

A Little Update on My Life

Christmas vacation is coming to an end...and this evening as I sit at the computer working on our school schedule I realize I am ready to again take up the challenge of teaching my sisters. One of the biggest changes for me in 2008 was going from student to teacher. But I am still learning so much every day...as a direct result of teaching. :-)

Now for some pictures (surprise, surprise!)...


This would be the graduating class of 2008 from Faith Builders Christian School. (Wow, that seems like so long ago, but I still miss these people!)

Here are some pics of my students (who also happen to be my sweet sisters)...


Miss Veronica working on...something. I don't always let my students lounge on the sofa. :-)


And the budding scientist observing a mixture...or is it a solution?


And I couldn't find any pictures of Miriam doing schoolwork, but here she is. :-)


Have a wonderful 2009!