martyr stories for kids

I just discovered that Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) has produced a line of 9 kids videos that features the stories of Christ followers who've been persecuted (and many, maybe all killed) for their faith.

The series includes (and I don't know all these people):

• Perpetua
• Richard Wurmbrand
• Eric Liddell
• Jim Elliot
• Gladys Aylward
• William Tyndale
• John Bunyan
• William Booth
• Amy Carmichael

Sounds awesome. I'd really like to check these out!

a Titus 1 man

In reading Titus this morning, I started thinking that Titus 1:6-9 is like the Proverbs 31 for men. I very much hope to marry a Titus 1 man.

Paul here is describing the qualities necessary for elders in the church. In the NLT, here's what we're looking for:

• well thought of for his good life
• faithful to his wife (I heard a message on this once being actually translated as a "one-woman man")
• children must be believers who are not wild or rebellious (this is definitely the hardest one, as its really beyond your control how your children choose to live after they are grown)
• live a blameless life
• not arrogant
• not quick-tempered
• not a heavy drinker
• not violent
• not greedy for money
• must enjoy having guests in his home
• must love all that is good
• must live wisely and be fair
• live a devout and disciplined life
• strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message he was taught
• able to encourage others with right teaching
• able to show those who oppose right teaching where they are wrong

This is good stuff. And just because I like examining different translations, I'm digging back into my well-worn NIV Bible. Here's the criteria via NIV:

• blameless
• husband of but one wife
• a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient
• blameless (again. yes, it mentions it twice)
• not overbearing
• not quick-tempered
• not given to drunkenness
• not violent
• not pursuing dishonest gain
• hospitable
• love what is good
• self-controlled
• upright
• holy
• disciplined
• holds firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can (1) encourage others by sound doctrine and (2) refute those who oppose it

Love it. Great stuff.

robust & dangerous levels

"We work to see young adults awakened to robust, dangerous and compelling levels of biblical discipleship, equipping them to live counter-cultural lives."

Read this description of an organization called Uber. Don't know much about it, but I loved this line. What a great way to describe the discipleship we really want to see?

Robust
Dangerous 
Compelling

Love it.

what am I stirring up?

I'm very familiar with the verse in Song of Solomon warning not to arouse love until it desires. Then tonight I came across 2 Timothy 1:6 with that same idea of stirring up. So I'm looking at the two passages side by side. And I'm reading from the Amplified Bible tonight.

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you never [again attempt to] stir up or awaken love until it pleases. - Song of Solomon 8:4

That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. -2 Timothy 1:6

Makes me think about what I'm stirring up in my life. Am I fanning into flame the gifts God has given me? And how can I do a better job of that?